Reset the Phone and Add an Account

If you’ve purchased a used phone for your child, or you’re giving them your older Samsung Galaxy device, you’ll want to reset the phone. This will clear browsing details, images, and other data from the device. Having a clean device makes implementing Samsung parental controls much easier.

How to Enable Samsung Parental Controls

If your child is between toddler age and 13 years old, your best option is to install the Samsung Kids home feature. This is only available for phones or tablets running Pie OS.

Tap Settings > General Management > Reset > Factory data reset.Tap Settings > Backup and reset > Factory data reset.Tap Settings > Privacy > Factory data reset.

For older kids, or if the device doesn’t have Pie OS, there are plenty of other options. This Samsung Kids Home feature not only lets you set time limits, permissions, and receive usage reports, but it also offers your child safe and entertaining content for kids that encourages learning.

The best app that works on all Samsung devices is the Google Family Link app. Family Link lets you remotely set permissions and monitor your child’s use of the Samsung device even from your own phone. Control time limits, what content your child can access, and what apps they’re allowed to use. You’ll need to install the Family Link for Children and Teenagers app on your child’s phone, and the Family Link for Parents app on your own phone. Follow the on-screen instructions on both devices to sync up the two apps. Once connected, you can use your “supervisor” device to enable or disable parental controls on your Child’s Samsung.

Control Google Play Purchases

If you don’t want to lock down your child’s device using the Family Link app, you can let them use the phone with your Google account. However, you’ll need to make sure to lock down your Play Store settings so you they don’t make unexpected purchases without asking you first. To do this, open the Play Store app. Tap the Menu > Settings. In the pop-up window, tap For all purchases through Google Play on this device. Now your child won’t be able to make any purchases without you entering your account password.

Set Content Restrictions

You can also set up content restrictions so your kids can’t download any apps, movies or other content on Google Play that isn’t age appropriate. To set this up, open the Play Store app. Tap the Menu > Settings, type a PIN number for Play Store downloads, then tap each content type and adjust the age appropriate level where you want the PIN verification to activate.

Google Chrome SafeSearch

Use Google Chrome SafeSearch on your child’s device is a smart way to prevent access to explicit content. Enabling it is easy. First, uninstall all other browsers from the device, then open the Google Browser app. Tap the Menu > Settings. In the Settings menu, scroll down to SafeSearch filters and select Filter explicit results.