Google Family Link

Parental controls for connected families

Google Family Link helps parents manage how children use compatible Android devices and selected Google services. It suits families looking for practical limits around screen time, app use, online content and account settings, while still leaving room for everyday device use.

Set clear device routines

• Set daily screen-time limits for a child’s device.
• Create schedules such as school time and downtime.
• Set separate limits for individual apps, or allow extra time for selected apps.
• Block apps and review requests for new apps from Google Play.

Review content, privacy and location

Family Link provides controls for parts of Chrome, Google Play, YouTube and Search, including content filters, website permissions and approval settings. Parents can also manage aspects of a child’s Google Account, including some personal information and password settings.

When a child is carrying their device and location features are available, the app can show that device on a map. Alerts can indicate when a child arrives at or leaves a selected location. You can also ring the device and check its remaining battery level.

Worth knowing

Family Link’s available tools depend on the child’s device and the Google services in use, so compatibility is important to check before relying on a particular control. It is made by Google LLC and sits in the Tools category. With a rating of about 4.6 out of 5 from more than 4.8 million reviews and over 100 million installs, it is one of the more established options for managing family device settings.