I can no longer use the Microsoft family safety app

Hi NickJ6, my name is Rodrigo. I'm an Independent Advisor and a member of the Microsoft community and I'd love to assist you today.

I am sorry to hear that.

You can still set it for Consoles.

To download the Latest Family App: https://www.xbox.com/apps/family-settings-app

For PC, you can use the Microsoft Family Safety App:

https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/family-safety

The problem is not on Xbox. The problem is associated with the Microsoft Family Safety App as well as the online Family Safety website.

There was no option under the list of “products” close to the Family Safety App except under Xbox when I submitted this request for help. Nor is there a “chat” or “phone” support option for the App…

I appreciate the above info but it is all unrelated to the Family Safety App which affects use across more than just Xbox, such as laptop, online access etc. for kids in the family.

Any help on the App and notification settings within the App is what I am looking for support on.

Hello Jivraj Kainth,



Greetings!



Thank you for posting in Microsoft Community.



It seems that you're experiencing issues with the Microsoft Family application especially not receiving the notification from the app. Let us check and see on what we can do to help address your concern in a timely manner.



Firstly, I would recommend checking your notification settings to ensure that you have enabled notifications for the Microsoft Family application. You can do this by going to the Settings app on your device, selecting Notifications & actions, and then scrolling down to find the Microsoft Family app. From there, you can toggle the switch to enable notifications.



If you have already enabled notifications and are still not receiving them, you can try uninstalling and reinstalling the Microsoft Family application. This can help to resolve any issues with the app that may be preventing notifications from being sent.

Additionally, you can check the following article provided in the link below for reference:

Troubleshooting the Xbox Family Settings app | Xbox Support

Troubleshooting Microsoft Family Safety - Microsoft Support

We look forward to your response. Kindly let us know, if there is any misunderstanding or clarifications of our description by sending us a reply.



Sincerely,

Since you’ve confirmed that your birthdate is correct, you’re not part of any family group, and you've already had a former family organizer grant permission — but Family Safety still blocks the game — this sounds like a persistent background restriction tied to Windows settings or cached Family Safety data.

Here’s what I recommend next:

1. Fully remove any remaining Family Safety settings

Even after leaving a family group, some local restrictions can linger.

Try this:

Go to Settings > Accounts > Family & other users

Make sure your account is listed as an adult or a standalone user

If there's still a “Microsoft family” label, remove yourself or switch to a local account temporarily to test

2. Check the Family Safety app (if installed)

Open Microsoft Family Safety on your PC or phone

Make sure no restrictions are still applied under “Screen time” or “App limits”

If your old family settings still show up, remove yourself again

3. Clear Game Pass and Xbox app data

There could be cached restrictions still in the Xbox App:

Sign out of the Xbox app and Microsoft Store

Restart your PC

Sign back in using only the adult Microsoft account you want to use

4. Try launching the game from the Xbox App (not Start menu)

Sometimes launching directly from the Xbox App > Library bypasses Family Safety restrictions, especially for Game Pass titles

If none of this works and Family Safety still blocks the game, then yes — buying it through Steam may be the better move. Steam handles age restrictions differently and doesn’t apply Family Safety layers the way Microsoft does.

Let me know if you want help with clearing the app cache or checking if Steam’s version might share progress. Update me if this works or not for you.

Hi Pazlev, my name is Rodrigo. I'm an Independent Advisor and a member of the Microsoft community and I'd love to assist you today.

I am sorry to hear that.

To adjust your child screen time you can use the App.

For the Console, please download the Family Settings App:

https://www.xbox.com/apps/family-settings-app

For PC, you can use the Microsoft Family Safety App:

https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/family-safety

As for the account funds, please, temporalily turn off the Ask to buy option and ask your child to attempt the purchase again.

Sign in to your Family page with an adult Microsoft account.

https://account.microsoft.com/family/

Find the child's name and select More options > Spending.

Under the Ask to buy section, switch Needs organizer approval to buy things to Off.

I hope this helps.