How to Put Parental Controls on Xiaomi: The Complete 2026 Guide

Xiaomi smartphones and tablets have become an integral part of the lives of today’s children: learning, entertainment, communication — all of these are now available from the same screen. But with the opportunities come the risks of uncontrolled Internet access, purchases in games, dependence on gadgets. Parental controls on Xiaomi devices help solve these problems by offering flexible settings to limit time use, block content and protect against unwanted spending.

In this article you will find step-by-step instructions for all current Xiaomi, Redmi and other models. POCO (including devices MIUI 14/15 We'll look at embedded system features, third-party apps, and hidden features that aren't mentioned in the official manuals, and we'll also talk about how to get around typical setup errors and what to do if a child tries to disable the restrictions.

Importantly, the configuration methods may vary slightly depending on the firmware version. If your device is running on HyperOS (the new shell from Xiaomi), pay attention to the notes in the instructions - we have indicated all the key differences.

1. Integrated parental control in MIUI/HyperOS: opportunities and limitations

Xiaomi devices based on MIUI (And the new HyperOS has a built-in Digital Wellbeing feature that includes parental controls:

• 🕒 Set time limits for the use of the device
• 🔒 Block access to individual applications
• 📵 Set up "sleep time" (periods when the gadget is completely blocked)
• 📊 Check the statistics of the child’s activity

However, the built-in solution has significant disadvantages:

• ❌ No filtering of content by age (does not block 18)+ webpage)
• ❌ Does not restrict purchases in games and applications
• ❌ Easily get by by resetting settings or rebooting in Safe Mode
• ❌ No remote control (sets are linked to one device)

If you want full protection, you’ll need to combine built-in tools with third-party apps (which are discussed in the next section), but for basic time control, the built-in Digital Wellbeing feature is perfect: it doesn’t require additional software installation and works stably.

⚠️ Attention: On HyperOS devices, the path to settings has changed. If you have new firmware, use the Settings path. → Digital Well-Being and Parental Controls instead of the Old Settings → Annexes → Digital well-being.

2. Step-by-step setup of Digital Wellbeing on Xiaomi

To activate parental controls through built-in tools, follow the following steps: This guide is suitable for all Xiaomi, Redmi and other devices. POCO on MIUI 12-15 hyperos.

Step 1: Enable Digital Wellbeing

Open the Settings. → Find the Digital Well-Being section (or Digital Well-Being and Parental Controls on HyperOS). If there is no partition, update the firmware or install it through Settings. → Annexes → Application management → Digital Wellbeing (enable system application display).

Step 2: Set up a child profile

In Parental Controls, select Add a child profile, and the system will suggest you create a Xiaomi account for your child, which is a must, otherwise the restrictions won't work. If your child already has an account, link it here.

Step 3: Set limits

Now you can:

• 📱 Set a total time limit for using the device (e.g. 2 hours per day)
• ⏰ Set up a “sleep time” (for example, from 22:00 to 7:00 the device will be locked)
• 🎮 Limit individual apps (e.g. TikTok 30 minutes, games 1 hour)

Step 4: Protect your settings with a password

In the Parental Controls menu, select Settings → Set a password. Come up with a secure one. PIN Without this step, the child can turn off the restrictions in 2 minutes!

Set a total time limit|We set up "sleep time"|Restricted social media and games|Put the password on the settings.|Checked the work of restrictions in test mode-->

⚠️ Note: If your child knows your password from your Xiaomi account, they will be able to reset all restrictions through the web version of i.mi.com. Use a separate account for parental control or change your password regularly.

3.The Best Third-Party Parental Control Apps

Xiaomi's built-in tools cover only basic needs. Extended control will require third-party solutions. 10 popular applications and selected the top-3, who are stable in their work MIUI/HyperOS They do not conflict with system functions.

Google Family Link is the best free option for Xiaomi owners, and integrates with your Google account to manage settings remotely via the web version, minus not filtering content in the browser (only blocking individual sites manually).

Kaspersky Safe Kids is suitable if you need age-based filtering (blocks 18).+ content automatically) and YouTube control. app is paid, but there is a free version with basic features.

Qustodio is the most advanced solution with the analysis of correspondence in messengers and the ability to block by keywords (for example, “drugs”, “suicide”).

🔹 How to choose?

• For children under 10 years of age → Google Family Link (Free of charge) + integration with Android)
• For teenagers. 12-16 years → Kaspersky Safe Kids (content filtering)
• For maximum control → Qustodio (paid but with advanced features)

Google Family Link|Kaspersky Safe Kids|Qustodio|Xiaomi's built-in tools|Other|I don't use it.-->

4. How to block purchases in games and applications

One of the most painful problems for parents is uncontrolled spending on mobile games, where children can accidentally (or deliberately) buy game currency, skins or subscriptions for hundreds of rubles. To avoid this, set up protection on three levels:

1. disable payments on Google Play

Go to Settings. → Google → Google account → Payments and subscriptions. Select Require authentication for purchases and install always. Now any purchase will require a password.

2. Set the limits in MIUI

B Settings → Annexes → App management find the Google Play Store and disable in-app purchase permission.This will block all payments through the store.

3. Use special applications

If your child can bypass standard restrictions, install the AppLock (from the DoMobile Lab), which allows you to block access to Google Play, banking applications and payment systems on the Internet. PIN-fingerprint.

⚠️ Warning: On HyperOS devices, the path to payment settings has changed. → Accounts and synchronization → Google → Managing a Google Account → Payments and subscriptions. Not to be confused with the Finance section of the main menu - only system payments are configured (for example, for Mi Pay).

