Google Family Link: How It Works and How to Set It Up

Google Family Link is a parental control app from Google that lets you manage your child’s Android device or Chromebook directly from your own phone. You can set screen time limits, approve or block apps, track your child’s location, and see their activity — all from a parent app. Below is a full breakdown of what Family Link does, how to set it up, and what its real-world limitations are.

What Family Link Actually Does

Family Link is not a single app but a system that ties your Google account to your child’s Google account. Once linked, you get a dashboard on your phone (the Family Link app) that controls the child’s device. The child’s device runs a companion app that enforces your rules.

Core features include:

• Screen time limits: Set a daily limit for the whole device, plus a bedtime schedule that locks the device during certain hours (e.g., 9 PM to 7 AM).
• App management: Approve or block apps before your child downloads them, and set per-app time limits (e.g., 30 minutes of YouTube per day).
• Location tracking: See your child’s device location on a map, as long as the device is on and has internet.
• Activity reports: Get a weekly or monthly summary of which apps your child used and for how long.
• Content filters: Block explicit content in Google Search and YouTube, and restrict Chrome to approved sites (on supervised Chrome).
• Remote lock: Lock your child’s device remotely if you need to.

Family Link works on Android devices (version 5.0 and up) and Chromebooks. It does not work on iPhones or iPads — Apple has its own Screen Time feature that serves a similar purpose.

How to Set Up Family Link

Setting up Family Link takes about 15 minutes and requires two Google accounts: one for you (the parent) and one for your child. If your child is under 13, you’ll need to create a Google account for them that is managed by you. Here are the steps:

1. On your phone, download the Family Link app from the Google Play Store.
2. Open the app and sign in with your own Google account.
3. Tap “Create a family� and follow the prompts to add your child. If your child already has a Google account, you can add them; if not, the app will guide you through creating a supervised account.
4. On your child’s device, sign in with their Google account (or create it during setup).
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to install the Family Link companion app on the child’s device and enable the necessary permissions (like device admin and usage access).
6. Once linked, you’ll see the child’s device in your Family Link app. From there you can set limits and manage apps.

If your child already has a Google account that is not supervised, you can still add them to Family Link — they’ll be asked to agree to supervision, and you’ll need to verify that you’re a parent. The child’s account becomes supervised, meaning Google will enforce your settings and will not allow them to bypass them easily.

How to Choose the Right Settings

Family Link gives you a lot of control, but it’s important to set limits that are realistic for your family. Here are some guidelines:

• Screen time limits: For elementary school children, a common starting point is 1–2 hours per day. For teens, you might set a limit only for certain apps (like social media) and leave the rest unrestricted.
• Bedtime: Set a bedtime that is at least 30 minutes before your child’s actual bedtime, so they have time to wind down without a screen.
• App approvals: For younger children, you may want to approve every app download. For teens, you can allow them to download apps but still see what they’ve installed.
• Content filters: Enable “SafeSearch� for Google Search and “Restricted Mode� for YouTube to filter out explicit content. For YouTube Kids, you can also choose the content level (preschool, younger, older).

Remember that Family Link is a tool, not a substitute for talking to your child about online safety. It works best when you explain why you’re setting limits and involve your child in the process.

Common Problems and How to Fix Them

Even with careful setup, you might run into issues. Here are the most common ones and what to do:

• Child’s device says “Family Link is not working� — Usually this means the companion app is not running or the device is offline. Check that the child’s device has an internet connection and that the Family Link app is not force-stopped. Restart the device if needed.
• Location not updating — Location requires the child’s device to have GPS enabled and to be connected to the internet. If it’s not updating, check that location is on, and that you haven’t accidentally turned off location sharing in Family Link.
• Child can’t download an app — If you have “Require approval for all downloads� turned on, the child will see a request that you must approve from your parent app. If you’re not getting the notification, open the Family Link app and check the “Pending� section.
• Child bypasses Family Link — Some children may try to disable the app or use a VPN. Family Link is not foolproof; if you suspect your child is bypassing it, you can set a device PIN that they don’t know, and enable “Lock mode� in the app to prevent them from changing settings.
• Child turns 13 — When your child turns 13 (or the legal age in your country), they can choose to stop supervision. You’ll get a notification, and they can decide to keep Family Link or remove it. You cannot force them to stay supervised after that age.

Family Link vs. Other Parental Control Apps

Family Link is free and built into Android, but it’s not the only option. Here’s how it compares to other common tools:

• Apple Screen Time — For iOS devices, Screen Time offers similar features (app limits, downtime, content restrictions) but is separate from Family Link. If your child has an iPhone, you’ll use Screen Time instead.
• Third-party apps (e.g., Qustodio, Net Nanny) — These often offer more advanced features like social media monitoring, call/text logging, and web filtering across multiple devices. They usually cost a subscription fee.
• Google’s own “Digital Wellbeing� — This is a built-in tool on Android that lets you see your own app usage and set timers for yourself. It’s not parental control; it’s self-management.

Family Link’s strengths are its price (free), deep integration with Google services (like YouTube and Chrome), and ease of use. Its weaknesses are that it only works on Android/Chromebook, and it doesn’t monitor text messages or social media activity (though you can see app usage).

Safety and Privacy Considerations

Family Link collects data about your child’s device usage, location, and app activity. This data is stored in your Google account and is subject to Google’s privacy policy. You can delete this data at any time by removing your child from Family Link.

One important thing to know: Family Link does not give you access to your child’s private messages, emails, or photos. It only shows app usage and location. If you need to monitor communications, you’ll need a different tool (and you should have a conversation with your child about privacy).

Also, Family Link is not a substitute for talking to your child about online risks like cyberbullying, scams, and inappropriate content. The app can block some things, but a child can still encounter harmful content through other means (e.g., a friend’s phone).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Family Link on an iPhone? No. Family Link is only for Android and Chromebook devices. For iPhones, use Apple’s Screen Time feature, which is built into iOS.

Does Family Link work if my child has a regular Google account? Yes, but you’ll need to add them to your family group and they’ll have to agree to supervision. After that, their account becomes supervised and Family Link will enforce your settings.

Can my child remove Family Link? If your child is under 13, they cannot remove it on their own. Once they turn 13 (or the legal age in your country), they can choose to stop supervision. If they try to bypass it (e.g., by factory resetting the device), you’ll need to re-enable it, but some workarounds exist.

Does Family Link work on Chromebooks? Yes, Family Link works on Chromebooks. You can set screen time limits, approve apps, and filter web content on the Chromebook from the parent app.

Can I see my child’s text messages with Family Link? No. Family Link does not provide access to SMS or messaging app content. It only shows which apps are used and for how long. For message monitoring, you’d need a third-party app.

Is Family Link free? Yes, Family Link is completely free. There are no subscription fees or in-app purchases. The only cost is that you need a Google account for you and your child.

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