Google Family Link (Android)

While primarily designed for Android, Family Link does have an iOS app that allows parents to manage their child's Apple device. However, the controls are much more limited on iOS, largely restricting you to basic time limits and location tracking. For full app approval and screen time management, both the parent and child generally need to be using Android devices.

Family Link stops managing a child's account automatically when they turn 13 years old in the US, or the applicable digital age of consent in their specific country. At that point, the child can decide whether to keep parental controls enabled or graduate to a standard, unmanaged Google Account. Parents will receive an email notification before this transition occurs.

Google periodically updates Family Link to patch bypasses, but tech-savvy children have historically found workarounds, such as changing the device's time zone or deleting specific profile data. If a child knows the Google account password, they can easily unlock the device or change these security settings. To prevent this, parents must ensure the child's account password is kept secure and not shared.

Using the location tracking feature continuously can lead to minor additional battery drain on the child's Android device. However, Google optimizes the app to balance accurate tracking with power efficiency. If you notice significant battery drain, it is often due to other apps running in the background rather than just Family Link.