Set up Xbox Series X parental controls through a Microsoft family group and the Xbox Family Settings app. Add your child’s Microsoft account and Xbox profile to the family group, then use the app on a supported iOS or Android phone to manage screen time, content, online multiplayer, spending, and friend requests.
What you need before you start
- A parent’s phone running iOS 13 or later, or Android 8.0 or later.
- A Microsoft family group that includes your child’s Microsoft account and Xbox profile.
- The Xbox Family Settings app. Microsoft says the app supports Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One and guides families through setting up accounts. See Microsoft’s Xbox Family Settings app overview.
Make sure your child signs in on the console with the Microsoft account and Xbox profile included in the family group. The controls apply to that child account; adding a different profile to the console does not make it subject to the same settings.
Set up the family group and app
- Create or check your Microsoft family group. Add your child’s Microsoft account and confirm it is associated with the Xbox profile they use on the Series X.
- Install Xbox Family Settings on the parent’s phone. Use an iPhone or iPad running iOS 13 or later, or an Android device running Android 8.0 or later.
- Sign in and follow the app’s family setup guidance. Select your child’s account/profile when managing settings.
- Choose the controls to configure. Set the schedule and limits that suit your household, then review requests and activity in the app.
Choose the controls to manage
Screen time and play schedules
Create screen-time schedules by day and time, review console activity, and temporarily pause play. The app also supports incoming requests from a child asking for additional screen time.
Content and online multiplayer
Use content settings and online multiplayer settings to manage what your child can access and whether they can play online. The official overview confirms these categories but does not give the exact current console menu path or rating-selector steps.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
#1 Best Overall
- FASTEST, MOST POWERFUL XBOX — Experience next-generation performance with 12 teraflops of processing power, delivering smoother gameplay, richer worlds, and faster responsiveness than any previous XBOX.
- TRUE 4K GAMING UP TO 120 FPS — Enjoy breathtaking visuals with true 4K resolution, HDR, and frame rates up to 120 FPS, plus hardware-accelerated ray tracing for a heightened level of realism.
- 1TB CUSTOM SSD AND XBOX VELOCITY ARCHITECTURE — Reduce load times dramatically with the custom 1TB NVMe SSD and XBOX Velocity Architecture, enabling lightning-fast performance and seamless world streaming.
- QUICK RESUME — Seamlessly switch between multiple games and resume exactly where you left off. No more waiting through title screens and loading bars.
- FOUR GENERATIONS OF GAMES — Play thousands of games from XBOX Series X|S, XBOX One, XBOX 360, and Original XBOX, with many titles enhanced for better visuals and performance on XBOX Series X.
Spending
Manage purchase-related requests with Ask to Buy notifications, check the child account’s balance and spending history, and add funds through the app’s spending tools.
Friends and requests
Review the child’s friend list and requests to add friends. The app also collects incoming requests, including requests for more screen time.
Rank #2
- What's in the box: Xbox Series X console, 1 Xbox Wireless Controller - Carbon Black, Ultra High Speed HDMI cable, Power cord.
- Equipped with AMD's Zen 2 and RDNA 2 architectures, DirectX ray tracing delivers true-to-life lighting, shadows and accurate reflections to create dynamic, living worlds.
- Memory: 16GB GDDR6 w/320 bit-wide bus; Memory Bandwidth: 10 GB @ 560 GB/s, 6 GB @ 336 GB/s; Internal Storage: 1TB Custom NVME SSD
- Gaming Resolution: True 4K; Performance Target: Up to 120 FPS; High Dynamic Range: Up to 8K HDR; Optical Drive: 4K UHD Blu-Ray; HDMI Features: Auto Low Latency Mode, HDMI Variable Refresh Rate, AMD FreeSync.
- Bundled with HDMI_Cable
Using controls on a Windows PC
Some screen-time and content settings can also apply to Windows PC gaming when the child’s Xbox profile is part of the family group and family settings are configured for PC use. These controls are not a blanket extension to every device: Microsoft says the app’s settings do not extend to mobile gaming experiences.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Limits of the verified console instructions
Microsoft’s overview describes the control categories and supported devices, but it does not establish exact Series X menu labels or step-by-step console paths for individual restrictions. For a specific console-only setting, consult the current Xbox Support instructions rather than relying on an assumed Settings submenu or rating selector. The family app remains the documented starting point for managing the child account.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsQuick Recap
Rank #4
- What's in the box: Xbox Series S 512GB console, 1 Wireless Controller, High Speed HDMI cable.
- CPU: 8X Cores @ 3.6 GHz (3.4 GHz w/SMT) Custom Zen 2 CPU; GPU: 4 TFLOPS, 20 CUs @1.565 GHz Custom RDNA 2 GPU; SOC Die Size: 197.05 mm2.
- Memory: 10GB GDDR6 128 bit-wide bus; Memory Bandwidth: 8GB @ 224 GB/s, 2GB @ 56 GB/s.; Internal Storage: 512GB Custom NVME SSD
- Gaming Resolution: 1440p; Performance Target: Up to 120 FPS; HDMI Features: Auto Low Latency Mode, HDMI Variable Refresh Rate, AMD FreeSync.
Rank #3
- BEST VALUE IN GAMING — Experience next-gen speed and performance in the smallest XBOX ever. The XBOX Series S delivers powerful all-digital gameplay in a sleek, compact design.
- UP TO 120 FPS GAMEPLAY — Enjoy smooth, responsive gaming with frame rates up to 120 FPS, powered by XBOX Velocity Architecture, a custom NVMe SSD, and DirectX Raytracing for a heightened level of realism.
- 512GB CUSTOM SSD AND XBOX VELOCITY ARCHITECTURE — Reduce load times dramatically with the custom 512GB NVMe SSD and XBOX Velocity Architecture, enabling lightning-fast performance and seamless world streaming.
- QUICK RESUME — Seamlessly switch between multiple games and resume exactly where you left off. No more waiting through title screens and loading bars.
- FOUR GENERATIONS OF DIGITAL GAMES — Play thousands of digital games from XBOX Series X|S, XBOX One, XBOX 360, and Original XBOX with backward compatibility. Many titles are enhanced for better visuals and performance. Smart Delivery ensures you always get the best version for your console.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
