4 Ways to Block Apps on Android Devices

Table of contents:

4 Ways to Block Apps on Android Devices
4 Ways to Block Apps on Android Devices
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This wikiHow teaches you how to gain control of your Android device by blocking the download of certain apps (including automatic updates), as well as preventing notifications from being sent by apps.

Step

Method 1 of 4: Using Google Family Link

Block Apps on Android Step 1
Block Apps on Android Step 1

Step 1. Download and install Google Family Link

Family Link is the official parental control app from Google. You must install Google Family Link for parents on your phone, and Google Family Link for children/teenagers on your child's phone/device.

Use this method to block apps that have been installed on the child's device

Block Apps on Android Step 2
Block Apps on Android Step 2

Step 2. Sign in to Google Family Link

You must be signed in to the parent's Google account on your phone and the child's Google account on the child's device.

Block Apps on Android Step 3
Block Apps on Android Step 3

Step 3. Open Google Family Link on your phone

This app icon is yellow, green, and blue.

Block Apps on Android Step 4
Block Apps on Android Step 4

Step 4. Touch the child account

This account has your child's profile picture.

Block Apps on Android Step 5
Block Apps on Android Step 5

Step 5. Touch More under Installed Apps.

" This section lists the various applications that have been installed on your child's device.

Block Apps on Android Step 6
Block Apps on Android Step 6

Step 6. Touch the app you want to block

Options for the application will open.

Block Apps on Android Step 7
Block Apps on Android Step 7

Step 7. Slide the toggle next to "Allow app

" That way, the application will be blocked and cannot be opened on the child's device.

Method 2 of 4: Blocking App Downloads from Play Store

Block Apps on Android Step 8
Block Apps on Android Step 8

Step 1. Open Play Store

Androidgoogleplay
Androidgoogleplay

Usually you can find this app in the page/app drawer.

Use this method to set up parental controls that restrict users from downloading apps that aren't age-appropriate

Block Apps on Android Step 9
Block Apps on Android Step 9

Step 2. Touch the Google account profile photo

It's in the top-right corner of the screen.

If you haven't selected a photo for your Google account, you'll find a colored circle with your initials in the middle

Block Apps on Android Step 10
Block Apps on Android Step 10

Step 3. Swipe the screen and touch Settings

This option is at the bottom of the menu.

Block Apps on Android Step 11
Block Apps on Android Step 11

Step 4. Touch Family

This button is at the bottom of the Settings menu. After that, you can set up parental controls on the Google Play Store.

Block Apps on Android Step 12
Block Apps on Android Step 12

Step 5. Scroll down and select Parental controls

Block Apps on Android Step 13
Block Apps on Android Step 13

Step 6. Slide the switch to position

Android7switchon
Android7switchon

Now you will be asked to enter a PIN code.

Block Apps on Android Step 14
Block Apps on Android Step 14

Step 7. Enter the PIN code and touch OK

Choose a code that you can remember because you will need it to bypass future controls or restrictions.

Block Apps on Android Step 15
Block Apps on Android Step 15

Step 8. Confirm the code and touch OK

Now, the parental control feature has been successfully activated.

Block Apps on Android Step 16
Block Apps on Android Step 16

Step 9. Touch Apps & games

A list of age groups will be displayed.

Block Apps on Android Step 17
Block Apps on Android Step 17

Step 10. Select a group limit or age level

The selection will depend on the content the user is allowed to download. The app developer enters the user's age range information when registering his app to the Play Store.

  • If you want to block apps that have adult content, for example, but don't mind apps with teenage content, select “ Teen ”.
  • To block all applications, except those suitable for all ages, select “ Everyone ”.
Block Apps on Android Step 18
Block Apps on Android Step 18

Step 11. Touch OK on the confirmation window

This message informs you that future downloads of apps from the Play Store will be limited based on the options you set.

Block Apps on Android Step 19
Block Apps on Android Step 19

Step 12. Touch SAVE

After enabling parental restrictions, device users can't install apps that don't fall into their age category from the Play Store.

  • To turn off restrictions, return to the “ Parental controls ” and slide the switch to the off position

    Android7switchoff
    Android7switchoff
  • Or, enforce parental controls on Google Play downloads and purchases using the Family Link app. To do this, open the Family Link app and select your child's account. Touch Manage Settings and Controls for Google Play. After that, select Apps & Games and set the level of parental control you want.

Method 3 of 4: Blocking App Updates

Block Apps on Android Step 20
Block Apps on Android Step 20

Step 1. Open Play Store

Androidgoogleplay
Androidgoogleplay

Usually you can find this app icon on the page/app drawer.

Use this method to prevent the app from automatically updating to its latest version

Block Apps on Android Step 21
Block Apps on Android Step 21

Step 2. Touch your profile photo

It's in the top-right corner of the screen.

If you haven't selected a photo for your Google account, you'll find a colored circle with your initials in the middle

Block Apps on Android Step 22
Block Apps on Android Step 22

Step 3. Swipe the screen and touch Settings

This option is at the bottom of the menu.

Block Apps on Android Step 23
Block Apps on Android Step 23

Step 4. Touch Network Preferences

This is the second menu in Settings. After selecting this option, the Network Preferences menu will open.

Block Apps on Android Step 24
Block Apps on Android Step 24

Step 5. Select Auto-update apps

A pop-up menu will be displayed.

Block Apps on Android Step 25
Block Apps on Android Step 25

Step 6. Touch Don't auto-update apps

This option is the first option on the list. App updates will no longer be downloaded automatically.

To update the app manually, go to Play Store, touch the button “ ", choose " My apps & games, and touch the button “ UPDATE ” next to the application name.

Method 4 of 4: Blocking App Notifications

Block Apps on Android Step 26
Block Apps on Android Step 26

Step 1. Open the device settings menu or “Settings”

Android7settings
Android7settings

To open this menu, drag the screen from the top down and then touch the icon that resembles a gear. Alternatively, open the Settings app from the Apps menu. This app icon is similar to a gear.

Block Apps on Android Step 27
Block Apps on Android Step 27

Step 2. Swipe the screen and touch Apps or Apps & Notifications.

Depending on your Android device model, this button might say "Apps", "Apps & Notifications", or something similar.

Block Apps on Android Step 28
Block Apps on Android Step 28

Step 3. Touch the app whose notifications you want to block

The application information page will be displayed.

Block Apps on Android Step 29
Block Apps on Android Step 29

Step 4. Scroll down and select Notifications

This option is under the Settings app.

Block Apps on Android Step 30
Block Apps on Android Step 30

Step 5. Slide the switch to the off position

Depending on your Android device model, this switch might say "Show all" or "Block", or something similar. Touch this switch to turn off notifications.

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