How to remove family filter on an Android phone: complete guide 2026

Family filter on Android is a useful feature for parents that helps limit children's access to inappropriate content. However, sometimes adult users are faced with the need disable these restrictions for example, after purchasing a used phone, when changing an account, or if the filter was activated by mistake. In this article we will analyze all possible ways to remove restrictions, including official methods through settings and alternative solutions for different manufacturers.

It is important to understand that family control can be implemented at three levels: at level Google account (via Family Link, at level manufacturer firmware (for example, Samsung Kids or Mi Child Mode) and at level individual applications (for example, restrictions at YouTube or Google Play). Each case requires its own approach. If you are not sure which filter is activated on your device, start by checking the section Settings → Digital Wellbeing and Parental Controls.

Before you start disabling, make sure you have administrator rights on your device or data from the account that has set the restrictions. Otherwise, some methods may not work, and attempts to bypass system locks may lead to loss of warranty or blocking of the device (especially on phones with protection Knox or FRP).

1. Disabling family filter via Google Family Link

Google Family Link is the most common solution for parental control on Android. If restrictions were set through this service, you can remove them in two ways: from the child’s phone (if you have access to the parent’s account) or through the web version. Family Link.

To remove restrictions from the device:

• 📱 Open the application Family Link on the parent's phone.
• 👤 Select the child profile for which you want to remove restrictions.
• ⚙️ Go to Manage settings → Device control.
• 🔄 Click Delete account or Disable supervision (depending on the version of the application).

If you do not have access to your parent’s phone, but you know his Google account details, you can use web version of Family Link:

1. Login using your parent's account.
2. Select the child's device in the list.
3. In the section Settings → Management device click Disable supervision.
4. Confirm the action via SMS or backup email.

⚠️ Attention: If the child's account is linked to Family Link, his age in Google must be changed to 18+ through the profile settings. Otherwise, restrictions may be restored after a reboot.

2. Resetting restrictions through Android settings (without Family Link)

If the family filter was not activated through Google Family Link, and through built-in firmware functions (for example, Samsung Kids, Huawei Parental Controls or Mi Child Mode), it can be disabled directly in the phone settings. The algorithm of actions depends on the manufacturer:

Manufacturer	Path to settings	Action
Samsung	Settings → Digital Wellbeing → Parental Control	Enter PIN code (default 0000 or 1234), then disable Samsung Kids.
Xiaomi/Redmi	Settings → Accessibility → Kids mode	Disable Mi Child Mode or reset the password via Mi Account.
Huawei/Honor	Settings → Security → Parental controls	Enter the administrator password or reset via Huawei ID.

On some devices (for example, Sony Xperia or Motorola), the family filter can be implemented through the app Digital WellbeingTo disable it:

1. Go to Settings → Digital wellbeing and parental controls.
2. Select a profile with restrictions.
3. Click Delete profile or Disable restrictions.

⚠️ Attention: On On phones with EMUI (Huawei) or One UI (Samsung), resetting the settings to factory settings (Settings → General → Reset) may not remove the link to the parent account. In this case, you will need unlock through the official service.

Make sure the phone is charged to 50%+

Save important data (photos, contacts)

Remember Google account login/password

Check for a backup copy in the cloud

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3. Bypassing the family filter via Safe Mode

If standard methods do not work (for example, you have forgotten the administrator password), you can try disabling the family filter via Safe Mode. This mode boots Android without third-party applications, which sometimes allows you to bypass locks.

To enter Safe Mode:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Hold the button Power until the logo appears.
3. As soon as the logo appears, press and hold the button Volume Downuntil the phone boots up.
4. The inscription will appear in the lower left corner of the screen Safe Mode.

In this mode:

• 🔧 Try uninstalling parental control applications (for example, Kids Place or Norton Family) via Settings → Applications.
• 🔄 Disable administrator rights for applications in Settings → Security → Device Administrators.
• 📱 Restart your phone in normal mode and check if the restrictions are still there.

⚠️ Attention: On some devices (for example, Samsung s Knox) deleting system applications in Safe Mode may trigger protection and block the phone. Do not delete applications marked System.

What to do if Safe Mode does not help?

If after exiting Safe Mode the restrictions return, this means that the filter is fixed at the firmware or Google account level. In this case, only full reset (with the deletion of all data) or unlocking through the service center will help. data-i="150">(Factory Reset Protection) after the reset you will need to enter the data of the last synchronized account. FRP (Factory Reset Protection) after the reset, you will need to enter the data of the last synchronized account.

4. Resetting the phone to factory settings (hard reset)

If other methods did not work, the last option is Full reset. This method will delete all data from the phone, including applications, photos and accounts, so use it only as a last resort. Before resetting, be sure to back up your important files.

Instructions for most Android devices:

1. Go to Settings → System → Reset (on some phones the path may be different: Settings → General → Reset).
2. Select Reset data or Delete all data.
3. Confirm the action (you may need to enter a PIN code or pattern).
4. Wait for the process to complete (the phone will reboot).

On phone will return to factory settings. Samsung With One UI the path might look like this:

Settings → Device maintenance → Reset → Reset data

After reset:

• 🆕 The phone will return to factory settings.
• 🔑 If activated FRP, you will need to enter the details of your last Google account.
• 📱 Install the phone as a new device without restoring data from a backup (to avoid re-activating the filter).

