How to change the parental control password on Android: 5 proven methods

Forgot your parental control password on your child’s phone or want to update it for greater security? On Android smartphones, this procedure depends on the method of setting restrictions: through Google Family Link, proprietary shells MIUI (Xiaomi), One UI (Samsung) or standard system tools. In this article, we will analyze all the current methods, taking into account the characteristics of different manufacturers and versions of Android.

It is important to understand that resetting the parental control password is not just a technical operation, but a security issue. Incorrect actions may result in the device being blocked or loss of access to data. We will describe each stage in detail, indicate possible errors and give recommendations for restoring access if standard methods do not work.

1. How to change the password in Google Family Link

Google Family Link is the most common parental control solution on Android. If restrictions were set through this application, the password is changed in your Google account, and not on the device itself. Here are the step-by-step guide:

Open the application Family Link on your smartphone (not on your child’s device!). Select the child profile for which you want to update the password. Go to section Manage settings → Manage Google account. Here, find the item Security and select Password. The system will prompt you to enter the current password for your Google account, after which you can set a new one.

• 🔑 If you forgot the password for your Google account, restore it through accounts.google.com before changing the Family settings Link.
• 📱 On the child's device, changes will take effect only after synchronization with Google servers (usually takes 5-10 minutes).
• 🔄 After changing the password, all devices where this account was logged in will be logged out.

⚠️ Attention: If the child uses device with Android 10 or older, and you change the password through Family Link, a notification may appear on his smartphone indicating that the security settings have changed. This is normal - this is how the Google notification system works.

2. Changing the password in manufacturers' proprietary shells

Smartphone manufacturers often add their own parental control tools. Let's look at the features for popular brands:

Manufacturer	Function name	Path to settings	Features
Xiaomi (MIUI)	Parental controls	Settings → Accessibility → Parental Control	Requires linking to an account Mi Account. The password changes in the web version of the account.
Samsung (One UI)	Digital Wellbeing and parental controls	Settings → Digital wellbeing and parental controls → Parental controls	You can set a PIN code or pattern. Reset via Find My Mobile.
Huawei (EMUI)	Control time of use	Settings → Security and privacy → Parental controls	Requires creating a separate password when setting up for the first time.
Realme/Oppo (ColorOS)	Parental space	Settings → Special functions → Parent space	The password is tied to the main account on the device.

For Xiaomi i Samsung there is an important nuance: if you have forgotten the password, it can only be reset through the manufacturer's account. For example, for Samsung this is done through the service Find My Mobile (you need access to the linked email). For Xiaomi —through the website account.xiaomi.com in the "Device Management" section.

3. Standard parental controls in pure Android

On devices with "pure" Android (for example, Pixel, Nokia, Motorola), parental controls are configured via Digital Wellbeing. There is no separate password - the restrictions are tied to the parent's Google account. To change access:

Open Settings → Digital Wellbeing and Parental Controls. Select your child's profile and click "Manage Parental Controls". The system will redirect you to the application Family Linkwhere you can change the settings (as described in the first section). If your child's device has a PIN code for unlocking applications, it can be reset via Settings → Security → App Lock.

⚠️ Attention: On Android 12 and later when changing Family Link password may require confirmation via two-factor authentication (SMS or Google Authenticator app). Make sure you have access to backup codes.

If you use Protecting the Play Store (application installation restriction), its settings are also changed through Family Link. Important: after changing the password, all previously allowed applications will remain available, but installing new ones will require entering a new password.

4. What to do if you forgot your parental control password

The situation when the password is lost occurs often. Recovery methods depend on the method of setting restrictions:

• 🔧 For Google Family Link: recover your Google account password via accounts.google.com. After this, all Family Link settings will become available.
• 📱 For Samsung: use the service Find My Mobile (you need access to the email associated with the device). Select the device → "Unlock" → "Reset parental controls."
• 🔄 For Xiaomi: go to account.xiaomi.com, log in and in the "Device Management" section reset the control settings.
• 🔨 For clean Android: Perform a factory reset via Settings → System → Reset settings, but this will delete all data from the device!

Critical information: On some Huawei devices (EMUI 10 and older), resetting the parental control password is only possible through the service center. Independent attempts to bypass may lead to a complete blocking of the device.

If none of the methods worked, try the following algorithm (for devices with root access):

adb shell
su
pm clear com.android.settings
reboot

This command will reset the Settings application, but may also delete other personal data. Use it only as a last resort!

