How to disable child mode on Android: 5 ways to disable parental controls

Children's mode on Android is a useful feature for limiting access to content, but sometimes it becomes a problem. Perhaps you forgot your password, bought a used phone with activated restrictions, or your child has grown up and the mode is still active. In this article, we will look at all the possible ways to disable parental controls on smartphones from different manufacturers: from standard settings to radical methods like resetting to factory settings.

It is important to understand that the methods differ depending on Android version, device manufacturer (Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei, etc.) and the method of activating the mode. For example, if restrictions are set via Google Family Link, a different approach will be required than when using built-in parental controls from Samsung Kids or MIUI Child Mode. We will consider all scenarios - from the simplest to the most complex.

Before you begin, check whether the mode blocks access to critical phone functions (calls, SMS, camera). If yes, get ready for what may be required complete device reset with data loss. In other cases, usually knowing the password or a linked Google account is enough.

1. Disabling via standard Android settings

If child mode was activated through built-in system functions (without third-party applications), try disabling it in the standard way. This method works on most devices with Android 8.0 and newer, but the path to the settings may differ.

Open the menu Settings → Digital Wellbeing and Parental Controls (on some firmware - Settings → Users and Accounts → Parental Controls). Here you will see a list of profiles with restrictions. Select the one you need and:

• 🔓 Enter your password (if you remember it). Typically this is a 4-digit PIN or pattern set when setting up the mode.
• 📱 Click “Disable Parental Controls” or “Delete Profile.”
• ⚙️ Confirm the action if the system asks you to re-enter the password.

On devices with pure Android (for example, Google Pixel) the path may look like this: Settings → Applications → Google → Parental Control. If there is no item, then the restrictions are set through third-party software (see the next section).

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware (for example, ColorOS from Oppo/Realme) parental controls are integrated into the “Security” section. If you don’t find the option, use the search in the settings (magnifying glass icon at the top of the screen).

2. Removing restrictions through Google Family Link

Google Family Link is the most popular solution for parental controls, especially on devices with Google services. If the mode is activated through this application, you can disable it only from the parent's phone (the one that set up the restrictions).

Here are step-by-step guide:

1. On the parent's phone, open the application Family Link.
2. Select the child's profile (device with locks).
3. Go to Manage settings → Manage purchases/applications.
4. Click “Delete account” or “Disable supervision.”
5. Confirm the action using the password from the parent’s Google account.

If you do not have access to the parent’s phone, but you know the login and password of his Google account, you can:

• 🌐 Access the site families.google.com from any device.
• 🔄 Log in under the parent's account and remove restrictions through the web interface.

⚠️ Attention: After disabling Family Link, all application data (activity history, time restrictions) will be deleted without the possibility of recovery. If the child is under 13 years old, the account will automatically be taken over by the parent again the next time they sign in.

Make sure you know the password for the parent's Google account

Check the Internet connection on both devices

Synchronize data (contacts, photos) before making changes

Prepare a backup copy of important files

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3. Methods for Samsung devices (Kids Mode, Digital Wellbeing)

On smartphones Samsung children's mode can be implemented through:

• Samsung Kids — a proprietary application with a limited interface.
• Digital Wellbeing — a built-in Android function with additional options from Samsung.

To disable Samsung Kids:

1. Run the application Samsung Kids.
2. In the upper right corner, click on the icon ⚙️ Settings.
3. Select Exit Samsung Kids.
4. Enter the PIN code (by default - 0000 or 1234, if you have not changed).

If you forgot your PIN, you can reset it through your Samsung account:

1. Go to Settings → Accounts and archiving → Samsung account management.
2. Select Security → Reset Samsung Kids password.
3. Confirm the action via email or fingerprint.

For Digital Wellbeing:

1. Open Settings → Digital Wellbeing and Parental Controls.
2. Select a profile with restrictions.
3. Click “Delete” and confirm with your Google account password.

Method	Required	Works without a password?	Data loss?
Resetting PIN in Samsung Kids	Account Samsung	No	No
Deleting a profile in Digital Wellbeing	Google Password	No	No
Reset via Recovery	Access to Recovery Mode	Yes	Yes (full)
ADB commands	PC, USB debugging	Partially	No

4. Disabling on Xiaomi (Child Mode, MIUI)

On smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO child mode is called Child Mode and is integrated into the firmware MIUI. To disable it:

1. Unlock your phone (if locked, see the section on resetting).
2. Swipe down the notification panel and find the icon 👶 Child mode.
3. Tap on it and enter the password (by default — 1234 or the last used PIN).
4. Click “Exit” or “Disconnect”.

If the icon is not in the notification panel:

1. Go to Settings → Special options → Child mode.
2. Disable the slider or click “Remove password.”

Additional confirmation through your account may be required. MIUI 12/13/14 additional confirmation via account may be required Mi Account. If you forgot your login information:

• 🔄 Restore access via account.xiaomi.com.
• 📧 Use the linked email or phone number.

⚠️ Attention: On some Xiaomi models (for example, Redmi Note 10 Pro) child mode blocks access k Settings. In this case, only a reset via Recovery or ADB will help.

