Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphone owners often face the need to restrict access to certain features of the device, but over time these restrictions may become unnecessary. The child has grown up, the owner of the gadget has changed, or the password from the account through which the lock was carried out has simply disappeared. MIUI The new HyperOS protection mechanisms are implemented quite deeply, which requires a careful approach to disabling them.
The procedure for removing restrictions depends on the method of protection, which can be built-in “Second Space”, a third-party application Google Family Link or specialized programs-blockers. Incorrect actions when trying to bypass can lead to complete locking of the device or loss of important data, so it is important to clearly identify the source of restrictions before starting any manipulation.
In this article, we will take a look at all the current ways to (remove) parental control, from standard methods through settings to more complex reset procedures, learn how to restore access to the system if you forgot your password, and what nuances exist when working with your Mi Account and Google Account. The correct sequence of steps will help you avoid unnecessary risks.
Determination of the type of protection provided
Before we take action, we need to know exactly which tool is limiting smartphone usage. Xiaomi devices are most likely to have three major lock scenarios, and understanding the differences is critical because the methods of circumventing them are radically different.
The first and most common option is to use Google Family Link, in which case the lock screen or when you try to launch apps will show a message that requires parental permission, usually accompanied by a request for a password from the group organizer's Google account, the second option is the built-in MIUI feature, known as Second Space or Guest mode, which can be protected by a separate pattern lock.
The third option involves installing third-party apps from Google Play or GetApps, such as Kaspersky Safe Kids, Qustodio or Screen Time. PIN-Identifying the type of lock is the first and most important step to successfully solving a problem.
⚠️ Warning: Attempting to remove system components or security applications without understanding their purpose may lead to unstable operating system performance MIUI.
To determine the exact source of the restrictions, carefully examine the lock screen and try to launch any application. If you see a Google logo or request to log into the organizer's account, it is Family Link. If the password request appears immediately after the screen is turned on before the desktop loads, you may have a Second Space or a standard lock screen with enhanced rights.
Disable Google Family Link on Xiaomi
Family Link is the most powerful control tool, as it is tied directly to a child’s Google account, and in this case, it is not enough to simply remove the app from the phone, you need to perform the unlock procedure through the parent’s device.
The process begins with opening the Family Link app on the parent’s (group organizer’s) smartphone, selecting the child’s profile from the list of children whose device you want to unlock, then go to the control menu and find the option “Disable parental control” or “Delete the account from the group”, the system will warn that after that all restrictions will be removed.
Once the action is confirmed on the parent's device, the child's phone may need an internet connection to synchronize the changes. If the child's device does not have access to the network, unlocking may not happen instantly. In some cases, you may need to enter a password from the parent's Google account directly on the locked device.
- 🔑 Open the Family Link app on your parent's device.
- 📱 Select your child’s profile and go to the management settings.
- 🚫 Click “Disable Control” and confirm the action with a password.
- 🌐 Wait for sync on your child’s phone (internet required).
It is important to understand that once you disable control, all browsing history and application usage reports will no longer be saved, restrictions on installing new programs and purchases on Google Play will also disappear, and full deactivation will return the device to the status of a regular smartphone without supervision.
⚠️ Note: If you forget your parent’s Google account password, you can only restore access to Family Link through the Google account recovery procedure, which can take up to several days.
In situations where the parent’s device is not accessible and the password is lost, the only legal way is to completely reset the child’s phone settings, but this will result in deleting all data. The alternative is to wait for the child to reach the age of 13 (or the age of digital consent in your country), when the system itself offers to transfer control of the account to the owner.
Removing Restrictions Through the Second Space
The MIUI Second Space feature allows you to create an isolated environment on your smartphone, which is often used as an analogue of parental control, and if access to the main space is blocked or the password from the second profile is forgotten, the situation can be corrected through the system settings.
To remove the second space, you need to go to the basic settings of the smartphone. In the "Features" or "Special features" section (depending on the version of MIUI), you will find the "Second space" item. Once you enter it, you will see a switch between the main and second profile. To remove the restrictions, you need to select the removal of the second profile.
The system will request confirmation of the operation, as all data stored in the second space (photos, contacts, applications) will be permanently deleted. If you remember the password or pattern lock from the second space, the process will go quickly, otherwise you may need to enter a password from the main Mi Account or Google account to confirm the rights of the owner.
What happens to the data when the second space is removed?
