How to set up Google Family Link on iPhone

1. Download Google Family Link from the App Store

Your first step is to download the Google Family Link app onto your phone from the iPhone App Store. It’s free, though you will already need a Google account to get things set up. 

2. Log in with your own Google account

From there you’ll need to log into your Google account from Family Link by tapping the Login button at the bottom of the screen. If you have signed into other Google apps on your phone already, you’ll instead be prompted to confirm the account in question.

If you don’t have a Google account, you’ll need to make one. Check out our guide on how to create a new Gmail account if you’re unsure of what to do.

2a. Create your child a Google account if needed

Your kid will also need a separate Google account of their own. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a specific account for your kid, just as long as it’s different to the Google account you’ll be managing.

If you haven’t set up your kid’s phone yet, you’ll be prompted to create a Google account during the setup process. Our guide on how to set up an Android phone has more information on that. If it has been set up with your existing account, simply head to Settings > Google. Once you’re there tap the account name at the very top of the screen followed by Add another account this will walk you through the process.

2b. Remove your account from their device if needed

Once your kid has their own Google account, you’ll need to remove yours from their phone. Head to Settings > Google > tap the Account Name> Manage accounts on this device. Simply tap the account you want to get rid of followed by Remove account. 

3. Open Parental Controls on your child’s Android phone

Once your kid’s Android phone is setup on its own account, you’ll want to head into the Settings menu. Scroll down and tap Google,  followed by Parental Controls. 

4. Start parental control setup

The Family Link setup gives you an explainer on what the app is and how it works — just in case you didn’t already know. Once you’ve read that tap Get Started and select the Child or teen option. Family Link then explains the final few steps and once read you should tap Next to continue.

5. Link your Google account to your child’s

Linking your kids’ account to your own is the next thing on the agenda. You do this by tapping your kid’s account in the middle of the screen. From there Log into your Google account. This is just like logging in anywhere else, involving your username/email, password, and 2-step verification, if it’s enabled. 

6. Read about Supervision, and confirm with their password

Once you’re logged in you’ll need to read through all the details about Family Link’s Supervision feature. That way you know what you’re able to do with Family Link to control your kid’s screen time and activities. Tap More to continue onto the next section of text until you reach the very end. At the very end you’ll need to enter the password for your kid’s Google account, and then tap Agree. A confirmation box will pop up asking if you want to supervise this device. Tap Allow to continue.

7. Wait while accounts link

You’ll have to wait anywhere from a few seconds to a couple of minutes for the accounts to link. Once you get the confirmation on screen you can click Next to continue. 

8. Manage apps and filters on your child’s phone

This leads you to two screens letting you manage apps and filters for your kid. The first screen lets you approve or disapprove of apps that are already on the phone, using a basic toggle button. Once done you’ll need to tap Next to continue on. The filters screen lets you fine tune settings relating to downloads and purchases — including age ratings and whether you need to approve each app installed. Tap Next again to continue. If you ever change your mind, you can alter these settings from the Family Link app on your iPhone. 

9. Review your controls and set limits

Your phone will confirm everything has been set up, and gives you the option to review controls on your kids’ device. This lets you set things like screen time and blocked apps on their device, rather than having to use Family Link on your own. However any changes you make will need to be confirmed by entering your Google account password. 

10. Manage parental controls from the Family Link iPhone app

The Family Link app also lets you tinker with these settings just as easily. The app also lets you track the location of your kid’s device, see how much time they’ve spent on it, and lock everything down remotely.