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To block an app or give it a daily allowance, open the child’s profile in the parent’s Family Link app and go to Screen time → Time limits → App limits. For an overall device limit, use Screen time → Time limits → Daily limit. Scheduled restrictions are under Screen time → Schedules. Which controls are available depends on the child’s device and operating-system version.
Block or unblock an app
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Open the Family Link app and select the child.
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Go to Screen time → Time limits → App limits, then select the app.
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To block it, change its Allowed toggle so the status becomes Blocked, then tap Done. To restore access, allow the app and confirm.
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Google says a block or unblock should take effect in about five minutes, or when the child’s device next connects to the internet. If the app is open when you block it, the child receives a one-minute warning. The block applies on the child’s Android devices or Chromebooks. Some apps cannot be blocked because they are required for parental-supervision settings or device operation. Google’s Family Link getting-started instructions describe these exceptions.
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Set a daily limit for one app
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In Family Link, select the child and open Screen time → Time limits → App limits.
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Select an app and tap Set limit.
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Choose the hours and minutes allowed, then tap Done.
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App limits are documented for Android 7.0 and later and ChromeOS 83 and later. They apply to the app across the child’s Android and ChromeOS devices. System apps cannot have app time limits. See Google’s instructions for setting app time limits for the feature requirements and details.
Set an overall daily screen-time limit
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Select the child in Family Link and open Screen time → Time limits.
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Turn on Daily limit, then tap Weekly schedule.
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Select a day and set the allowed screen time. Repeat for other days, or apply the setting to all days.
This is not a single pooled allowance across every device. Google says a daily limit applies to each Android device or Chromebook the child uses, while an app limit applies across the child’s Android and ChromeOS devices. Google’s Family Link setup guidance covers the daily-limit control.
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Schedule Downtime or School time
For restrictions that begin and end at set times, select the child, open Screen time → Schedules, and configure Downtime or School time. Set the days and start and end times for the schedule. Google says Unlimited Apps can be allowed during a schedule when configured. See Google’s guidance on screen-time schedules.
What happens when the device locks
When a screen-time limit locks a device, the child generally cannot unlock it, use apps, or view notifications. Eligible apps designated as Unlimited time apps are an exception when they are enabled. On Android phones with a calling plan, the child can answer calls and use the Emergency option to make a call. Google explains the lock behavior in its screen-time limit help page.
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Unlimited time apps do not count toward the daily limit and can remain available after it is reached. They can also be allowed during Downtime or School time. However, they are unavailable when a parent manually locks the device unless the relevant lock-screen setting is changed. This feature is supported on Android 7 and later, except devices running Google Kids Space. Google’s app-limit guidance describes these exceptions.
Check device and feature eligibility
Google’s getting-started guidance lists Android 6.0 or later, ChromeOS 71 or later for a Chromebook, or a compatible Fitbit for child supervision. The parent’s Family Link app can be installed on Android 6.0 or later, iOS 16 or later, or a compatible Chromebook; some settings can also be managed at familylink.google.com. These general requirements do not mean every control works on every device: app limits, for example, require Android 7.0 or later or ChromeOS 83 or later.
Google’s documented paths may not match every app version or rollout exactly. If a label differs, look in the child’s Screen time area for the current Time limits or Schedules controls. The requirements and exceptions above are from Google’s setup and app-limit guidance.
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