I've setup google parental control on my children phone, they ask for approval to install a game and i approved it, later i changed my mind and uninstall it from there phone, but they went to play store a re-install it, but this time family link didn't ask for my approval, it's just installed it and showed me a notification that it's been installed. What i want is that whenever they install anything, no matter it was once approved or millions times, google play must ask them for my approval each time it's reinstall.
3 Answers
Most probably you approved the app as Always allowed app. To edit app activity:
- Open the Family Link app Family Link and then Select your child.
- On the "App activity" card, tap Set limits or More.
- Next to your desired app, tap Always always allow.
From here you can select an option to:
- Always allow always allow.
- Set a time limit Set limit.
- Set unlimited time Empty hourglass.
- Block an app Block.
The Google Family Link app lacks the 'whitelist' feature to allow only a strict set of application to install. Unfortunately, the answer is you cannot prevent the installation of a previously installed application (as a previous answer suggested, you could block said apps).
I experimented and unfortunately disabling and re-enabling Family supervision will still allow previously installed apps to install. Also, the previously installed apps will be available if you get a new device for the child's account. Or at least, this is the functionality circa Fall 2022.
An extreme solution would be to create a new account, but obviously this is a frustrating answer if you are trying to do something like protect an older family member who has established accounts for billing.
This solution outlined below will not work, but I did read it as a proposed solution elsewhere online. I thought I would include it and mention it with this warning.
- Open the Play Store app
- Select the account icon in the upper right corner
- Choose the Manage app & device from the popup menu
- Select Manage
- Click Installed
- Select Not Installed
- Select all applications you wish to remove in checkable list
- Click the Trash Can icon in the upper right corner
This would disassociate the application from the account in an ideal world; however, it does not and the child account can still reinstall the offending applications. The parent is notified of this installation, but they cannot prevent it.
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