How to set up parental controls on a Xiaomi phone: a step-by-step guide to 2026

Controlling what kids do on smartphones has become an integral part of modern parenting. Xiaomi smartphones (including the Redmi and POCO lines) offer built-in tools to limit content, time to use and access apps — but not everyone knows how to use them properly. In this article, we’ll look at all the ways to set up parental controls, from basic restrictions in MIUI to third-party apps with advanced features.

It's important to understand that MIUI has its own features, for example, in MIUI 12-14 versions, the parental control algorithm is different from standard Android. We'll take these nuances into account and show you how to set up protections so that your child can't get around it through resetting or flashing, and we'll also look at hidden features that aren't written about in the official instructions, such as how to block access to FastBoot or disable the ability to install APK from unknown sources.

If you've never set up parental controls before, don't worry: the instructions are designed to be handled by even a beginner, and for power users, we've added advanced techniques like how to use ADB to block system applications or configure geofences through Mi Account.

1. Built-in Parental Controls in MIUI: Basic settings

To start with, the basics are built-in MIUI tools, which do not require additional apps and run on all modern Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones (starting with MIUI 10), the main advantage of which is that it does not eat up the extra battery and does not conflict with system processes.

To activate parental control:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Parental Controls.
2. Click Enable Parental Controls and install PIN-code (remember or write it down!).
3. Select a child profile (if not, create a new one through Mi Account).
4. Set time limits, apps and content.

Here’s what you can limit through standard settings:

• ⏰ Time of use: set a limit on screen time (e.g. 2 hours per day).
• 📱 Blocking apps: ban access to games, social networks or stores (Google Play, Mi Store).
• 🔞 Content Filtering: Limit Adult Website Access via Browser.
• 🛒 Shopping: Block the possibility of payment in apps.

But there are downsides to built-in control, such as a child can reset settings through Recovery if they know the button combination, and to avoid that, turn off the developer mode and lock the bootloader:

fastboot oem lock

This command will block the ability to firmware the phone without your knowledge. Read more about locking the bootloader in the section on advanced methods.

2. Set up via Mi Account: remote control and geofences

If you have a Mi Account (which all Xiaomi owners have), you can remotely control your child's device, which is convenient when you need to lock your phone or check your location.

1. Register your child with a separate Mi Account (or use your own, but it’s less safe).
2. Link his phone to your account via Settings → Mi Account → Family.
3. Install the Mi Family Guard app (available from the Mi Store).

Through the Mi Family Guard, you can:

• 📍 Tracking the location of your phone in real time.
• 🕒 Install geo-fences (e.g. school, home) and receive notifications when a child leaves them.
• 📵 Lock your phone remotely (useful if lost or stolen).
• 📊 View statistics on application usage.

Important: Geofences and location tracking on your child's phone must be enabled with geolocation services and Mobile Data (or Wi-Fi) if your child turns them off, you won't see their location. To avoid this, block access to geolocation settings through parental control.

3. Advanced methods: ADB, bootloader lock and hidden MIUI features

If you don't think standard settings are enough, you can use advanced techniques, which require a little bit more technical knowledge, but give you a lot more control, and with ADB, for example, you can:

• 🔒 Block system applications (e.g. Settings or FastBoot).
• ⚙️ Turn off the developer mode forever (so that the child can’t turn it on).
• 📱 Set a password on the bootloader (without it you can not flash the phone).

To work with ADB You will need a computer and USB-Here are the basic commands:

adb shell pm hide com.android.settings # hides "Settings"


adb shell settings put global development_settings_enabled 0 # disables developer mode




adb shell pm disable-user com.miui.securitycenter # blocks "Security"

Another useful trick is blocking APK installation, and many children manage to download games and apps bypassing Google Play through.apk files to prevent this from happening:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Special Rights → Installation from unknown sources.
2. Disable permission for all applications (including browsers and file managers).

4.Side of the application: Kaspersky, Norton and Google Family Link

If the built-in MIUI tools aren't enough, you can use third-party apps that offer advanced features such as:

• 📹 Controlling YouTube (blocking individual videos or channels).
• 💬 Monitoring of messages in messengers (VK, Telegram, WhatsApp).
• 🎮 Restriction by category of games (e.g. blocking shooters").

The most popular parental control apps are:

When choosing an app, consider compatibility with MIUI. Some programs (such as Norton Family) may conflict with Xiaomi system services.

⚠️ Attention: Parts of the parental control app may slow down your phone and consume extra battery. If you notice your phone is getting hot or running out quickly, try turning off the app's background activity in your settings. MIUI.

5. How to bypass parental controls: what children know (and how to prevent it)

Children quickly learn to bypass restrictions, and here are the most common ways they use them, and how to block them:

• 🔄 Reset to factory settings: Solution: Enable Mi Account Protection in your security settings. Without your password, reset will not be possible.
• 🛠️ Developer Mode: Solution: Disable It Through ADB (command above) or set a password for settings.
• 🌐 VPN Proxy: Solution: Block the installation VPN-Applications through parental control.
• 📱 Second user profile: Solution: disable the ability to create new users in Settings → System system → Multiplayer mode.

Another popular trick is to install alternative firmware (like LineageOS), so to avoid this, lock the bootloader as described in the Advanced Methods section, and check if apps like Magisk or TWRP are installed on the phone, which are often used to bypass restrictions.

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If a child is 12 years old, it's better to negotiate rules on how to use the phone than to tighten controls, such as allowing social media access only after completing homework, which will reduce the desire to circumvent restrictions.

6. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Many parents make the same mistakes when setting up control, and here are the most common ones:

1. Using one Mi Account for all devices: If you and your child share an account, they can turn off control over your phone. Always create a separate profile.
2. Forgotten PIN-code: If you forget PIN You can only reset it from parental control by resetting your phone.
3. No backup control method: Rely not only on built-in settings, but also on third-party apps or Mi Family Guard.
4. Ignoring Updates: After the MIUI update, the control settings may reset. Check them after each update.

Another common problem is application conflict, for example, if you use Kaspersky Safe Kids and built-in MIUI control at the same time, the phone might start to brake, in which case you only have one solution.

⚠️ Note: If you are using older Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi) 4X or Mi A1), In this case, it is better to install third-party apps such as Google Family Link immediately.

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The most reliable control scheme is the built-in MIUI + Mi Family Guard + lock the bootloader, which protects against 90% of the ways of bypassing.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)