SkieHow to set parental controls on an Android phone, step by step
To set parental controls on an Android phone, decide which tool you will use, set up or reset the phone, install the app, choose allowed apps, turn on adult-site blocking, add study and bedtime schedules, and switch on location. With Skie, parents do this from a dashboard in the browser.
Step 1: Decide how strong the controls need to be
Android has built-in settings such as Digital Wellbeing and Google Play controls, which are free and easy. They suit a younger child on a shared family phone. A teenager who knows where the settings are will find ways round them. For stronger control, use a device management app that runs as the device owner.
Check the phone first. Skie needs Android 12 or newer.
Step 2: Prepare the phone
Android only allows device-owner management on a phone that has not been set up yet. That means a new phone, or one reset to factory state. Back up what you need, remove any Google account, reset, and stop at the welcome screen. It sounds like a lot, but you do it once.
Skie provides the Skie Provision app on Google Play, which guides you through connecting a second phone, or you can use a computer and cable. Provisioning never touches the phone the parent is holding.
Step 3: Set the rules
- Choose apps: pick the apps your child may use. Everything else is hidden or blocked
- Hide the Play Store: so new apps cannot be added without you
- Block adult sites: the filter is locked on the device and works on Wi-Fi and mobile data
- Turn on SafeSearch and YouTube restricted mode: Skie forces both on Chrome
- Add schedules: for example a study window and a bedtime lock
- Switch on location: live location, a trail and geofence alerts
Step 4: Check what your child will see
Pick up the phone and use it as your child would. Try opening a blocked app, searching for something unsuitable, and installing from a link. Test it before handing it over. The phone shows that it is managed, which is deliberate: there is no hidden mode.
Tell your child what is on the phone and why. The guide to talking to your child about parental controls gives some wording.
Step 5: Keep it up
Review rules every few months. New school year, new apps, new habits. In Skie you can preview the impact of a change before applying it, so you can see what will switch off.
If the phone is lost, use lost mode to lock it, show a contact message and track it. What to do if a child's phone is lost or stolen has the full steps.
What is not available yet
Per-app daily time limits and screen time reports are not available yet. Skie covers part of this need today with schedules that change which apps are allowed at set times. The team is working on limits and usage reports, with no dates.
Which route fits your family
| Route | Good for | Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Digital Wellbeing and Play settings | A young child on a shared phone | Easy for an older child to change |
| A Google account based tool | Families who want a free start | Depends on the child's account |
| Device owner management such as Skie | Rules that must hold | Needs a reset once |
Common problems and how to avoid them
The most frequent snag is a Google account still on the phone. Android will refuse device-owner setup while one is present, so remove it before you begin. A second snag is a phone that was already set up and left on the home screen: it must be reset, not just logged out.
Parents also sometimes forget the Play Store. If it stays visible, a child can add apps faster than you can review them. Hide it, and add apps from the dashboard when you agree to them. If an app your child needs for school stops working, check that it is on the allowed list rather than assuming the whole setup is broken.
Finally, remember that rules apply per child and per device. Skie uses one device per child. If you have two children, set each up with their own rule set so a teenager's list does not loosen a younger child's.
Frequently asked questions
How do I set parental controls on Android?
Choose a tool, set up or reset the phone, install the app, then choose allowed apps, block adult sites, add schedules and switch on location. Skie does this from a browser dashboard.
Where is parental control on Android?
Android has basic controls in Google Play settings and Digital Wellbeing. Stronger controls come from a separate app such as Skie or Google Family Link.
How do I control my child's phone on Android?
Use a management app, set allowed apps and schedules from a parent dashboard, and use remote lock when needed.
Do I have to reset the phone?
For device owner management, yes, once. Android only allows it on a phone that is freshly set up.
Does it work without a SIM?
Most features work over Wi-Fi. Skie does not include a mobile plan or SIM. You use your own carrier.