Google Family Link just got a redesign and new parental controls — what you need to know

google family link parental control screenshot showing upgraded UI
(Image credit: Google)

Google’s Family Link app is getting a few key changes. Not only is the app getting a makeover, Google will also be adding a bunch more parental control features. That should prove to be a major step up, considering lack of features was one of the main criticisms in our Google Family Link app review.

Family Link first launched five years ago, offering parents a chance to monitor their kids’ activity on Android devices. But while the app is completely free, it was lacking. Some key features were missing, or at the very least unrefined. Thankfully this new update changes things, hopefully for the better.

According to Google’s blog post, changes are being made to Family Link and Google TV so that parents can better balance their family’s relationships with tech. Because no two families are unique, and Google wants to make sure its parental control tools are flexible and effective, but also easy to use.

This has been done using feedback from actual parents, and sees new features and experiences in the app’s three tabs — Controls, Location and Highlights.

Previously Family Link could set limits on your kids’ screen time, and monitor their last known location. That isn’t changing, but there are some improvements being made (via TechRadar). The location tab will still hone in on your kid’s location, but it’s also capable of displaying their device’s battery life, and alert you should they enter or leave a specific area. That way you can see when they reach their destination, and if they decide to wander off without telling you.

The Controls tab will still allow parents to set time limits on usage, but the new “Today Only” feature means you can extend that if you want to — but only for a single day. The regular screen time limits will remain in place until you change them, but any extensions will have to be added manually each day. 

This should make it useful for the circumstances where you want your kids to be engrossed in their devices, like a road trip, and don’t want to forget to adjust limits back to their original schedule.

Finally, Highlights shows you what your kids have been up to, but in a much more eye-friendly way than before. You can see what apps they have, how long they’ve used them and whether they tried to access restricted content; things every parental control app should offer, but hasn’t always been part of Family Link. Presumably the ability to control your kids’ device permissions is still there, and one of Family Link’s unique selling points.

The best part is that the redesign makes the Family Link app look a lot easier on the eyes. The controls are bigger, simpler, and the graphics appear to be more informative than they were previously. And it’s all still free to use, which is especially useful as the cost of living gets higher.

The changes to Google Family Link have already started rolling out, and should be complete in a few days. So the parents out there should keep an eye out for the arrival of these new features. If you haven't tried it yet, the upgrade should make Family Link worth checking out. It was one of our best parental control apps before, and this will only improve its standing.

Tom Pritchard
UK Phones Editor

Tom is the Tom's Guide's UK Phones Editor, tackling the latest smartphone news and vocally expressing his opinions about upcoming features or changes. It's long way from his days as editor of Gizmodo UK, when pretty much everything was on the table. He’s usually found trying to squeeze another giant Lego set onto the shelf, draining very large cups of coffee, or complaining about how terrible his Smart TV is.

Read more
Best parental control apps: Dark-haired boy of about 5 using smartphone while sitting on sofa.
The best parental control apps for Android and iPhone 2025
A colorful graphic showing screenshots of the new Galaxy Watch for Kids feature on both the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 and parental controls within the smartphone app
Samsung just launched a kid-friendly smartwatch mode for the Galaxy Watch 7 — and parents can try it now
Google wallet app on screen
Google Wallet now lets kids to make supervised contactless payments and use digital passes — what you need to know
The Find my People feature
Android Find My can now track your friends and family — here's how to use it
Pixel Studio showing people illustration
Pixel Studio can finally generate people — and that's not the only change Google is bringing to Pixel phones
A man staring at a phone with the Google Photos logo on it
Google Photos will soon make clearing your pictures way easier — here’s how
Latest in Mobile Apps
Google wallet app on screen
Google Wallet now lets kids to make supervised contactless payments and use digital passes — what you need to know
How to tour the Super Bowl stadium virtually with Google Maps
Google Maps glitch is purging Timeline data — what we know
Gboard app logo on mobile phone resting on a keyboard
Google Gboard redesign has already angered users — and I can see why
Waze app on iPhone in car
Forget Google Maps — Waze just got a huge upgrade that will help millions of drivers
A photo of the Apple Maps app tile displayed on an iPhone screen
Apple Maps may soon get ads, letting businesses pay to boost visibility
How to delete TikTok
TikTok confirms return to Apple and Google app stores — here’s what we know
Latest in News
Apple Watch Series 10
Future Apple Watch models could get a surprising new feature — what we know
iPhone 16 Pro vs iPhone 16 Pro Max in hand showing displays
Forget iPhone 17 — iPhone 18 could get this huge upgrade
The new Husqvarna iQ series robot lawn mower.
Husqvarna’s new robot mowers offer GPS for less
Rendered images of rumored foldable iPhone.
Foldable iPhone report just revealed key details — here's what we know
NYTimes Connections
NYT Connections today hints and answers — Sunday, March 23 (#651)
NYT Strands on a cellphone
NYT Strands today — hints, spangram and answers for game #385 (Sunday, March 23 2025)