To disable hotspot on your child's Android phone, you must understand that no built-in parental control tool, including Google Family Link, offers a direct toggle to block this feature. The most reliable way to disable hotspot on a child's Android phone is to contact your mobile carrier and request that tethering be blocked at the account level for that specific line.
Why you can't simply disable hotspot on your child's Android phone: The search intent reality check
You likely came here frustrated, expecting a simple switch in settings. The reality is that Android's design treats the mobile hotspot as a core system function, not an app that can be blocked. Google Family Link, the primary remote parental control tool, does not currently offer a direct feature to disable or block the mobile hotspot on a child's Android phone. While you can't block it remotely, you can at least verify how it's configured by turning Android into a hotspot on the child's device to check its password and name. If you need to share a connection in the opposite direction, connecting hotspot from iPhone to Android lets you tether a child's Android phone to your iPhone's data. This gap between what parents want and what the software provides is a common source of frustration, but understanding this limitation is the first step toward a real solution.
The real risks of an unrestricted hotspot
Leaving the hotspot active on your child's device creates three verified dangers. First, it bypasses any content filters you have set up on the phone itself, because other devices connect directly to the cellular network through the hotspot. Second, it can lead to excessive data charges, as friends or the child themselves may stream video or download large files on connected devices. Third, it allows unauthorized device access, where anyone within Wi-Fi range can connect to the phone, potentially exposing it to malware or unwanted data use.
Workaround 1: Ask your carrier to block tethering
This is the most effective method for permanently disabling the hotspot. Contact your mobile carrier's customer support and ask them to disable the tethering or hotspot feature on your child's specific phone line. Carriers can apply this restriction at the network level, meaning the phone itself will not be able to create a hotspot, even if the software option appears in settings. This method works regardless of the Android version and cannot be undone by the child.
Workaround 2: Lock settings with Android's on-device parental controls
For devices running Android 16 and later versions, you can use the built-in on-device parental controls found under Settings > Parental controls. These controls can be secured with a PIN that only you know. While this does not remove the hotspot toggle, it prevents your child from entering the settings menu to turn the hotspot on without your permission. These on-device controls also allow setting screen time limits, scheduling device downtime, managing individual apps, and filtering web content, making them a useful complement to carrier-level blocking.
What Family Link can and can't do
Google Family Link is a powerful tool, but it has clear limits regarding hotspots. Family Link allows parents to set daily screen time limits, schedule device downtime, approve or block app downloads, manage content filters for Google services (Chrome, Play, YouTube, Search), and track device location. However, it cannot block the hotspot feature. Parents have reported that even when a child's phone is locked by Family Link's downtime features, the hotspot can still be enabled. This means that if you rely solely on Family Link, your child could still share their internet connection with other devices during restricted hours.
Talking to your child about responsible data use
Technical restrictions work best when paired with a conversation. Explain the risks of using a phone hotspot, such as how it can quickly drain the monthly data allowance or expose the phone to strangers. Discuss the concept of "techniques and workarounds" that some children might try, and frame the restrictions as a partnership in responsible device use. This builds trust and helps your child understand that the goal is safety, not punishment.