What to do if Child Mode does not turn off?

If the mode does not turn off after entering the correct password, try:

1. Restart the phone in safe mode (hold the power button → "Safe Mode").

2. Uninstall updates for the application Security (Settings → Applications → Application management → Security → Uninstall updates).

3. Reset security settings (Settings → System → Reset settings → Reset security settings).

5. Radical methods: reset and ADB

If the standard methods did not help, there are two options left: reset to factory settings (will delete all data) or disconnect via ADB (requires a PC and USB debugging).

Reset via Recovery:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Hold down the button combination to enter Recovery Mode (usually Volume up + Power or Volume up + Volume down + Power).
3. In the Recovery menu, select Wipe data/factory reset (control - buttons volume, select with the power button).
4. Confirm the action and wait for completion.

Disable via ADB (without data loss):

This method works if the phone is enabled USB debugging (usually disabled in child mode If debugging is enabled). active:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.samsung.android.app.kidshome # For Samsung
adb shell pm disable-user com.miui.kidspace # For Xiaomi

If debugging is turned off, but the phone is unlocked:

1. Connect the phone to the PC.
2. Enter in the terminal:

   adb shell settings put global hidden_api_policy 1

3. Then try to disable the parental control application via ADB (commands above).

⚠️ Attention: Using ADB can disrupt the system. If you are not sure about the commands, it is better to reset via Recovery. Also keep in mind that on new versions of Android (12+), Google blocks some ADB commands for security.

6. Features on other brands (Huawei, Oppo, Realme)

Manufacturers like Huawei, Oppo or Realme use their own parental control solutions. them:

Huawei (EMUI):

• 📱 Go to Settings → Security and privacy → Parental controls.
• 🔓 Enter the password (by default - the date of birth of the Huawei account owner).
• ❌ Click “Disable.”

Oppo/Realme (ColorOS):

• 🛡️ Open Settings → Accessibility → Child mode.
• 🔢 Enter PIN (standard - 1111 or 0000).
• 🗑️ Click “Delete mode”.

OnePlus (OxygenOS):

• 🔄 Use Google Family Link (see section 2) - there is no own solution.

On devices of these brands, linking to the manufacturer’s account is often required (Huawei ID, Oppo AccountIf). forgot your login details, restore them through the official websites:

• 🌐 Huawei ID
• 🌐 Oppo/Realme Account

7. What to do if nothing helps?

If none of the methods worked, perhaps on the phone:

• 🔒 Third-party parental control software is installed (for example, Kaspersky Safe Kids, Norton Family).
• 🛡️ The function Find My Device with blocking is activated (on Samsung - Samsung Find My Mobile).
• 📱 The device is tied to corporate policy (for example, school tablets).

In such cases:

1. For third-party applications: Remove them via Settings → Applications (administrator password required).
2. For corporate devices: Contact your administrator (for example, a school), as restrictions are set at the MDM level (Mobile Device Management).
3. For blocked accounts: Restore access through official services (Google, Samsung etc.).

If the phone is completely locked (does not even allow access to the lock screen), all that remains is:

• 🔧 Contact the service center with proof of ownership (receipt, box).
• 📡 Use EDL mode (requires special equipment and skills).

⚠️ Attention: Buying a used phone with child mode activated is a risky decision. The seller might not unlink the account, and then unlocking will require his participation!

FAQ: Frequently asked questions

Is it possible to disable child mode without password?

Yes, but only through a factory reset (data loss) or ADB (if debugging is enabled). On some devices, logging into Safe mode (hold the power button → "Safe Mode") helps, but this does not always work.

How do you know what type of parental controls are installed?

Try these steps:

1. Look at the lock screen - if there is a logo Family Link or Samsung Kidsthat's a hint.
2. Try to swipe the notification panel - sometimes the active mode is displayed there.
3. Connect the phone to the PC and check the installed applications via ADB:

   adb shell pm list packages | grep -i kid

What to do if after resetting the phone requires an old Google account (FRP)?

This Factory Reset Protection (FRP) — protection against theft. To unlock:

1. Enter the email and password of the last Google account that was on the phone.
2. If you don’t remember, restore access via accounts.google.com.
3. On some devices (for example, Samsung) you can bypass FRP via TalkBack or Emergency Call, but this requires skills.

For Samsung there is an official FRP removal tool: findmymobile.samsung.com (you need a Samsung account).

Is it possible to disable parental controls via computer?

Yes, if:

• 🖥️ You have access to the parent's account in Google Family Link (see section 2).
• 🔌 USB debugging is enabled and you can use ADB (see section 5).
• 🌐 The phone has software for remote control (for example, TeamViewer), but this is unlikely in child mode.

Without these conditions, the computer will not help - you will need physical access to the device.

How to protect your phone after disabling child mode?

To avoid repeated problems:

• 🔐 Set a strong password on the lock screen (do not 1234!).
• 📱 Create a backup PIN for Samsung Kids/Child Mode and save it in in a safe place.
• 🔄 Update the software regularly - new versions of Android often fix vulnerabilities that allow you to bypass blocking.
• 📋 Use Google Family Link instead of built-in solutions - it is easier to control through the web interface.