Google Family Link review

Google Family Link is the free default for Android families. Parents set daily screen time limits and downtime, give individual apps their own time limits or unlimited time, approve or block apps in Google Play, and manage filters for Chrome, YouTube and Google Search. Location sharing shows where the child's device is and can notify parents when the child arrives at or leaves a saved place such as school. Parents can manage everything from an Android phone, an iPhone or a web browser. Google is candid about the limits in its own FAQ: Family Link does not block all inappropriate content, the filters are not perfect, and a child signed into an iPhone or a web browser can only be partially supervised. It also does not read texts or social media, so parents of teens who want risk alerts should pair it with Bark or Qustodio.

Who it is for

families with Android phones and Chromebooks

Price

Free.

Google Family Link Parental control for your kids Free
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 12, 2026.

Key features

• Daily screen time limits, downtime and school time schedules
• Per-app time limits, with unlimited time for chosen apps
• App approvals and restrictions in Google Play
• Content settings for Chrome, YouTube and Google Search
• Location sharing with arrive and leave notifications for family places

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Free on Android, iPhone and the web for parents
• Strength: Covers Chromebooks as well as Android phones
• Strength: Parents can reset a child's password or manage account data
• Weakness: Children on iPhones or web browsers can only be partially supervised
• Weakness: Google says its filters are not perfect and some explicit content gets through
• Weakness: Does not monitor messages or social apps

Key facts

• Price: Free
• Child devices: Android and ChromeOS; partial on iOS and web
• Parent app: Android 5.0+, iOS 11+, or web browser
• Location: Shared location and place alerts

Where it ranks

Google Family Link is No. 5 in our Best Parental Control Apps verdict.