How to restrict app downloads on a kids tablet

Handing a tablet to your child opens up a world of learning apps, entertainment, and creative tools — but it also means they can download almost anything with a single tap. From surprise in-app purchases to age-inappropriate games, the list of what can slip onto a kids tablet grows longer every year. The good news is that you do not need fancy software to take control. Every major tablet platform has built-in tools that let you decide which apps can be downloaded, which ones need your approval, and which ones should never make it to the home screen at all.

What Restricting App Downloads Actually Means

Before diving into settings, it helps to get clear on what you are trying to accomplish. “Blocking downloads” can mean several different things, and the setup changes depending on your goal:

Block all new installs — Stop any new app from being added from the app store, period.
Require approval — Allow downloads but only after you tap “approve” on your phone.
Filter by age rating — Let age-appropriate apps through automatically, hide mature ones.
Block purchases only — Allow free apps but lock down paid apps and in-app spending.
Stop sideloading — Block APK installs from browsers and messaging apps.

For most families with a kids tablet, the best setup combines approval-based downloads, age-rating filters, and sideload protection. That way your child can still explore safe apps while you retain final say over what lands on the device.

Restricting App Downloads on Android Kids Tablets

Most children’s tablets run Android, and the most reliable way to lock down downloads is through Google Family Link. It is free, it ties controls to your child’s Google Account, and it works on every modern Android tablet — including the akimart 10-inch kids tablet running Android 14.

Method 1: Google Family Link — Full Approval Control

Family Link is Google’s built-in parental supervision tool. When set up properly, every app download attempt sends a notification straight to your phone. Here is how to configure it:

Install the Family Link app on your own phone (available for both Android and iOS). Sign in with your parent Google Account.
Create or link a supervised Google Account for your child. Children under 13 must use a supervised account; teens 13 and older can opt into supervision.
Set download approval. Open Family Link → select your child → Controls → Controls on Google Play → Apps & games → choose “Require approval for all downloads”. Every install attempt will now ping your phone for a yes or no.
Set content rating filters. On the same screen, scroll to Content restrictions and pick an age band (Everyone, Teen, Mature). Apps that do not meet the rating will not even appear in Play Store search results.
Lock in-app purchases. On the child’s tablet, open Play Store → tap the profile icon → Settings → Authentication → Require authentication for purchases → select “For all purchases through Google Play on this device”.

Method 2: Disable Sideloading — The Most Overlooked Step

Family Link only controls downloads from the Play Store. If your child figures out how to download an APK file from a browser or messaging app, they can install it without your approval. This is called sideloading, and it is the loophole most parents miss.

To shut it down on an Android tablet:

Open Settings → Apps → Special app access → Install unknown apps.
Go through every app on the list — Chrome, Firefox, any file manager, messaging apps like Discord or Telegram — and set each one to “Not allowed”.
Repeat periodically, because new apps may request this permission after installation.

Android handles this permission on a per-app basis, which means there is no single global toggle. You have to walk through the list — but it only takes a minute, and it closes a major security gap.

Method 3: Play Store Parental Controls (Quick Setup)

If you do not want to set up a full Family Link account — for example, on a shared family tablet — you can still enable basic parental controls directly in the Play Store app:

Open the Play Store app on the tablet.
Tap the profile icon → Settings → Family → Parental controls.
Toggle parental controls on and create a PIN that only you know.
Tap “Apps & games” and set the age rating limit that matches your child’s age.

This is simpler than Family Link but less robust — a determined child can potentially bypass it by adding a new Google account. For younger kids, Family Link is the safer choice.

Restricting App Downloads on iPad

If your child uses an iPad, Apple’s Screen Time feature gives you system-level control over App Store installs. Here is how to set it up:

Open Settings → Screen Time. Turn it on if it is off already.
Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions and toggle it on.
Tap iTunes & App Store Purchases.
Set “Installing Apps” to “Don’t Allow” to block all new downloads, or set it to “Require Password” for purchase control only.
Set a Screen Time passcode that only you know — do not reuse the device unlock PIN.

For even better control, set up the iPad under a child account in Family Sharing. This prevents your child from simply signing out of your Apple ID to bypass the rules.

