How to set up Google Family Link

The short answer

Download the Family Link app on your phone, create a Google account for your child, and link their device to yours for parental controls.

What you need before starting

  • An Android phone or iPhone for yourself (the parent)
  • An Android device or Chromebook for your child
  • A Google account for yourself
  • Your child nearby with their device

Step-by-step setup

Install the Google Family Link app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store on your phone.

2. Create your child’s Google account

  • Open Family Link and tap Get Started
  • Select Child or teen when asked who will use the device
  • Follow the prompts to create a new Google account for your child
  • You will need to provide their name, birthday, and a password
  • Google may ask for your credit card to verify you are a parent (a small temporary charge that gets reversed)
  • On your child’s Android device, sign in with the new Google account you just created
  • A prompt will appear asking for parental permission — approve it from your phone
  • Family Link will automatically install supervision on their device

4. Set your preferences

Once linked, you can configure:

  • Screen time limits — set daily maximums and a bedtime schedule
  • App approvals — require your permission before they download new apps
  • Content filters — restrict mature content in Google Play and Search
  • Location tracking — see where your child’s device is on a map
  • Review the weekly activity report that Family Link sends you to see which apps your child uses most
  • Adjust settings as your child grows — what works for a 7-year-old will feel restrictive for a 13-year-old
  • Talk to your child about why the controls are there so it does not feel like surveillance
  • You can lock their device remotely from the Family Link app if needed

Good to know

Family Link supervision can be removed once your child turns 13, and they can choose to opt out at that point. If you remove supervision before then, their device will be temporarily locked for 24 hours as a safety measure.