descargarplaystore
EN

How to set up Play Store parental controls

Reviewed on

Limit which apps your kids can download by age, lock purchases behind a password, and know when to use Google Family Link.

Play Store has two levels of protection for children. The store's parental controls filter downloads by age on that device. Google Family Link goes further: it manages the child's account from your own phone, with download approvals, time limits and location.

1. Turn on the store's parental controls

  1. On the child's device, open Play Store and tap the profile picture.
  2. Go to SettingsFamilyParental controls.
  3. Turn it on and create a PIN the child doesn't know.
  4. Tap Apps & games and choose the maximum rating. The rating system depends on your country (ESRB in the US, PEGI in Europe and the UK, and so on).
The PIN only protects the store on that device. For control that doesn't depend on the device, use Family Link.

2. Require a password for purchases

In Play StoreSettingsAuthenticationRequire authentication for purchases, choose For all purchases. If the child's fingerprint is registered, turn off biometric authentication for purchases.

Children under the minimum age for their own Google account (13 in most countries) need an account created and managed with Family Link. From your phone you can:

  • Approve or block every app, including free ones.
  • See screen time per app and set daily limits or bedtime.
  • Block installed apps and see the device's location.
  1. Install Google Family Link on your phone.
  2. Follow the setup to create the child's account or link an existing one.
  3. On the child's device, sign in with their account and accept supervision.

Tips that work better than any filter

  • Review new apps together before installing them.
  • Keep an eye on in-game purchases; if an unwanted one happens, see how to get a refund.
  • Don't let children sideload APKs: filters don't apply to them.

Frequently asked questions

What if I forget the parental controls PIN?
Clearing Play Store storage in the phone's settings removes it so you can set it up again. That's why Family Link is better for young children.
Is Family Link free?
Yes. It's a free Google app.