Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones often face a situation where access to the device is limited due to activated digital security features. PIN-code, lock through Google Family Link account or built-in system restrictions MIUI Recovering full access requires understanding what kind of security mechanism was applied.
There are several layers of protection, from simply limiting the time of use to completely blocking the installation of applications, resetting parental controls without loss of data is possible only if you have access to an administrator account or a master password, and if this data is lost, the user will have to resort to more radical methods, including a complete reset.
In this guide, we will look at all legitimate ways to restore device control, we will look at the standard methods of disabling through settings, working with Google and Mi Account accounts, and using specialized tools for advanced users. Be careful, as incorrect actions can lead to locking the device over IMEI.
Determination of the type of lock on the device
The first step is to accurately diagnose the source of the constraints: Xiaomi smartphones can be controlled through system functions or third-party applications. Most often, a bundle of Google Family Link, which is deeply integrated into the Android operating system, in which case, the lock screen or the settings menu will contain specific notifications that the device is controlled by a parent.
The second option is to use the built-in Second Space or Guest Mode feature in the MIUI shell, where the restrictions are set by the owner's profile, and you can also use third-party launchers or lock-in apps that mimic system constraints, and it's important to distinguish them, because the methods of bypassing will be fundamentally different.
To check the type of lock, follow the following steps:
- 📱 Go to Settings. → Digital Well-Being and Check Management Status.
- 🔒 Try logging into the phone's settings menu - if a parent's password is required, it's Family Link.
- 👤 Check the list of users in the section Advanced settings → Second space.
If a Google account is marked as a child account, the standard methods of removing restrictions without the knowledge of the group organizer will not work. Android security system blocks the deletion of such accounts, in such cases either the consent of the administrator or a complete reset of the device to the factory settings (Hard Reset), which will delete all data.
⚠️ Warning: Attempts to hack system files or use unofficial firmware to bypass Google FRP can lead to locking of the device on a server basis.
Removing Restrictions via Google Family Link
The most common scenario is the use of Google Family Link, a tool that allows parents to control time screens, content filtering, and app installation, and to legally disable control, you need to have access to your parent’s device or master password.
The disablement process is done directly from the parent's device. You need to open the Family Link app, select the child's profile, and click on "Manage Settings." Then select "Disable Surveillance" or "Stop Control" option. On the Xiaomi child's device, at this point, you may need to enter a password from the parent's Google account for confirmation.
If you can't access your parent's phone, you can reset your master password, and you can click "Forgot your password?" on the child's device and follow the verification instructions via backup email or SMS. However, if two-factor authentication is set up strictly, this method may not work without access to the parent's phone.
The main steps to unlock:
- 📲 Open the Family Link app on your parent's device.
- ⚙️ Select the child card and go to the account settings.
- 🛑 Click “Stop Management” and confirm the action.
What to do if your parent’s phone is lost?
It is important to understand that simply uninstall Family Link from your child’s phone is impossible – the system will automatically lock the device for 24 hours or require a password. Forced completion of the process through the Task Manager will also not work, since the service has system-level rights.
Use of second space and guest mode
The MIUI shell and the new HyperOS have a powerful space sharing tool, often creating a Second Space for children, setting a password there, and then forgetting it, and unlike Google, it's locally controlled on the device.
To exit or delete Second Space, you need to switch to the Owner profile (First Space), usually via a special shortcut on the lock screen or in the notification curtain.If you are inside a restricted profile, you will not be able to delete it yourself without the owner's password.
To manage profiles, use the following algorithm:
- 🔄 Switch to the Owner profile via the lock screen.
- 🗑️ Go to Settings. → Second space.
- 🔓 Click on the gear icon and select “Delete the second space».
If you have forgotten your password, you can try using your fingerprint or face if you have set it up for quick login. In some versions of MIUI, there is a password reset feature via Mi Account, but it doesn't always work consistently. In the case of a complete lock, the only way out is to reset the settings.
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Save the screenshots. QR-codes for quick switching between spaces – this will speed up access if you forget the pattern lock.
Guest mode works on a similar principle, but it is more limited: it does not allow you to install applications and change system settings. Departure from guest mode is usually through the notification panel where you need to click "Exit guest mode." If the system requires a password, then the owner of the device has set protection for the exit.
Resetting via Mi Account and Cloud Services
Xiaomi’s ecosystem tightly integrates with the Mi Cloud service. If the device has the Find Device feature enabled, FRP (Factory Reset Protection) protection will be activated when the settings are reset, which means that after the reset, the phone will require you to enter the username and password from Mi Account, which was the last one on the device.
To remove restrictions through the cloud, you need to have access to your account. Go to the official i.mi.com website from your computer or other phone. In the Find Device section, select the locked gadget. There are options available: Sound, Lock and Clean. The Cleanup option will delete all data and passwords, but will not remove the account binding.
Comparison of Unblocking Methods through Accounts:
| Method | Data retention | Access is required | The risk of blocking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Disconnect Family Link | Yes. | Parent's password | Low. |
| Exit from Mi Account | Yes. | Password Mi Account | Low. |
| Hard Reset (reset) | No. | Account data after reset | High (at FRP) |
| Recovery mode (Recovery) | No. | No (but you need an account after) | Medium. |
If you plan to sell your phone or transfer it to another person, make sure to log out of your Mi Account before resetting. Go to Settings → Mi Account → Exit. If you just reset with buttons, the new owner won’t be able to activate the phone.
⚠️ Warning: After 5 failed attempts to enter the Mi Account password, the device may be temporarily locked for 24 hours.
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Having access to Mi Account is a critical condition for legally unlocking your device after resetting your settings.
Hard Reset: A Radical Method of Removing Restrictions
When software methods are unavailable, Hard Reset is left, a factory-wide reset via the Recovery menu, which deletes all user data, including photos, contacts and, importantly, parental control configuration files, but it does not remove the binding to accounts (Google and Mi) if the protection feature is enabled.
To do the reset, you need to turn off the phone. Then you need to press the button combination. On most Xiaomi models, this is Volume Up + Power. Hold the buttons until the Mi logo appears, then release the power, but keep the volume. You will be taken to the main Recovery menu.
Navigation in the menu is done with volume buttons (up/down), the power button is selected. You need to find the Wipe Data item and confirm the Wipe All Data action. The system will warn you to delete all files. After the process, select Reboot.
☑️ Checklist before Hard Reset
Once rebooted, the phone will look like new. In the initial setup phase, it will require you to connect to Wi-Fi and enter your account data that you used before. If you don't remember the password from your Google account, the device will remain locked (FRP Lock), which will require a FRP bypass procedure, which often changes and depends on the version of Android.
Advanced methods: ADB and USB debugging
For users familiar with the technical aspects of Android, there is a method of removing parental control system packages via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which works if the phone has previously enabled USB debugging and given permissions to the computer. On a locked phone, you usually can not turn on debugging.
If you have access to ADB, you can delete the packets that are responsible for Family Link. To do this, connect the phone to the PC, open the command line and enter the command to delete the packet:
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.apps.kids.familylinkYou may also need to remove related services:
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.apps.kids.familylink.helperThis method is effective, but requires precision. Removing critical system components can lead to unstable system operation or cyclic restart (bootloop). Use this method only if you understand what each package is responsible for. On new versions of MIUI 14 and HyperOS, protection against such manipulation is strengthened, and system applications can be protected from removal even with ADB rights.
⚠️ Attention: Use ADB commands to remove system applications can void warranty and violate the integrity of the security system Xiaomi.