Android TV · Accounts & Family

Restrict content and screen time with Family Link or a content PIN

Android TV supports parental controls two ways: a content PIN set under Settings → Parental controls that restricts purchases and mature-rated content on that profile, and Google Family Link, which manages screen time and app access for a supervised child account signed into the TV.

How to open Parental Controls

  1. Open Settings → Parental controls (menu location varies by brand).
  2. Turn on parental controls and set a 4-digit PIN.
  3. Choose the maximum content rating allowed without entering the PIN.
  4. Repeat within individual apps like YouTube or Netflix for app-specific restrictions.

What you should know

  • A content PIN blocks purchases and content above a chosen maturity rating in apps that respect Google's content rating system, like Google Play Movies & TV.
  • Family Link supervision requires the child to have their own Google Account signed in as a separate user profile on the TV.
  • Individual streaming apps (Netflix, YouTube, etc.) often have their own separate parental controls that work independently of the TV's system-level settings.

Why it matters

Because each streaming app can maintain its own separate content restrictions, relying only on the TV's system-level PIN can leave gaps — app-specific settings should be checked too for full coverage.

Best practices

  • Set up a separate restricted or child profile with Family Link rather than relying solely on a shared content PIN, especially for younger children.
  • Check parental control settings inside major streaming apps individually — system-level restrictions don't always cascade into every app.

Common problems and fixes

Forgot the parental control PIN
Most Android TV devices require signing in with the Google Account owner's credentials to reset a forgotten content PIN from the parental controls menu.
Child profile can still access restricted apps
Confirm the app itself supports Android TV's content rating system and that the child is signed into their supervised profile, not the main account.

Tips and tricks

  • Family Link lets a parent set daily screen time limits and a remote bedtime lock for a child's TV profile from the Family Link app on a phone.

Frequently asked questions

Can I set different restrictions for different family members?

Yes, if each person signs in with their own Google Account profile on the TV — restrictions set via Family Link or per-profile PINs apply individually, not TV-wide.