Worried about how long your child spends on phone games, or what they spend? Parental controls for mobile games are built into iPhone and Android: set time limits, approve purchases and filter by age rating.
This guide is part of our gaming coverage, written for parents who want practical limits without a daily argument.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Apple: Ask to Browse default | On by default for children under 13 |
| Apple: Limit Adult Websites default | On by default for children under 18 |
| Google Family Link time tools | Bedtime or daily screen limits |
| Family Link purchase approval scope | Only purchases through Google Play’s billing system |
| ESRB rating system structure | Three-part system |
Figures come from Apple Support and Google’s Family Link help. Settings change with software updates, so check the source before you rely on them.
What parental controls can actually do
Controls on a phone or tablet fall into three jobs: limiting time, limiting spending and limiting content. The ESA, a US games trade body, says that depending on the device, parents can limit in-game purchases or block them altogether, manage play time and block games by age rating (ESA guidance).
No single switch does all three. You usually combine a device-level tool with the app store’s own settings.
- Time: daily limits, bedtime schedules and per-app caps.
- Spending: purchase approval, or a block on in-app purchases.
- Content: age-rating filters for what can be downloaded.
These tools are only as strong as the code protecting them. The ESA notes the controls are PIN or password protected, so once they are on, you should not share the password with your kids.
Setting limits on iPhone and iPad
Apple’s tool is Screen Time, managed through Family Sharing so you can adjust a child’s device from your own. Apple describes it under Apps & Websites, where you can allow or block specific apps and adjust protections, including Ask to Buy and Ask to Browse (Apple Support).
With Ask to Buy, your child sends you a request for approval when they want to make an eligible purchase or download. That gives you a chance to see what is being installed or bought before it happens.
Apple also sets some protections for you. Ask to Browse is on by default for children under 13, and Limit Adult Websites is on by default for children under 18.
- Set up Family Sharing and add your child’s account.
- Open Screen Time for that child and review the Apps & Websites options, where you can allow or block specific apps.
- Turn on Ask to Buy so eligible downloads and purchases need your approval.
- Set a downtime schedule for school nights.
Apple notes that in some places settings such as Screen Time, Ask to Buy and content restrictions for apps can’t be turned off.
Setting limits on Android with Family Link
Google’s tool is Family Link. Google says you can set a bedtime or daily screen limits on supervised devices, check how much time your child spends on certain apps, and restrict mature content on Google Play (Google Family Link help).
To use a daily limit, open the Family Link app, choose your child and turn on Daily limit. Google’s help also says you can turn the limit off for a specific day, which is handy for weekends or holidays.
One caution on spending: Family Link’s purchase approval settings only apply to purchases made through Google Play’s billing system. Payments made another way, such as inside a web page, are outside that setting.
Use age ratings and spending notices
Ratings help you choose before a game is installed. The ESRB says it administers a three-part system of Rating Categories, Content Descriptors and Interactive Elements (ESRB).
For spending, look for the in-game purchase notice. The ESA says the notice covers offers for virtual goods bought with real money, directly or indirectly.
Storefronts for phones show similar information on the game’s listing page. Treat that notice as a prompt to open your controls, not as proof that a game is safe or unsafe.
Purchases can take many forms:
- Character skins and bonus levels.
- Loot boxes and mystery awards.
- Virtual coins and other in-game currency.
- Subscriptions, season passes and the option to disable ads.
Read the store listing together with your child before you approve a download. A game that looks free may still invite spending, and a short conversation about that works better than a surprise refusal later.
Build habits, not just restrictions
Technical limits work best alongside house rules your child understands. Agree on when games are allowed, where devices charge overnight and what happens when time runs out.
Competitive games can be hard to pause mid-match, so let your child finish a round before the limit bites. If your child is curious about tournaments, learning how do esports work can help you judge how much practice time is realistic.
If they want to share play online, read up on how to stream mobile games first, so you can talk through privacy and chat settings together.
Review the limits every few months. A rule that suits a young child will feel unfair to a teenager, and loosening it deliberately keeps trust intact.
A simple weekly routine for parents
Controls need a little upkeep. A short routine keeps limits realistic and spots problems early.
- Check the time report once a week and look at which games take the most time.
- Scan new installs and read each game’s age rating and purchase notice.
- Ask your child to show you a favourite game, and what they like about it.
- Adjust limits for exams, holidays or trips, rather than letting rules lapse.
Approach this as shared rules, not surveillance. Children who understand why a limit exists are less likely to hunt for ways around it.
If a limit keeps causing conflict, talk it over with your child and adjust it rather than removing games entirely. Offline activities, such as a walk or a family meal, make the end of play feel like a switch to something good rather than a punishment.
Keep your own device habits in view too, including phones at the table and screens at bedtime. Children copy what they see, so a family phone-free dinner is often more convincing than any setting.
Frequently asked questions
Do parental controls block games completely?
Show answer
It depends on the tool and setting. Time limits can lock or warn, while age-rating filters and purchase approval can stop installs. Check your device’s help page for exact behaviour.
Can my child turn the controls off?
Show answer
The ESA says these controls are PIN or password protected, so keep that code private once they are activated.
Do I need a Google account to limit an Android phone?
Show answer
Family Link works through Google accounts, as Google’s help describes. Check Google’s current help pages for other on-device options on your phone.
How do I stop surprise in-app purchases?
Show answer
Turn on Ask to Buy on Apple devices, or purchase approval in Family Link on Android. Remember Family Link’s approvals only cover purchases through Google Play’s billing system.