Built-in Parental Controls on the Akimart Kids Tablet

The Akimart 10-inch kids tablet comes with Android 14 and built-in parental control features that work alongside Google Family Link. Here is what you get out of the box:

Parental control app pre-installed — Manage screen time, app access, and content filters from your phone or directly on the tablet.
Pre-loaded educational apps — Start with a curated set of learning apps so your child has quality content available from day one, without needing to browse the Play Store.
Shockproof kid-safe case — Protects the tablet from drops, which means fewer cracked screens and more time focusing on digital safety.
Wi-Fi 6 ready — Fast and stable connectivity for approved educational apps and streaming content.
64GB storage — Plenty of room for all the apps, games, and videos your child enjoys, with room to grow.

Pair the tablet’s built-in controls with Google Family Link for the most complete setup — Family Link handles app approval and Play Store filtering, while the tablet’s own parental controls add screen time management and app-specific time limits.

How to Make Restrictions Harder to Bypass

Setting up restrictions is only half the battle. Kids are resourceful, and many will try to work around the rules. Here is how to lock everything down properly:

Use a Separate Passcode for Restrictions

Never use the same PIN for the restriction settings as you do for the screen unlock. If your child figures out the unlock code, they should not be able to also change the parental controls. Pick a unique passcode and do not write it down where they can find it.

Create a Dedicated Child Profile

On a shared family tablet, always set up a separate user profile for your child. On Android, go to Settings → System → Multiple users → Add user. Family Link and other parental controls only work on the supervised profile — if your child is using your account, none of the restrictions apply.

Turn Off Guest Mode

Most Android tablets have a guest mode that lets anyone use the tablet without signing in. Guest mode bypasses all parental controls, so disable it when possible. You can usually find this setting under Settings → System → Multiple users.

Review Settings Periodically

Set a monthly reminder to check the restriction settings. New apps may request permissions, system updates can reset some options, and kids keep finding new workarounds. A quick five-minute review once a month keeps everything locked down.

Troubleshooting: When Apps Still Get Through

If you have set up restrictions but new apps are still appearing on the tablet, here are the most common causes and how to fix them:

Wrong user profile. Make sure the restrictions are applied to the profile your child actually uses. If they switch to a guest profile or your profile, the rules do not apply.
Passcode is known. If your child has figured out the restriction passcode, change it immediately. Use something unrelated to birthdays, addresses, or the device unlock code.
Second Google account. Older kids sometimes add a personal Google account to get around Family Link. Check which accounts are signed in on the tablet and remove any unauthorized ones.
Sideloaded apps. If an app did not come from the Play Store, sideloading is still enabled. Go back and double-check that “Install unknown apps” is turned off for every browser and messaging app.
Pre-installed apps. Some apps come pre-loaded on the tablet and were never “installed” from the app store. You can usually disable these from Settings → Apps, or set time limits through Family Link.

A Quick Setup Checklist

Use this checklist to make sure you have covered all the bases. A thorough setup takes 10 to 15 minutes and saves countless headaches later:

Decide whether you want to block all installs, require approval, or filter by age rating.
Set up Google Family Link (Android) or Screen Time (iPad) with a child-specific account.
Enable download approvals or install blocks at the app store level.
Set age-rating content filters so inappropriate apps do not appear in search results.
Turn off “Install unknown apps” for all browsers and file managers.
Set a unique restriction passcode — different from the device unlock code.
Disable guest mode and remove any extra accounts from the tablet.
Test it: try to download a free app, then try to download a paid one. If both require your approval, you are set.

Final Thoughts

Restricting app downloads on a kids tablet is not about keeping your child from having fun — it is about giving them a safe digital space to learn, play, and grow. The right setup lets them explore age-appropriate apps while you stay in control of what reaches their screen.

For Android tablets, the winning combination is Google Family Link for Play Store approval, plus sideload protection and a dedicated child profile. For iPads, Screen Time restrictions with a separate passcode cover most situations. And if you are shopping for a tablet built with kids in mind, the Akimart kids tablet comes with parental controls already baked in, so you can get set up and give your child their new device with confidence.

The most important thing is to revisit the settings as your child grows. What a seven-year-old needs is very different from what a 13-year-old needs, and your restrictions should evolve with them. With the right balance of guardrails and trust, a kids tablet can be a tool for learning and joy — not a source of constant worry.