The internet is a crazy place, and it's nowhere for kids to wander alone.
That's why Android devices, like all good hardware, offer parental controls to limit a young person's access to movies, TV shows, and apps. Google also offers their Family Link app, which offers even tighter controls.
However, there may come a point where you feel that your child is ready to start browsing without restrictions. Luckily, your Android device gives you the ability to turn off these parental controls when you're ready.
Here's how to turn off parental controls on your Android device through the Play Store, or using the Google Family Link app.
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How to turn off parental controls on an Android device using the Google Play Store
1. Open the Google Play Store app and tap the menu icon, which consists of three stacked lines.
2. Tap "Settings" on the menu, then scroll to and tap "Parental controls."
3. You can now tap on each category, such as "Apps & games" or "Films," enter your parental controls PIN, and adjust what's allowed on a case-by-case basis. You can also tap the toggle switch at the very top to turn off the parental controls entirely.
Again, you'll need your parental controls PIN to do this. If you don't have the pin, you'll have to clear the app's data.
This won't delete any of your downloads, but will clear your search history and erase any parental control settings.
To do this:
1. Open your Android device's Settings app and tap "Apps" or "Apps & notifications."
2. Select the Google Play Store app from the complete list of apps.
3. Tap "Storage," and then hit "Clear Data."
How to turn off parental controls on an Android device using the Google Family Link app
If you use Google Family Link to monitor and limit your child's online activity, you can turn those controls off as well.
That is, as long as your child is 13 or older. If your child's age in the app is set as younger than 13, the controls will have to stay on.
However, even these controls you can still edit to be less restrictive.
Here's how you should know.
1. On your Android device, open the Family Link app and tap on the child's account in question.
2. Tap "Manage settings," then tap "Controls on Google Play." This menu will let you edit your parental controls, even if your child is younger than 13.
3. To turn off all parental controls for a child older than 13, go back to the "Manage settings" menu and tap "Account info."
4. Tap "Stop supervision." Check the box confirming your choice, and tap "Stop supervision" again.
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