Smartphone owners Samsung often face a situation where the functionality of the device is limited by previously installed security settings. This may be due to the purchase of a used gadget, a forgotten password for a child’s account, or the need to remove restrictions imposed by the user in the past. Parental controls is a useful tool, but sometimes it turns into an obstacle to the full use of the technology.
The disabling procedure varies depending on what kind of software used for blocking. In the ecosystem Android the most common are built-in tools Google Family Link, third-party applications like Kaspersky Safe Kids or specific settings of the interface itself One UI. Incorrect actions can lead to blocking of the device or loss of data, so it is important to clearly understand the type of installed protection before starting manipulations.
Determining the type of installed control
Before taking active actions, it is necessary to identify the source of restrictions. The blocking can be at the level of the operating system, a specific application, or an administrator account. If you see a message that the action is prohibited by the administrator, it means that a profile with elevated privileges is active on the device.
Users often confuse the standard screen lock mode with parental controls. In the first case, only a pattern or PIN code is required, and in the second, access to the parent’s account. Check the list of installed apps in the settings menu. Look for applications with names containing the words Family, Kids, Parental or Control.
- 🔍 Check the section
Settings → Biometrics and security → Other security settings → Device administrator applications. - 📱 Look in the application menu for icons with images lock or shield.
- 🔑 Try resetting the network settings to eliminate blocking at the DNS or router level.
If the device was purchased secondhand, there is a high probability that the previous owner did not unlink his account Google. In this case, the system will require input from the user who initially configured the protection. This is an anti-theft mechanism FRP (Factory Reset Protection)that is closely related to parental functions.
⚠️ Warning: Attempting to guess the password multiple times may result in the device being temporarily locked for several hours or days. Do not enter arbitrary combinations if you are not sure of the correctness of the data.
Disable via Google Family Link settings
The most common scenario is using the service Google Family Link. This is the official solution from the developers Android, which is deeply integrated into the system. You won't be able to remove it by simply dragging the icon into the trash, since the application has administrator rights.
To correctly disable it, you need access to the parent's phone. Without this step, it is almost impossible to unlock the device using a legal method. Go to the application Family Link on the parent's device, select the child's profile and find the control control item.
You must perform the following sequence of actions on the parent's phone:
1. Open the application Family Link.
2. Select the child's name from the list.
3. Click on the card Parental Control.
4. Turn the switch to position Off.
After this, a notification will appear on the child’s phone that the control is disabled. However, sometimes additional confirmation is required. Enter the password for the parent's Google account on the child's device when prompted. Only after confirmation, administrator rights will be revoked, and the application can be deleted in the standard way through the menu Settings → Applications.
If you have forgotten the password for your parent's account, restore it through the accounts.google.com page on your computer before trying to disable control on the phone.
Removing third-party blocking applications
The situation becomes more complicated if third-party solutions were used, such as Kaspersky Safe Kids, ESET Parental Control or Screen Time. These apps often have their own anti-deletion mechanisms to prevent a child from deactivating them. They may hide their icon in the launcher or require a special code to access settings.
First, try to find the application in the list of installed apps. If the icon is hidden, use the search in the phone settings for the name of the developer. Go to Settings → Applications, find the required software and try pressing the button Uninstall. If the button is inactive, it means that the application has been granted administrator rights.
To revoke rights, go to the security menu:
Settings → Biometrics and security → Other security settings → Device administrator applicationsFind the name of the blocker in the list and uncheck it or click Deactivate. Confirm the action by entering the access code, if known. Only after deactivating administrator rights, the delete button will become active.
| Application name | Protection type | Deletion complexity | Required data |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Family Link | System level | High | Parent account password |
| Kaspersky Safe Kids | Administrator rights | Medium | Application access code |
| Norton Family | Supervisor | High | Supervisor credentials |
| Qustodio | Hidden mode | Very high | Password and access to the portal |
If the application is not uninstalled even after removing rights, it may be installed as a system application (pre-extended by the manufacturer or telecom operator). In this case, it cannot be removed using standard methods; deeper intervention in the system will be required.
What to do if the “Deactivate” button is not pressed?
In some cases, malware or erroneous settings can block the settings interface. Try starting the phone in safe mode by holding the power button on the lock screen and repeat the removal procedure.
