How to Remove a Device from Google Family Link: A Comprehensive Guide

Google Family Link is a fantastic tool for parents to manage their children’s digital lives, offering features like screen time limits, app management, and location tracking. However, there might come a time when you need to remove a device from Family Link. This could be because your child has outgrown the need for supervision, they’re getting a new device, or you’re simply changing your family setup. Whatever the reason, understanding the process of removing a device is essential. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the various scenarios and provide step-by-step instructions on how to successfully remove a device from Google Family Link.

Understanding the Removal Process

Before we dive into the specific steps, it’s crucial to understand the different ways a device can be removed from Family Link. The method you’ll use depends on whether you want to completely remove the Google account from the device or just stop supervision for that specific device.

• Removing the Child’s Google Account: This completely removes the Google account from the device. This means all data associated with that account, such as saved passwords, bookmarks, and downloaded apps linked to that account, will also be removed from the device. This method is typically used when the device is no longer being used by the child or is being given away.
• Stopping Supervision on a Device: This method removes Family Link’s supervision from the device while leaving the child’s Google account logged in. This allows the child to continue using the device with their Google account but without the parental controls. This is useful when your child has reached an age where they no longer require constant oversight, but you still want them to be able to access their Google account on that device.

It’s important to carefully consider which method is appropriate for your situation before proceeding. Removing a Google account is a permanent action that will require the child to log back in if they want to use the device and access their Google services. Stopping supervision, on the other hand, is a more reversible action.

Method 1: Removing the Child’s Google Account from the Device (Completely Unlinking)

This method is the most comprehensive and completely removes the child’s Google account from the device. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Ensure you have the Parent Access Code

Before you start, you’ll likely need your parent access code. This is a special code that allows you to make changes to your child’s account and supervision settings. If you don’t remember your access code, you can typically recover it through the Family Link app. Be sure you have this handy before you begin.

Step 2: Access the Google Account Settings on the Child’s Device

You will need to have physical access to the child’s device to perform these steps. Open the settings app on the child’s Android device (this process might vary slightly depending on the specific device’s manufacturer, but the general idea is the same). Then, follow these instructions:

1. Open the Settings App: Look for the gear icon (often found in the app drawer or the notification shade) and tap on it.
2. Navigate to ‘Accounts’ or ‘Users & accounts’: Scroll down through the settings menu until you find an option related to Accounts. This might be labeled as ‘Accounts,’ ‘Users & Accounts,’ or something similar.
3. Select the Child’s Google Account: In the list of accounts, locate and select the child’s Google account that is linked to Family Link.
4. Choose ‘Remove account’: Once you have selected the account, you should see an option like ‘Remove account’ or ‘Delete account.’ Tap on this.

Step 3: Confirm the Removal

Android will now ask you to confirm that you want to remove the account. This is a security measure to prevent accidental removals. A prompt will show you a summary of the effects of removing the account. Make sure you understand the consequences of this decision (all data linked to the account on that device will be removed). You’ll likely be asked to enter the parent access code again to confirm the removal. Enter the code and confirm.

Step 4: Verify the Removal

After confirming the removal, the child’s Google account should be removed from the device. You can double-check by navigating back to the ‘Accounts’ or ‘Users & accounts’ menu in the settings app on the child’s device. You should no longer see the child’s Google account listed there. Additionally, the device should be removed from your list of supervised devices in your Family Link app. Check your parent app, you should see the device removed.

Step 5 (Optional): Removing Supervision in the Parent App

Even though the account is removed, it’s a good idea to also remove the device from the list in your parent Family Link app. While the device will now be inactive (as there is no account associated with it), removing it from the list will keep your app clean and easy to manage. To do this:

1. Open your Family Link app on your own device (parent device).
2. Select the child whose device you removed.
3. Locate the device that you have removed. It will likely show that it is inactive or disconnected.
4. Click on the three dots next to the device.
5. Select the option to remove or delete device.
6. Confirm the removal on the app.

Following these steps will successfully remove the child’s Google account from the device and clean up your Family Link application.

