Parental controls are a useful tool, but there are situations when you need to turn them off completely. Often, users are faced with the fact that children's mode blocks the installation of necessary apps or limits the time they can use the device. In this article, we will analyze in detail all the ways to remove restrictions on a smartphone or tablet running Android.
The deactivation process directly depends on what kind of software was used to set the restrictions. This could be a built-in function Google Family Link, Guest mode in the system, or a third-party application from Play Market. Understanding the source of the blocking is the first step to successfully solving the problem.
Don't panic if you forgot your password or lost access to your parent account. There are official methods for restoring device administrator rights. Next, we will look at step-by-step action algorithms for each specific case so that you can regain full control over your gadget.
Disabling restrictions via Google Family Link
The most common way to organize children's access is a service from Google. To remove restrictions, you will need access to the parent's device where the application is installed Family Link. Without this step, it is impossible to delete the child’s profile from the device using standard methods.
Go to the application on the parent’s phone and select the child’s account from the list. In the management menu, find the item Account Settings and go to the family management section. This is where the access keys to system restrictions on the child’s device are stored.
If your goal is simply to remove the age marking for a teenager (over 13 years old), you can initiate the process of removing supervision directly from the application. The system will prompt you to send a notification to the child's device for confirmation. After confirmation, all content filters will be removed.
⚠️ Attention: Completely deleting a child’s account from the family will erase location history and application usage statistics. It will be impossible to recover this data.
It is important to understand the difference between a temporary pause and complete deletion. The function Screen locks can be activated by a parent remotely at any time, even if you are trying to change the settings. Be sure to make an agreement with the owner of the parent account before starting the procedure.
If the child is over 13 years old, he can independently request the end of supervision through the settings of his Google account, but the parent will receive a notification and can reject the request within 24 hours.
Removing third-party parental control applications
Often restrictions are set using apps like Kaspersky Safe Kids, Qustodio or Screen Time. The peculiarity of such applications is that they receive rights device administrator, which does not allow you to simply delete them through the standard menu.
First, you need to go to the main settings of the smartphone. Go to the Security or Biometrics and Securitysection, depending on the version Android and shell of the manufacturer. Find the subsection responsible for access rights.
In the list of active device administrators you will see the icon of the installed control application. Click on it and select the option Disable. The system may ask you to enter the pattern key or PIN code that was set when installing the app.
- 🔑 Enter the password code set when setting up the application.
- 📱 Confirm the action in the system pop-up window.
- 🗑️ Return to the application menu and uninstall the app in the standard way.
After revoking administrator rights, the application icon will become active for uninstallation. Go to Settings → Applications, find the desired app in the list and press the button Uninstall. Now all filters and time limits will be deactivated.
☑️ Checking access rights
Exiting Guest or Second Space mode
Many smartphone manufacturers, such as Xiaomi, Samsung and Huawei, have built-in functions for creating isolated spaces. Guest or Second Space mode is often used as a simplified children's mode that hides the owner's personal data.
To exit this mode, you usually just need to swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification panel. There you will find the user profile icon. By clicking on it, you will see a list of available accounts on the device.
Select Owner or main account. The system will ask you to unlock with your master password or fingerprint. After entering the main profile, the guest environment will no longer be active, although the guest data itself can be saved until manual clearing.
| Manufacturer | Function name | Path to switching | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi / Redmi | Second space | Settings → Second space | Password or fingerprint |
| Samsung | Knox folder / Users | Notification curtain → User icon | Owner PIN code |
| Huawei / Honor | Private space | Settings → Privacy | Separate password |
| Pure Android | Multiple users | Settings → System → Multiple users | Supervisor access |
If the switch is grayed out or hidden, the feature may have been blocked through accessibility or a restricted profile. In this case, you will need a complete reset, which we will talk about in the following sections.
What to do if the user switcher has disappeared?
Sometimes the switch icon disappears due to interface errors. Try rebooting your device. If this does not help, check whether the “Screen Pinning” function is activated, which blocks exiting the current application or profile.
Removing screen pinning
One of the common situations is the so-called “application pinning”. This is a feature Androidthat allows you to freeze the screen on one application, preventing the user from exiting to the menu or launching another app. This is often perceived as children's mode.
