Parental control for Android
Parental control for Android, permission by permission
Android protects your child’s phone with permissions, and Family Guardian asks only for the ones its features need. This page lists each permission, what it unlocks and how to install the apps from their APK files.
Android 5.0+ APK install Optional features Device admin
Permissions and what they unlock
Camera
Needed for live camera check-ins.
Microphone
Needed for one-way listen-in audio.
Location
Needed for on-demand GPS location on the map.
App-usage access
Needed for daily screen time and time per app (Android Usage Stats).
Notification access
Optional. Needed only for the notification feed.
Device admin
Optional. Needed for remote lock and for tamper protection (greys out Force stop and Uninstall).
Installing an APK on Android
Family Guardian is not on Google Play, so you install it from its APK file. Android asks you once to allow installs from the app you use to open the file (your browser or file manager). After installing, you can turn that permission off again.
Download the Parent APK on your phone and the Child APK on your child’s phone Open the file and allow “Install unknown apps” for that browser when Android asks Open the app and follow its setup screens
Keep the Child app running
Some phones close background apps aggressively to save battery. If check-ins stop answering, allow the Child app to run in the background in the phone’s battery settings.
Advanced: Device Owner mode
For a phone you set up only for your child, Family Guardian supports Android’s Device Owner mode (set up with adb), which locks the device further. Most families do not need it.
Consent first
Family Guardian is made for parents and guardians on their own minor children’s phones, with the child’s knowledge. The child app shows its status on screen and keeps a notification while it runs. Set it up together and explain what it does.
Frequently asked questions
Android 5.0 (API 21) or newer for both apps.
Install only APKs from the publisher’s own download links. Android checks the app’s signature, and updates must come from the same publisher.
No. Each feature needs its own permission; features whose permission is not granted simply stay off.
It works on Android phones in general. Some brands need the Child app to be allowed in their battery settings so it keeps running.
Related pages
- Parental control that keeps you close, with consentFamily Guardian: live camera check-ins, one-way listen-in, on-demand GPS location, screen time per app and remote ring or lock for your child’s Android phone.Read more
- How the Parent app and the Child app work togetherHow the Family Guardian Parent app and Child app work together: QR pairing, the parent dashboard, live sessions, alerts and the parent PIN, step by step.Read more
- A practical family safety plan for phonesA practical family safety plan for phones: talk first, agree on rules, use Android’s own controls, add check-ins with Family Guardian and a safer browser.Read more
- A safer browser for everyday Android useDynamic Browser blocks ad, tracker and gambling domains, stops pop-up redirects, refuses camera, mic and location requests from sites, and has private tabs.Read more
Get started with Family Guardian
Two Android apps, one family account, about 15 minutes to set up.