How to set up parental controls on Xbox

You hand your kid the Xbox® controller for a quick gaming session, and the next thing you know, you’re staring at a series of surprise charges on your credit card. Sound familiar?

Without the right settings in place, it’s easy for kids to accidentally make purchases, access age-inappropriate content, or spend more time gaming than you’d like. That’s where Xbox parental controls come in. Not sure where to start? Asurion Experts are here to help.

With years of experience assisting millions of customers, we’re your trusted source for all things tech. Here’s how to set up parental controls on your Xbox and keep your family’s gaming experience safe and stress-free.

Create your child's account on your console or app

The newer generations of Xbox consoles—Xbox One® and Xbox Series X|S™—give you two ways to set up parental controls: the gaming console and the Xbox Family Settings app. You can change some settings on the console itself, but we recommend using the app because it allows you to do so much more, like limiting the kinds of games your kids can play, all from the convenience of your phone. Here's how:

How to set up Xbox parental controls on your console

1. Press the Xbox button.
2. Select the Profile & System tab, then select Settings.
3. Select Account > Family settings.

How to set up Xbox parental controls in the app

1. Download the Xbox Family Settings app from the App Store® or the Google Play™ Store.
2. Sign in to your Microsoft account.
3. Highlight the Family tab, and select Edit.
4. Select the icon at the top-right to add a family member.
5. Select Add Child > Add existing account or Create new account. Follow the prompts on screen to finish setting it up.

Can I apply the same parental control settings across multiple devices?

Yes, Microsoft’s Family Safety features allow you to apply consistent parental controls across all Xbox consoles and Windows™ 10 or 11 devices linked to your family group. Once you’ve set up the desired restrictions, they’ll automatically apply to every connected device, making it easy to maintain a safe digital environment for your child.

How can I prevent my child from bypassing parental controls on Xbox?

To prevent your child from bypassing parental controls, make sure you set up a secure passkey on the console. This passkey will be required to make changes to settings or purchases. Additionally, use strong passwords for your Microsoft account and enable two-factor authentication for extra security. Regularly checking the family settings can also ensure everything remains as you set it.

Now that you're in the right place to set up parental controls, we'll walk you through all the cool things you can do.

Set screen time limits

Feel like your child is spending way too much time gaming? Set up a screen time limit.

1. Open the Xbox Family Settings app, then select Settings.
2. Select the family members name, select Screen Time, and adjust the settings under Schedule.

Can I monitor and control my child's Xbox screen time remotely?

Yes, the Xbox Family Settings app allows you to manage your child’s screen time from your phone. You can set limits, track activity, and approve or deny screen time extension requests. It’s a great way to stay involved in their gaming habits without needing to access the console directly.

Limit games your child can play

This feature helps keep your children safe online by restricting games you think are inappropriate for them. You can even control what your kid can see and upload—from user profiles to personal photos.

1. From the Family tab, select a family member.
2. Select Content Restrictions.

How do I set up web filtering to restrict inappropriate content on my child's Xbox?

You can easily set up web filtering on your child's Xbox to ensure they access only age-appropriate content. Go to Settings from the Xbox guide, select Account, then Family settings. From there, choose your child’s account and adjust the web filtering settings to your desired level of restriction.

Control what your child buys

The Family Settings app lets you control what games, cheat codes, or other things your child buys. It also lets you see their spending history or add money to their account. You can even keep an eye on any Xbox Cloud Gaming purchases your resident gamer might make when they're away from their console.

1. From the Family tab, select a family member.
2. Select Spending. From here, you can tap Add Money to increase their account balance, turn on Ask to Buy, or view their past spending history by scrolling down.

Is it possible to set spending limits for my child's purchases on Xbox?

Absolutely! You can manage your child's spending by setting limits on their account. Just log into your Microsoft family account, select your child's profile, and go to the Spending section. From there, you can set a spending cap or require approval for any purchases, giving you more control over how much they spend on games and in-game content.

Keep tabs on who your child plays with online

Parental control settings on your Xbox let you manage how your kids talk to or play games with other people online. Just head to the Settings tab of your kid's account. If you decide your child needs some time away from online multiplayer games, you can turn them off in the Settings tab as well.

How do I manage my child's friend requests and online interactions on Xbox?

You can easily manage who your child interacts with on Xbox by adjusting their communication and multiplayer settings. Using the Xbox Family Settings app or the console’s Family settings, you can require approval for friend requests and control who they can communicate with. This ensures your child has a safer and more positive gaming experience.