Microsoft Family Safety connects screen time, content filters, spending controls, activity reports, and some location features across a child’s Microsoft account. Setup starts with a family group.
Does this affect you?
Use this for Microsoft accounts on Windows PCs, Xbox consoles, and the Microsoft Family Safety app on iPhone or Android.
Create a Microsoft family group
Do this from an adult Microsoft account.
- Go to account.microsoft.com/family or open the Family Safety app.
- Sign in with the adult account.
- Choose Create a family group if one does not already exist.
- Add family members by email address.
- For a child without a Microsoft account, choose Create one for a child and follow the age-verification prompts.
- Adults invited to manage the group must accept the email invitation.
- After members appear in the group, select each child to configure settings.
Set limits for a child in the group
Settings are configured per child.
- Open the Family Safety app or account.microsoft.com/family.
- Select the child’s name.
- Use Screen time to set daily limits for Windows, Xbox, and supported Android devices.
- Use Content filters to set age limits for apps, games, and Edge web browsing, plus SafeSearch.
- Use Spending to add allowance or require approval for Microsoft Store and Xbox purchases.
- Use Activity reporting for weekly summaries of apps, games, and time spent.
More control
Device support varies
Windows and Xbox settings apply when the child signs in with that Microsoft account. Android needs the Family Safety app installed on the child’s device. iPhone has more limited control because Apple restricts what Microsoft can manage.
Use location openly
Location sharing can work through the Family Safety app when enabled and permitted. It works best as an agreed safety setting, not a hidden one.
Revisit settings as kids grow
Screen time and content rules for a young child may be too tight for a teenager. Microsoft also lets you grant one-time extra screen time without permanently changing the normal limit.
Sources
- Microsoft Support – Create a Microsoft family group (2025)
- Microsoft Support – Family Safety app overview (2025)
- Microsoft Support – Set screen time limits for your child’s devices (2025)