Manage your child's screen time

When you create a Google Account for your child using Family Link, you can set screen time limits on their Android device or Chromebook. That way, you can lock your child's Android device or Chromebook at bedtime, after they've used it for a certain amount of time, or when you think they need a break.

Important: System apps aren't supported by the app limit functionality. You can set limits for Android 7+ devices.

How screen time limits work

When you set a limit for your child's screen time on their Android device or Chromebook, they'll get a notification when:

Screen time is set for the first time (Android devices only).
Their device is about to be locked.

When the device is locked, your child:

Can't see notifications.
Can't unlock the device or use any apps - except for apps designated as Always allowed apps.
Can answer phone calls, and tap Emergency to make a call if the device has a calling plan (Android phones only).

Tip: Time limits will apply to apps installed on all of your child's devices.

Set daily device limits

With a parent's device

Open the Family Link app .
Select your child.
On the "Daily limit" card, tap Set up or Edit limits and follow the on-screen instructions.

With your child's device

On your child's device, open Settings .
- On Android versions 8.1 (O) and later, tap Digital Wellbeing & parental controls.
- On other Android versions, tap Google Parental controls.
To view the current settings, tap Daily limit.
To edit Daily limit settings, sign in or use your Parent Access Code to verify that you're a parent.

Tip: Daily limits apply to each Android device or Chromebook your child uses. For example, if you set a daily limit of 2 hours, your child would get 2 hours of time on each device.

Set a bedtime

With a parent's device

Open the Family Link app .
Select your child.
On the "Bedtime" card, tap Edit schedule and follow the on-screen instructions.

With your child's device

On your child's device, open Settings .
- On Android versions 8.1 (O) and later, tap Digital Wellbeing & parental controls.
- On other Android versions, tap Google Parental controls.
To view the current settings, tap Bedtime.
To edit Bedtime settings, sign in or use your Parent Access Code to verify that you're a parent.

Limit screen time for specific apps

Limit your child's screen time for apps

If your child's Android device is running Android N (7.0) and up, or Chromebook is running on Chrome OS versions 83 and up, you can set time limits on apps to manage how much time your child can spend on a specific app each day.

Open the Family Link app .
Select your child.
On the "App activity" card, tap Set limits.
Next to your desired app, tap Set limit .
Set a daily time limit for the app.
Tap Set.

Tips:

Time limits will apply to apps installed on all of your child's devices.
System apps aren't supported by the app limit functionality. Limits can only be set for devices with Android N (7.0) and up and Chromebooks running on Chrome OS versions 83 and up.

Select your Always allowed apps

Important: Always allowed apps are supported for children signed-in on Android 7+ devices except those running Google Kids Space. Check which version of Android your child is using. Some system apps required for your child’s phone to operate can be used when the phone is locked if Always allowed apps are available.

Open the Family Link app .
Select your child.
On the "App activity" card, tap Set limits or More.
Next to your desired app, tap Always allow .

Edit your Always allowed apps

Important: Always allowed apps are only supported for children signed-in on Android 7+ devices except those running Google Kids Space. Check which version of Android your child is using.

Open the Family Link app Select your child.
On the "App activity" card, tap Set limits or More.
Next to your desired app, tap Always .

From here you can select an option to:

Always allow .
Set a time limit .
Set unlimited time .
Block an app .

Tips:

Always allowed apps don't count toward your child’s screen time limits and aren't available after bedtime.
If parents tap “Lock now,” Always allowed apps aren't available, unless you change this setting from the device lock card.
1. From the device lock card tap .
2. Tap Allow ‘Always allowed’ apps Save.

Update or turn off screen time limits

Lock or unlock your child's Android device or Chromebook

Open the Family Link app .
Select your child.
On the card for one of your child's Android devices, tap Lock now or Unlock.

Tip: You can also use your Family Link parent access code to unlock your child's Android device or Chromebook if it isn't connected to the Internet.

Give your child bonus time

You can let your child spend more time on their device for the day without changing their daily limit or bedtime schedule.

Open the Family Link app .
Select your child.
On the card for one of your child's Android or Chromebook devices, the Bonus time chip will appear when your child’s device is locking soon or if your child’s device has already locked.
Tap Bonus time.
Follow the instructions on the screen to give your child bonus time for the day.

Change time limits for apps your child uses

To update a time limit on a specific application:

Open the Family Link app and select your child.
On the "App activity" card, tap More.
Next to your desired app, tap Edit limit .
Change the time limit to your desired amount.
1. To remove a limit, tap Delete limit.
Tap Edit.
New limits will get updated whenever the child device is online next.

Disable screen time limits

You can disable screen time limits from the Family Link app on your device.

You can also disable screen time limits by going to g.co/YourFamily on a web browser:

Sign in with the Google Account you use to supervise your child.
Select your child.
Select MoreDisable.

Tip: You can use the Family Link app

to re-enable screen time limits.

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