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    Essential Skills
    Beginner
    2 min read 5 stepsApril 17, 2026Verified April 2026

    How to Set Up Google Family Link

    Monitor a child's Android phone, approve app downloads, set screen time limits, and see their location with Google Family Link.

    In this guide (5 steps):

    1. 1.Install Family Link on the parent phone
    2. 2.Create or link the child's Google account
    3. 3.Install Family Link on the child's phone
    4. 4.Set daily screen time limits
    5. 5.Approve apps and in-app purchases
    1

    Install Family Link on the parent phone

    ~15s
    On the parent's iPhone or Android, open the App Store or Play Store, search for "Google Family Link," and install it. Sign in with the parent's Google account.
    2

    Create or link the child's Google account

    ~15s
    In the app, tap the plus icon and choose Add Child. If your child does not have a Google account, Family Link walks you through creating one — a child account is free but needs parent consent.
    3

    Install Family Link on the child's phone

    ~15s
    On the child's Android phone, sign in with the child's Google account. The phone will prompt you to install Family Link and link it to the parent account.
    4

    Set daily screen time limits

    ~15s
    In the parent app, tap the child's name, then Controls, then Daily Limit. Set how many hours the phone can be used each day — when time runs out, the phone locks (calls still work).
    5

    Approve apps and in-app purchases

    ~15s
    Turn on the App Approval toggle under Controls. From then on, every time your child tries to download an app, you will get a notification asking you to approve or deny it.

    You Did It!

    You've completed: How to Set Up Google Family Link

    Need more help? Get Expert Help from a TekSure Tech

    Google Family Link is a free app that lets parents manage a child's Android phone or Chromebook from their own phone. You can approve every app they download, set daily screen time limits, lock the device at bedtime, and see where the device is on a map.

    Family Link works for kids under 13 (who need parent permission for a Google account) and teenagers (who can use the app voluntarily). Both parent and child install the app, and the parent runs the setup.

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    Official Resources

    GCFGlobal — Free Digital SkillsAARP Technology TipsSenior Planet

    Sources used to create and verify this guide. View all sources →

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    How to Set Up Google Family Link — Step-by-Step Guide | TekSure