Sony Launches PlayStation Family App With Real‑Time Parental Controls

PlayStation Family App

Sony has officially rolled out the PlayStation Family App, a dedicated parental control tool for iOS and Android that gives parents more direct and flexible ways to manage their children’s gaming.

Announced via the PlayStation Blog, the app builds on the existing parental controls found on PS5 and PS4, while introducing several new features designed for convenience and customization.

At its core, the PlayStation Family App lets you monitor and adjust your child’s gaming activity in real time. You can set daily playtime limits, approve or deny requests for extra time, and even block access to restricted games — all from your phone.

If your child wants more time, they can send a request through the console, and you can approve or decline it instantly without needing to be in the same room.

The app also includes real‑time notifications showing what your child is playing, along with spending controls that allow you to set monthly PlayStation Store purchase limits.

For those who like a clear overview, daily and weekly activity reports provide a snapshot of playtime and game history at a glance.

Content management is another big focus. Parents can apply age‑appropriate content filters, use built‑in presets for different age groups, or fine‑tune each setting manually. Social interactions are also manageable from the app, letting you control how your child connects and communicates with other players.

Sony has even added a guided onboarding process to make setting up child accounts easier, ensuring you can get everything configured without digging through console menus.

The PlayStation Family App is free to download in most markets and requires iOS 14 or Android 8 and above. As Cory Gasaway, VP of Product Management at Sony Interactive Entertainment, explained in the announcement, this is “just the beginning” for the app, with more enhancements planned over time.