How to set up parental controls on Android and iPhone

Updated: 28 October 2026

In short: on an Android phone, set up parental controls with Google's free Family Link app; on an iPhone, use Screen Time in Settings. If you want screen time, your child's location, school arrival alerts and SOS together in one app, use Heri.

Before you start

Talk to your child: explain why you're setting up controls and what the rules will be. Hidden controls break trust, and kids often find them anyway.
Have your child's phone, your phone and an internet connection on both ready.
On Android your child needs a Google account; on iPhone, an Apple account in Family Sharing.

Parental controls on Android (Google Family Link)

Install Google Family Link on your phone from Google Play.
On your child's phone, open Settings → Google → Parental controls and follow the steps. Their phone gets linked to your Google account.
In Family Link, set a daily limit, bedtime and approval for app downloads.
Turn on age-based restrictions in Google Play, and Restricted Mode or YouTube Kids for YouTube.

Parental controls on iPhone (Screen Time)

On your iPhone, open Settings → Family and add your child to Family Sharing.
Choose your child and open Screen Time. Turn on Downtime (night hours when only allowed apps work) and App Limits (daily limits for app categories).
In Content & Privacy Restrictions, block unsuitable content and purchases.
Turn on Ask to Buy so you approve every App Store download.

Parental controls and location together: Heri

The built-in tools are good at limiting apps, but they can't tell you "Nino arrived at school at 08:12", and they don't give your child an SOS button. Heri puts it all in one app:

a family map and alerts when your child reaches school, practice or home;
screen-time limits, schedules and app blocking (Prime Plus, on the child's Android phone);
protection from unknown callers and uninstall protection;
SOS and a siren that sounds even in silent mode.

See how parental controls work in Heri.

Frequently asked questions

Which parental control app is best?

For limiting apps, the free Family Link is enough on Android and the built-in Screen Time on iPhone. If you want your child's location, place alerts, SOS and screen time in one app, choose Heri.

How do I remove parental controls?

In Family Link, open your child's profile and choose Account info → Stop supervision. On iPhone, go to Settings → Family → your child's name → Screen Time and turn the restrictions off. Supervision is stopped from the parent's account; the child can't switch it off on their own.

Until what age does a child need parental controls?

Controls should be firm when children are young and loosen gradually in the teenage years: less blocking, more agreement. Many families keep location sharing until 18 and relax screen-time limits from about 13 to 15.