You can remove Family Link yourself if you're old enough, but the process depends on your age and your parent's settings
Google Family Link is designed to let parents monitor and control their child's device. If you're the child on the account, you have options to remove it — but what you can actually do depends on how old you are and what restrictions your parent set up. If you're 13 or older (or the age of digital consent in your country), you can request removal and your parent can approve it. If you're younger, you'll need your parent to remove it themselves. Either way, the process happens inside the Family Link app or through your Google Account settings.
Removing Family Link doesn't happen instantly. Your parent gets a notification and has to agree to the removal. If they don't respond or refuse, you're stuck with the controls until they change their mind or until you reach the age where Google automatically releases the account.
Key Takeaways
- If you're 13 or older, you can request removal through Family Link and your parent will receive a notification to approve it.
- If you're under 13, only your parent can remove Family Link — you cannot do it yourself no matter what.
- The removal request takes time to process; your parent must actively approve it for the controls to come off.
- If your parent refuses removal, you have no technical way around it until you reach the age of digital consent in your region.
How to request removal if you're 13 or older
Open the Family Link app on your device. Tap your name or profile picture at the top. Scroll down and look for an option that says "Request to manage your own account" or "Manage your own account" — the exact wording changes depending on your device and which version of Family Link you have. Tap it.
You'll see a message explaining that your parent will be notified of your request. Confirm that you want to send the request. Your parent will get a notification on their device or in their Family Link app that you've asked to remove the controls. They have the option to approve or deny the request. If they approve it, Family Link will be removed from your account within a few hours. If they deny it, the controls stay in place and you'll need to ask them directly why they said no.
If you don't see this option in the Family Link app, check your Google Account settings instead. Go to myaccount.google.com, click "Security" on the left side, scroll down to "Your devices," and look for Family Link listed there. If it appears, you should see an option to request removal. The button might say "Request to remove" or "Remove supervision."
What to do if you're under 13
You cannot remove Family Link yourself if you're under 13. The system is designed this way intentionally — Google doesn't allow children under 13 to manage their own accounts, and Family Link is part of that protection. Your parent or guardian is the only person who can remove it.
If you want the controls removed, you need to talk to your parent directly. Explain what you need access to and why the current restrictions are a problem. They may be willing to adjust the settings without removing Family Link entirely — for example, they could extend your screen time limit, unlock a specific app, or allow certain websites. That's often a faster solution than waiting for them to remove the whole system.
If your parent is willing to remove it, they open the Family Link app, tap your name, and select "Remove account" or "Stop supervising this account." They'll confirm the action, and Family Link will be gone within a few hours.
When Family Link removes itself automatically
Google automatically releases Family Link supervision when you turn 18 in most countries, or when you reach the age of digital consent in your region (which is 13 in some places, 16 in others, depending on local laws). When this happens, you don't have to do anything — the controls simply stop working and you get full access to your account.
You can check when this will happen by opening Family Link and looking at your profile. It should show your birthdate and tell you when supervision will end. If the date seems wrong, ask your parent to check their Family Link app and correct it if needed.
What happens after Family Link is removed
Once Family Link is gone, your parent can no longer see your location, monitor your app usage, control your screen time, or lock your device remotely. You have full control over your Google Account and what you do on your device. Your parent won't receive notifications about your activity.
However, if your parent set up other parental controls outside of Family Link — like restrictions built into your phone's operating system, your WiFi router, or your school's device management system — those will still be in place. Family Link removal only affects Google's supervision system, not other tools your parent may have installed.
If your parent won't approve the removal request
If you're 13 or older and you requested removal but your parent denied it, you have limited options. You can ask them again in person and try to understand their concerns. Sometimes parents deny the request because they want to talk about it first, or because they think you're not ready yet. A conversation might lead to a compromise — like removing some restrictions while keeping others.
You cannot override your parent's decision or remove Family Link without their approval. There is no technical workaround, and attempting to uninstall the app or factory reset your device won't remove the supervision — Family Link is tied to your Google Account, not just your device.
If you believe your parent is using Family Link unfairly or as a form of control that's affecting your safety or wellbeing, talk to another trusted adult — a school counselor, relative, or teacher. They can help you figure out whether the situation needs intervention.
Troubleshooting: The removal request button isn't showing up
If you're 13 or older but you don't see a "request removal" option in Family Link, a few things could be wrong. First, make sure you're using the most recent version of the Family Link app. Open your device's app store (Google Play Store on Android, App Store on iPhone), search for Family Link, and tap "Update" if it's available. Outdated versions sometimes don't show all options.
Second, check that your parent actually set up Family Link on your account. If they only installed parental controls through your device's settings (not through Google Family Link), you won't see a removal option in the Family Link app because it's not there. In that case, you'll need to ask your parent to remove those controls from your device settings instead.
Third, restart your device and try again. Sometimes the app needs a fresh start to show all available options. If you still don't see it after updating and restarting, ask your parent to check their Family Link app — they might need to update their version too, or there might be a setting on their end that's preventing the request option from appearing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remove Family Link if I'm 12 and my birthday is next month?
No. Family Link removal is based on your current age, not your upcoming birthday. You'll need to wait until you actually turn 13 (or the age of digital consent in your area) before you can request removal. Once you turn that age, the option should appear in the Family Link app automatically.
What if I forgot my Google password and can't open Family Link?
You can reset your Google password at accounts.google.com/signin/recovery. You'll need to verify your identity using a recovery email or phone number your parent set up. Once you reset your password and log back in, you can open Family Link and request removal if you're old enough. If you can't recover your account, ask your parent to help you reset it.
Does removing Family Link delete my Google Account?
No. Removing Family Link only removes the parental supervision controls. Your Google Account, email, photos, and everything else stays exactly the same. You'll just have full control over it instead of your parent.
Can my parent see that I requested removal?
Yes. When you request removal, your parent gets a notification on their device and in their Family Link app. They'll know you asked, and they'll see the option to approve or deny it. You can't hide the request.
What if my parent set up Family Link but I don't know their password?
You don't need your parent's password to request removal — the request goes through your own account. However, your parent will need to approve it using their password or their device. If they refuse to approve it and won't tell you why, you'll need to have a conversation with them about what's making them hesitant.