How to Set Up Parental Controls Amazon Fire TV Stick

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction

In This Guide

You'll Learn:

  • How to set Parental Controls on your Amazon Fire TV.
  • How the ratings system works with Prime video.
Amazon Fire TV logo.

2. Overview of Parental Controls

Once you set or enter your PIN, you can manage the following parental controls preferences:

Parental Controls screen on Fire TV.

What Controls Does the Fire TV Give You?

  • Parental Controls - Select to disable all parental control features.
  • PIN Protect Purchases - Require your PIN to authorize purchases from Amazon (including digital items and physical products). Select to enable or disable.
  • PIN Protect App Launches - Require your PIN to open apps on your device, including pre-installed apps like Amazon Music and Prime Photos. You can still browse Apps from the Fire TV menu, but will be prompted to enter your PIN before you can access any apps or games installed on your device. Select to enable or disable.
  • PIN Protect Prime Photos App - Require your PIN to open the Prime Photos app, which you can use to view your photos and personal videos from Amazon Drive on your Fire TV. Select to enable or disable.
  • Viewing Restrictions - Block playback of movies and TV shows from Prime Video and selected third-party providers, based on their ratings category. Select to enter Viewing Restrictions settings.
  • Change your PIN - Select to change your Prime Video PIN.

3. Enable Parental Controls

Here's how you can enable parental controls on your Fire TV:

  1. Using your remote, from the main Fire TV menu go to Settings.
Settings highlighted on Fire TV main screen.
  1. Then go to Preferences.
Preferences selected in Fire TV settings.
  1. And select Parental Controls.
Parental Controls selected in Fire TV preferences.
  1. Select Parental Controls again to enable the feature and set a PIN.
PIN entry screen for Fire TV parental controls.
  1. Press the Menu button to switch between sets of digits 0 to 4 and 5 to 9 on the PIN entry wheel.
PIN entry screen in Fire TV parental controls.
  1. With the PIN set, you will be shown all the Parental Controls settings that you can configure.

4. Change Parental Control PIN

Do the following if you wish to change your PIN:

  1. Using your remote, from the main Fire TV menu go to Settings.
Settings highlighted on Fire TV main screen.
  1. Then go to Preferences.
Preferences selected in Fire TV settings.
  1. And select Parental Controls.
Parental Controls selected in Fire TV preferences.
  1. Using the remote, type in your PIN.
PIN entry screen for Fire TV parental controls.
  1. Select Change Pin.
Selecting change pin
  1. Enter your PIN.
Entering pin
  1. Enter your new PIN.
Entering your new pin
  1. Enter your new PIN again to confirm it.
Entering pin again for confirmation

5. Adjust Parental Controls

  1. Using your remote, from the main Fire TV menu go to Settings.
Settings highlighted on Fire TV main screen.
  1. Then go to Preferences.
Preferences selected in Fire TV settings.
  1. And select Parental Controls.
Parental Controls selected in Fire TV preferences.
  1. Using the remote, type in your PIN.
PIN entry screen for Fire TV parental controls.
  1. Select the control you want to adjust.
  2. Select PIN Protect Purchases to toggle whether a PIN is needed to purchase movies, music, and apps.
Pin protect purchases
  1. Viewing Restrictions allows you to lock playback of movies and TV shows from Prime Video and selected third-party providers, based on their ratings category.
Viewing restrictions
    Each ratings category includes a description that combines TV and movie ratings with recommended audiences, organized by level:
  • General (General Audiences G, TV-G, TV-Y) - Videos suitable for General Audiences.
  • Family (PG, NR Family, TV-Y7, TV-Y7-FV, TV-PG) - Videos suitable for General Audiences and older children.
  • Teen (Teens and Young Adults PG 13, TV 14) - Videos suitable for General Audiences, Family, Teens, and Young Adults.
  • Mature (No Restrictions R, NC-17, TV-MA, Unrated, Not rated) - All videos, including those not rated or for mature audiences.
Viewer rating selections
  1. PIN Protect App Launches will require a PIN whenever an app is launched.
Protecting app launches with a PIN
  1. PIN Protect Prime Photos App requires your PIN to open the Prime Photos app, which you can use to view your photos and personal videos from Amazon Drive on your Fire TV.
PIN protecting prime photos

6. Block Explicit Songs

The explicit filter works from your Amazon Music account, not your Fire TV. Don't worry, if you have an Amazon account at all, you have a Music account.

  1. Launch the Amazon Music app from the Fire TV menu.
Amazon Music app highlighted in Fire TV menu.
  1. Go to Your Name at the top right corner.
Settings for amazon music
  1. Select Preferences.
Preferences
  1. Toggle Block Explicit Songs.
Blocking explicit songs