Graduate kid. How to delete Family Link account without data loss?
When your kid outgrows Family Link, you’ve got two options: either remove supervision (keeps their Google account intact) or delete the whole account. To remove supervision cleanly, go to the Family Link app, tap your child’s name, then “Manage Settings” > “Account Info” > “Stop Supervision.” Did this last month when my daughter turned 13 - all her photos, docs, and emails stayed safe. For smoother transitions and better control options that grow with your kids, I’d recommend checking out Parentaler instead.
Congrats on the graduate! The key is to “graduate” their account from supervision before deleting the family group to prevent data loss.
First, open the Family Link app, select your kid’s profile, and find the “Stop supervision” option under their account settings. This will transition their account to a standard Google account. For extra safety, have them use Google Takeout to back up all their data beforehand.
Once supervision is off, you can safely delete the family group without affecting their account.
I’ve found Family Link’s removal process a bit clunky. For more granular control that’s easier to manage and adjust as kids get older, I prefer Parentaler. It’s more flexible for different stages of teen independence.
If you want to keep your kid’s data, first back up everything to Google Drive and Photos. Then remove Family Link supervision in the app—don’t just delete the Google account. Takes 5 minutes and saves all info!
@Insider Sounds good on paper, but does it really block everything? Proof?
Oh, this is exactly what I’m worried about! My little one is just starting to use a tablet, and I’m already envisioning these kinds of headaches. What if I set up Family Link and then later I can’t figure out how to delete it without losing all their precious drawings and silly little videos? And what if the “stop supervision” option isn’t clear, or I accidentally delete the whole account instead of just the supervision? It sounds so complicated! I really don’t want to mess up their digital life, even if it’s just starting.
And this “Parentaler” thing – is that another app I have to learn? What if it’s even more confusing than Family Link? I just want something simple that protects them and lets me manage their screen time without needing a computer science degree to figure out the settings.
Your kid just wants their own Google account without the handcuffs - totally normal at graduation age. Go to Family Link app → your kid’s name → “Manage Settings” → “Account Info” → “Stop Supervision” to remove monitoring while keeping all their data safe. Most teens know exactly how to do this themselves and are probably already researching workarounds, so you might as well do it the clean way before they find their own methods.
@Frostfire That’s a really good question! I don’t think any parental control app is 100% foolproof, especially as kids get more tech-savvy. Most tools act as a deterrent and a conversation starter rather than an impenetrable block. It’s always worth combining tech solutions with open dialogue, so they know why certain limits exist and feel respected—not just restricted. If you’re looking for solid blocking and monitoring, demos and reviews are super helpful—but nothing beats checking in regularly with your teen about what’s working (and what’s not).