Family Link is Google's parental control system built into Android phones and Chromebooks
Google Family Link is a free app that lets a parent or guardian monitor and set limits on what a child can do on an Android device or Chromebook. You install the Family Link app on your own phone, link it to your child's device, and then control things like screen time, app access, and location from your phone. It does not require a subscription or special account — just a Google account, which most people already have.
The system works in two parts: the parent app (on your device) and the child app or settings (on theirs). Once linked, you see what apps your child uses, how much time they spend on the device each day, and where they are. You can set daily screen time limits, lock the device at bedtime, approve or block specific apps, and see their location on a map. Your child cannot uninstall Family Link or turn it off without your permission.
Family Link only works on Android devices running Android 7.0 or higher and on Chromebooks. It does not work on iPhones or iPads. If your child uses an Apple device, you would need to use Apple's built-in parental controls (called Screen Time) instead.
Key Takeaways
- Family Link is free and works on Android phones, tablets, and Chromebooks, but not on iPhones or iPads.
- You control screen time limits, app access, location tracking, and device lock from your phone, while your child cannot disable it without your permission.
- Your child sees a simplified version of Android or Chromebook designed for their age, and you approve new app downloads before they can install them.
- Family Link shows you daily screen time reports and app usage, so you can see what your child is actually doing on the device.
How to set up Family Link on your child's device
Start by downloading the Family Link app on your own Android phone or tablet from Google Play. Open it, sign in with your Google account, and tap the option to add a child. You will need your child's Google account email address — if they do not have one, you can create it during setup. Google requires you to verify your identity (usually by entering a payment method) before you can link a child account.
On your child's device, go to Settings, then Accounts, and add your Google account as a secondary account. Family Link will detect this and prompt you to finish the setup. Once you confirm on both devices, your child's phone or tablet will switch to a restricted version of Android with Family Link active. Your child will see only apps you have approved, and you will see all activity from the parent app on your phone.
If you are setting up Family Link on a Chromebook, the process is similar: sign in with your child's Google account, and Family Link will activate automatically if that account is linked to a parent account. You manage everything from the Family Link app on your phone.
What you can control with Family Link
The main controls are screen time limits, app approval, and location. You set a daily screen time limit (for example, two hours per day), and when your child reaches it, the device locks automatically. You can also set a bedtime — the device locks at a specific time each night and unlocks at a time you choose in the morning. These limits apply to all apps combined, not individual ones.
For apps, you see everything installed on your child's device and can approve or block each one. When your child tries to download a new app from Google Play, it sends a request to your phone. You see the app name and can tap approve or decline. Your child cannot install anything without your permission. You can also remotely uninstall apps from the parent app if you change your mind later.
Location tracking shows your child's current location on a map in the Family Link app. You can see where they are at any time, and you get a notification when they arrive at or leave a location you set (like school or home). This works as long as the device has location services turned on and a data connection.
You can also see a report of how much time your child spent on the device each day, which apps they used most, and for how long. This report updates daily and helps you spot patterns — for example, if they are spending three hours on YouTube when you set a two-hour limit, something is wrong with the limit or the device is not locking properly.
What Family Link does not do
Family Link does not monitor the content your child sees — it does not filter websites, block specific videos, or read messages. It only controls whether an app is installed and how much time can be spent on the device overall. If you want to block certain websites or filter search results, you need a separate tool like Google SafeSearch or a third-party content filter.
Family Link also does not prevent your child from using another device you do not control. If they have access to a friend's phone, a tablet without Family Link, or a computer, they can use those without any restrictions. The system only works on devices where you have set it up.
It does not monitor calls or texts, and it does not show you what your child is saying to other people. Location tracking only shows where the device is, not what they are doing there. If privacy is a concern for your child, Family Link is transparent about this — they can see in their device settings that location is being tracked.
Age-appropriate features and Google accounts for children
Google requires you to create a supervised Google account for children under 13 (the age varies by country). This account is linked to your parent account and has restrictions built in — for example, your child cannot change their password or delete the account without your permission. The account also cannot be used to sign into services that require you to be 13 or older, like YouTube or Gmail.
Once your child turns 13, you have the option to let them take over the account and remove Family Link supervision, or to keep Family Link active. Many parents keep it active into the teen years. If you remove Family Link, your child can still use the same Google account, but you will no longer see their activity or control their device.
Troubleshooting common Family Link problems
If Family Link stops working, the most common cause is that location services or data is turned off on your child's device. Family Link needs an active internet connection and location permission to send updates to your phone. Check that the device has WiFi or mobile data turned on, and that location services are enabled in Settings.
If screen time limits are not working and your child can use the device past the limit you set, check that the time zone is correct on both devices. Family Link uses the device's time zone to calculate when the limit starts and ends. If the time zone is wrong, the lock time will be wrong too. Also check that you actually saved the limit — sometimes the setting appears to be set but was not confirmed.
If you cannot see your child's location, make sure location permission is turned on for the Family Link app itself. Go to Settings, Apps, Family Link, Permissions, and turn on Location. Your child's device also needs to have location services enabled globally, not just for Family Link.
How Family Link compares to other parental control options
If your child uses an iPhone or iPad, you cannot use Family Link — you would use Apple's Screen Time instead, which offers similar controls (screen time limits, app approval, location tracking) but is built into iOS rather than a separate app. Screen Time works only on Apple devices.
Third-party parental control apps like Bark, Life360, or Qustodio offer more advanced features than Family Link, such as content filtering, text message monitoring, and social media tracking. These apps usually cost money (typically $10 to $20 per month) and work on both Android and iOS. Family Link is free and simpler, so it is a good starting point if you want basic controls without paying for a subscription.
Some parents use a combination: Family Link for screen time and app control on Android devices, and Screen Time on iPhones or iPads. Others add a third-party app if they want content filtering or more detailed monitoring. The right choice depends on what you want to monitor and which devices your child uses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my child delete Family Link or turn it off?
No. Your child cannot uninstall the Family Link app, remove the linked account, or disable the parental controls without your permission. If they try to uninstall it, the device will block the action. They can see that Family Link is active in their device settings, but they cannot remove it themselves.
What happens if my child's device runs out of battery or loses internet?
Screen time limits and app blocks will still work because they are stored on the device itself. Location tracking will stop working because it needs an internet connection to send updates to your phone. Once the device reconnects to WiFi or mobile data, location updates will resume.
Can I use Family Link on multiple children's devices?
Yes. You can link as many child accounts as you want to your parent account in the Family Link app. Each child's device is managed separately, so you can set different screen time limits and app permissions for each one. You see all of them in the same Family Link app on your phone.
Does Family Link work if my child is using a school-issued Chromebook?
It depends on how the school set up the device. If the Chromebook is managed by the school's admin account, Family Link may not work or may conflict with the school's own restrictions. Check with your child's school about their device management policy before trying to set up Family Link.
Can my child see that I am tracking their location?
Yes. Your child can see in their device settings that location services are enabled and that Family Link has permission to access location. Family Link does not hide the fact that you are tracking them — it is transparent about the monitoring happening on the device.