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

    How to Set Up Parental Controls on Android

    Use Google Family Link plus Play Store settings to control what your child downloads, sees, and does on their Android phone or tablet.

    In this guide (5 steps):

    1. 1.Install Family Link and link accounts
    2. 2.Open Play Store restrictions
    3. 3.Pick content ratings
    4. 4.Turn on Google SafeSearch
    5. 5.Set bedtime and app limits
    1

    Install Family Link and link accounts

    ~15s
    Follow the Google Family Link setup guide first — install the app on both phones, create or link the child's Google account, and make sure the child's phone shows up in your parent app.
    2

    Open Play Store restrictions

    ~15s
    On the child's phone, open the Play Store app, tap the profile icon, then Settings, then Family, then Parental Controls. Flip the switch on and create a PIN only you know.
    3

    Pick content ratings

    ~15s
    Tap each category — Apps & games, Movies, TV, Books, Music — and pick the maturity level you want. Everything above that level will be hidden or require your approval.
    4

    Turn on Google SafeSearch

    ~15s
    In Family Link, tap your child's name, then Controls, then Google Search, then SafeSearch. Turn it on — this filters adult content out of Google search results.
    5

    Set bedtime and app limits

    ~15s
    In Family Link, tap Controls, then Daily Limit for total screen time. Tap Bedtime to lock the phone automatically during sleep hours. Calls and emergency features still work when the phone is locked.

    You Did It!

    You've completed: How to Set Up Parental Controls on Android

    Need more help? Get Expert Help from a TekSure Tech

    Android has two layers of parental control: Google Family Link (covers the whole device) and Play Store restrictions (covers what can be downloaded). Together they let you approve apps, set screen time, filter content, and lock the device at night.

    Family Link is free and works for kids under 13 automatically. For teenagers, both parent and teen have to agree to turn it on — but it still gives parents strong oversight.

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    How to Set Up Parental Controls on Android — Step-by-Step Guide | TekSure