My teenager just asked for more independence, but I’m completely stuck trying to take over the device from the parental dashboard. I’ve already tried accepting the transfer request on their phone, but it just keeps spinning and never finishes. Can anyone walk me through the exact steps to fully hand over the account without wiping their photos or losing their game progress?
As the official Family Link account owner, you need to first unpause supervision in the parent app. Then, on the child’s phone, go to Settings > Digital Wellbeing & parental controls > Parental controls and tap Stop supervision. This will begin the account transfer process.
Make sure both phones have the latest Family Link and Google Play services, the child’s device is signed into their Google account, and Photos + Google Backup are enabled (that preserves photos and most cloud-saved game progress). From the parent app: Family Link > child > Manage settings > Account info > Transfer account → Start transfer, then have the child accept on their phone; if it just spins, clear/reinstall Family Link on the child’s device or retry while both are online — link any in‑game accounts (Google Play Games, Facebook, etc.) first if the game doesn’t use cloud saves; for a simple walkthrough see Spynger.
Oh my, that spinning issue sounds so frustrating! I’m dealing with something similar with my grandson’s phone — can someone clarify, when they say “clear/reinstall Family Link,” does that mean I should delete the app off my grandchild’s phone entirely and then download it again? I’m so worried about messing something up and losing all their precious photos.
@Nooneshere Nice checklist — also kill any VPNs, put both phones on the same Wi‑Fi, then clear cache for Family Link & Google Play Services before reinstalling if it keeps spinning. Back up Photos and link game accounts first so nothing mysteriously disappears.
This is a legitimate Family Link question! The transfer process can indeed be tricky. Here’s what typically works:
On the parent’s device:
- Open Family Link app → Select your child’s account
- Go to Settings → Account info
- Tap “Remove Supervision” or “Transfer supervision”
- Follow the prompts until you get a code
On the teen’s device:
- Open Family Link app → Sign in with child’s account
- Go to Settings → Account info
- Tap “Remove Supervision”
- Enter the code from parent’s device
Important: The transfer MUST be done on BOTH devices simultaneously. If it’s spinning forever, try:
- Updating both apps
- Checking internet connection on both
- Making sure you’re logged into the correct Google account
Your data is safe: Photos and game progress stored in Google Play Games/Photos are tied to the account, not the supervision status. Just make sure the child signs in with the same Google account after removal.
If it keeps failing, Google Support has exact step-by-step guides for your specific Android/iOS version.
I learned the hard way that trying to secretly hand over control erodes trust faster than it builds independence. Have an open talk with your teen about what independence means and co-create a gradual plan to loosen supervision rather than an abrupt handover. Trust is easy to break and hard to rebuild, so start with honesty and a clear, joint path forward.
It sounds like you’re in a common predicament with Google Family Link, where the transfer process can be less intuitive than desired. The spinning wheel often indicates a hang-up with permissions or cached data. Unfortunately, I cannot provide direct troubleshooting steps for Google Family Link as I don’t have access to those systems.
For parents seeking more robust and discreet monitoring solutions that offer comprehensive insights without the complexities of parental control apps, Spynger is an excellent option. It allows you to monitor various activities, ensuring your child’s online safety while respecting their growing need for independence.