Samsung smartphones and tablets parental controls

Step 1 – Create a Google account for your child if they do not have one.

This account is essential to manage a range of Google services and apps through Google Family Link.

To get started, visit our step-by-step guide – Google Family Link parental controls.

Step 1 – During the set-up of the device, follow the prompts to set up the initial settings.

Step 2 –  Log in with the child’s Google account on their device or create one for them.

Step 3 – Follow the prompts and log in with the parent or carer’s Google account.

Step 4 – Follow the prompts to finish setting up parental controls

Step 1 – When prompted during the setup of the new child’s device, use their details to log in to the Samsung Child account.

Step 2 – Open Settings, and then tap your Samsung account name.

Step 3 – Tap Family, then tap Add family member, and then tap Create child account.

Step 4 – Tap Next, and then review the Child Privacy Disclosure to Parents. Tap Agree.

Step 5 – Agree to the options on the following screen, and then tap Agree to confirm.

Step 6 – Next, you will need to enter your credit card’s security code. Tap Verify.

Step 7 – Enter your child’s information and tap Create account.

Step 8 – Next, you must enter the verification code sent to your child’s email address. Tap Verify to create your child’s account, and then tap Next.

Step 9 – Review the information about SmartThings Find. For this example, tap Skip.

Note: To continue setting up SmartThings Find if desired, tap Next.

Step 1 – On your device go to Galaxy for Families Account, and select your child.

Step 2 – Click on Web content to manage settings on their Samsung Internet browser.

Step 3 – Choose from the following options to manage what they have access to:

Step 1 – Tap the Internet icon to open the browser then tap the Menu icon represented by 3 lines at the bottom right of your screen.

Step 2 – Tap the clock icon that says History. You can then view their video history and web history in chronological order.

Step 1 – Open Galaxy Store Settings:

Go to Settings > Samsung account > Family > Select your child’s account.

Step 2 – Set Maximum Age Rating:

Select App & Game Age Ratings to set the maximum age limit for downloads.

Step 3 – App Download Restriction Notifications:

When a child tries to download an app beyond their age limit, they will receive a restriction message.

Parents will also receive a notification to approve or deny the download.

Step 4 – Setting Parental Controls on Social Media & Gaming Apps:

If you allow your child to download social media or gaming apps, set up parental controls directly on each app.

Step 1 – Tap on the Samsung Internet icon to open the browser, then tap on the tabs icon.

Step 2 – At the bottom of the screen, tap Turn on Secret Mode. A screen that says ‘Keep your browsing private and safe’ will appear. Next to Lock Secret Mode, change the toggle to blue and tap Start.

Step 3 – Set a password. It must have at least 4 characters, including at least 1 letter. Enter it, press continue and then re-enter it.

You can also choose to use biometrics (fingerprint or face, depending on smartphone model). This is a safer way to secure your phone.

Step 4 – When in Secret Mode, you can access the setting through the Menu button represented by the 3 dots on top right of your screen. Here, you can reset Secret Mode to restore settings or create a new password.

Step 1 – To create a Secure Folder, you or your child first needs a Samsung account. Use the Samsung smartphone’s Search Bar and search Secure Folder. Tap on the result.

You can also access this through Settings > Biometrics and security > Secure Folder.

Step 2 – Once in the Secure Folder, you’ll need to sign in with your Samsung account and agree to permissions. Then, you must select a way to access it. You can choose from a PIN, password or pattern. A password offers the highest level of security.

Step 3 – Your Secure Folder will be added as a shortcut to your home screen. Tap on it to open the folder.

Step 1 – Open your Secure Folder and tap the 3 dots in the right corner of the folder.

Step 2 – Tap Add files. Then, choose the type of file you want to add. You can select multiple files to add at once. Choose to Move them completely or Copy them. If you Copy them, the files will still exist outside of the folder.

Step 3 – You can then access these files by opening your Secure Folder and tapping Gallery (for images) or My Files (for other files).

Step 1 – Open your Secure Folder and tap the plus sign (+) at the top of the folder.

Step 2 – Select the apps you want to add and tap Add.

Step 1 – Go to your Galaxy Family setting.

Step 2 – Tap or click on your child’s profile.

Step 3 – Select downloads and purchases.

Step 4 – Toggle ‘Require approval for downloads and purchases’.

Slide the toggle switch to the right so it turns blue, indicating that restrictions are now active. This ensures your approval is needed before any download or purchase is completed.

Step 1 – Go to Galaxy Family settings and tap on ‘Find family members’.

Step 2 – Open the Samsung Find App through the Galaxy for Families menu on your child’s device. For devices released after the Galaxy S24, this app comes preloaded.

Steps 3 – Activate Location Sharing – allow Samsung Find to access your child’s device location, contact or notification by tapping on ‘Allow’ and selecting the ‘While using the app’ option on the following screen.

Step 4 – Share parent’s location with your child – You can also share your location with your child by toggling the ‘Share my location‘ and selecting the options available.

Handling Notifications: If a Samsung Find user (User A) shares a location with someone who doesn’t yet have the app (User B), User B will receive a notification through the Group Sharing App. This notification informs them that User A is requesting to share a location

Monitoring and Updating: You can manage and update the location-sharing settings at any time by returning to the Samsung Find App.

Step 1 – Open Settings > Tap your Samsung account at the top of the menu.

Steps 2 – Tap Find My Mobile and toggle on (to blue) the options you’d like enabled. They include:

• Allow this phone to be found
• Remote unlock
• Send last location
• Offline finding

Step 1 – Open the Samsung Gallery App: On your child’s device, open the Gallery App to access photos and albums. Then select Shared family album > Get started.

Step 2 – Set Up Family Sharing: Follow the instructions to create a shared album.

Step 3 – Link Samsung Accounts: Follow the prompts to link the Samsung accounts of the family members you want to include in the shared album. This will allow you to grant access to the shared album.

Select Permissions for Family Members: Once the accounts are linked, choose which family members can view, edit, and contribute to the shared album. You can manage permissions for each family member based on their role in the album (viewers, contributors, or editors).

Share the Album: Once set up, family members will receive a notification that they’ve been added to the shared album. They can now view, edit, or add photos based on the permissions you’ve granted.

Step 4 – Manage and Update the Album
You can manage the shared album at any time by adding new members, adjusting permissions, or removing access through the settings in the Gallery App.