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Screen-time limits
Set daily limits and focus schedules so phone time fits homework, dinner, and sleep, instead of taking them over.
Parental control · Android
One free parental control app for the whole Android phone.
Kubo brings screen-time limits, app blocking, website protection, and location sharing into a single Android app. No juggling three tools, no subscription to get started. Set healthy rules in minutes and manage them from your own phone.
Free to download
All-in-one controls
No second phone needed
No data selling
Everything you need to protect an Android phone
Most families end up with a screen-time app, a web filter, and a locator. Kubo puts all of it in one free Android app, so setup happens once and everything lives in a single place.
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App blocking
Block distracting apps instantly and allow-list the essentials like calls, maps, and school apps, without locking down the whole phone.
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Website protection
Filter adult and risky sites with safe search on by default, so browsing stays age appropriate without you watching every click.
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Location sharing
See your child's latest shared location and open it in Maps for a fast pickup at school, practice, or a friend's house.
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Local or paired setup
Run everything on one device with Local Mode, or pair a parent and child phone with a QR code to manage rules remotely.
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Privacy-first
Kubo is built for families, not for selling data. It focuses on healthy habits, not reading every message your child sends.
Kubo vs. other Android parental control apps
An honest comparison. If you want deep message monitoring and reports, a paid tool may fit better. If you want the everyday controls most parents use, in one free app, Kubo is hard to beat.
| What you get | Kubo | Google Family Link | Qustodio | Bark |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen-time limits | Yes | Yes | Yes | Limited |
| App blocking | Yes | Yes | Yes | Limited |
| Website filtering | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| See child's location | Latest shared location | Basic location | Location history | Add-on |
| Free tier for core controls | Yes | Yes | One device | No |
| Works without a second phone | Yes, Local Mode | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Platform | Android | Android | Android & iOS | Android & iOS |
Comparison reflects typical free-tier capabilities and may change as each app updates. Kubo focuses on healthy-habit controls rather than deep message monitoring.
Set up parental controls on Android in 3 steps
Under five minutes, no technical setup.
1
Install Kubo on the child's phone
Download Kubo free from Google Play and choose the child profile during setup.
2
Pair or use Local Mode
Pair a parent phone with the child phone using a QR code, or run everything on one device with Local Mode.
3
Set your rules
Choose screen-time limits, block distracting apps, turn on safe browsing, and enable location sharing from the parent side.
How to choose a parental control app for Android
A quick buyer's guide before you install anything.
1. Decide: healthy habits or heavy monitoring?
Parental control apps split into two camps. Monitoring-first tools log messages, track every website, and send detailed reports. Habit-first tools like Kubo focus on limits, blocking, and safe browsing. Most families want the second kind, they want to guide behavior, not surveil it.
2. Look for all-in-one, not a stack of apps
Buying a screen-time app, a web filter, and a locator separately means more cost, more setup, and more for a tech-savvy child to work around. One app that does screen time, app blocking, website protection, and location, like Kubo, is simpler to run and harder to dodge.
3. Check the real price
Many Android parental control apps are free to install but paywall the useful parts fast. Kubo is free for its core controls, with an optional Pro tier. Compare what you actually get for free before you commit. Our pricing page lays out exactly what is included.
4. Make sure it fits your setup
Some apps require a second device to manage rules. Kubo works either way: a single-device Local Mode, or a paired parent-and-child setup over a QR code. Pick what matches the phones you have.
5. Read the privacy policy
A parental control app sits on your child's phone all day. Choose a developer that clearly states it does not sell family data. Kubo is built for families and does not sell your data.
Comparing specific apps? Read our guide to the best free parental control apps for Android, or see Kubo as a child location tracker and a screen-time app for kids.
Parental control app FAQ
The questions parents ask most.
What is the best parental control app for Android?
It depends on your priorities. Google Family Link is a solid free baseline, Qustodio and Bark lean toward detailed monitoring, and Kubo is a strong free all-in-one choice that combines screen-time limits, app blocking, website protection, and location sharing in a single Android app without a subscription to get started.
Is Kubo really free?
Yes. Kubo is free to download and use for its core parental controls, including app blocking, screen-time limits, and safe browsing. Some advanced features are part of Kubo Pro, but you can set up and protect your child's phone without paying. See the pricing page for current details.
What can Kubo control on my child's Android phone?
Kubo lets you block or allow specific apps, set daily screen-time limits and focus schedules, filter unsafe and adult websites with safe search, and see your child's latest shared location with a one-tap open in Maps for pickups.
Does Kubo work without a second phone?
Yes. Kubo offers a Local Mode that runs on a single device, so you can set rules directly on your child's phone. If you have two phones, you can pair a parent and child device with a QR code to manage rules remotely.
Is Kubo a spy app?
No. Kubo is built around healthy habits and transparent family safety, not covert surveillance. It does not read messages or secretly log everything. It focuses on the controls most parents actually use, and works best when your child knows it is installed.
Can I filter websites and block apps at the same time?
Yes. Kubo combines app blocking and website filtering in one app, so content safety and app control come from the same place. You do not need a separate web filter and a separate app blocker.
One app. Every control. Free.
Get screen time, app blocking, website protection, and location in one free Android app.
Get Kubo for Android