Owners of modern Smart TVs from Xiaomi often face the need to restrict access to certain content, especially if the device is used by children. the popular video service YouTube contains millions of videos that may not be intended for young audiences. Fortunately, the Android TV operating system or the built-in PatchWall shell provide flexible tools for access management.
You can password a separate app like YouTube in a number of ways, depending on the software version and firmware installed. In this article, we will detail all the current blocking methods, from built-in parental controls to using third-party utilities for maximum security.
Before you start setting up, make sure your remote is in good working order and your TV is connected to the internet to update system components.The security installation process takes only a few minutes, but ensures parental peace of mind and protection from accidental purchases or viewing of unwanted content.
Use of YouTube's built-in parental controls
The easiest and most reliable way to restrict access to content within the app itself is to use Google’s built-in security settings on your account, which does not block the app from running completely, but filters the output of video, making it impossible to view content with age restrictions without entering the code.
To activate this feature, you need to open the YouTube app on your Xiaomi TV and go to your profile settings. From the menu on the left, select Settings, then look for Restricted Mode or Parental Control. The system will prompt you to log in via your mobile device, which is the most convenient way to set up.
After the scan. QR-The smartphone camera code will ask you to create PIN-This code is required to exit the restriction mode or change the filter settings. It is important to choose a combination of numbers that the child will not be able to easily guess.
- 📺 Open the YouTube app on your Xiaomi TV.
- 🔗 Go to settings and select activation of parental controls.
- 📱 Scan it. QR-code from the TV screen via smartphone.
- 🔢 Think and keep a reliable 4-digit PIN-code.
⚠️ Attention: YouTube's built-in restricted access mode is not absolute protection.It filters content according to Google's algorithms, but does not technically prohibit the launch of the app itself.
💡
Use a separate Google account for your TV that doesn’t store your payment details to eliminate the risk of in-app purchases.
Blocking applications through Xiaomi system settings
Android-based operating systems that are installed on Xiaomi Mi TV and Redmi TVs often have an inbuilt application lock feature, which allows you to put a password directly on the application icon, preventing it from running without authorization.
You can find this option in the main settings menu of the TV. The path may vary depending on the version of PatchWall or pure Android TV. Generally, you need to go to the section "Security" or "Apps", where the item "App Lock" or "App Lock" is located.
Once you activate the feature, the system will ask you to create a graphical key or a digital password, and then you can select YouTube from a list of all installed programs and tick it against it, and now when you try to run a video hosting, the TV will ask for the previously entered code.
It is worth noting that on some global versions of firmware this feature may be hidden or missing, in which case the settings interface will look different, and the user will have to look for alternative solutions, such as installing specialized software.
- 🔒 Go to the “Settings” of the Xiaomi TV.
- 📂 Find the "Applications" or "Security" section».
- 📲 Select the option “App Lock” (App Lock).
- ✅ Set a tick opposite YouTube and set a password.
Installation of third-party applications for blocking
If Xiaomi doesn’t get the protection it wants, apps from the Google Play Store come to the rescue, and there are many utilities designed to block access to other Android TV programs.
One popular solution is the Lock Master app or its analogues, available for installation through the built-in store. Once you download and run such a program, you will need to give it the necessary permissions to use over other windows and access the list of applications.
The advantage of the blocking interface is that it can often set a timer or schedule, such as blocking video hosting at certain hours of the day or after watching two hours of content.
Google Play: Lock Master / App Lock for Android TV⚠️ Note: When installing third-party blockers, carefully read reviews and check for permissions requested. Some programs may contain advertisements or collect device usage data.
After setting up, be sure to hide the blocker icon itself, if such a feature is provided, or also set a password on it so that the child can not simply remove or disable protection through the settings.
☑️ Security check
Customization of guest mode and user profiles
Modern versions of Android TV on Xiaomi TVs support multiple user profiles, ideal for families with different users with different preferences and security requirements.
You can create a separate profile with the name “Children” or “Guest” in which YouTube will not be installed or blocked by system means.Switching between profiles requires entering an administrator password, which eliminates unauthorized access.
To create a profile, go to your Google account settings on your TV and select Add Profile. In the new profile, simply don't install the YouTube app or use Parental Control in the Google Play Store settings for that particular user.
| Parameter | Main profile | Guest profile | Child profile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to YouTube | Complete. | Limited. | Blocked. |
| Viewing history | It's still there. | It doesn't last. | It doesn't last. |
| Purchases in apps | Permitted. | Prohibited. | Prohibited. |
| Recommendations | Personalized. | General. | Childish |
Using profiles allows you to keep the adult user personalized while children are using the device in a safe environment, a more flexible approach than completely locking the TV.
💡
Creating a separate user profile is the most civilized way to share access, preserving the privacy of the main account owner.
Restriction of access via router and network
For those who prefer networked problem-solving methods, there is the option of blocking access to YouTube servers at the home router level, a method that is the most radical, since video hosting will cease to work on all devices on the network, including smartphones and tablets.
Most modern routers, including Mi Router models, have a “Parent Control” or “URL Filtering” function. Once you go to the router’s web interface, you can add the domain youtube.com and its associated addresses to the blacklist.
You can also set up an Internet access schedule for a particular device (MAC-For example, turning off the Internet for TV at night or during classes, which will automatically make YouTube unavailable.
- 🌐 Enter your router’s settings via browser.
- 🛡️ Find the Parental Controls section or the Firewall section».
- 🚫 Add YouTube Domains to the Blacklist (Blacklist).
- ⏰ Or set up an internet schedule for MAC-TV addresses.
⚠️ Attention: Blocking at the router level will affect all devices connected to your Wi-Fi network.