Microsoft Family Safety
Monitor screen time and build healthy habits with Family Safety
Total ratings
3.59
(Rating count:
38,272)Review summary
These summaries are automatically generated weekly using AI based on recent user reviews.
Google Play Store does not verify user reviews, so some user reviews may be inaccurate,
spammy, or outdated. Pros
- Functional for managing screen time on Microsoft devices
- Integrates with Xbox for tracking gaming time
- Allows remote control of children's computer usage
Cons
- Extremely unreliable and buggy
- Slow performance and lag when updating information
- Poor notification system and communication between app and devices
- Difficult user interface and navigation
- Frequent disconnections and account recognition issues
Most mentioned
- App frequently fails to track screen time correctly
- Notifications do not display or are delayed
- Performance issues with lag and slow updates
- Inconsistent ability to approve additional screen time requests
- Recent updates have caused significant functionality problems
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User reviews
Recent rating average:
1.90
All time rating average:
3.59
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| Date | Author | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-02-04 |  | | I wish I could give zero stars. This app is the biggest pain to use. After 3 days of use it stopped showing me any updates on my daughter's usage and her computer constantly says "5 minutes left" even if she just turned it on for the day. It would be great if I could completely delete the app and start fresh but of course the steps I've found online for that don't work. Absolute dumpster fire of a service. |
| 2025-01-18 |  | | Thanks for creating an app for this! I have a lot of feedback, but can only add 2: 1. I would suggest that you seek inspiration from the family link app. The interface here has a better UI for keeping track of active sessions, daily limits and requests - this is the most important part of the app for me. Implement a timer feature that shows the current active session and the ability to add or remove time dynamically to the session. |
| 2024-12-20 |  | | Frustratingly slow. Edit: I reached out as instructed below with logs. I was asked for a video. I provided a video. They responded asking for more details about the problem I was having, including a screenshot, as if I were a new case. I'd be happy to help/provide any information I can, but you're going to have to put me in contact with an engineer or SME. I have Gigabit internet so I doubt it's a bandwidth issue. Google's Family App (Family Link) is always fast to get in and edit times. |
| 2024-12-11 |  | | Great potential, could benefit from a 'Bonus Time' option like Google's Family Link. Awesome that it extends into individual Xbox games. Unfortunately it's unstable, sometimes doesn't send notifications, and recently my kid's whole account disappeared with no more than a vague notification of suspension without explanation, leaving them with a completely unlocked computer. For a company as large as Microsoft, there's really no excuse for that. |
| 2024-12-08 |  | | Slow and unreliable - lots of timeout errors ("it's not you it's us" errors) and inconsistent or incorrect data - including time and funds (!) balances. The app is nearly unusable as a result. The website works better (and then says "there's an app for this" - ha). At least it applies limits as promised. Much information apparently take ages to propagate between their servers, as it's often outdated and wrong as shown. Approval notifications and adding funds don't update correctly after action. |
| 2024-12-01 |  | | Gets the job done, but is pretty clunky. One specific issue is trying to use website allow lists. You can't add sites directly in the app and when you want to allow a recently blocked site it takes a long time for it to show up in the recently blocked list. Update: still pretty terrible if not getting worse. 5 to 10 seconds to load each screen. Horrible layout. Very slow to update target machines. |
| 2024-11-30 |  | | Really nice concept, but execution by such a powerhouse like microsoft is a bit disappointing. We use it to help control and monitor windows and xbox devices of children. Notifications are poor, getting to add time often have to refresh multiple times to see the time request, viewing screen time usage or reports is poor, using a combo of windows and xbox time is not available. I appreciate microsoft even having an app so for that 3 stars, not being a truly comprehensive app misses 2 stars. |
| 2024-11-27 |  | | I've used this for years without issues until recently. I've tried clearing cache uninstall ingredients and reinstalling. However, it no longer us keeping time limits correctly and continuously says oops it not you it's us. It will not refresh. I give and hour time and 2 hrs later my sons game has not been cut off. I tried sending logs but that parts sits and churns also. Apparently no one is minding the store! |
| 2024-11-17 |  | | Provides really useful information about screen time on Microsoft devices. However the email notifications are really annoying and there are no guides for turning them off, despite comments in the forum to use the settings menu. Post images showing the settings because I think the app changed and the setting is not where the support team says. |
| 2024-11-10 |  | | This is honestly one of the worst apps I've ever used. I use it exclusively for PC monitoring and it only works marginal. Extra time requests don't work. I'll approve and hour and it won't go through, instead I have to just use trial and error until my son can use his computer, and even then the amount of time he's allowed to play is random. The "lock device" button is not a button but just text that looks like a button. What does work is the schedule for when he can use the computer. |
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