How to put a password on the TV Xiaomi Mi: all ways to lock

Xiaomi Mi TVs TV It has become an integral part of modern homes, but with the convenience of smart TV-And so there's the need to protect privacy, and whether you want to restrict kids from accessing certain apps, protect personal data from guests, or just prevent them from accidentally changing their settings, setting a password on your TV solves these problems. In this article, we will discuss all available locking methods for Mi models. TV 4A/4S/5/5X/6 (including PatchWall and Google firmware TV), We also know the nuances that the manufacturer does not advertise.

It's important to understand that TV-level protection is different from a Mi Account or Google password, the first one blocks physical access to the device, the second one only synchronizes data. We'll focus on local restrictive techniques that work even without an internet connection. If your TV has already been set up by another user, some features may be hidden, which we'll also mention in the corresponding section.

Why Xiaomi Mi TVs need to have a password

Xiaomi’s smart TVs store more personal information than it first appears, and here are the key reasons to activate the protection:

• 👶 Parental control: Restriction of viewing time, lock 18+ Content (including YouTube, Netflix, IVI) and prevention of purchases in applications.
• 🔒 Settings protection: Preventing accidental reset to factory settings or changing screen resolution, which may result in device failure.
• 🛡️ Data privacy: Blocking access to browsing history, stored Wi-Fi passwords and streaming service accounts.
• 💳 Payment security: On Google Play models, the password prevents unauthorized purchases through Google Pay or bank cards linked to an account.

According to a Kaspersky study (2023), 68 percent of Smart TV users are unaware that their device could be compromised through firmware vulnerabilities or USB-connected devices, and passwords at the system level are minimal but effective protections, especially for TVs connected to public networks (such as hotels or offices), where the risk of unauthorized access increases significantly.

⚠️ Attention: On the TVs Xiaomi Mi TV 4A (2018–2019) with PatchWall 1.0 firmware, the parental control function is unstable – after upgrading to PatchWall 3.0+ You have to reconfigure it. Check the software version in Settings. → On TV.

Method 1: Installation PIN-Code through parental control

This is the most versatile method that works on all Xiaomi Mi TV models (except Mi TV Stick), which allows you not only to block access to settings, but also to limit viewing time for children, the instruction is relevant for PatchWall firmware and Google TV (starting in 2020).

Algorithm of action:

1. Open Settings (cog in the upper right corner of the main screen).
2. Go to the Accounts and Security section → Parental control.
3. Select Enable Parental Controls and enter a new 4-digit PIN (the default field is empty).
4. Confirm the PIN and set a check question (e.g., “Mother’s maiden name?”) to help restore access if you forget the code.
5. Activate the switches to lock: 🔐 Banning changes to settings (blocks Settings) → System system). 📺 Application restriction (you can select specific ones, such as YouTube or Prime Video). ⏰ Time limit (set individually for each profile).

After activation, when you try to open blocked sections or applications, a request will appear. PIN-Please note that if you use Google TV (Mi models TV 6 and later, the parental control interface may look different – look for it in Profiles and Restrictions.

Whether identified PIN-code?|Whether the control question is retained?|Are critical settings blocked?|Checked the 18 limit+ content?-->

⚠️ Note: If you set a password for a TV that was previously used in a hotel or rented apartment, first perform a factory reset (Settings) → On TV. → Otherwise, old restrictions may conflict with new ones.

Method 2: Locking through Mi Account (for PatchWall models)

Xiaomi Mi TVs TV PatchWall-based models (mainly 2018-2022 models) support Mi Account binding, a method less reliable than the one used in the study. PIN-code, but allows you to remotely control the device via the Mi Home app. Suitable for users who are already logged in to the Xiaomi ecosystem.

How to set up:

1. Open Settings → Accounts and Security → Mi Account
2. Sign in (if you haven’t done so before) or create a new account.
3. In the Device Management section, activate the option to Request a Password when you change your settings.
4. Set the checkboxes to lock: 🔄 Software Update (prevents accidental firmware). 📶 Network settings (protects against connecting to malicious Wi-Fi). 🛠️ Data reset (blocks factory reset without password).

The main disadvantage of this method is the dependence on the Internet, if the TV is not connected to the network, the lock will be removed automatically, and the password from the Mi Account can be reset via email or by email. SMS, This makes the protection less reliable than the local one. PIN-code.

Method 3: Use Google Family Link (for Mi TV 6 and later)

On Xiaomi Mi TV 6 and newer models with Google TV, Google Family Link is available, which allows you to not only set passwords, but also remotely manage restrictions via your smartphone, and is suitable for families with children, as it provides flexible settings for time and content.

Instructions for setting:

1. Install the Google Family Link app on your smartphone (link for Android).
2. On the TV, go to Settings → Accounts and Access → Family Link.
3. Create a child profile or link your child’s existing Google account.
4. On your smartphone in the Family Link app, select your TV and set up: 🕒 Time limits (e.g., time limits, 2 weekday). 🎬 Age restrictions (blocking) 12+/16+/18+). 🔍 App installation permit (requires parent confirmation).

The advantage of this method is that you can centrally control all your child's devices (smartphone, tablet, TV) from one app, but you need to have a TV connected to the Internet all the time, and if Wi-Fi goes off, the restrictions will drop to the standard ones.

Parental control (PIN)|Mi Account|Google Family Link|I don't set a password.|Another method-->

How to Reset Your Password If You Forgot It

Forgotten PIN-The password or code from the account is a common problem. The recovery method depends on the method of blocking the account:

Parental Control (PIN)

If you set a check question when setting up, answer it in the password entry window.

1. Do a hard reset of the TV: Turn off the power. Press the Menu button on the remote + the Power button on the TV. Hold on for 10-15 seconds until the Xiaomi logo appears.

After restarting, set up the TV again (password reset).

For the Mi Account.

Restor access via the official website or contact Xiaomi with proof of purchase.

For Google Family Link

Reset your password through families.google.com or delete your child profile from your parent’s account.

⚠️ Warning: Hard reset deletes all data, including installed apps and saved screen settings. If the TV was purchased from hand, check before reset whether it is linked to someone else's Mi Account - this can block access to some features after rebooting.

💡

Before resetting your password, take a picture of your current screen settings (brightness, contrast, color profile) – this will save you time to reset after rebooting.

Additional security measures for Xiaomi Mi TV

Password is just the first step. To protect your TV as much as possible, follow these guidelines:

• 🔄 Update firmware: Vulnerabilities in older versions of software allow you to bypass lock. Check for updates in Settings → On TV. → Updating the system.
• 📡 Turn off the debugging. USB: B Settings → On TV. → Version of the Software (7 times click on version number, then return to Settings) → For developers and deactivate the debugging by USB).
• 🛡️ Use it. VPN for streaming services: Some applications (e.g. Kodi) may contain malicious add-ons. Set up NordVPN or ProtonVPN via router.
• 🔌 Block physical access to ports: On Mi models TV 5X/6 USB-Ports can be turned off programmatically in Settings → Devices → Ports.

For advanced users: If you suspect that the TV has been hacked (for example, unknown apps appear), check the list of installed software in Settings → Apps → All apps. Delete suspicious programs and perform virus checks through Malwarebytes (available on Google Play for models with Google TV).

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When setting up a password, users often face some problems. Here's how to solve them:

Another common mistake is using simple PIN-These combinations are easy to pick up manually, the best option is to use dates that are not related to you (for example, the founding day of Xiaomi – 0604), or a random number generator.

💡

Always test the lock after setting up! ask a family member to try changing the settings without a password - this will help identify vulnerabilities.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions