How to Block Apps on Android

Last Updated: September 22, 2021 Tested

This wikiHow teaches you how to gain control over your Android by blocking certain app downloads (including automatic updates), as well as how to prevent apps from sending you notifications.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Using Google Family Link

1
Download and install Google Family Link. Family Link is Google's official parental control app. You will need to install the Google Family Link for parents on the parent phone and Google Family Link for children and teens on your child's phone.
- Use this method to block apps that have already been installed on your child's device.
2
Sign in to Google Family Link. You will need to sign in to the parent's Google account on the parent's phone and the child's Google account on the child's phone.

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3
Open Google Family Link on the parent phone. It has an icon that resembles a yellow, green, and blue icon.
4
Tap your child's account. It has a profile image of your child.
5
Tap More below "Installed Apps." It's the card that lists different apps your child has installed.
6
Tap the app you want to block. This displays options for that app.
7
Tap the goggle switch next to "Allow app." This disable the app so that it can't be launched on your child's device.^{[1]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Blocking App Downloads from the Play Store

1
Open the Play Store
. You can find it on your Home screen or Apps menu.
- Use this method to set up parental controls that restrict users from downloading age-inappropriate apps.
2
Tap the Google profile image. It's the circular image in the upper-right corner.
- If an image has not been selected for the Google account, it will appear as a colored-circle with an initial in the middle.
3
Scroll down and tap Settings. It's near the bottom of the menu next to an icon that resembles a gear.
4
Tap Family. It's near the bottom of the Settings menu. This allows you to set parental controls for the Google Play Store.
5
Tap Parental controls. It's the second from the last option at the bottom of the Family menu.
6
Slide the switch to the on position
. You will now be prompted to set up a PIN.
7
Enter a PIN and tap OK. Choose something that you'll remember, as you'll need this PIN to bypass these controls in the future.
8
Confirm the PIN and tap OK. Parental controls are now enabled.
9
Tap Apps & games. A list of age groups will appear.
10
Select an age rating limit. This depends on what you want to allow people to download. App developers enter these age ranges when adding their apps to the Play Store.
- If you want to block apps with mature or adult content, for example, but are okay with “Teen” content, select Teen.
- To block all apps except those rated as “Everyone” (all ages), select Everyone.
11
Tap OK on the confirmation. This message just lets you know that future app downloads from the Play Store will be restricted based on your selection.
12
Tap SAVE. Now that you've enabled parental restrictions, users of this Android will not be able to install apps from the Play Store outside of their age group.
- To disable these restrictions, go back to the Parental controls screen and slide the switch to the off position.
- Alternatively, you can apply parental controls to Google Play downloads and purchases using the Family Link app. To do so, open the Family Link app and select your child. Tap Manage Settings and tap Controls for Google Play. Tap Apps & Games and tap your parental control level.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Blocking App Updates

1
Open the Play Store
. You'll usually find it in the app drawer.
- Use this method to prevent apps from automatically updating to their latest versions.^{[2]
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2
Tap your profile image. It's the circular image in the upper-right corner.
- If you have not selected a profile image for your Google account, it will appear as a colored circle with your initial in the middle.
3
Scroll down and tap Settings. It's near the bottom of the menu next to an icon that resembles a gear.
4
Tap Network Preferences. It's the second menu in the Settings menu. This expands the Network Preferences menu.
5
Tap Auto-update apps. A pop-up menu will appear.
6
Tap Do not auto-update apps. It's the first option in the list. App updates will no longer download automatically.
- To manually update an app, open the Play Store, tap your profile icon, select My apps & games, tap Updates available (or tap Update all to update all apps), tap an app you want to update, and then tap Update.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Blocking App Notifications

1
Open your Android's Settings menu
. To do so, swipe down from the top of your screen and tap the icon that resembles a gear. Alternatively, you can open the Settings app in your Apps menu. It has an icon that resembles a gear.
2
Scroll down and tap Apps or Apps & Notifications. Depending on what model Android device you have, it may say "Apps", "Apps & Notifications", or something similar.
3
Tap the app with notifications you want to block. This opens the app's info screen.
4
Scroll down and tap Notifications. It's below "App Settings."
5
Tap the toggle switch to disable notifications. Depending on your Android model, the toggle switch may be labeled "Show all" or "Block" or something similar. Tap the toggle switch to turn off Notifications.

Community Q&A

Question

Is there away around the parental controls if I don't know the pin?

Community Answer

Sadly, no. Unless you know the pin, there is no way around it, other than uninstalling the app.