Follow these steps to activate Google Family Link and set limits on your child's phone.
1. Google Family Link
Google Play
Free and official from Google. Allows you to approve downloads, set daily and per-app limits, lock the device at night, and view its location.
Recommended for those who want a simple, subscription-free solution. It doesn't show detailed website history, but it covers the essentials for children.
Download on Google Play
2. MMGuardian
Google Play
Complete parental control: time limits per app, app blocking, website filtering, location tracking, and usage reports sent to parents' mobile phones.
It works with an app installed on the child's phone and another on the parents' phone. There's a free trial followed by a subscription.
Download on Google Play
3. Question
Google Play
One of the best-known parental control apps. It offers a web dashboard for parents, time limits, website filtering, app blocking, and daily activity reports.
It has a free version with basic features and a paid plan with extra functions, such as location and alerts. It works on Android, iPhone, and computers.
Download on Google PlayBefore we begin
Google Family Link is Google's official tool for monitoring Android phones. It's free and works with two devices: yours, where the controls are located, and your child's, which is then monitored.
Set aside a few minutes with the child nearby. The setup will ask for their Google account password and, in the case of teenagers, their own confirmation. It's a good time to explain the rules you'll agree on.
- Son's Android phone, updated and connected to the internet.
- A Google account for the child (can be created during the process).
- Your cell phone, Android or iPhone, with the Family Link app installed.
Step-by-step instructions for activating Family Link
Download Google Family Link from the app store, open it, and sign in with your Google account. Tap the option to add a child or teen to the family group.
On the child's device, go to Settings, tap Google, and then Parental Controls. Choose whether the phone belongs to a child or a teenager and follow the on-screen instructions.
Sign in with your child's Google account. Then, sign in with your parent account to confirm supervision. If your child doesn't already have an account, the assistant will help you create one.
Family Link shows the list of apps on your device. Here you decide which ones remain accessible and which ones are blocked. WhatsApp can be kept accessible with a time limit instead of being completely blocked.
Limits worth setting
After linking the accounts, all settings will be available in the Family Link app on your phone. Tap your child's name to see the options. Start with a few limits and adjust them as your family's routine grows.
Set a daily usage limit and a time when the phone is blocked, such as overnight. Emergency calls will continue to work.
It's possible to set aside specific times just for WhatsApp or games, without blocking the entire phone. This way, the child can still communicate with the family.
Enable app approval on Google Play. Each installation request arrives as a notification on your phone, and you decide whether to approve it.
Family Link shows the phone's location on a map, provided location services are turned on. Discuss with your child when this feature will be used.
Teenagers can end supervision
With teenagers, Google requires their consent to supervision. They can also disable it, but the parent or guardian receives a warning and the device is blocked for a period of time. Therefore, dialogue is as important as the tool itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Family Link work on iPhone?
The parent app works on iPhones, but the monitored device needs to be Android. For children's iPhones, Apple offers Screen Time within Settings.
Will my son know he's being supervised?
Yes. Family Link shows on the child's device that the account is supervised. This transparency is intentional and helps maintain trust.
Can I view WhatsApp conversations through Family Link?
No. Family Link controls time, apps, and location, but it doesn't show messages. For security within WhatsApp, adjust the app's privacy settings.
Can I undo the configuration later?
Yes. In the Family Link app, you can remove supervision at any time in your child's account settings.