Xiaomi smartphones are some of the most popular devices among teenagers, but without the right settings, they can become a source of risks, from excessive time playing games to accessing unwanted content. Parental controls on Redmi, POCO or Mi flagships allow you to limit the use of the gadget, block dangerous sites and even track the location of the child. However, standard MIUI tools are often hidden in the depth of the menu, and third-party solutions require the right setup to avoid conflicts with the system.
In this article, you will find 3 working methods for setting parental controls, from built-in Xiaomi features to Google Family Link apps and specialized utilities. We will discuss how to limit screen time, block the installation of new programs, configure secure search on YouTube and Google, and also talk about the hidden features of MIUI 14/15, which the manufacturer does not advertise, and pay special attention to typical errors – for example, why control can be reset after a system update or how to bypass the lock if the child knows the password from the Mi Account.
1. Built-in Parental Controls in MIUI: Where to Look and How to Set Up
Xiaomi has integrated the basic parental controls right into the MIUI shell, but it's not easy to find them, because they're hidden in the Settings menu → Special features → Parental controls. Importantly, this feature is only available on global firmware (EEA/Global) devices. There's no such feature on the Chinese versions of MIUI, so you'll have to use alternative methods.
To activate control:
- 📱 Open the Settings. → Special facilities.
- 🔒 Select Parental Controls and set a password (remember it!).
- 👤 Add a child profile by indicating their age (this will affect automatic content restrictions).
- ⏰ Set up a usage limit – for example, 2 hours a day for gaming or 30 minutes for social media.
The built-in control in MIUI allows:
- 🔄 Block the launch of specific applications (for example, TikTok or VK).
- 🌐 Filtering websites through Mi Browser (but doesn’t work with Chrome!).
- 📊 View the statistics of device usage.
- 🛑 Set a “sleep time” when your phone is locked.
Make sure your phone has global firmware (check Settings → About Phone → MIUI version)
Back up important data (control settings may reset after updating)
Write down your password from parental control to a secure location (it can’t be restored without resetting your phone!)
Disable Administrator Rights from Optimizer Applications (such as Security or Clean Master) to prevent them from interfering with locks-->
Limitations of the method:
- ❌ It does not work with most third-party browsers (except Mi Browser).
- ❌ A child can remove restrictions if they know the password from their Mi Account (see section on bypassing locks).
- ❌ No geolocation or remote control function.
⚠️ Warning: If your child complains that the phone is "slowing" after setting up the control, check if the Background Restriction feature in the battery settings is activated. It automatically turns on for "children's" profiles and may reduce performance.
2. Google Family Link: Full control of Android smartphone
Google Family Link is a more powerful tool than the built-in MIUI features.
- 🕒 Set strict limits on the use of the device (up to minutes).
- 📱 Lock your phone remotely (for example, during class time).
- 🔍 View your search history and activity on YouTube.
- 📍 Tracking the location of the child (if geolocation is enabled).
How to set up:
- Download Google Family Link to your phone (parent device) and your child’s smartphone (Xiaomi).
- Create a Google account for your child (if not) through families.google.com.
- Connect your child’s device to your account through the app.
- Configure the restrictions: Time of use (for example, 14:00-16:00 – only training applications), list of allowed / blocked programs, filter content on Google Play and YouTube.
| Function | MIUI built-in control | Google Family Link |
|---|---|---|
| Screen time limit | ✅ Yes (but with limitations) | ✅ Yes (flexible setup) |
| Application lockdown | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. + lock-out |
| Filtration of websites | ❌ Only in the Mi Browser. | ✅ Through SafeSearch and Chrome |
| Geolocation | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes (on the switch). GPS) |
| Remote control | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes (blocking, time extension) |
An important caveat: Google Family Link only works on devices with Google services. If your Xiaomi has GMS-free firmware installed (for example, on some models in China), this method will not work.
Built-in MIUI functions
Google Family Link
The Kaspersky Safe Kids, Norton Family
I haven't decided yet.-->
⚠️ Note: If a child is over 13 years old, they can delete their account from Family Link via Google settings. To avoid this, set a password for your account settings on your phone (Settings). → Accounts. → Google → Account management).
