Google TV · Accounts & Family

Set up content restrictions and kid profiles with Family Link

Google TV uses Google Family Link to manage supervised kid accounts, content restrictions by rating, and purchase approval, alongside a separate PIN-based restriction for individual apps and purchases.

What you should know

  • Create a child's Google account and link it under Settings → Accounts & sign-in → Family, or manage it beforehand in the Family Link app on a parent's phone.
  • Set content restrictions by app, movie, or TV rating under Settings → Accounts & sign-in → [child profile] → Content restrictions, which limits what appears in search and recommendations for that profile.
  • Enable "Require PIN for purchases" under Settings → Accounts & sign-in → Parental controls to prevent unapproved Play Store purchases or rentals regardless of which profile is active.

Why it matters

Because Google TV profiles share the same physical device, content restrictions only apply correctly when set on the right profile — a common setup mistake is configuring restrictions on the parent account and expecting them to apply to a child watching under a shared or guest profile.

Best practices

  • Set up a distinct supervised profile per child rather than relying on a single shared restricted mode, since Family Link controls and watch history are tracked per account.
  • Review the Family Link app periodically for screen-time reports and app approval requests rather than only setting restrictions once and forgetting them.
  • Combine content rating restrictions with a purchase PIN — rating limits control what's browsable, but don't by themselves block a purchase or rental.

Common problems and fixes

Child profile still sees mature content in search
Confirm content restrictions were set on the child's own profile under Settings → Accounts & sign-in, not the parent or owner account — restrictions don't propagate across profiles.
Family Link shows the device as offline or not syncing restrictions
Restrictions sync over the internet, so confirm the Google TV device has an active connection; open Settings → Accounts & sign-in and re-select the child profile to force a resync.

Tips and tricks

  • The Family Link app on a parent's phone can remotely lock the Google TV device or set a bedtime cutoff without touching the TV directly.

Frequently asked questions

Can I restrict content without creating a separate Google account for my child?

You can set device-wide content restrictions and a purchase PIN under Parental controls without a child account, but per-child screen time limits and personalized restrictions require a supervised Family Link account.