How to Lock Down App Downloads on Android for a Family Member With Dementia

A step-by-step guide for caregivers to prevent unwanted app installs and purchases on an Android phone without needing a PIN every time.

In this guide (4 steps):

1.Require authentication for all Play Store purchases
2.Set up Google Family Link for full caregiver control
3.Use App Pinning to keep the phone on a single app
4.Disable the Google Play Store entirely if needed

Require authentication for all Play Store purchases

~23s

On the person's Android phone, open the Google Play Store app. Tap the profile icon in the top-right corner → SettingsAuthenticationRequire authentication for purchases → select "For all purchases." From now on, any purchase or app download requires the Google account password to be entered first.

Quick Tip

This does not block free app downloads. To also block those, continue to the next steps.

Set up Google Family Link for full caregiver control

~32s

Google Family Link (available at families.google.com/familylink) lets a caregiver approve or block every app download, even on an adult's account. The caregiver downloads the Family Link for Parents app on their own phone, and the supervised person uses the Family Link for Children & Teens app. Once linked, the caregiver receives a notification every time an app install is requested and can approve or deny it.

Quick Tip

Family Link is free and does not require the supervised person to be a child — it can be set up for any Google account that the caregiver manages.

Use App Pinning to keep the phone on a single app

~27s

If the person with dementia should only use one or two specific apps (such as a phone or video calling app), Android's App Pinning feature locks the screen to that single app. Go to SettingsSecurityApp Pinning and turn it on. Open the app you want to pin, then tap the Recent Apps button and tap the app icon at the top of the cardPin. A PIN is required to unpin.

Disable the Google Play Store entirely if needed

~24s

As a last resort, you can disable the Play Store so no new apps can be installed at all. Go to SettingsAppsSee all appsGoogle Play StoreDisable. This prevents any app downloads. To re-enable it later, follow the same path and tap Enable.

Warning

Disabling the Play Store also stops app updates from being installed. Re-enable it periodically to allow security updates, then disable it again.

You Did It!

You've completed: How to Lock Down App Downloads on Android for a Family Member With Dementia

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To prevent app downloads on an Android device for someone with dementia: open the Google Play Store, tap the profile icon > Settings > Authentication > Require authentication for purchases, and set it to "For all purchases." To go further, enable Family Link (even for adults) which gives a caregiver full control over app approvals. Alternatively, go to Settings > Digital Wellbeing > App Timers or use a third-party app lock. You can also disable the Play Store entirely via Settings > Apps > Google Play Store > Disable, though this is harder to reverse.

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