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.