How to put a password on Google Play on Xiaomi: 3 working ways

Protecting personal data and finances on Google Play is a key concern for Xiaomi smartphone owners, especially for families with children or when sharing a device, when the risk of unauthorized purchases or installing malicious applications increases significantly. Unfortunately, many users mistakenly believe that it is enough to simply hide the application or turn off payment – but this does not solve the problem completely.

In this article, we will discuss three official ways to protect Google Play on Xiaomi (including Redmi, Poco and Mi): through Google account settings, using parental controls in the Google account. MIUI Each method has its own nuances, so we will discuss the pros and cons in detail, and also give recommendations on choosing the best option depending on your situation. MIUI (12, 13 or 14) and smartphone models.

Why Google Play’s Standard Security Practices Don’t Work for Xiaomi

Many users find that traditional ways to restrict access, such as setting a password for purchases on Google Play, do not work on Xiaomi devices, the reason lies in the features of the MIUI firmware, which modifies standard Android settings.

• 🔄 Conflict with MIUI Optimization: System optimization function in MIUI It can block some of Google’s security settings, including asking for a password when shopping.
• 📱 Absence of a native PIN-Unlike Samsung or Huawei, which has an in-built app store lock option, Xiaomi does not provide such a tool out of the box".
• 👶 Inefficiency of the child mode: Built-in Kids Space app MIUI Blocks only some features, but does not limit access to Google Play.

Additionally, after upgrading MIUI to version 14, some users note that previously set restrictions are being reset, due to a change in Xiaomi’s security policy, which now requires re-authorization in Google services after major updates. If you use a smartphone based on MIUI Global or MIUI China, check the firmware version in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – this depends on the availability of some features.

Method 1: Set a password for purchases on Google Play (official method)

The most reliable and versatile way is to activate an authentication request every time you purchase or install paid apps, a method that works on all Xiaomi devices, regardless of the MIUI version, but has a limitation: it only protects financial transactions, not the access to the store itself.

1. Open the Google Play Store app.
2. Slip on the profile avatar in the upper right corner and select Settings.
3. Go to the section Authentication → Authentication settings.
4. Select Authentication Required for Purchases.
5. Specify the option for all purchases on Google Play on this device.
6. Confirm your choice by entering your Google account password.

After that, every time you try to buy an app, subscribe or confirm a free trial, the system will require you to enter a password. Please note: this method does not block the installation of free apps or viewing content on Google Play.

Make sure the option is activated for all types of purchases|Check the work on a test free application with a trial subscription|Sync your settings with other devices under the same Google account|Update Google Play to the latest version-->

Method 2: Parental control in MIUI (to restrict access)

If you need to not only secure your purchases, but also completely block access to Google Play (for example, for a child), use the built-in parental control in MIUI. This method is suitable for devices with MIUI 12 and later, but requires pre-configuring family access.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Special Options → Parental Controls.
2. Click Start and select Parent (if you set up for yourself) or Child (if you limit another account).
3. Create. PIN-Parental Control Code (Remember it!).
4. In the Application Restrictions section, search the Google Play Store and set a time limit or block access completely.
5. Activate the option to Prohibit the installation of applications so that the child can not bypass the lock through the APK-file.

Important: This only works if your child is using a guest profile or a separate Mi Account, and if there is one user on the device, the lock will only work after rebooting or manually enabling parental control mode.

Method 3: Block Google Play through third-party apps

If the built-in methods don't work, you can use specialized utilities to block applications.

• 🔒 AppLock (from DoMobile Lab) – supports blocking by PIN-It works with code, fingerprints, or graphics keys. MIUI 14 without root rights.
• 🛡️ Norton App Lock – additionally scans installed applications for viruses.
• 👶 Kids Place – creates a “sandbox” with a limited set of applications, blocking access to Google Play and settings.

How to set up AppLock:

1. Install the app from Google Play and open it.
2. Create a master password (do not use date of birth or simple combinations!).
3. In the list of applications, find the Google Play Store and activate the lock.
4. In the settings, turn on the options: 🔄 Auto-run (to keep the lock running after the restart), 📱 Prohibit removal (so that the child cannot remove AppLock), 🔒 Hide notifications (so that the password does not appear in the notification panel).

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If notifications from Google Play (such as updates) stop coming after the AppLock installation, check your battery optimization settings in Settings → Annexes → Application management → AppLock → Autostart and background activity. Allow autostart and remove work restrictions in the background.

Comparison of Google Play protection methods on Xiaomi

To choose the best way, compare the key parameters in the table below. note that the effectiveness depends on the version of MIUI and the model of the smartphone (for example, on the Poco F5 with MIUI 14, parental control is more stable than on the Redmi 9A with MIUI 12).

For most Xiaomi users, the best solution is to combine a purchase password (mode 1) + AppLock (mode 3), which will protect both financial transactions and access to the store itself. If the device is used by a child, it is better to set up MIUI parental controls paired with Kids Place.

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On devices with MIUI China (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Pro for the Chinese market), some parental controls may not be available, in which case use third-party apps or create a global Mi Account with a Europe/Global region-specific link.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When setting up Google Play protection on Xiaomi, users often face typical problems, and here are the most common ones and ways to solve them:

• 🔄 No Purchase Password: Check if sync with your Google account is disabled. Go to Settings → Accounts. → Google and update the data. Also make sure Google Play selects the option for all purchases, not every 30 minutes.
• 📱 Parental Controls Reset: This Is Due to the Optimization Feature MIUI. Turn it off in Settings. → Special facilities → Optimization MIUI Add parental control to the exceptions.
• 🔒 AppLock does not block Google Play: Make sure that the app settings have access option enabled (Settings) → Special facilities → Also check if Google Play has been added to the exclusion list.

⚠️ Note: If you use Xiaomi with an unlocked bootloader or custom firmware (like LineageOS), some Google security features may not work properly. In this case, it is recommended to install Magisk and the Play Integrity Fix module to restore compatibility with Google services.

Another common mistake is ignoring updates. Xiaomi regularly releases security patches that can affect parental controls. To avoid problems, check for updates in Settings → About Phone → Update at least once a month.

Additional security measures for Google Play on Xiaomi

In addition to the main methods of protection, we recommend taking additional measures:

• 📱 Disable the installation from unknown sources: Go to Settings → Annexes → Special access → Install unknown applications and disable installation APK for all browsers and file managers.
• 🔍 Set up two-factor authentication (2FA) Google account: This will protect your account even if someone knows the password. myaccount.google.com/security.
• 🛡️ Use Google Play Protect: Enable malware scanning on Google Play → Menus. → Play Protect.This will help block suspicious apps before they are installed.
• 👤 Create a separate user profile: MIUI You can add a guest profile or a second user with limited rights. → System system → Multiple users.

If you often transfer your phone to other people (such as colleagues or friends), consider using the Private Mode mode in MIUI, which allows you to hide notifications and restrict access to selected applications, including Google Play, activated by swiping down the notification bar and clicking on the user icon.

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On devices with MIUI for Russia (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G), some security features may differ from the global version. Before setting up, check your firmware region in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (should be specified "RU" or "Global").

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions