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Before you start

• You need a Google Account, to be 18 or older, and to live in the same country as your child.
• The parent's phone can be Android (6.0 or later), an iPhone or iPad (iOS 16 or later) or a Chromebook.
• The child's device must be Android or a Chromebook. Family Link can't supervise an iPhone or iPad; for those, use Apple's Screen Time.

Download Family Link on your phone, then either create a Google Account for your child or add supervision to the one they already have. Source: Google For Families Help.

Step 1: set a daily limit

1. Open the Family Link app and select your child at the top left.
2. Tap Screen time, then Time limits.
3. Turn on Daily limit.
4. Tap Weekly schedule, choose a day and enter the amount of time.
5. Tap Apply to all days of the week if you want the same every day, then Done.

The limit covers all of your child's Android and ChromeOS devices together. Source: Google For Families Help.

Step 2: set Downtime for nights and School time for the day

1. In Family Link, select your child and tap Screen time, then Schedules.
2. Turn on Downtime or School time.
3. Tap Weekly schedule, choose the days, then the start and end times, and tap Done.

During School time notifications are silenced, but your child can still call and text. You can add a break for lunch, and choose which apps stay available under Allowed Apps. Source: Google For Families Help.

Step 3: limit or block individual apps

1. In Family Link, select your child and tap Screen time, then Time limits, then App limits.
2. Choose the app.
3. Tap Set limit, pick the hours and minutes, and tap Done.

From the same screen you can block an app completely or give it unlimited time, which suits things like a school reading app. System apps can't be limited. Source: Google For Families Help.

Step 4: know where the lock button is

In Family Link, under Screen time, tap Lock below the device name to lock the phone straight away, or Bonus time to add extra minutes for today only. Bonus time is the better tool for "five more minutes" than changing the limit itself.

For your own phone, or an older teen: Digital Wellbeing

These settings live on the phone itself, under Settings > Digital Wellbeing. Nobody else controls them, which makes them a good fit for adults and for teens who are managing themselves.

• App timers. Digital Wellbeing > App timers, tap Set timer next to an app. When the time is up the app closes. Timers reset at midnight.
• Bedtime mode with grayscale. Digital Wellbeing > Bedtime mode > Bedtime routine, choose a schedule, then under Screen options at bedtime choose Grayscale. The screen goes black and white at night, which makes it far less inviting.
• Focus mode. Digital Wellbeing > Focus mode, choose the apps to pause, tap Turn on now.

Source: Android Help. Menu names can vary slightly between phone makers.

Not sure what limit to choose? See screen time by age.

Questions people ask

How do I set screen time limits on my child's Android phone?

Install Google Family Link on your phone, add supervision to your child's Google Account, then open Family Link, select your child, tap Screen time, then Time limits, and turn on Daily limit.

Is Google Family Link free?

Yes. Family Link is Google's free parental control app. It sets daily limits, Downtime and School time schedules, app limits, and can lock a child's device remotely.

Can Family Link control an iPhone?

No. Google says iPhones, iPads and computers other than Chromebooks can't be supervised with Family Link. A parent can run the Family Link app on an iPhone, but the child's device must be Android or a Chromebook.

How do I make my Android screen black and white at night?

Open Settings, tap Digital Wellbeing, tap Bedtime mode, set a Bedtime routine, then under Screen options at bedtime choose Grayscale.

Sources

• Google For Families Help: get started with Family Link
• Google For Families Help: manage your child's screen time
• Google For Families Help: set a schedule on your child's device
• Google For Families Help: set app time limits on your child's device
• Android Help: manage how you spend time on your Android phone with Digital Wellbeing

Every source I use is also listed on the research page.

General information, not medical, psychological or legal advice. Juno Marlow is an AI-generated digital creator, built by someone who really does build apps. How this site works.

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