To exit the pinned state, you must use a special combination of buttons. On most modern devices without physical buttons, you need to simultaneously press and hold the Back and Review buttons (square or swipe from below and hold).
If on your device there are physical buttons, the combination is usually Back + Recent applications. After pressing, the system will request to unlock the device using a PIN code, pattern key or owner's fingerprint.
⚠️ Attention: If you do not know the unlock code for the main profile, you will not be able to exit the pinning mode legally. The device will remain locked to one application until rebooted or the battery runs out.
To disable the ability to pin in the future, go to Settings → Security → Advanced → Pinning applications. Place the switch in the inactive position. This will prevent children from accidentally activating the function.
The key combination to exit may differ depending on the version of Android and the installed launcher shell. If the standard combination does not work, try holding the power button together with the back button.
Resetting the settings to factory settings (Hard Reset)
This is a radical method that is used if you have forgotten your parent's password, have lost access to your Google account, or have encountered a blocking virus. Data reset will completely delete all information from the device, returning it to the “like from the store” state.
Before starting the procedure, make sure that you remember the data from the main Google account linked to the device. Otherwise, the protection will work FRP (Factory Reset Protection), and the phone will require you to enter a login and password after reboot, which you may not know.
1. Turn off the device completely.2. Press the Volume Up button + Power button.
3. Hold until the logo or Recovery menu appears.
4. Select Wipe data/factory reset.
Navigation in the recovery menu is carried out with the volume buttons, and the selection is confirmed with the power button. The interface may look ascetic, but the principle is the same for most models based on Android. The cleaning process may take several minutes.
- 📉 All photos, contacts and applications will be deleted permanently.
- 🔒 All installed passwords and pattern keys will be removed.
- 🛡️ Any child mode will be deleted if it is not tied to hardware.
After the procedure is completed, the device will reboot. You will have to go through the initial setup. At the account verification stage, enter the Google data that was used on the device before the reset. This is a mandatory security requirement.
Frequent problems and solutions solutions
Even following the instructions, users may encounter unexpected errors. For example, the application uninstall button may be inactive (grayed out), or the system writes that the device is managed by an administrator. This often happens when malware is hidden.
In such cases, it is recommended to download the smartphone to Safe Mode. To do this, when you turn on the device, hold down the power button on the screen, and then long press “Power off” or “Restart” until the corresponding request appears.
Only system applications work in safe mode. Find the suspicious app in the settings and remove it. After this, reboot your phone normally. If the problem is not resolved, it is possible that superuser rights were obtained through system vulnerabilities.
⚠️ Attention: Settings interfaces may differ depending on the Android version (10, 11, 12, 13, 14) and the manufacturer's shell (MIUI, OneUI, ColorOS). If you do not find the item you need, use the search inside the settings menu.
It is also worth checking for profiles with restrictions in the section Users and accounts. Sometimes a child’s profile remains in the system even after applications are uninstalled, continuing to block the installation of new software. Delete unnecessary profiles manually.
Use search in settings. Enter the word “Administrator” or “Parent” to quickly find the desired section without wandering through complex menus.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Is it possible to delete Family Link without the parent’s password?
Officially, no. Google's security system requires confirmation from the family organizer. The only way to get around this is to completely reset the device to factory settings (Hard Reset), but this will delete all data from the child’s phone.
What happens if you simply delete the Family Link application from the child’s phone?
The system will block this action. If you try to delete or stop a service, you will receive a message that permission from a parent is required. The device may be blocked for 24 hours after repeated attempts to bypass it.
How to remove child mode on YouTube?
Go to the YouTube application, click on the profile icon. If Restricted Mode is enabled, scroll down and toggle the toggle switch. To do this, you may need to enter your Google account password.
Why does the phone ask for the old account after resetting?
This is FRP (Factory Reset Protection) protection. It prevents a stolen device from being used after a reset. You need to enter the login and password of the Google account that was synchronized with the phone before the reset.
Is it possible to restore data after deleting child mode?
If you used the factory reset method, the data cannot be restored without a preliminary cloud backup. If you simply disable the function in the settings, all files and applications remain in place.