5. Alternative methods: ADB and third-party utilities

For experienced users, there are more complex ways to bypass the family filter, such as using ADB (Android Debug Bridge) or specialized utilities. These methods require connecting the phone to a computer and may violate the warranty, so use them with caution.

To disable administrator rights via ADB:

1. Enable USB Debugging in Settings → About phone → Build number (press 7 times, then return to Settings → System → For Developers).
2. Connect your phone to your PC and open Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (Mac/Linux).
3. Enter the command to test the connection:

   adb devices

4. To remove the administrator (for example, Family Link), use:

   adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.apps.kids.familylink

List of popular utilities for bypassing restrictions:

• 🛠️ FRP Bypass APK — to bypass Factory Reset Protection.
• 🔓 KingRoot —to obtain root access and remove system restrictions (risky!).
• 📱 App Cloner —to create a copy of an application without restrictions (for example, YouTube without age restrictions restrictions).

⚠️ Attention: Use of ADB or root access can lead to loss of warrantytriggering Knox (on Samsung) or blocking the device on phones with MIUI (Xiaomi) may stop working after rooting Mi Account.

6. Features for different manufacturers

Each manufacturer implements the family filter in its own way. Below are the key nuances for popular brands:

Samsung (One UI)

On phones Samsung family control can be linked to Samsung Knox —a security system that blocks unauthorized changes. If you try to bypass restrictions, Knox may trigger and block some features (for example, Samsung Pay or Secure Folder).

To completely remove restrictions:

• Go to Settings → Biometrics and security → Other security settings → Device administrators.
• Uncheck the Samsung Kids and Family Link.
• If a PIN is required, try the standard combinations: 0000, 1234, 1111.

Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco (MIUI)

On devices Xiaomi family filter is called Mi Child Mode. It can only be disabled by knowing the password or via Mi Account. If you have forgotten your password:

1. Go to the website Mi Account.
2. Restore access to your account via your linked email or phone.
3. In the phone settings, reset the password Mi Child Mode.

Huawei/Honor (EMUI)

On phones Huawei family control is linked to Huawei ID. To disable it:

• Open Settings → Security → Parental control.
• Enter the administrator password (by default it can be the same as the unlock PIN code).
• If the password is lost, reset it via Huawei Cloud (confirmation via SMS will be required).

Google Pixel (Stock Android)

On “pure” Android, family control is implemented through Google Family Link. There are no additional layers of protection from the manufacturer, so it is enough to disable supervision through the parent’s account (see section 1).

⚠️ Attention: On phones with EMUI 12+ (Huawei) or One UI 5+ (Samsung) settings interface may differ. If you do not find the specified menu items, check the current firmware version in Settings → About phone.

7. data-i="245">If you have tried all the methods, but the family filter is still active, perhaps the restrictions are fixed at the level:

If you've tried all the methods and the family filter is still active, the restrictions may be set to:

• 🔒 Firmware (for example, on phones for children, such as Samsung Galaxy Kids or Alcatel 1T 7).
• 📶 Network operator (some mobile operators block access to certain sites at the SIM card level).
• 🛡️ Corporate policy (if the phone was issued by a company or educational institution).

In such cases:

1. Contact the service center manufacturer. For example, Samsung or Xiaomi can remove restrictions at the request of the owner (proof of purchase will be required).
2. Reflash the phone through official utilities (for example, Odin for Samsung or Mi Flash for Xiaomi). This will delete all data, but will remove system locks.
3. Check the SIM card: if restrictions are imposed by the operator, contact support (for example, MTS, Beeline or Tele2 may provide "children's" tariffs with content filtering).

If the phone was purchased with hands and the previous owner has not unlinked his account, the only legal way to unlock is provide proof of purchase (receipt or contract) at the service center. Attempts at deception (for example, counterfeiting of receipts) can lead to blocking of the device by IMEI.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Is it possible to remove the family filter without a password?

Yes, but it depends on the type of restrictions. If the filter is installed via Google Family Link, it is almost impossible to bypass it without access to the parent's account. If restrictions are at the firmware level (for example, Samsung Kids), try Safe Mode or resetting the settings.. On some phones (for example, Xiaomi), you can reset the password through Mi Account.

Will the phone work after resetting the settings if it was activated FRP?

Yes, the phone will work, but after resetting you will need to enter the details of the last synchronized Google account. If you do not remember your login/password, you will have to bypass it through official services (for example, FRP through official services (for example, Samsung Find My Mobile) or specialized utilities. data-i="285">(for example, on some models FRP (for example, on some models Huawei without Google services), the reset will take place without additional requests.

Is it possible to disable the family filter on a child’s phone if I am not a parent?

Technically yes, but this violates the terms of use Google Family Link i may be considered an illegal action. If you are not the legal guardian, it is better to contact the child’s parents to remove the restrictions. Otherwise, Google may block the account for suspicious activity.

Why do the restrictions return after disabling Family Link?

This happens if the age of the child is under 18 years old:

1. Open Google account settings.
2. Go to Information about you → Personal data → Birthday.
3. Change date of birth to 18+ and save changes.

After this restrictions Family Link will be automatically removed.

How to check which filter is active on my phone?

To determine the source of restrictions:

1. Check the section Settings → Digital Wellbeing and Parental Controls.
2. Open Settings → Applications and look for apps like Family Link, Samsung Kids or Kaspersky Safe Kids.
3. If Settings → Security → Device Administrators there are unknown applications with administrator rights, this may be third-party parental controls.