What will happen if you reset to factory settings?

With a hard reset, all data from the device will be deleted, including photos, contacts and installed applications. Parental controls will also be reset, but this is a last resort - use it only if other methods have not helped. First try saving important data through backup (if the device is at least slightly unlocked).

5. How to set a strong password for parental controls

When creating a new password, follow these recommendations to avoid problems in the future:

• 🔐 Use a combination of 12+ characters capital letters, numbers and special characters (for example, Kids@Safe_2026!).
• 📝 Write down the password in a safe place (for example, in a password manager Google Password Manager or 1Password).
• 🔄 Change the password every 3-6 months, especially if the device is used by several people.
• 🚫 Do not use dates of birth, names of children or simple sequences (123456, qwerty).

For additional security, set up two-factor authentication (2FA) for your Google account. This will protect your Family Link settings even if the password is compromised. This can be enabled in Google Settings → Security → Two-Step Verification.

If you use proprietary solutions (for example, Mi Account or Samsung Account), check if they have their own tools for controlling access. For example, Samsung Knox you can set up additional levels of protection. for parental control.

6. Common mistakes and how to avoid them

When changing the parental control password, users often encounter typical problems:

1. Authentication error: Make sure you enter the password for parent account, and not from the child’s account. The Family Link login screen always shows the email account for which the password is entered.
2. The device does not sync: Check your Internet connection and update the Family Link application to the latest version. Sometimes restarting the device helps.
3. Forgot the answers to security questions: When restoring your Google account, you may need answers to security questions. If you don't remember them, restore access via a backup email or phone.
4. Blocking after several attempts: After 5 unsuccessful attempts to enter the password, the account may be temporarily blocked. Wait 24 hours or restore access via accounts.google.com.

Another common mistake is trying to change the password directly on the child’s device. Remember: all Family Link settings are controlled only from the parent device. On your child’s smartphone, you can only view restrictions, but not edit them.

7. Alternative methods of restricting access

If standard parental control methods are not satisfactory, consider alternative solutions:

• 🛡️ Third-party applications: Kaspersky Safe Kids, Norton Family or Qustodio offer advanced monitoring and blocking functions.
• 📱 Guest mode: On some devices (for example Samsung), you can create a guest profile with limited rights.
• 🔒 Blocking via router: Set up restrictions by MAC address or access time in the control panel of your Wi-Fi router.
• 📵 Screen Time feature in iOS: If your child also has Apple devices, set up restrictions via Family Sharing.

Third-party apps often offer more flexible settings than standard Android tools. For example, in Kaspersky Safe Kids you can set geofences, limit the time you use specific applications, or block access to sites by category. However, remember that such applications require constant background access, which can affect the performance of the device.

When choosing an alternative solution, pay attention to:

• Compatibility with the version of Android on the child’s device.
• Availability of Russian-language support.
• Reviews about stability of operation (some applications may crash or conflict with manufacturers' shells).

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

Is it possible to change the parental control password without access to the parent device?

No, if control is configured via Google Family Link. All changes are made only from the parent’s device. If you do not have access to your parent's smartphone, recover the password for your Google account on any other device (computer, tablet) via accounts.google.com.

What to do if a child has changed the parental control password?

If a child has accessed the settings and changed the password, you will need to:

1. Restore control through your Google account (if you use Family Link).
2. Reset the device to factory settings (will delete all data!).
3. Contact the manufacturer's service center with proof of purchase of the device.

In the future, set up two-factor authentication for your account to prevent such situations.

How to disable parental controls completely?

To completely disable:

• V Family Link: open the child's profile → "Manage settings" → "Delete account" (this will remove all restrictions).
• V branded shells: go to the parental control settings and select “Disable” or “Delete”.

Remember that after disabling, the child will have full access to all functions of the device.

Is it possible to set different passwords for different applications?

There is no such function in standard Android parental controls. However, some third-party applications (for example AppLock) allow you to set separate PIN codes for each application. Please note that this requires additional permissions and may affect the performance of the device.

Why do some restrictions not work after changing the password?

This can happen for several reasons:

• The device has not synchronized with Google servers (check your Internet connection).
• Google Play services are disabled on the child's device (check in Settings → Applications → Google Play Services).
• Applications that were allowed before changing the password remained in the list of exceptions (check in Family Link).

Reboot the child's device and wait for complete synchronization (may take up to 30 minutes).