GoKawiilSamsung to require parental approval for grayed-out apps on Galaxy phones starting 2027
Samsung announced a new parental control feature for Galaxy devices that will gray out certain apps on a child's phone until a parent or guardian explicitly approves them. This applies to both preinstalled apps and ones the child has already downloaded, and is set to launch in 2027 as part of a future One UI update, though Samsung hasn't specified which apps will be affected or the exact criteria used.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The move suggests Samsung is positioning parental oversight as a bigger selling point for its devices, potentially competing with similar controls from Apple and Google. Because Samsung hasn't detailed which apps qualify or how judgments are made, the actual impact on families and app developers remains uncertain until closer to rollout.
- Some apps on children's Galaxy phones will require explicit parental approval before use
- The feature covers both preinstalled and already-downloaded apps
- Rollout is planned for 2027 via a future One UI update, possibly One UI 9.5 or 10
Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ Kids Edition — If you're looking to actually put Samsung's new parental control features to use, the Galaxy Tab A9+ Kids Edition is a natural fit, built specifically for family device management with guardian oversight baked in. It pairs nicely with the kind of app-approval system Samsung is rolling out, giving parents a dedicated device to manage rather than retrofitting controls onto a shared family phone.
See Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ Kids Edition on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: androidauthority.com, 2026-10-27
Published there as: “Samsung wants you actively approving or blocking your child’s apps”
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