Method 2: Stopping Supervision on a Device (Keeping the Google Account)

This method is suitable when you want your child to continue using their device with their Google account, but without the parental controls imposed by Family Link. The steps differ a bit from removing the account altogether, but it’s a straightforward process if you follow the instructions correctly:

Step 1: Open the Family Link App (Parent’s Device)

This method is performed on your parent device through the Family Link app. Open the Family Link application and log in if prompted. Make sure you’re using your parent account to access the app.

Step 2: Select the Child’s Profile

In the Family Link app, you will see a list of the children under your supervision. Select the child whose device supervision you want to stop.

Step 3: Access Device Settings

Once you select the child’s profile, you will be taken to a screen where you can see the various aspects of their account and supervision. Navigate to device settings. You should see a list of the devices the child has that are under your supervision. Select the device you wish to remove supervision from.

Step 4: Select the ‘Stop Supervision’ option

After selecting the device, look for an option such as “Stop Supervision”, “Remove supervision”, or something similar. The exact wording might vary, but the key is to find the option that indicates you want to stop Family Link’s monitoring and restrictions on that specific device. Click on this option.

Step 5: Confirm Your Decision

Family Link will ask you to confirm that you want to stop supervision on the device. This is an important security measure to ensure that the removal isn’t accidental. You might be prompted to enter your parent access code to confirm. Enter your code and confirm.

Step 6: Verify the Changes

Once you’ve confirmed your decision, the device should no longer be under your supervision. You will now see that the device no longer shows up under supervision of that particular child in the app. The child will still have access to their Google account on the device, but without the restrictions and monitoring that Family Link provided. In addition, the child will get a notification on their device that supervision has been removed.

Important Considerations and FAQs

Before you proceed with either method, consider the following points:

• Impact on Data: Removing the Google account completely will erase all data stored locally on the device that is linked to the child’s account. Make sure that your child has backed up any important data before taking this action.
• Account Access: Once a Google account is removed, the child needs to log in again to use Google services on that device. Make sure that they know their credentials or can recover their password before removing the account.
• Parent Access Code: If you don’t have your parent access code, you will have a hard time removing the account. Get this before attempting.
• Device Resets: If you do not have access to a device for removing an account, you can sometimes remove the Family Link controls by resetting the device. This will remove the child’s account and all device data, so only use this as a last resort.
• Age Limits: When a child reaches the minimum age of digital consent in their country, they have the option to choose to manage their own account. They can then remove supervision from their device from their own profile settings within the Family Link application.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions that might come up:

Q: Can my child remove themselves from Family Link?
A: Yes, older children, at or above the age of digital consent, can manage their own accounts and remove themselves from Family Link through the Family Link app on their device or through their google account settings. This is a key aspect of Google’s design and gives children more autonomy as they age. Younger children will need a parent’s access code and parent approval for removal.

Q: What happens to screen time limits after removing a device?
A: If you have stopped supervision on the device, the previous screen time limits will no longer be active on that device. However, other devices may have different limits and the Family link app will still apply those controls to any remaining supervised devices.

Q: What happens to location tracking if I remove a device?
A: If you have removed supervision, location tracking will no longer be available for the device that no longer has supervision. If you have removed the Google account from the device, tracking is automatically disabled as the account is not linked to the device.

Q: Can I re-add supervision after stopping it?
A: Yes, you can. If you’ve stopped supervision and changed your mind, you can re-add supervision through your parent device settings via the Family Link application or by starting a new supervision session through a new or existing device. Note that this may involve several setup steps.

Q: Do I need to do anything if I’m getting a new device for my child?
A: Yes, when a child is getting a new device, you’ll want to either transfer supervision to the new device or remove supervision from the old device so that your child isn’t still using a supervised account on a device that you are no longer using or allowing them to have. If you simply want to add a new device, simply go through the set up process and connect that new device to your Family Link account.

Conclusion

Removing a device from Google Family Link is a straightforward process, but it’s important to understand the different methods and their implications. Whether you’re removing the Google account completely or simply stopping supervision, following the correct steps ensures that the process is smooth and you can manage your family’s digital devices effectively. Remember to choose the method that best suits your needs and always confirm your actions to avoid accidental data loss. By understanding the instructions and considering the precautions, you can effectively manage your family’s devices through the Google Family Link app. We encourage you to check for the most up to date instructions on Google’s website before taking any of these actions as the application is updated and procedures can change over time. These steps, although largely unchanged, may vary based on the version of the app and device settings.