Samsung plans to make parental approval a core part of app use on children’s Galaxy devices. From 2027, certain apps on a child’s phone will remain grayed out until a parent or guardian approves them. The change will cover preinstalled apps and apps the child has already downloaded.
The move signals a shift in Samsung’s approach to online safety. Rather than limiting controls to new downloads, the company wants parents to decide which installed apps a child can open.
When the feature arrives, a child will see restricted apps as grayed-out icons. Tapping such an app will not open it. The child will need approval from a linked parent or guardian to access it.
Parents will manage these permissions through Samsung’s parental-control settings. They can approve an app permanently, block it, or review requests as they arise. Samsung already allows guardians to control app access through the Family section of a Samsung account, where they can toggle individual apps on or off for a child’s profile.
The upcoming feature will build on Samsung’s existing Galaxy for Families tools. Parents can already manage web content, app and game access, downloads, purchases, and Samsung apps from a child’s profile. They can also set a parental-control PIN to prevent the child from changing these settings.
Samsung advises families to create a family group and enable parental controls before the update reaches their devices. Children aged 13 or above can join a Samsung family group, while younger children require a Samsung Child Account.
The company has not confirmed the exact One UI version or the precise rollout schedule. It has only said the change will arrive with a future major software update.
The policy could reduce the chance of children accessing unsuitable apps without their parents knowing. It may also make Galaxy devices more attractive to families seeking stronger built-in safety tools. At the same time, parents will need to review app requests regularly to avoid unnecessary friction.
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