Microsoft Releases Xbox Family Parental Control App Preview

Microsoft has released a preview of its Xbox Family app. With the app, it is possible to set parental control features such as limiting screen time, setting filters on content and limiting chat functions.

The Xbox Family app is available for download for Android and is also being tested for iOS through Apple’s Testflight program, which can host up to 10,000 participants. The app aims to make setting up parental controls easier. Parents or guardians can do that from their phone, without having to operate the Xbox.

Features that are already present in the Xbox software are available from the app. For example, it is possible to set a limit on screen time. That limit can be adjusted per day. It is also possible to set filters based on age. That way, only games that are suitable for certain ages are visible.

Parents can also use the app to change communication settings. It is possible to block all communication with other players, or set it to ‘friends only’. The app also includes reports, which can be used to view Xbox account usage. Microsoft plans to officially release the Xbox Family app later this year.