How to remove a child from Family Link
You can remove a child's account from Google Family Link through the Family Link app on your own device. The process takes about two minutes and immediately stops the parental controls on that child's account — they will no longer see screen time limits, app restrictions, or location sharing. The child keeps their Google account; you are only disconnecting the supervision link.
The steps differ slightly depending on whether you are using an Android phone, iPhone, or a computer. In all cases, you need to be signed into the Family Link app or website with the parent account that originally set up the supervision.
Key Takeaways
- Removing a child from Family Link stops all parental controls immediately but does not delete their Google account.
- You must use the parent account that originally set up Family Link to remove the child.
- On Android and iPhone, you remove the child through the Family Link app by opening their profile and selecting the remove option.
- On a computer, you can remove a child by signing into families.google.com with your parent account.
- Once removed, the child can change their own passwords, download any app, and adjust their own screen time settings.
Remove a child using the Family Link app on Android
Open the Family Link app on your Android phone or tablet. Make sure you are signed in with the parent account. Tap the child's name or profile picture to open their account details.
Scroll down to the bottom of the screen and tap Remove child. A confirmation message will appear asking if you are sure. Tap Remove again to confirm. The child's account is now disconnected from Family Link, and all parental controls stop working immediately.
Remove a child using the Family Link app on iPhone
Open the Family Link app on your iPhone. Tap the child's name or profile picture at the top of the screen. Scroll down and tap Remove child.
A confirmation screen will appear. Tap Remove to finish. The child is now removed from Family Link. If you have multiple children under supervision, you will return to the list of remaining children.
Remove a child using a computer
Go to families.google.com in your web browser and sign in with the parent account. Click the child's name or profile card. On the left side of the screen, click Settings.
Scroll down and click Remove child. A box will ask you to confirm. Click Remove. The child is now removed from Family Link and the page will refresh to show your remaining family members.
What happens after you remove a child
Once a child is removed, they regain full control of their own account. They can change their password, download apps without restriction, set their own screen time, and adjust privacy settings on their own. If they have a supervised device (like a Chromebook or Android tablet set up specifically for Family Link), they will still need to enter a password to use it, but they can change that password themselves.
The child's Google account remains active and all their data — emails, photos, documents, YouTube history — stays on the account. You are only removing the supervision connection, not the account itself. If you want to delete the account entirely, that is a separate process that requires the child's permission if they are old enough to have set a password.
If you cannot find the remove option
The remove option only appears if you are signed into the parent account that originally created the Family Link supervision. If you set up Family Link on one Google account and are now trying to remove the child from a different parent account, you will not see the remove button. Sign out and sign back in with the original parent account.
If you are the only parent on the account and still cannot see the remove option, try closing the Family Link app completely and opening it again. On a computer, try clearing your browser cache or using a different browser. If the problem continues, you may need to contact Google Support, though this is rare.
Removing a child from a shared device
If the child has a device that was set up specifically for Family Link — such as a Chromebook or Android tablet with a supervised account — removing them from Family Link does not automatically remove their account from that device. They will still need to sign in with their Google account to use it.
If you want to completely remove their access to a shared device, you will need to remove their account from that device separately. On an Android device, go to Settings, then Accounts, find the child's account, and tap Remove Account. On a Chromebook, sign out of the child's account and remove it from the sign-in screen through Settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remove a child from Family Link if they are not home?
Yes. You do not need the child present or their permission to remove them from Family Link. You only need access to the parent account on your own device. The removal happens immediately on Google's servers, so the child will notice the change the next time they try to use their device or open an app that was previously blocked.
What if I have multiple children and only want to remove one?
Open Family Link and tap or click the specific child you want to remove. Follow the removal steps for just that child. Your other children will remain supervised and their parental controls will stay active. You can remove children one at a time in any order.
Can I add a child back to Family Link after removing them?
Yes, but you will need to set up Family Link again from the beginning. Open the Family Link app, tap Add Child, and follow the setup process. The child's account will be linked to your parent account again, and you can set new screen time limits and app restrictions. Their previous settings will not be restored.
Will the child know I removed them from Family Link?
They will notice when parental controls stop working — apps they could not download will become available, screen time limits will disappear, and location sharing will turn off. They will not receive a notification saying you removed them, but the change will be obvious when they use their device.
Do I need to remove a child from Family Link before they turn 18?
No. Family Link does not automatically stop working when a child reaches 18. You can keep supervising an older teen if you both agree, or you can remove them at any time. If you want to stop supervising them, you must manually remove them from Family Link.