💡

Create a separate virtual card with a limit 100-200 ₽ You can link it to your child's Google account, and you minimize the risk of big spending.

5. Xiaomi's Hidden Features for Enhanced Control

In addition to standard tools, in the firmware MIUI/HyperOS There are hidden opportunities that will help strengthen parental control, which are not documented in official manuals, but they work steadily.

1. Child Mode (Kids Mode)

On some models (Xiaomi Pad) 5/6, Redmi Note 12 Pro+) There's a special child mode to activate it:

1. Go to Settings. → Special facilities → Regime for children
2. Select the applications that will be available in this mode
3. Set a password to exit.

In this mode, the child will not be able to access the main interface or install new applications.

Blocking through "Safe Mode"

If your child is trying to get around the restrictions, turn on Safe Mode:

1. Press the power button before the turn off menu appears
2. Press and hold the power off. → There will be a suggestion to go to safe mode
3. Confirm the transition

Only system applications are running in Safe Mode, and you'll need to reboot your password to get out.

3. Restriction through the "Second Space"

Second Space (available on most Xiaomi devices) allows you to create a separate desktop with a limited set of applications.

1. Go to Settings. → Second space
2. Create a new space and select Child Mode
3. Set a password to switch between spaces
4. Add only the permitted applications to the child’s space

6. Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Even when you set it up properly, parents often have problems: the child bypasses restrictions, the apps don't get blocked, or the controls suddenly shut down, and let's look at some of the most common mistakes and ways to solve them.

Mistake 1: Child resets settings via Safe Mode

Many children know that in safe mode, all third-party apps, including parental controls, are disabled.

• Use built-in tools MIUI (They cannot be turned off in safe mode)
• Install AppLock to system settings (Settings) → Security → AppLock)
• Turn off Safe Mode via AdB (advanced users only):

adb shell settings put global safe_mode_enabled 0

Error 2: Restrictions are reset after the update

After updating MIUI/HyperOS All parental controls settings can go off:

• Before updating, export the settings through Settings → Digital well-being → Export of data
• Use third-party apps (such as Kaspersky Safe Kids) that save settings in the cloud
• Check out the Digital Wellbeing version on Google Play after the update – sometimes manual updates are required

Error 3: The child installs the app through the APK

Even if you block Google Play, your child can download.apk files from the browser.

• Block installation from unknown sources: Settings → Annexes → Special access → Installation of unknown applications
• Install an ad blocker (such as AdGuard) to block access to sites with APK
• Use it. DNS-filtering (e.g. Cloudflare Family or Yandex.DNS Family)

💡

The most reliable protection is a combination of built-in tools MIUI, third party applications (e.g. Kaspersky Safe Kids) and DNS-So the child has to get around three levels of restriction, which is almost impossible without your knowledge.

7 How to control a child remotely

If you want to monitor your child's activity in real time or control your settings remotely, you'll need special tools.

1. Google Family Link (free)

Allows:

• 📱 See the list of installed applications
• ⏰ Set time limits remotely
• 📍 Track the location of the device (if enabled) GPS)
• 🔍 View your search history on Google

To set up:

1. Install Family Link on your smartphone
2. Create a Google account for your child (if you don’t have one)
3. Attach it to the device via Settings → Accounts. → Add an account
4. Set limits through the Family Link app on your phone

2. Kaspersky Safe Kids (paid but with free trial period)

Offers enhanced functions:

• 🌍 Geozones: You will receive a notification if your child leaves an authorized area (such as a school or home)
• 📵 Scheduled Blocking: Automatic Internet Shutdown During School Time
• 🔍 YouTube Control: Filtering Videos by Age and Keywords

TeamViewer QuickSupport (for emergency access)

If you need to check what your child is doing, install TeamViewer QuickSupport on their device.

• 🖥️ Remotely view the screen
• 🔑 Lock the device with one button
• 📎 Transfer files (such as homework)

⚠️ Warning: Do not abuse remote access, which may compromise your child’s trust. Use TeamViewer only in emergency situations (e.g. if you suspect cyberbullying or accessing dangerous content).

8. Alternative methods: if nothing helps

If a child is constantly circumventing all constraints, it's time to move to radical measures, which require technical skills, but guarantee 100% control.

1. Installation of custom firmware with parental control

Firmware like LineageOS or HavocOS allows you to install specialized modules for parental control (for example, Xposed Framework with AppOps module).

• 🔧 Full control over system permissions
• 🚫 It is impossible to get around without physical access to the device.
• 📱 It works even without the internet.

Cons: requires unlocking the bootloader and may deprive you of warranty.

2. Hardware parental control via router

Set up the filtering by MAC-router:

1. Find it. MAC-Address of the child's device in Settings → The phone. → General information
2. Go to the router control panel (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1)
3. In the section Wireless mode → Filter MAC Add the device to the blacklist
4. Set up an access schedule (for example, Internet only from 16:00 to 20:00)

This method works on any device connected to your Wi-Fi, including Xiaomi, iPhone and even gaming consoles.

3.Use of MDM-solutions (for advanced users)

Mobile Device Management (Mobile Device Management, MDM) It allows you to have complete control of your smartphone, like a corporate device:

• Hexnode MDM (free rate for 1 device)
• Miradore (test period of 14 days)

They can be used to:

• 📱 Remove applications remotely
• 🔒 Lock the device on command
• 📡 Tracking location in real time

FAQ: Frequent questions about parental controls on Xiaomi