Sony has released PlayStation Family, a mobile app for iOS and Android that lets parents and guardians configure and manage children’s PlayStation experiences from their phones. The app brings console parental features—such as playtime limits and age restrictions—into a dedicated companion for iPhone and Android devices.
PlayStation Family provides visibility into what children are playing, delivers activity reports, and allows parents to approve or deny requests for extra playtime directly from their mobile device, according to a company statement.
Key features available at launch
- Real-time notifications: Parents receive alerts about what a child is playing and can approve or decline requests for extra playtime or access to restricted games from the mobile device.
- Activity reports: Daily and weekly reports summarize playtime and other activities, offering up-to-date information on a child’s usage.
- Manage playtime: Set recreation time limits for each day of the week. Children can request additional playtime from the console, and parents can respond via the app or tablet.
- Spending controls: Add funds, view balances and set a monthly spending limit for purchases in the PlayStation Store.
- Content filters: Apply age-appropriate content settings using presets that can be further customized per child.
- Social interaction settings: Customize privacy and how children connect and play with others by managing access to social features.
Compatibility and availability
The PlayStation Family app supports iOS 14 and Android 8 or later. It is already available for download on the App Store and Google Play.
Industry context
Sony’s move follows years in which other console makers have offered mobile parental controls. Microsoft has provided Xbox parental settings through a mobile app since 2019, and Nintendo introduced a parental control app with the Switch in 2018. Observers note that international pressure for stronger platform controls may have influenced the timing of Sony’s release.
