How do I set up parental controls for the Google Play Store?

When parental controls are turned on for the Google Play Store, you can restrict what can be downloaded and purchased from the Store. Continue reading to learn more about parental controls for the Google Play Store.

How Parental Controls Work

The way parental controls work varies across Apps & Games, Music, Movies, TV, and Books. Learn more about each section below.

Apps & Games

When setting up parental controls for apps and games, you choose the highest content rating (Everyone, Everyone 10+, Teen, Mature 17+, Adults only 18+, Allow all including unrated) you want to allow for downloads or purchases. You may still be able to see apps and games outside of your filter when you search or visit using a direct link to the app’s page. Also, any apps or games downloaded before the parental controls were added will still be seen even if the app is outside of the rating you set.

Movies

When setting up parental controls for movies, you choose the highest rating (G, PG, PG-13, R, NC-17, Allow all including unrated) you want to allow for purchase, playback, and rental. You may still be able to see movies outside of your filter when you search or visit using a direct link to the content’s page. You will not see movies already rented or purchased if the movies are restricted because of parental controls. You can turn parental controls off to see the rented and purchased movies again.

TV

When setting up parental controls for TV shows, you choose the highest rating (TV-Y, TV-Y7, TV-G, TV-PG, TV-14, TV-MA, Allow all including unrated) you want to allow for playback or purchase. You may still be able to see TV shows outside of your filter when you search or visit using a direct link to the content’s page. You will not see TV shows already purchased if the TV shows are restricted because of parental controls. You can turn parental controls off to see the TV shows again.

Books

When setting up parental controls for books, you won’t be able to read or purchase most sexually explicit books. You may still be able to see books outside of your filter when you search or visit using a direct link to the content’s page. While setting up parental controls won’t catch all of the sexually explicit books, it will help avoid most of the mature content.

Music

When setting up parental controls for music, you won’t be able to purchase music that is marked Explicit by content providers. You may still be able to see books outside of your filter when you search or visit using a direct link to the content’s page. Parental controls for music only apply to the Google Play Store app. The parental controls don’t change the music already purchased, uploaded, or subscribed to.

How to Set up Parental Controls

Follow the instructions below to set up parental controls for the Google Play Store.

  1. On the smartphone you want parental controls on, open the Google Play Store app
  2. At the top, tap on your name's initial
  3. Tap "Settings"
  4. Choose "Family > "Parental controls"
  5. Tap on the slider to turn parental controls "On"
  6. You will be prompted to create a PIN. The pin must be 4 digits
    • This PIN prevents people who don’t know the PIN from changing the parental control settings. If you are setting up parental controls on your child’s phone, choose a PIN they do not know
  7. Next, tap on the type of content you want to filter
  8. Choose how to restrict or filter access
  9. Tap "Save"

Require a Password or Authentication for Purchases

It is a good idea to require a password for purchases made in the Google Play Store. Doing this prevents unauthorized purchases, including purchases made in apps, from occurring. If you use your Google Account on more than one device, repeat the steps below for each device. If you use multiple accounts on your smartphone, repeat the steps below for each account on your smartphone.

To turn authentication on or off:

  1. Open the Google Play Store app
  2. At the top, tap on your name's initial
  3. Tap "Settings" > "Authentication"
  4. Tap on "Require authentication for purchases"
  5. Choose a setting
  6. Follow the on-screen instructions

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