How to Set Up Google Family Link
in India
Google Family Link lets you manage your child's Android phone — approve apps, set screen time, and see their location. Here is how to get it working in under 20 minutes.
Last updated: June 2026 · 7 min read
What you need before starting
Your Google account (parent) · Your child's Android phone (Android 5.0 or later) · Your child's age must be under 13 for a supervised account, or between 13–17 for a linked teen account · 15 minutes of uninterrupted setup time
Step 1: Install Family Link on Your Phone
On your own Android phone, install Google Family Link from the Play Store. Open the app and sign in with your Google account. Tap Get Started → Parent.
You will be asked to verify your identity. Google requires a credit or debit card on file to confirm you are an adult — a RuPay, Visa, or Mastercard card linked to your Google account works. The verification does not charge anything.
Step 2: Create or Link Your Child's Google Account
Under 13 — create a new supervised account
In the Family Link app, tap Add child → Create a Google Account for your child. Enter their name, date of birth, and choose a Gmail address. You set the password and they cannot change it without your approval.
Age 13–17 — link an existing account
If your child already has a Google account, choose Link an existing account. They will receive an invitation on their phone to accept parental supervision. They must accept it from their device.
Step 3: Set Up Your Child's Phone
Factory reset the phone (if new)
If this is a brand new phone, go through initial setup. When prompted to sign in to Google, use your child's account.
Sign in with the child's Google account
On the child's phone, sign in to the Google account you just created. The phone will prompt you to set up supervision during sign-in.
Approve supervision on your parent phone
Family Link will send you a notification. Open it and approve. The child's phone is now supervised.
If the phone was already in use
Go to Settings → Accounts → Add Account → Google, and add the child's supervised account. Then go to Family Link on your phone and follow the prompts to link the device.
What You Can Control After Setup
App approvals
Your child cannot install any app from the Play Store without your approval. You get a notification and can approve or reject in one tap.
Screen time limits
Set daily time limits per day of the week. When the limit is reached, the phone locks — they can only make calls.
Bedtime lock
Set a schedule when the phone is locked automatically each night. Great for preventing late-night use.
Location
See your child's current location on a map. Location is shared only when the phone is on and connected.
Content filters
Filter mature apps on Play Store and restrict explicit content on YouTube (requires YouTube Kids or SafeSearch).
Family Link vs Raksha: What's the Difference?
Family Link is designed for app control and screen time on your child's phone. It does not help when a phone is lost or stolen — it has no remote ring, no snapshot feature, and no SOS alert.
Raksha adds the safety layer that Family Link is missing: your child can send an SOS alert that instantly notifies you with their location, and you can ring their phone remotely even when it's on silent. The two apps work well together and do not conflict.
Common Problems and Fixes
⚠️ Screen time limits are not applying
Fix: Make sure the child is signed in with their supervised Google account as the primary account on the phone, not just an additional account.
⚠️ Location is not showing
Fix: The phone must have Location turned on (High accuracy mode) and background location permitted for Family Link. Check Settings → Location.
⚠️ Child can bypass screen time by switching accounts
Fix: Remove all other Google accounts from the child's phone. The supervised account should be the only one.
⚠️ Family Link not finding the child's device
Fix: The child must accept the supervision invitation on their phone. Check that they are signed in and have accepted.