Kids getting their first smartphone is exciting — and nerve-wracking. Google Family Link lets you see what apps they’re using, set screen time limits, approve app downloads, and track their location, all from your own phone.
Short Answer: Google Family Link is a free parental control app by Google. Install it on a parent’s phone and set up a supervised account on the child’s Android device. You can then see app usage, set daily screen time limits, approve or block apps, and see your child’s location.
What Google Family Link Can Do
- See which apps your child uses and for how long
- Set daily screen time limits and bedtime schedules
- Remotely lock the device (immediately or at a scheduled time)
- Approve or block app downloads from the Play Store
- See your child’s location on a map
- Manage their Google account settings and restrict content by age
Requirements
- Parent’s phone: Android or iPhone with the Family Link parent app installed
- Child’s phone: Android only (Family Link doesn’t work on iPhones to supervise)
- Child’s account: A Google account — Family Link works for children under 13 automatically, or you can supervise any account
Setting It Up — Step by Step
Step 1: Install the apps
Download Family Link (for parents) on your phone from the Play Store or App Store. On your child’s Android phone, download Family Link (for children & teens).
📸 SCREENSHOT NEEDED: Google Play Store showing Family Link parent app and child app side by side
Step 2: Create or link your child’s Google account
If your child doesn’t have a Google account, create one in the Family Link app — you’ll set it up as a supervised account linked to yours. If they already have an account, you can add supervision to it (though accounts for users under 13 require parental approval to create in the first place).
Step 3: Connect the devices
- Open Family Link on your phone
- Tap + to add a child
- Follow the on-screen steps — you’ll be given a linking code
- On your child’s phone, open the Family Link child app and enter the code
- Both devices confirm the connection
📸 SCREENSHOT NEEDED: Family Link parent app showing the linking code screen during setup
Managing Screen Time
In the parent Family Link app, tap your child’s name and then Screen time. You can:
- Set a daily limit (e.g., 2 hours total screen time per day)
- Set bedtime hours when the phone locks automatically
- See a breakdown of time spent in each app
- Lock the device immediately with one tap
Lock child’s phone remotely:
Open Family Link app → tap child’s name → Controls → Lock device now
Managing App Downloads
When your child wants to download an app, a request notification appears on your phone. You can approve or deny it. You can also browse the Play Store apps on their phone and block or require approval for specific app categories.
Location Tracking
Family Link shows your child’s current location on a map (using the GPS in their phone). Tap Location in the parent app to see where they are. You can also see a history of recent locations.
Warning: Location tracking only works when the child’s phone has internet access and battery. It’s not a replacement for other safety arrangements — the phone can be left at home or run out of battery.
Quick checklist:
- ✅ Installed Family Link on parent phone (Android or iPhone)
- ✅ Installed Family Link child app on child’s Android phone
- ✅ Connected both apps using the linking code
- ✅ Set a daily screen time limit and bedtime schedule
- ✅ Turned on location sharing
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my child turn off Family Link?
Not without your approval. Family Link is designed so children can’t remove supervision on their own. On Android, the child app can’t be uninstalled without the parent’s Google account password. However, a determined teenager who factory resets the phone and sets it up fresh without a supervised account can bypass it — it’s not foolproof.
Does Family Link work on iPhone (child’s device)?
No. Family Link can only supervise Android devices as the child’s phone. If your child has an iPhone, use Apple’s Screen Time feature (via Family Sharing) instead.
Is Family Link free?
Yes, completely free. It’s a Google service with no subscription or in-app purchases.
At what age does Family Link supervision end?
When your child turns 13, Google prompts them to take control of their own account. You’ll be notified, and they can choose to remove parental supervision. You can continue to manage the account with their agreement after 13.
Conclusion
Family Link gives parents a reasonable level of oversight without being fully restrictive. The app usage insights and screen time limits are the most useful features for most families. The location tracking is valuable for younger children especially.
For more parenting tech tips, see our guide to the best Android apps and Android tips for everyday use.
Set Up Family Link ↗ ↗More Android Tips