How to set up parental controls on an Android phone

Step 1: Set up Google Family Link

Family Link is Google's free parental control app. It lets you approve app downloads, set screen time, and, importantly, stops your child changing system settings.

1. Install Google Family Link on your own phone.
2. Follow its steps to add your child's Google account and link their phone.
3. Turn on app approvals in Controls › Google Play.

Step 2: Turn on Sheepdog Filter with Private DNS

1. In your Sheepdog Filter dashboard, open Devices › + Protect something, choose your child and Android. Tap Copy next to the Private DNS name.
2. On the child's phone, open Settings and search for Private DNS.

• Pixel and most phones: Network & internet › Private DNS
• Samsung: Connections › More connection settings › Private DNS

1. Choose Private DNS provider hostname, paste the name, and tap Save.

The setup page turns green when the phone is protected. It works on Wi‑Fi and mobile data, at home and away.

Step 3: Make it stick

• With Family Link supervising the phone, your child can't add new users or factory reset without you.
• Make sure VPN apps need approval (Family Link app approvals do this).
• If the setting is ever changed, Sheepdog Filter emails you once the phone has been quiet for 12 hours.

Family Link vs Sheepdog Filter

They do different jobs and work well together. Family Link controls the device: app approvals, screen time, location. Sheepdog Filter controls what loads: adult sites, gambling, scams and VPNs blocked in every app, one switch for social media or games, a nightly internet bedtime, and a plain-English weekly email.