Resetting the phone to factory settings
When the password is lost and there is no access to the parent's account, the only radical solution is a complete data reset (Hard Reset). This procedure will return the phone Samsung to its out-of-the-box state, deleting all user data, photos and, importantly, parental control settings.
It is important to understand: this method will delete absolutely all data from the internal memory of the device. Contacts, messages and files will be lost forever if you have not synchronized with the cloud in advance. Use this method only as a last resort.
To perform a reset on smartphones Samsung with an interface One UI you often need to connect to a computer via cable, especially on new models with Android 11 and higher. This is done for security to prevent the buttons from resetting a stolen phone.
Algorithm of actions to enter recovery mode (Recovery Mode):
1. Turn off the smartphone completely.
2. Connect the phone with a USB cable to a switched on computer (not to a charger!).
3. Press the buttons simultaneously Volume up and Power.
4. Hold the buttons until the logo appears Samsung, then release.
5. In the menu that appears, use the volume buttons to select the item Wipe data/factory reset and confirm with the power button.
⚠️ Attention: After resetting the settings, the phone may ask you to enter the Google account that was previously synchronized with the device (FRP protection). remember the login and password for the main Google account on this phone.
The formatting process will take a few minutes. After completion, select the item Reboot system now. The phone will reboot, and you will have to perform the initial setup, as if you were purchasing a new gadget.
☑️ Preparing for Hard Reset
Bypassing the lock through safe mode
Sometimes parental control is implemented through a third-party application that does not have system administrator rights, but simply blocks the launch of other apps. In such cases, downloading to Safe Modecan help. In this mode, only system applications are launched, and all third-party software, including blockers, is deactivated.
To enter safe mode on Samsung:
1. Press and hold the power button on the screen or case until the power menu appears.
2. Press and hold the icon Turn off on the screen with your finger.
3. A pop-up window will appear asking you to enter Safe Mode. Click OK.
After the reboot, “Safe Mode” will appear in the lower left corner of the screen. Now you can go to application settings. Find the suspicious app that was installing restrictions and remove it. Since it is not running, it will not be able to prevent removal.
After successfully removing malicious or restrictive software, simply reboot your phone as usual. The device will return to normal operation, but without the blocker installed. This method is effective against simple apps, but is powerless against Family Link or system restrictions.
Safe mode is a great way to remove applications that block access to settings, but it does not unlink your Google account.
Removing restrictions for specific applications
Often users do not need complete disabling of control, but permission to launch a specific game or site that has been blocked. In Family Link and similar systems, you can control access selectively without removing all protection entirely. This is relevant if the phone belongs to a child, but temporary access to the resource is required.
Go to the parental control settings (through the parent's application or on the device itself, if there is a code). Find the section Application restrictions or Content filters. Here you can set time limits for specific apps or completely allow their use.
To unblock sites in the browser Chrome under control:
1. Open settings Family Link.
2. Select browser control.
3. Add the site address to the allowed list (Always allow).
4. Save the changes.
Changes are applied synchronously and may take up to 15 minutes to take effect on the child's device. If you need instant access, use the "Extra Time" feature, which temporarily removes all limits for a certain period.
⚠️ Attention: The interface of parental control applications is regularly updated. The location of menu items may vary depending on the version of the application and the model of your Samsung smartphone.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to remove Family Link without a password? parent?
Officially, this is not possible. Google's security system does not allow you to delete the application or disable control without authorization in the parent's account. The only way is to completely reset the phone settings (Hard Reset), but this will delete all data from the device.
What happens if you simply delete the parental control application?
If the application has administrator rights, the system will not work. will allow you to delete it until you revoke these rights in the security settings. If you try to bypass this through a reset, the FRP protection will work and the phone will ask for the old Google account.
How to remove control if the phone was purchased second-hand with someone else's account?
You need to contact the previous owner and ask him to remove the device from his Family Link account remotely. If this is not possible, only flashing it will help. reset via Recovery Mode and then set up under your account.
Why does the phone ask you to enter the old password after resetting?
This is the work of the Factory Reset Protection (FRP) function. It protects the device from being used in case of theft. To get around this, you need to enter the login and password of the Google account that was synchronized on the phone before the reset.
Does removing control affect Samsung warranty?
A soft reset or deleting applications itself does not void the warranty. However, if you used third-party software to remove the lock (obtaining superuser rights) or flashing with unofficial software, the warranty will be void.