The quickest way to turn off Family Link

To turn off Google Family Link, you need to remove the supervised account from the Family Link app. The person who set up Family Link (usually a parent) opens the Family Link app on their own device, selects the child's account, goes to Settings, scrolls to the bottom, and taps "Remove account." The child's device will no longer be supervised once this is complete.

If you're the child trying to turn off Family Link yourself, you cannot do it directly — the account owner must remove it. If you're the parent who set it up but forgot which device you used to manage it, you can sign into Family Link through a web browser at families.google.com instead of using the app.

The process takes less than a minute. After removal, the child can use their Google account normally without restrictions, though any apps installed by Family Link remain on the device.

Key Takeaways

  • Only the parent or guardian who created the Family Link account can remove it — the child cannot turn it off themselves.
  • Open the Family Link app on the parent's device, select the child's account, go to Settings, and tap "Remove account" at the bottom.
  • You can also manage Family Link through families.google.com on any web browser if you don't have the app.
  • Removing Family Link does not delete the child's Google account or uninstall apps — it only stops the supervision and restrictions.

Step-by-step removal on Android or iPhone

Start by opening the Family Link app on the parent's device. If you don't have it installed, download it from Google Play Store (Android) or the App Store (iPhone). Sign in with the Google account that created the Family Link setup.

Tap on the child's name or account card. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen and look for "Settings" — tap it. At the very bottom of the Settings page, you'll see "Remove account" in red text. Tap that button, and a confirmation message will appear asking if you're sure. Confirm the removal.

The child's device will refresh within a few minutes. Family Link restrictions will stop working immediately, though the app itself may remain visible on the device until you manually uninstall it.

Removing Family Link through the web browser

If you've lost access to the parent device or the Family Link app isn't working, you can remove the account online. Go to families.google.com in any web browser and sign in with the parent Google account.

Click on the child's account from the list. Look for the three-dot menu icon (usually in the top right corner) and select "Remove account." Confirm the removal when prompted. This method works the same way as the app and takes effect within minutes.

The web method is also useful if you're trying to manage Family Link from a computer or tablet instead of a phone.

What happens after you remove Family Link

Once Family Link is removed, the child's device no longer has app restrictions, screen time limits, or location tracking through Family Link. The child can download apps without approval, change device settings, and use their account with full permissions.

The Family Link app itself stays on the device unless you manually delete it. You can uninstall it like any other app — on Android, long-press the app icon and select "Uninstall," or on iPhone, long-press and select "Remove App." Removing the app doesn't affect the account removal; it's just cleanup.

Any apps that were installed through Family Link remain on the device and continue to work normally. The child's Google account is not deleted, and their data (photos, contacts, emails) stays intact.

If the child's device is lost or stolen

If you need to remove Family Link because the device is no longer in your possession, sign into families.google.com from any computer and remove the account the same way. You can also change the child's Google password from the Family Link settings to lock the account if you're concerned about unauthorized access.

If the device itself is missing, you can use Google's Find My Mobile (Android) or Find My (iPhone) to locate, lock, or erase the device remotely. These tools work independently of Family Link.

Turning off individual Family Link features instead of removing it entirely

If you want to keep some supervision but remove restrictions, you don't have to delete Family Link completely. In the Family Link app, you can turn off specific features: open the child's account, go to Settings, and toggle off "App management," "Screen time," or "Location" individually.

This approach lets you keep location tracking while removing app restrictions, for example, or keep screen time limits while allowing the child to install apps freely. You only need to remove the entire account if you want no supervision at all.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my child turn off Family Link without my permission?

No. Family Link is designed so that only the parent account can remove it. A child cannot disable it, uninstall the supervision, or change the restrictions without access to the parent's device or account. If your child has somehow disabled it, they likely had access to your Google password or the parent device.

What if I forgot the parent password?

Go to families.google.com and click "Forgot password?" on the sign-in screen. Google will send a recovery link to the email address associated with the parent account. If you don't have access to that email, you may need to verify your identity through a phone number or recovery account before you can reset the password and access Family Link.

Does removing Family Link delete my child's Google account?

No. Removing Family Link only stops the supervision — the Google account itself remains active and intact. All of the child's data, emails, photos, and settings stay on their device and in their Google account. The account can be used normally after Family Link is removed.

Can I remove Family Link if my child is over 18?

Yes, you can remove it at any time. However, Google automatically transitions supervised accounts to regular accounts when the child turns 18 in some regions. Check your local rules, as this varies by country. You can also manually remove Family Link before that age if you choose to.

Will removing Family Link affect other Google services like Gmail or YouTube?

No. Removing Family Link only removes the parental supervision layer. Gmail, YouTube, Google Drive, and all other Google services continue to work normally on the account. The child will have full access to all Google services without restrictions once Family Link is gone.