The new versions of HyperOS may have slightly different interfaces, but the logic remains the same: removing the isolated profile removes all the restrictions that are set in it, and after this procedure, the phone will return to a single user space.
- 🛠 Go to Settings. → Second space.
- 🗑 Click on the menu (three dots) and select “Delete the second space».
- ✅ Confirm the deletion by entering the password from the main profile.
- 🔄 Wait for the data cleanup process to be completed.
If access to the main space is also lost or blocked, the only option is a complete reset of the device. However, if the phone is tied to the Mi Account, after the reset, you will need to enter the username and password from this account, otherwise you will not be able to turn on the phone due to the activation of the theft protection.
Removing blocking by third-party applications
Many parents install customized time and content control apps that are not system-based, such as Kaspersky Safe Kids, Norton Family, or Kids Place, which often have device administrator rights, making it difficult to simply remove them through the standard menu.
To remove this control, you first need to log into the locking application itself. PIN-If the password is known, you should find the option "Disable Protection" or "Delete Profile" in the application settings, and then remove the administrator rights.
If the password is lost, the procedure becomes more complicated, and you have to go to the phone's security settings (Settings → Passwords & Security → Device Administrators) and try to revoke the application, but many modern blockers prevent this by requiring you to enter a confirmation code.
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If the app doesn't allow you to revoke administrator rights, try running your phone in Safe Mode. To do this, press the volume button when you turn on. In Safe Mode, third-party apps don't start, which may allow you to remove the blocker.
If you can't take away your administrator rights, you have to take drastic measures: a Hard Reset will remove the app along with all the data, but there's a caveat: if the phone has been enabled with Google FRP (Factory Reset Protection), you'll need to enter a Google account after the reset, which was synchronized with the device before the reset.
| Type of blocker | Method of disconnection | Necessary rights | Risk of data loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Family Link | Through a parent's app | Google Parent Password | No. |
| Second space | MIUI settings | Password of the main profile | Only 2nd profile data |
| Third-party (Kaspersky et al.) | Deletion of the annex | Application Pin Code / Admin-rights | No (if not a reset) |
| Password (any type) forgotten | Hard Reset (Dumping) | Access to Mi/Google account | Total loss of data |
What to do if your password is lost or unknown
When the password from parental control is forgotten or unknown (for example, when buying a used phone), is the most difficult, in which case the standard methods of disconnection are not available, and you have to resort to a complete reset procedure known as Hard Reset.
To reset Xiaomi, you need to turn the device off completely. Then you need to pinch the combination of the buttons: usually an on button and a volume button. Hold them until the Mi or Redmi logo appears, and then you will be taken to the Recovery menu.
In the Recovery menu, you can navigate with volume buttons and you can select the power button. You can select Wipe Data, then Confirm, and you can tell them that all data will be deleted. Once you've finished, you can select Reboot.
☑️ Checklist before resetting settings
Once you restart, the system will run a security check, and if you have a Mi Account or Google Account on your phone, you will need to enter a password from them, which is theft protection (FRP and Mi Cloud Lock), and without these passwords, you will not be able to unlock the phone using any software methods.
⚠️ Warning: Resetting your settings won’t help if you don’t remember the password from Mi Account or Google Account that your phone is attached to, in which case the device may become unusable (brick).
There is a myth that you can bypass this check through special service codes or programs for PCs. In modern versions of MIUI 12, 13, 14 and HyperOS, security holes are closed, and such methods either do not work or require paid intervention of service centers using flashboxes.
Preventing Access Problems in the Future
To avoid situations where parental controls become a problem, it is important to set up the device correctly from the start, and it is recommended not to give children full administrator rights on the main account, but to use specially created profiles or accounts with limited rights.
Always write your passwords from your Google and Mi accounts to a safe place. Using password managers or a paper storage device in a safe will help you regain access at a critical time. It’s also helpful to check regularly which apps have device administrator rights.
When installing third-party apps for control, be sure to test the procedure for removing them on your device to understand the algorithm for how to act in the event of password loss.
Remember that control technologies must grow with the child. Excessive restrictions on a teenager’s smartphone can lead to conflict and a desire to find ways to bypass protections, which often leads to malware installation. A reasonable balance and openness in discussing digital boundaries often work more effectively than rigid software constraints.
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The most reliable way to remove parental controls is to permanently disconnect through the parent's settings or the organizer's account, and resetting the phone is a last resort that requires access to accounts.