This feature is about how to set up parental controls in the Google Play Store. When parental controls are turned on for the Google Play Store then you can restrict the downloads and purchases. It means that children can’t download or purchase any app from the Google Play Store.
However, Google Play Store is the home or treasury to millions of Android apps and games, which is developed by the best well-known developers and there are different kinds of apps and games from banking, finance, productivity to health, fitness and some adult contents.
So as a responsible and caring parent, we must protect our kids by restricting their access to these sources by setting parental controls option in Google Play. This is what Google comes to the rescue by providing the “Parental Controls” feature to help you which apps can be downloaded or accessed by your children.
How to Setup Parental Controls in the Google Play Store
Google always surprises us with its versatility and innovations. In the Google Play Store case, Google has provided the parental Control tool for the home of Android apps and games.
Without further ado, let’s begin the process.
Step 1. Launch the Play Store app on your Android devices.
Step 2. Tap the “Hamburger or Menu icon” on the top left-hand corner.
Step 3. Tap on “Settings”.
Step 4. Tap on “Parental controls”, which is turned off by default. Once you open the parental controls option, you will note that all the options are greyed out.
Step 5. Toggle parental controls on to set it up.
Step 6. You will be asked here to enter your four/five-digit PIN. Create your four/five-digit PIN then confirm your PIN again
Note: This PIN prevents people who don’t know the PIN from changing the parental control settings and If you’re setting up parental controls on your child’s phone, choose a PIN they do not know.
In general, there will five options under set content restrictions. Depending on the country you’re living in.
- Apps & games
- Films
- Music
- TV
- Magazine
But unfortunately in Pakistan and some other countries, we have only one which is apps and games.
Step 7. Tap on “Apps & games” if you want to restrict apps or games.
Step 8. Here you can choose from 3+ to 18+, the ratings may vary in some other countries. or simply select All.
For instance, I have chosen from 3+ to 7+. Click Save when you are done.
Note: Activating Parental controls only applies to the current device. It will not remember the settings on another device, you’ll need to repeat the following steps if you wish to activate the Parental controls across multiple devices, even if they’re all on the same Google account.
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how to Turn off Parental Controls in Google Play Store
Here’s how you can turn off the parental controls in Google play:
Step 1. Launch the Play Store app on your Android devices.
Step 2. Tap the “Hamburger or Menu icon” on the top left-hand corner.
Step 3. Tap on “Settings”.
Step 4. Tap on “Parental controls”.
Step 5. Toggle parental controls off.
Step 6. Enter your PIN then tap on OK.
How to Reset Parental Controls in Google Play Store
What if you forgot your PIN? If you forgot the pin so you can’t make any changes like turning on and off the parental controls. Here’s how you can reset the whole parental controls setup again.
Step 1. Go to your phone Settings.
Step 2. Select Apps.
Step 3. Find the Google Play Store.
Step 4. Tap on Storage.
Step 5. Tap on Clear data.
How to Restrict Purchases in the Google Play Store
Kids usually care about that’s why they don’t understand the concept of money like we parents do. They are totally unaware of the hard work that you are putting in to make all that money. This is why when they visit Google Play Store and like certain games and apps, so what the do is, they buy and spending hundreds of Dollars/Pounds or any other currency in in-app purchases.
Step 1. Launch the Play Store app on your Android devices.
Step 2. Tap the “Hamburger or Menu icon” on the top left-hand corner.
Step 3. Tap on “Settings”.
Step 4. Tap on “Require authentication for purchases”.
Step 5. Here you’ll have three options:
- For all purchases through Google Play on this device: It means the kids will have to enter a password every time they need to purchase something. If they don’t have the password, they won’t be able to buy anything unless they ask your permission first.
- Every 30 minutes: Every 30 minutes means the kids will have a time window of 30 minutes after which they will need to enter the password.
- Never: It’s quite obvious.
Step 6. Choose any of those and confirm your password. That’s it.
Google Play Store Rating Standards by Country or Region
The ratings you see in the Google Play Store vary by country or region. Check the below list:
The United States and other North and South American Countries
1. EVERYONE: Content is generally suitable for all ages.
2. EVERYONE 10+: Content is generally suitable for ages 10 and up.
3. TEEN: Content is generally suitable for ages 13 and up.
4. MATURE: Content is generally suitable for ages 17 and up.
5. ADULTS ONLY: Content suitable only for adults ages 18 and up.
Pakistan and Some other Countries
1. Rated for 3+: Suitable for all age groups.
2. Rated for 7+: May contain some scenes or sounds that are frightening for children.
3. Rated for 12+: Violence involving fantasy characters and/or non-graphic violence involving human-looking characters or animals is permitted.
4. Rated for 16+: Realistic violence, sexual activity, strong language, use of tobacco and drugs, and the depiction of criminal activities are permitted.
5. Rated for 18+: Graphic violence, including depictions, lacking motive and/or directed towards defenseless characters, and sexual violence are permitted. May also include graphic sexual content, discriminatory acts and/or the glamorization of illegal drug use.
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