Learn how to set up parental controls to limit the programs that your child can watch through the Xfinity Stream app. We'll show you how to set up parental controls using the Apple version of the mobile app. The procedures are essentially the same for the Android mobile app, but the steps or screens may be slightly different.
Note: The Xfinity Stream app is available to all Xfinity customers. Some content and features may vary depending on your location and services.
What you'll need:
- Mobile device that meets app requirements
- Xfinity ID and password
- Reliable internet connection
Enable parental controls
Let's get started with enabling parental controls for the Xfinity Stream app.
Have more than one device? Parental controls are not shared between devices, so you'll need to complete this process on each device where you'd like to apply parental controls. You can also apply different parental controls on each device.
- Tap the person icon in the top left corner.
- In the Settings menu, tap Parental controls.
- In the Parental controls menu, tap the On/Off switch next to Parental controls.
- In the create PIN pop-up box, enter a four-digit parental control PIN.
- Write down your PIN and keep it in a safe place. If you forget your parental control PIN, you'll need to contact us to reset it.
- In the verify PIN pop-up box, re-enter your new PIN.
Did you know? Once you create your parental control PIN, the next time you disable or enable parental controls, you'll only need to enter your current PIN once for verification.
Now that you've enabled parental controls and created a parental controls PIN, you can set up additional controls to limit what your child watches through the Xfinity Stream app.
Want to change your PIN? Tap Modify PIN in the Parental controls window, enter your current PIN, and then create a new one as described above.
Enable Face ID (Apple devices only)
Face ID uses your face stored in your Apple device to identify you when changing parental controls. This is a more convenient and secure alternative to using your parental control PIN.
In the Parental controls window, tap the On/Off switch next to Enable face ID. If the Enable face ID option is dimmed, face ID isn't available for this device.
Did you know? If you tap Enable face ID without setting up a face ID in your Apple device, the mobile app will continue to prompt you for your parental control PIN in order to change parental controls.
That's it! You can now use face ID to change parental controls instead of entering your parental control PIN.
Hide program titles and descriptions with Safe Browse
Are there certain programs that you don't want to see listed on the Xfinity Stream app? Safe Browse hides Adult titles and descriptions when browsing TV listings and On Demand programs.
Careful! Safe Browse won't prevent anyone from watching a restricted program; it simply hides the title and description. To block programs from being watched, see:
Here's how to set up Safe Browse:
- In the Parental controls window, tap Safe Browse.
- In the Safe Browse window, select your preferred Safe Browse level:
- Hide None: All titles and descriptions are displayed during browsing.
- Hide NR and Adult: Hides titles and descriptions of Adult and some not rated (NR) programs.
- Hide NC-17, TV-MA, NR, and Adult: Hides titles and descriptions of Adult, some not rated (NR) programs and programs rated TV-MA or NC-17.
- When you're finished, tap the back arrow to return to the Parental controls window.
That's it! Now you can let anyone in your household browse the Xfinity Stream portal without them seeing programs that you think are inappropriate.
Lock movies by rating
Use the Movie Ratings control to block your child from watching movies that have a specific rating.
- In the Parental controls window, tap Movie Ratings.
- In the Movie Ratings window, tap each movie rating that you want to restrict (lock).
- When you're finished, tap the back arrow to return to the Parental controls window.
Now your child won't be able to watch any movie that has a rating you've locked.
Lock TV shows by rating
Use the TV Ratings control to block your child from watching TV programs that have a specific TV rating.
- In the Parental controls window, tap TV Ratings.
- In the TV Ratings window, tap the TV rating that you want to restrict (lock).
- In the Rating window, tap the On/Off switch to lock all programs with the selected rating.
- To unlock programs with this rating only if they contain a specific kind of content, tap the content type (for example, L - Crude indecent language).
- When you're finished, tap the back arrow to return to the TV Ratings window.
- Repeat this process for each TV rating you want to lock.
- When you're finished, tap the back arrow to return to the Parental controls window.
Now your child won't be able to watch any TV show that has a rating you've locked.
Lock networks and channels
Use the Networks and Channels control to prevent your child from watching On Demand programs or channels from a particular network. For example, you may want your child to be able to watch the HBO Family channel, but not other channels in the HBO network.
- In the Parental controls window, tap Networks & Channels.
- In the Networks & Channels window:
- Tap Lock all to lock all the networks, then select each network you want to unlock.
or - Leave all the networks unlocked and select each network that you want to lock.
- Tap Lock all to lock all the networks, then select each network you want to unlock.
- In the Network window:
- Tap Quick Lock to lock or unlock all programs from this network.
or - Tap each channel you want to lock or unlock. A lock appears next to each locked channel.
- Tap Quick Lock to lock or unlock all programs from this network.
- When you're finished, tap the back arrow to return to the Networks & Channels window.
- Repeat this process for each network whose channels you want to lock or unlock.
- When you're finished, tap the back arrow to return to the Parental controls window.
That's it! Your child will only be able to watch programs on unlocked networks and channels.
Block specific programs
Are there specific TV shows or movies that you don't want your child to watch? With Title locks, you can prevent your child from watching individual programs.
Lock a title
- Find the program you want to block. Here are three ways you can find a program and view its details:
- Use the Search function to find the program, then tap the program title in the search results.
- Browse the live TV listings, then tap the program.
- Browse the On Demand listings, then tap the program picture.
- After selecting the program, tap the three dots
in the top-right corner.
- Tap Set Parental Lock.
- In the PIN pop-up box, enter your parental control PIN.
- Repeat this process for other individual programs you want to block.
Reviewing locked titles
Use the Titles control to see which titles you've locked and quickly unlock or re-lock them.
- In the Parental controls window, tap Titles.
- The Titles window lists all the program titles that you've individually locked. Tap a program to unlock it or re-lock it.
- When you're finished, tap the back arrow to return to the Parental controls window.