🎉 WhitelistVideo is in Beta. Join the waitlist →
Documentation
Setup by Device
Android
Family Link Setup

How to set up Family Link for WhitelistVideo on Android

Configure Google Family Link to prevent your child from deleting the WhitelistVideo app or accessing YouTube through Chrome. This is a required step for complete protection.

Why is Family Link required?

đźš«

Critical: Without Family Link, your child can easily bypass WhitelistVideo by deleting the app or opening YouTube in Chrome. Family Link is essential for complete protection.

WhitelistVideo provides powerful YouTube filtering within the app, and Family Link adds OS-level protection. Together, they provide comprehensive protection:

Family Link is Google's built-in parental control system. You need it to:

  1. Block app deletion so your child can't remove WhitelistVideo
  2. Block Chrome YouTube access so your child can't bypass the filter
  3. Manage app permissions and screen time settings

Recommended: Family Link provides the essential app protection layer. When enabled, your child cannot delete WhitelistVideo without your approval.

What do I need to set up Family Link?

  • Your child's Android device with WhitelistVideo installed and activated
  • Your own Android or iOS device with the Family Link parent app
  • A Google account for your child (supervised account)
  • About 10 minutes to configure settings

How to set up Family Link (if not already enabled)

If you haven't set up Family Link yet, follow these steps:

On your phone (parent device)

  1. Download the Google Family Link app from the Play Store or App Store

  2. Open the app and tap Get Started

  3. Select Parent when asked who's using this device

  4. Sign in with your Google account

  5. Follow the prompts to add your child

  6. You'll receive a code to enter on your child's device

On your child's Android device

  1. Open Settings > Google > Parental controls

  2. Tap Get started

  3. Select Child or teen

  4. Enter the code from your parent device

  5. Follow the prompts to complete setup

Already have Family Link? Skip to the next section to configure WhitelistVideo protection settings.

How to prevent app deletion with Family Link

This prevents your child from deleting WhitelistVideo or any other app.

On your phone (Family Link parent app)

  1. Open the Family Link app

  2. Select your child's account

  3. Tap Controls or Settings

  4. Tap Google Play

  5. Under App permissions, toggle Install and delete apps to OFF

What this does: Your child can no longer uninstall any app without your approval. They'll need to request permission, which you'll receive as a notification.

Alternative: Approve each app individually

If you want more granular control:

  1. In Family Link > Controls > Google Play

  2. Toggle Require approval for purchases to ON

  3. Set Content restrictions to an appropriate age level

  4. Your child will need your approval to install or delete any app

How to block YouTube in Chrome

This prevents your child from accessing YouTube through the Chrome browser.

Option 1: Block specific websites in Family Link

  1. Open the Family Link app

  2. Select your child's account

  3. Tap Controls > Content restrictions

  4. Tap Google Chrome

  5. Under Manage sites, tap Blocked

  6. Tap Add an exception and enter:

    • youtube.com
    • m.youtube.com
    • youtu.be
    • youtube-nocookie.com

Option 2: Disable Chrome entirely

If your child doesn't need Chrome access:

  1. Open the Family Link app

  2. Select your child's account

  3. Tap Controls > Apps installed

  4. Find Chrome in the list

  5. Toggle Allow app to OFF

⚠️

Tip: If your child needs Chrome for school or homework, use Option 1 to block only YouTube sites while keeping Chrome available for other websites.

How to add WhitelistVideo to allowed apps

Ensure WhitelistVideo remains accessible even during Downtime or app limits.

On your phone (Family Link parent app)

  1. Open the Family Link app

  2. Select your child's account

  3. Tap Controls > Apps installed

  4. Find WhitelistVideo in the list

  5. Make sure Allow app is toggled ON

  6. Set No time limit or appropriate limits for video watching time

⚠️

Don't block WhitelistVideo with time limits. If you use app time limits, make sure WhitelistVideo has sufficient time (or no limit) so your child can watch approved videos during their allowed screen time.

Battery optimization settings (CRITICAL for some devices)

Some Android manufacturers aggressively kill background apps to save battery. This can interfere with WhitelistVideo's operation.

