FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to create an account?
No. Family Lock runs on the family's computer. There's no sign-up, no dashboard and nothing to log into to use it.
Do you see what my family browses?
No. We never see what your kids browse, or what a parent or grandparent visits. Family Lock does not collect, store or sell browsing history, and there is no account that tracks it. Settings stay on the family's computer. When paid plans launch, a licence check will confirm your key is valid; that check does not include browsing data. See our privacy page for the details.
What if my child opens a different browser?
Family Lock itself runs in Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge. The Windows installer, and the Mac profile, also lock it into those browsers, switch off Incognito or InPrivate, Guest mode and new profiles, and block Firefox if it is ever installed, so those usual ways around it are closed. It does not control every other browser. A portable copy of Chrome, or a browser we don't manage, such as Brave or Opera, can still be used unless you remove it or limit it another way, for example with Windows settings or Mac Screen Time. We're upfront about that: Family Lock is a lock for the browsers most families already use, not a filter for the whole computer.
Can my child switch it off?
Settings and switching Family Lock off need your parent PIN. Give your child a standard Windows or Mac account, not an administrator account, so they can't uninstall things on their own. If they are on an administrator account, the Windows installer still asks for your PIN before uninstall, and a helper puts the browser protections back if someone tries to remove them. On a Mac, the Family Lock profile keeps it in place.
Does it still work with a VPN?
Yes. Family Lock works inside the browser, so a VPN doesn't get around it. On Windows the installer also stops VPN extensions being added in Chrome and Edge.
Which computers does it work on?
Chrome and Microsoft Edge on Windows and Mac. Each plan covers up to 3 computers, with every browser on those computers included in the licence (you don't pay per browser). Protection itself is for Chrome and Edge, as described in the second-browser question.
Does it include safe search?
Yes. Every Family Lock plan turns on safe search in Google, Bing and DuckDuckGo, and the Windows installer or Mac profile locks it on. YouTube Restricted Mode is optional and off by default, because it can hide school videos.
Does it work on Chromebooks, iPads or phones?
Not yet. Family Lock is for Windows and Mac computers. School-managed Chromebooks are usually controlled by the school.
What if I forget my PIN?
On Windows, you'll be able to run setup again from your administrator account and choose a new PIN. On a Mac, you'll remove the Family Lock profile in System Settings → Privacy & Security → Profiles (it needs your Mac password), then install a new profile with a new PIN.
Can my child still watch YouTube?
Yes. Normal videos and search keep working. Only Shorts and Playables are switched off, unless you change those switches.
Is Family Lock Seniors available now?
Not yet. It's on the way, under the same Family Lock brand. Join the waitlist and choose Seniors, or both, and we'll email you when it's ready.
Do you store browsing data in the cloud?
No. Some tools that filter the web in the cloud keep browsing logs for months. Family Lock doesn't work that way, and we don't keep those logs.