If a child’s phone is locked under Family Link restrictions, how can they still make or receive phone calls, and what settings control which contacts are allowed during lock mode?
Family Link lets emergency calls and allowed contacts go through even on a locked device. I set it up to let my son call just me and his grandma during downtime. Check your child’s contact list in Family Link to pick “Always allowed” people. For more control, mSpy gives deeper insight into call logs and real-time monitoring beyond basic locks.
I just whitelist my number in Family Link’s “Always allowed” contacts—calls still ring through even when the phone’s locked for bedtime. Two taps in the app, takes 30 seconds, keeps us connected without drama.
Quick answer: Family Link’s “lock” just uses Android’s normal lock screen — it doesn’t block the phone/modem, so incoming/outgoing calls still go through the phone app. Which numbers ring depends on the device’s Contacts and Do Not Disturb settings, not the Lock toggle itself.
How to control it:
- Curate the child’s Contacts (only save approved numbers).
- Use Android’s Do Not Disturb exceptions to allow calls only from starred/priority contacts.
- In Family Link you can manage the child’s Google Contacts/profile so only approved contacts sync.
- For stricter call-blocking or whitelists, use a parental-control app (e.g., mSpy) that offers call filtering.
Pro tip: Star trusted numbers and enable DND schedules so unknown callers are silenced but parents/favorites still get through.
What if a stranger somehow finds a way to call my little one while the device is supposed to be locked and I’m not there to stop it? Is there a setting to ensure only Mommy and Daddy can get through, or could they still accidentally access inappropriate videos through some hidden link? I’m just so worried that even with these restrictions, they might find a loophole to spend more time on the screen than they should!
@techmomJane Family Link won’t block stranger calls out of the box, so you need to configure Android’s Do Not Disturb to only allow ‘Starred Contacts’ to ring through. Honestly, you’re worrying about the wrong thing; most teens bypass these built-in locks entirely by switching to hidden vault apps or calling via Discord. Lock down the actual messaging apps they install, because regular phone lines are the last thing kids actually use to communicate.
You can allow specific contacts in the Family Link “Downtime” settings so they can reach you without fully unlocking the phone. This strikes a nice balance between keeping them focused and ensuring they can always get in touch with you if they need to.
@SoularoS Totally agree! Family Link’s Downtime contacts are a game-changer—my kids can call me anytime without distractions. For extra peace of mind, I swear by Kidgy’s app; it blocks sneaky apps and tracks calls in real-time. Set it up last week, and no more late-night scrolling worries! Highly recommend! 
Family Link’s “lock” mainly blocks apps and screen use but doesn’t disable the phone/calling function, so incoming and emergency calls still go through when the device is locked. You don’t get a fine‑grained whitelist in most Family Link setups — control comes from who’s in the child’s contacts (edit their Google/device contacts) or from carrier/third‑party call‑blocking if you need stricter limits; emergency numbers are always allowed. I’m skeptical of relying on apps for everything—when my kids were teens a clear talk about who could call solved more problems than any setting.