Third-party applications: when you need advanced functions
If the built-in MIUI and Google Family Link tools aren’t enough, consider specialized apps that offer:
- 🔍 Monitoring of messages in messengers (WhatsApp, VK, Telegram).
- 📸 Controlling photos (alerts about suspicious pictures).
- 🚨 Hidden mode (the app is not visible in the menu).
- 📡 Geo-fence blocking (e.g. banning games at school).
Top.-3 Proven solutions for Xiaomi:
- Kaspersky Safe Kids: 🔹 Free version with basic functions. 🔹 Content filtering in 14 categories. 🔹 Time limit with flexible schedule.
- Norton Family: 🔹 Monitoring search queries and videos on YouTube. 🔹 Keyword blocking (e.g., “drugs”, “suicide"). 🔹 30-day-time trial.
Qustodio
- 🔹 Detailed activity reports (including deleted files).
- 🔹 Lockdown VPN and anonymizers.
- 🔹 Cross-platform (works on Windows, iOS, Android).
- 🔒 Block the change of settings: Go to myaccount.google.com. Select Data and personalization → Secure search settings. Check the box to block secure search.
On YouTube:
- 📺 Enable YouTube Kids (a separate content filtering app).
- 🔧 Set up restrictions in the main app: Open YouTube → tap on the avatar → Settings. Select General → Restricted mode. Set it on and save it.
In Mi Browser:
- 🌐 Activate the Content Filter: Open the browser → ⋮ → Settings: Select Parental Controls. Set a password and select categories to block (Violence, 18).+, gambling).
💡
If your child is using Chrome, install the BlockSite extension and block dangerous websites by keywords (e.g., “torrent”, “casino”, “18+”). The blocking list can be synced through your Google account.
5. Typical problems and how to solve them
Parental controls on Xiaomi can be unstable, and let’s look at the most common mistakes and ways to fix them:
| Problem. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Controls are reset after MIUI update | System Resetting of Security Settings | Before updating, back up through Settings → Additional → Backup |
| Child bypasses blocking via VPN | MIUI does not have a built-in VPN lock | Install Norton Family app – it blocks VPN and proxy |
| The time limit for Google Family Link is not working. | Conflict with the MIUI battery optimizer | Add Family Link to exceptions: Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization → All apps → Family Link → Not Optimizing |
| Applications are blocked randomly | Incorrect settings of age rating | Check the App Rankings in Google Play and Adjust in Family Link → App Management |
What to do if your child knows the password of your Mi Account?
If you used your Xiaomi account to set up control, and your child learned the password, they can reset all restrictions.
- 🔐 Change your password to account.xiaomi.com and enable two-factor authentication.
- 📱 Create a new account for parental control (do not use your child’s primary account!).
- 🔒 Use Google Family Link – it is not linked to your Mi Account.
⚠️ Note: On some Xiaomi models (for example, Redmi Note 10 Pro) after resetting the settings to the factory, parental control is turned off, but the password from the Mi Account remains active. If you forget the password, you can only restore it through the official website - contacting the service center will not help!
6 Additional Security Measures: What More Can Be Done
Parental control is only part of the protection, so as to keep the child as safe as possible.
- 📵 Turn off purchases in games: Open Google Play → Settings → Authentication. Select Require authentication for purchases. Set it for all purchases and password-verify it.
Set up geolocation:
- Or install Life360 for family monitoring.
Limit access to the settings:
- Set a password for Settings → System → Password for settings.
- Turn off the Developer Mode (if enabled).
Set up emergency contacts:
- Add your parents’ numbers to Emergency Contacts (Settings → About Phone → Emergency Information).
- Teach your child to use the Emergency Call function (press the power button 5 times).
💡
The most reliable protection is a combination of built-in MIUI control, Google Family Link and one of the third-party applications (for example, Kaspersky Safe Kids), which closes the loopholes that each tool has individually.
What do you do if nothing helps?
If your child is technically savvy and bypasses all locks, consider:
- 📱 "Children's smartphone - for example, Xiaomi Mi Bunny or Redmi A1 flat-fibre.