How to turn off parental control on Xiaomi Redmi 5

Xiaomi Redmi 5 series smartphones, despite their age, remain popular devices, often transferred from parents to children or bought as second gadgets for younger family members. However, when buying a used device or after a long break in use, owners can face the unpleasant situation: the device is blocked by digital security systems, most often it is standard MIUI tools or third-party applications that restrict access to phone functions.

To make matters worse, Android’s security algorithms are constantly being improved, and older reset methods may not work on updated firmware. Complete removal of restrictions is only possible if you have physical access to the settings menu or administrator account. If you forget your pin code or buy a phone with already established restrictions, you will need a clear action plan to restore full functionality.

In this article, we will discuss all known ways to deactivate security mechanisms. We will look at standard methods through system settings, forced data reset and bypassing the locks of Google Family Link. It is important to understand that each method has its own risks and consequences, so follow the instructions carefully so that you do not lose personal data.

Analysis of the type of lock installed on Redmi 5

Before you take any action, you need to determine exactly which control mechanism is activated on your Redmi 5. This determines the choice of unlock strategy. In the Xiaomi and Android ecosystem, there are three main types of restrictions, each of which requires a personalized approach.

The first option is the built-in Parental Control feature in the MIUI shell, which allows you to restrict the launch of applications and access to certain menu sections without deep integration with your Google account, and the second, more complex case is the Google Family Link service, which tightly links the device to your parent's account.

The third type is third-party locker apps downloaded from Google Play, which can mimic system lock windows, requiring a password to be entered every time the screen is turned on, and misidentifying the lock type can lead to an endless password reset cycle that will not work.

• 🔒 System limiter MIUI: Blocks the launch of selected applications by asking for a password when you try to log in.
• 👨‍👩‍👧 Google Family Link: Full device control requiring permission from your parent account for any changes.
• 📱 Third-party launchers: Apps that replace desktop and block access to phone settings.

⚠️ Note: If the device is activated Google Family Link, a simple reset may not help, as when you reactivate the phone will ask for a password from the account of the family organizer.

Standard shutdown via MIUI settings

If you have access to the main interface and you know the current password, disabling control occurs through the standard settings menu, which is the most secure method and does not require deleting user data. You need to go to the Settings section and find the item related to security or special features.

Depending on the version of MIUI firmware on your Redmi 5, the path may vary slightly. Usually, the item you're looking for is called "Parent Control" or "Limitations." Once you enter the correct access code, the system will prompt you to completely deactivate the function.

In some cases, especially on older versions of Android, the password can be reset by clearing the data of the system application “Security”. To do this, go to Settings → Apps → All applications, find the desired application and click Clear Data.

Resetting password through Google Account

In situations where the password is forgotten, but the device is tied to your personal Google account, you can use the recovery function, which works if the smartphone is connected to the Internet and sync is not broken, you will need access to a computer or other smartphone to manage your account settings.

Go to the official Android device management website via your browser. Select Redmi 5 from your device list. If Family Link is activated, there will be a time management or app lock button, you can temporarily remove restrictions or change your password remotely.

If you’re talking about a standard screen or app lock, try resetting your password through the Google Account Restore Form, and after successfully changing your password on all the devices you sign in, the new data can be synced to the locked phone if it’s online.

Using Recovery Mode for Full Reset

When software methods are unavailable, the only option is to force reset to factory settings via the Recovery menu.This process completely erases all data from Redmi 5's internal drive, including photos, contacts and installed apps. Make sure you understand the consequences before starting the procedure.

To enter recovery mode, turn off your smartphone. Then press the up volume button and the power button at the same time. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then release the power button, while continuing to keep the volume. In the menu that appears, the navigation is done with the volume buttons, and the choice is made with the power button.

Select a language (usually English or Chinese), then go to Wipe Data or Clear User Data. Confirm the action. Once the process is complete, select Reboot. The phone will launch as new, and all parental control passwords will be deleted along with the rest of the information.

⚠️ Note: After resetting through Recovery, the protection system FRP (Factory Reset Protection can request a Google account that was previously synced to that device, and without that data, you can't turn on the phone.

The Google Family Link Restrictions

Family Link is the most challenging situation, because it's designed specifically to prevent unauthorized removal of restrictions by children. Simply uninstalling an app or resetting settings is often blocked by Google's server. If you're trying to unlock a device that's not yours, the only legal way to do so is to contact the owner of the parent account.

However, if the device was purchased from hand and the previous owner did not untie it, there is a technical nuance: on some versions of Android and MIUI, it helps to remove system updates to the Google Play service, you need to go to the application settings, find Google Play Services and click “Delete Updates”.

After that, if you're lucky, the phone can let you delete the Family Link app or shut down the Internet when you check the license. Often users use the "date method": changing the system date in the settings can temporarily disrupt the sync with the server, allowing you to remove the limiting application. But this works unstable and depends on the specific version of the software.

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Try to completely disable the Internet before removing Google updates (exit) SIM-card and disable Wi-Fi so that the phone does not have time to receive a lock confirmation from the server.

Prevention and backup

To avoid future Redmi 5 lockdown and data loss, it is important to back up regularly. MIUI There is a built-in backup tool that allows you to save settings, messages and call logs to your phone. SD-map.

Keep a record of your accounts, and keep logins and passwords from Mi Account and Google in a safe place, remember that linking to accounts is a two-way defense: it saves data when the user is stolen, but creates problems when the owner is forgetful.

Check the list of devices associated with your Google account regularly. If you sell or donate a phone, be sure to remove it from the list of trusted devices via the web interface, which will prevent the new owner from fully using the gadget.

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Regular backup and unblocking your device from your accounts before selling are the only guarantees that you or the new owner won’t face lockdown issues.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)