When you use Family Link to manage your child’s Google Account, you can sign them in to most Google services on their Android device. You can also sign your child in on other devicesandsign them in with a school account.
What happens when my child is signed in
When your child is signed in ontheir Android device with their Google Account, these parent-managedsettings apply:
- Filters on Google Search
- Google Activity settings
- Controls on Google Play
- Chrome website restrictions
- Screen time limits
- Device location on GPS-enabled devices
- App activity
- Blocking apps and app permissions
Learn how to sign in on an Android device
Important: If you added supervision to your child's current Google Account, you'll need their help to sign in or unlock their device. If your child doesn't have a child account, you can create one for them.
If you manage your child’s Google Account with Family Link, you can sign them in on devices with Android 5.1 and higher. Your child can't sign in on devices with Android 5.0 and lower while their account is managed with Family Link.
Step 1: Remove any previous account on the device
Important: When you remove your child's account from the device, information associated with that account will no longer be on the device. This includes emails, contacts, device settings, and parent supervision settings.If you sign your child’s account back in on the device, the associated information will be available again on the device.
To remove a child's account:
On your child's Android device:
- Open theSettings app.
- Tap Accounts. If you don't find "Accounts," tap Users & accounts.
- Tap the account you want to remove
Remove account. - If this is the only Google Account on the phone,enter your phone's pattern, PIN, or password for security.
Remove account.Tip:If your child's device isn't connected to the Internet, use the parent access code found in your Family Link app to remove their account.
Important: If you want to erase a device so another child can use it, first remove all signed-in accounts from the device. If you don't, you'll need to sign in with the previously signed-in Google Account after the device is erased.
- Optional:Back up the data from the device and download it on another device.
- Factory reset the device.
Sign your child in during setup:
- Turn on the device.
- When prompted, sign in with your child’s Google Account. Verify that you're a parent.
- Follow the on-screen instructionsto set up the device.
- Once setup is complete, your child can use the device.
Sign your child in later:
- Open the device's Settings app.
- Tap Accounts. If you can't find "Accounts," tap Users & accounts Add account.
- When prompted, sign in with your child's Google Account. Verify that you're a parent.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to set up the device.
Tip: If you can’t sign your child in to their Android device after a factory reset, you may need to follow these steps.
Step 4: (Optional) Add a second user profile to your child's device
The steps below only work if your child's device allows multiple profiles. Check the device manufacturer’s support page for more information.
Important:
- You can only add one child account per user profile.
- If you add other user profiles to which your child's account isn't signed in, your Family Link settings for your child's account won't apply to the new user profiles.
- Use a password or pin to lock any other profiles. This makes sure your child doesn’t switch users and bypass parental settings.
Step 1: Allow additional users
- On your device, open the Family Link app.
- Select your child.
- Tap Controls Devices.
- Select your child’s device.
- Turn on Add/Remove user.
.Tip: To manage your child's account on the web, click on your child's name at g.co/YourFamily.
Step 2: Add another user to the device
If the instructions below don't work,search yourdevice manufacturer's help center for how to add another user profile.
- Open your device's Settings app.
- Tap System Advanced Multiple users.
- If you can't find this setting, search your Settings app for users.
- Tap Add userOK.
- If you can't find "Add user," tap Add user or profile User OK.
- If you can't find either option, your device can't add users.
- If you can't find "Add user," tap Add user or profile
Tip: Add a screen lock for the new profile to make sure your child can’t switch user profiles.
Step 3: Turn off Add/Remove user
- On your device, open the Family Link app.
- Select your child.
- Tap Controls Devices.
- Select your child’s device.
- Turn off Add/Remove user.
Step 4: Switch between users
- From the top of the home screen, swipe down.
- Tap the user icon .
- Tap the user you want to switch to.
.Learn how to sign in on a Pixel Tablet
Important: If your child's Google Account doesn't have an email address and password, you need to sign in with your Parent account first.
- Turn on the Pixel Tablet and follow the on-screen prompts to set up the device with the Parent account.
- Tap System Multiple users.
- Turn on "Allow multiple users" Add child.
- Select your child's account.
- Select your Parent account and enter your password.
- If prompted, review settings for Parental Control and tap Next.
- Review screens and select Next.
- When you're done, you'll get an on-screen confirmation.
Troubleshoot
If you can't signin with your child’s account, try thesteps below.
Step 1: Add your parent account
- On your child’s device, open the Settings app .
- Tap Users & accounts Add account.
- Sign in with the parent account you use with Family Link.
.Step 2: Update Google Play services
On your child’s Android device, followthese steps to update Google Play Services.
Make sure Google Play services is updatedbefore you move on to Step 3.
Step 3: Add your child’s account
- On your child’s device, open the Settings app .
- Tap Users & accounts.
- Tap your parent account Remove account.
- Tap Add account.
- Sign in with your child’s account.
"Wrong password. Try again."
This error shows if your username and password combination is incorrect. Make sure there are no mistakes in your username or password when you enter them again.
If you forgot your child's password, learn how to reset it.
"Your username and password don't match."
This error shows if your device is running an Android version lower than 5.0 that's too old to work with Family Link. If you get this error, update your software.
Sign in on other devices
Important: Family Link’s parental control settings may vary depending on your child's device.
With parental permission, your child can use their Google account to sign in on:
- Chromebooks
- iPhones or iPads
- Google websites
- Google Home
Learn how to sign your child in with their school account.
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