On your child's Android device

  1. Open Settings > Apps > WhitelistVideo

  2. Tap Battery or Battery optimization

  3. Select Don't optimize or Unrestricted

Manufacturer-specific settings

Different Android manufacturers have additional battery optimization settings that may need configuration:

Samsung (One UI)

  1. Settings > Apps > WhitelistVideo > Battery > Optimize battery usage
  2. Set to Don't optimize
  3. Settings > Device care > Battery > App power management > Apps that won't be put to sleep
  4. Add WhitelistVideo

Xiaomi (MIUI)

  1. Settings > Apps > Manage apps > WhitelistVideo
  2. Enable Autostart
  3. Battery saver > Choose apps
  4. Set WhitelistVideo to No restrictions

Huawei (EMUI)

  1. Settings > Apps > Apps > WhitelistVideo
  2. App launch
  3. Toggle to Manual and enable all options

Oppo/Realme (ColorOS)

  1. Settings > Apps > App management > WhitelistVideo
  2. Enable Startup Manager
  3. Settings > Battery > App battery management
  4. Set WhitelistVideo to Unrestricted

OnePlus (OxygenOS)

  1. Settings > Apps > WhitelistVideo > Battery optimization
  2. Select Don't optimize

Why this matters: If battery optimization kills WhitelistVideo, the app may not sync properly with your parent account or may fail to filter content reliably.

How to verify your Family Link settings

After configuration, test that everything works:

Test app deletion blocking

  1. On your child's device, press and hold the WhitelistVideo app icon

  2. Try to uninstall or delete the app

  3. You should see a message like "You need permission from your parent" or the option should be grayed out

  4. If the app can be deleted, go back and check your Family Link settings

Test YouTube blocking in Chrome

  1. Open Chrome on your child's device

  2. Go to youtube.com

  3. You should see a "Site blocked" message or the page should not load

  4. If YouTube loads normally, go back and check your blocked sites settings

Test WhitelistVideo works

  1. Open the WhitelistVideo app

  2. Search for a video from an approved channel

  3. The video should play normally

  4. If blocked, check your Family Link app permissions

Family Link setup complete

Your child's Android device is now fully protected:

  • WhitelistVideo filters YouTube within the app
  • Family Link prevents app deletion
  • YouTube is blocked in Chrome and other browsers
  • Your child can only watch approved content
Back to Android OverviewApprove Channels

Family Link protection levels by age

Child's AgeRecommended Setup
Under 7Block app deletion + Disable Chrome entirely + Supervised account required
7-12Block app deletion + Block YouTube in Chrome + App approval required
13+Block app deletion + Block YouTube in Chrome

Note: Google requires supervised accounts for children under 13. Family Link is designed for this age group but can also be used for older children.

Family Link troubleshooting

My child figured out how to bypass Family Link

  • Make sure you're the family manager and have a strong Google account password
  • Enable 2-factor authentication on your Google account
  • Check all Family Link settings regularly

My child removed their Google account from the device

  • This requires your password for supervised accounts under 13
  • Change your Google account password immediately
  • Re-add the supervised account to the device

Family Link says "No restrictions" but I set them up

  • Make sure you're looking at the correct child's account
  • Try force-closing and reopening the Family Link app
  • Unlink and re-link the child's device in Family Link

WhitelistVideo was deleted despite Family Link protection

  • Check that app deletion blocking is enabled in Family Link > Google Play settings
  • Verify your child's account is properly supervised
  • Make sure you approved WhitelistVideo for installation

YouTube is still accessible in Chrome

  • Verify you added all YouTube domains to the blocked list
  • Check for other browsers (Firefox, Edge, Samsung Internet) and block those too
  • Consider disabling Chrome entirely if blocking sites doesn't work

WhitelistVideo keeps getting killed by the system

  • Follow the battery optimization steps for your specific manufacturer
  • Some aggressive power management can't be fully disabled
  • This is especially common on Xiaomi and Huawei devices

I can't find Family Link settings on my child's device

  • Make sure the device is running Android 5.0 or later
  • Verify the child's Google account is properly supervised
  • Try setting up Family Link from the parent app instead

Family Link supervision ended when my child turned 13

  • This is normal Google behavior—supervision ends at 13 unless renewed
  • You can continue supervision by having your child accept the invitation
  • Without supervision, Family Link protection is significantly weaker

More Android troubleshooting

Activate ProtectionOverview
Summarize with