Modern Xiaomi smartphones, based on the shells MIUI or HyperOS, provide users with tremendous opportunities for multimedia and communication, making them a popular choice not only for adults, but also for children. However, unlimited access to the Internet and a huge number of entertainment applications can carry risks to the child’s psyche and personal data security. That is why the question of how to correctly establish parental control on a Xiaomi device becomes relevant for every responsible owner of a gadget who wants to protect their loved ones.
In this article, we will take a look at all available access restriction methods, from built-in Android system features to third-party customized solutions, and learn how to block unwanted content, limit screen time, and track a child’s location using standard Xiaomi tools or third-party software.
Set up digital well-being is not just about banning, it's about creating a safe environment, and here are step-by-step instructions to help you configure your device in minutes without having to have deep technical knowledge.
Google Family Link Protection Features
The most effective and deeply integrated way to manage a child’s account is to use Google Family Link. Since Xiaomi smartphones are Android-based, the system works natively, allowing parents to remotely control a child’s device. To get started, you need to install the Family Link app on your phone and create or link a child’s Google account.
Once the app is installed on a parent's and child's device, the systems will communicate through a special code that allows you to see usage statistics, block the launch of specific applications in real time and set screen time limits. An important advantage is the ability to filter content on Google Play, which will prevent you from installing games with age restrictions above the norms you set.
⚠️ Note: For the correct operation of Google Family Link on your child’s device, you can not simply log out of his Google account, as this can break the connection with the parent device and remove restrictions.
The service allows you to adjust your schedule flexibly, for example, you can allow access to messengers at any time, but block YouTube and games after 21:00, which forms healthy habits for the child and does not give the gadget a distraction from sleep or school.
- 📱 Completely locking the device on schedule or manually at any time.
- 📍 Tracking the location of the child in real time on the map.
- ⏳ Setting daily limits of smartphone use time.
- 🔒 Blocking the purchase of applications and in-game transactions.
The Guest Mode and Second Space in MIUI
The MIUI shell and the new HyperOS offer a unique feature called Second Space, which is not just a limitation, but a completely isolated environment within a single smartphone. In fact, you get two independent phones in one case: one for you with all the data, the other for a child with a set of allowed apps.
To activate this feature, go to Settings → Second Space and click “Enable.” The system will prompt you to create a separate password or fingerprint to enter the second space. When a child picks up a phone, they unlock it with their fingerprint and enter their interface without access to your photos, correspondence or banking applications.
Unlike the simple guest mode, the Second Space allows you to save data, so you can install tutorial games, download cartoons for offline viewing, and not worry that your child will accidentally delete important system files or reset settings. Switching between spaces is instantaneous through the lock screen or notification panel.
Using Second Space is the perfect solution for getting your phone to junior high school students, and you control the content of that space by installing only approved apps, and Android isolates processes, so even if a virus occurs in the second space, your main space will remain safe.
Setting restrictions in the Google Play Store
Even without installing additional software, the standard Google Play app store provides powerful filtering tools, the first line of defense that prevents a child from downloading a violent game or an app with unwanted content, and settings are made through the parent's profile in the app store itself.
Go to Google Play, click on your profile avatar and select Settings. → Family → Parental control. Activate the switch and ask. PIN-You can then set an age rating for apps, games and movies, for example by selecting a rating of 6.+», The system will automatically hide all applications that are labeled as 12 by developers.+, 16+ 18+.
| Category of content | Available restrictions | Recommendation for children |
|---|---|---|
| Applications and games | 3+, 6+, 12+, 16+, 18+ | 6+ or 12+ |
| Movies | All movies, PG, PG-13, R | PG (for children) |
| Books | All books, for all, for teenagers | For everyone. |
| Music. | Explicit content (on/off) | Turn off explicit content |
It's important to understand that filtering in Google Play depends on developers being honest when publishing an app. If a developer mistakenly put a 3+ age for a shooting game, the filter will skip it, so it's recommended that you periodically check your installation history and evaluate your content yourself.
Third-party applications for extended control
Android and MIUI are sometimes not enough to fine-tune, such as blocking specific sites in the browser or reporting in detail on activities, and in such cases, specialized applications from third-party developers come to the rescue, which are installed as regular programs from the Play Market.
One of the most popular solutions is Kaspersky Safe Kids or Qustodio, which runs deeper at the system level than standard limiters, which can block searches on specific YouTube sites, limit the time you use specific apps (like 1 hour of TikTok per day), and even track the battery level of a child’s device.
⚠️ Note: When installing third-party parental control apps, the system MIUI You may be trying to kill the process to save energy. Be sure to go to the battery settings and allow auto-start and work in the background for the selected application.
Most paid versions of these programs offer geofences, so you can designate a safe zone (like a school or a grandmother's house) and get a notification when a child leaves that perimeter, which makes the smartphone a powerful security tool that goes beyond just limiting games.
- 🌍 Accurate location determination through GPS and Wi-Fi networks.
- 🚫 Blocking unwanted websites and keywords in search.
- 📊 Detailed statistics: which applications are used most often.
- 🔋 Monitoring the battery charge of the child's device.
Blocking Advertising and Unwanted Content in the Browser
Even with filters installed, a child may encounter unwanted advertising or click on a dangerous link while surfing the Internet.Standard browser Xiaomi or Chrome allows you to implement basic protection through DNS settings or installing blockers.
The most effective method without installing unnecessary programs is to use a secure DNS. In your smartphone settings, go to Settings → Connection and Sharing → Private DNS. Select “DNS Provider Host Name” and enter the address of a reliable service, for example, family.adguard-dns.com. This server will automatically filter out known adult sites and resources with malware.
Also worth considering is installing a browser with built-in protection, such as Kids Browser or setting up Safe Search mode in Google and Yandex. In search engines, this option can be password-enabled so that a child can not accidentally or specifically turn on adult image search.
Frequent Questions and Troubleshooting (FAQ)
Users often have technical questions about how MIUI and Android work during the setup process, and the following are the answers to the most common ones to help avoid typical errors.
Can a child remove the parental control app?
Why is the lock in incognito not working?
Are your settings reset when you update MIUI?
What if your child forgets the password from the second space?
Competent parental control settings on Xiaomi are a balance between security and trust, and using these tools, you create a digital perimeter that protects your child from threats, allowing them to safely explore the possibilities of the modern world.