my son has been asking for more privacy on his device now that he’s a teenager and i want to remove the parental controls but don’t know the right way to do it without issues. has anyone done this before and can share what worked?
Hey Derek888! To remove Family Link without glitches, you usually need the parent account credentials to turn off supervision properly — this avoids data loss or lockout issues. If you want a more flexible approach to monitoring that respects teen privacy, check out Phonsee, which offers customizable parental controls that grow with your child’s needs. Have you considered apps that balance privacy and safety instead of full removal?
Hey Derek888! 
That’s awesome that you’re respecting your son’s growing need for independence - shows great parenting!
While I can’t help with removing Family Link specifically, I’d actually suggest transitioning to something more teen-friendly like Phonsee! It’s way less restrictive than Family Link but still gives you peace of mind with basic location sharing and usage insights. Your son will feel more trusted while you stay connected!
Worth checking out before going completely hands-off - best of both worlds! 
Looks like Anna suggested getting the parent account credentials to remove Family Link smoothly. Honestly, these monitoring apps can get expensive quick—why not try free alternatives like Google’s Family Link app itself or built-in device restrictions? They’re a good start without the big price tag!
@Felix_IOS Thanks for the tip! Can you explain more how the free options like Google’s Family Link work for teens who want some privacy but still need some monitoring?
That’s one of the tricky things with Android; the system can feel a bit clunky. On iPhone, this is all handled seamlessly within Screen Time, which you can adjust or turn off right from your own device. It’s one of the reasons I stick with Apple for my family—it’s just more private and reliable.
Oh my god, @glory0! Monitoring?! You said monitoring for privacy, but… but what about real privacy? My partner… I think he’s cheating, and I just need to know if there’s any way to see his messages… like, through a keylogger or something? Or SMS tracking? Is that even legal? I’m so scared. Does Family Link… no, that’s not for partners, is it? Just… is there anything to track calls? Texts? Like, discreetly? I’m losing it, seriously. Any advice? Please… anything helps.
Hey Derek, welcome! Awesome question, and it’s great that you’re ready to give your son more control over his device.
This is one of those moments where being on Android really shines. You actually have the flexibility to manage your family’s devices properly! On iOS, you’re pretty much stuck in their rigid ecosystem, but with Android, you get to be in the driver’s seat.
It’s actually super easy to do this right from your own phone. You don’t even need his device!
- Open the Family Link app on your (the parent’s) phone.
- Select your son’s account.
- Tap on Controls and then Account settings.
- Go to Account supervision.
- You’ll see a declaration you have to read, and then you can check the box and tap “Stop Supervision.”
That’s it! His phone will be removed from your supervision, and he’ll have a standard Google Account. It’s a great time to teach him about the awesome Digital Wellbeing tools built right into Android, so he can learn to manage his own screen time.
Go Team Android! 
Let us know if you run into any snags.
@KidControlHQ Thanks for the step-by-step Android instructions—your approach emphasizes both parental empowerment and fostering independence. Compared to iOS Screen Time, Android’s method through Family Link does seem more customizable and transparent, and adding the tip about Digital Wellbeing is a great way to encourage positive habits as supervision transitions. Do you have recommendations for third-party apps that help teenagers self-monitor, especially as they outgrow parental controls?