How to set up content restrictions on Google Play
When you set up content restrictions on an Android device, you can restrict what content can be downloaded or purchased from Google Play on that device based on maturity level. However, purchase approval settings will only apply to purchases made through Google Play’s billing system.
Set up content restrictions
Important: Content restrictions don't prevent restricted content as a search result or through a direct link.
How Google Play content restrictions work
- Content restrictions only apply to the Android device you added them on. To set up content restrictions on another device, repeat the steps below on the other devices.
- If you have multiple users on a device, you can set up different content restrictions for each person.
- The person who sets up content restrictions will create a PIN that needs to be entered to remove or change content restrictions.
How your Android device parental controls PIN works in Play
Important: Play Parental control PINs (now known as Play content restriction PINs) are being integrated with Android device level parental controls:
- Users who have already set up a Play content restrictions PIN will continue to use their existing PIN.
- New users will default to the Android parental controls PIN, and will use the Android parental controls PIN as their Play content restrictions PIN.
- Users who have an existing Play content restriction PIN and delete it will default to the Android parental controls PIN when setting up a new PIN through the Play Store.
- Deleting a PIN in Android parental controls will turn off Play content restrictions. When setting up a new PIN, it will default to the Android parental controls PIN.
Set up Play content restrictions
- Open the Google Play app 👁 Google Play
. - At the top right, tap the profile icon.
- Tap Settings 👁 and then
Family 👁 and then
Content restrictions. - Tap Go to Parental controls 👁 and then
Set up a parental controls PIN 👁 and then
Next. - Create a PIN your child doesn’t know.
- Select the type filters you want to enable.
- Choose how to filter or restrict access.
If your child’s Google Account is managed with Family Link, you can set up content restrictions for them.
How Google Play content restrictions work
- Content restrictions work on Android devices where your child is signed in to their Google Account.
- A parent in the family group needs to use their Google Account password to set up or change their child's content restrictions settings.
Set up content restrictions
- Open the Family Link app 👁 Family Link
. - At the top left, select your child.
- Tap Controls 👁 and then
Google Play. - Tap the type of content you want to filter.
- Choose how to filter or restrict access.
Tips:
- Whether or not your child can control their own account settings doesn't change the settings themselves. It’s recommended for parents to make sure the settings are correct after they change this control.
- You can also manage these settings from g.co/YourFamily.
Fix possible content restrictions issues
If you have issues with your PIN, updates, or incorrect ratings show on your device, explore these options:
If you forgot the PIN that you created when you set up content restrictions, follow the instructions below to reset it.
- On your device, open the Settings app 👁 Image
. - Tap Apps & notifications.
- Tap Google Play Store.
- Tap Storage 👁 and then
Clear data or Clear storage. - This will reset your content restrictions and your PIN.
- When you go back into the Play Store app and add content restrictions, you'll be able to set a new Android device level content restrictions PIN in device settings.
If you've set up content restrictions for apps and games and one of your apps isn't updating, it may be because the new version of the app has a higher rating than the version you have on your device.
If the new version of the app has a higher rating than your content restrictions allow, you won't be prompted to update the app.
To get the app to update, you need to change your content restrictions settings to allow a higher rating.
Tip: You can turn off content restrictions to update the app, then turn content restrictions on again.You or your child will still be able to see any apps and games you downloaded before you added content restrictions, even if they're outside of the rating you set. If your child’s account is supervised with Family Link, you can block these apps on their Android devices.
How content restrictions work
You can set up content restrictions for apps, games, and other digital content. Read the sections below to learn how content restrictions work within each type of content.
Tip: Content restrictions for each type of content aren't available in every country. If you travel to a country where they aren't available, they might not work until you get back home.
You can restrict apps and games on an Android device by using content restrictions, which lets you choose the highest content rating you want to allow for downloads or purchases.
However, you may still be able to see apps and games outside of your filter when you search, or by visiting them using a direct link to the app's page.
How content restrictions for games work in Play Games
Content restrictions don't change the games you see in the Play Games app, including games you've bought or recommended games.
If you try to install a game using the Play Games app, you’ll be taken to the Play Store app where your content restrictions settings may restrict access.
Tip: You or your child will still be able to view any apps and games you downloaded before you added content restrictions, even if they're outside of the rating you set. If your child’s account is supervised with Family Link, you can block these apps on their Android devices.
You can restrict movies on an Android device by using content restrictions, which lets you choose the highest rating you want to allow for rental, purchase, or playback.
However, you may still be able to see movies outside of our filter when you search, or by visiting them using a direct link to the content's page.
If movies are restricted because of content restrictions, you won't see them in the Play Store app or in the Google TV app, even if you've already rented or purchased them.
You can turn content restrictions off to view these movies again.
You can restrict TV shows on an Android device by using content restrictions, which lets you choose the highest rating you want to allow for purchase or playback.
However, you may still be able to see TV shows outside of our filter when you search, or by visiting them using a direct link to the content's page.
If TV shows are restricted because of content restrictions, you won't see them on the Play Store app or in the Google TV app, even if you've already purchased them.
You can turn content restrictions off to make these shows available again.
When you set up content restrictions for books, you won't be able to read or purchase most sexually explicit books from the Play Store app and the Play Books app.
However, you may still be able to see books outside of our filter when you search, or by visiting them using a direct link to the content's page.
You can turn content restrictions off to see these books again.
While setting up content restrictions won't catch 100% of sexually explicit books in Google Play, it should help you avoid most adult content.