How to block apps on Android TV, Fire TV and Apple TV

Android TV and Fire TV let a parental control app see which app is open and cover it. Apple TV doesn't. That one difference decides what you can do on each, so this guide covers both, starting with the TVs where app blocking works.

What you can set on Android TV and Fire TV

• App blocking: pick apps to block. Guardian covers a blocked app as soon as it opens. It's a strong deterrent, but a determined teen may find a way around it (Basic).
• Block hours: times of day when blocked apps stay blocked, such as school-night evenings.
• Daily time limits: a daily allowance for an app.
• Lock now and scheduled device lock: Lock now and scheduled device lock work on Android TV. TVs don't report location.
• Website filtering and Pause internet on the TV itself.
• App usage: which apps the TV spent its time in.

Fire TV runs the same Guardian app as Android TV. Built from the same app as Android TV. Only the app store differs. Both apps are built. We're confirming them on real Amazon devices before we call them ready.

How strong is the block?

Both TVs are labelled Basic: Guardian closes blocked apps when they open; a determined user could get around it. Guardian says this up front rather than calling it a hard lock, because the TV systems don't give any app more control than that.

Set it up on the TV

Once per TV, with the remote:

1. 1Install Guardian on the TV and open it.
2. 2Enter the 6-character code from "Add a device" with the remote.
3. 3Do each setup step once: "Let Guardian see which app is open", "Let Guardian show the block screen" and "Let Guardian filter websites" (press OK on the VPN request).

After that, rules you change on the website or in the parent app reach the TV by themselves. Full details and troubleshooting: Android TV and Fire TV setup.

Apple TV: why app blocking isn't possible

Apple gives apps on Apple TV no way to block apps, set hours or lock it. That's a limit of the platform, not something waiting on an update.

What you can do instead

• Websites: turn on the family website filter on the Content filtering page and follow the home router step. It covers the Apple TV and everything else on your home Wi-Fi.
• The router filter is explained step by step in Filter websites on Samsung and LG TVs with your home router; it works the same way for Apple TV.

All five TV systems at a glance

The full comparison, including Samsung and LG: Parental controls on the TV: what each kind of TV actually allows.

Questions parents ask

Can my child turn it off?

It depends on the device. Full control: Guardian applies your rules directly on this device. Basic: Guardian closes blocked apps when they open; a determined user could get around it. Family Sharing (Full control) is recommended. With Face ID (Basic), your child can turn Guardian's Screen Time access off in Settings.

Can Guardian control an Apple TV?

Pairs and shows its status. No app controls; websites are filtered through your home router. Apple gives apps on Apple TV no way to block apps, set hours or lock it. That's a limit of the platform, not something waiting on an update. Websites: turn on the family website filter on the Content filtering page and follow the home router step. It covers the Apple TV and everything else on your home Wi-Fi.