How to put a password on games in the phone Xiaomi: 5 proven ways

Why block games with a password on Xiaomi?

Xiaomi smartphones (including Redmi and POCO) are often used by children for games, but uncontrolled access to games can lead to problems, from excessive screen time to occasional purchases inside apps. Passwords to games are not only a way to restrict access, but also protect personal data if the device is used by several people.

MIUI (Xiaomi’s branded shell) has built-in tools to block applications, but they’re not always intuitive. For example, parental controls in new versions of MIUI are hidden in the Settings → Digital Well-being menu, and App Protection only works when your fingerprint or pattern lock is turned on. In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways, from standard to third-party solutions.

Important: methods vary depending on the version of MIUI. If you have a Xiaomi 13/14 with a MIUI 14+, some menu items may be called differently - we will specify alternative paths.

Method 1: Integrated Application Protection (MIUI Lock)

The easiest way to block games with a password is to use the application protection function in the MIUI. It works on all Xiaomi smartphones, starting with the MIUI 8, and does not require the installation of additional programs, the main condition: the device must be configured fingerprint, pattern lock or PIN-screen-lock.

How to turn on:

1. Open the Settings. → Passwords and security.
2. Select Application Protection (in some versions – Application Blocking).
3. Enter the current screen unlock password.
4. In the list of apps, find the games you want to block and activate the switch next to them.

Now, every time a locked game is launched, the system will require a password, fingerprint, or pattern lock to be entered, a method that does not block notifications from games or limit usage time, only access to the application itself.

Make sure the phone has a screen unlock password set up.

Update MIUI to the latest version (older versions may not have a feature)

Check that the game is not on the "Exceptions" list in the battery settings

Keep your password backup in a safe place-->

⚠️ Note: If you forget the unlock password, you can only reset application protection through a full reset (Hard Reset!

Method 2: Digital Wellbeing (Digital Wellbeing)

To limit children’s access to games, MIUI has a tool called Digital Wellbeing, which allows not only password-blocking apps, but also time limits and age-based filtering of content.

Instructions:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Digital well-being → Parental control.
• 🔒 Click Start and create. PIN-Parental Control Code (it will be different from the screen unlock password!).
• 👶 Select a child profile (or create a new one).
• 🎮 In the Application Limitations section, find the games and set a time limit or complete lock.
• 🔄 Activate the option to Require Password to Unlock.

The advantage of this is flexibility. You can customize:

• 🕒 Time limits (e.g. 1 hour of games per day).
• 📅 Schedule (banning games during school hours).
• 🔍 Age-based filtering (hidden games 18)+).

Built-in Application Protection (MIUI Lock)

Parental control (Digital Wellbeing)

Third-party applications (AppLock)

I don't block games.

Another option-->

⚠️ Attention: B MIUI 14+ Parental control may conflict with some launchers (e.g, POCO If after setting up the game continues to open without a password, return the standard launcher to Settings → Topics → Launcher.

Method 3: Third-party applications (AppLock)

If the built-in MIUI tools don't work, you can use third-party apps to block them.

• 🔐 AppLock (from DoMobile Lab) – supports locking by password, fingerprint, face.
• 🛡️ Norton App Lock – additionally scans games for viruses.
• 👁️ Smart AppLock – allows you to block games on a schedule.

How to set up (in the example of AppLock):

1. Download the app from Google Play.
2. When you first start, set a master password (save it in a safe place!).
3. In the main menu, select the Apps and mark the games that you want to block.
4. In the settings, activate the options: 🔄 Autolock after closing (to prevent the game from remaining unlocked). 📱 Hide notifications (so that no alerts from blocked games are shown).

Advantages of third-party applications:

• 🎨 More lock options (e.g., geolocation or Wi-Fi network).
• 🔄 It works even if the screen protection is disabled. MIUI.
• 📊 Keep statistics of attempts to enter (useful for monitoring children).

Method 4: Hiding Games Through Second Space

The MIUI’s Second Space feature allows you to create a second independent profile on your phone with separate apps and settings, which is useful if you want to completely hide games from children or other users without blocking them with a password.

How to set up:

1. Go to Settings → Special Options → Second Space.
2. Click Create Second Space and follow the instructions (you will need to set a password to switch between profiles).
3. Once you have created the second space, install the games only in it.
4. Return to the main profile – the games will not appear in the app menu.

Features of the method:

• 🔄 Switching between profiles occurs through the notification panel or password.
• 📱 Second Space allows you to set up a separate launcher, wallpaper and even a Google account.
• ⚠️ Games installed in the main space will remain available – they must be removed or moved.

💡

If you use Second Space for kids, set up parental controls (Method 2) to add a double protection: concealing games + time limit.

Method 5: Blocking through Google Play (for purchases)

If the main goal is to protect against random purchases in games, you can set up control in Google Play.This will not block the launch of the game, but will require a password for any payment.

Instructions:

1. Open Google Play → Profile → Settings → Authentication.
2. Select Require Authentication for Purchases.
3. Install the option for all purchases on Google Play.
4. Save the changes.

Now, when you try to buy something in the game (like skins in Free Fire or crystals in Genshin Impact), the system will require you to enter a password from your Google account.

⚠️ Note: If your phone has a fingerprint payment setup, your child can confirm the purchase without entering a password. → Google → Managing a Google Account → Payments and subscriptions → Payment settings.

Frequent problems and solutions

When setting up a game lock on Xiaomi, users often encounter typical errors.

If none of the methods worked, check:

• 📱 Version MIUI: in older versions (below) MIUI (10) some functions may not be available.
• 🔄 Root rights: If the phone is rooted, standard locking methods may not work.
• 🛠️ Developer Settings: Turn Off Debugging by USB Installation from unknown sources if they interfere with blocking.

💡

The most reliable way is to combine parental controls (for time limits) and application protection (for password locking).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions