Setting a password on Google Play Market on Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphones is an effective way to protect your purchases and personal data from unauthorized access, especially for parents who want to limit children from random purchases in games, or for users sharing a device with other people. Unlike standard screen locking methods, the password on Play Market allows you to selectively protect only the app store without restricting access to other smartphone functions.
In this article, we will take a look at all the ways you can set a password on Google Play in MIUI 14/15 firmware (including global and Chinese versions), and also look at the nuances for different versions of Android (from 12 to 14). You will learn how to configure protection through built-in Xiaomi features, third-party applications and even how to circumvent the restrictions if you forgot your password. All the instructions are tested on current models of 2023-2026, including Xiaomi 14, Redmi Note 13 Pro+ and POCO F6.
Why is it worth protecting Google Play with a password?
Many Xiaomi users underestimate the risks associated with open access to the Play Market, while the lack of protection can lead to serious problems:
- 💸 Unauthorized purchases: Children or other users of your phone may accidentally (or intentionally) buy paid apps, subscriptions or in-game currency. In 2023, more than 12,000 complaints of third-party debiting via Google Play were registered in Russia alone.
- 📱 Malware installation: Without control, anyone can install applications from unreliable sources, which can lead to virus infection or data theft.
- 🔍 Access to Personal Information: You can view the history of installed apps through Google Play, which can reveal your interests or habits (for example, banking apps, instant messengers).
- 👨👩👧👦 Parental controls: If a child uses a phone, a password will help restrict access to age-restricted games (18).+) social media.
It's important to understand that a password on Google Play doesn't replace the main lock, it complements it. For example, even if you use a fingerprint to unlock your smartphone, without additional protection, anyone can open the Play Market and install any application, especially for devices with Smart Lock (automatic unlock in trusted places).
Method 1: Built-in “Shopping Protection” feature in Google Play
The easiest and most reliable way to do this is to use the built-in “Require authentication for purchases” feature on Google Play itself, which works on all Xiaomi smartphones regardless of MIUI or Android version, but has a limitation: it only protects paid transactions, not the access to the store itself.
To enable this function:
- Open the Google Play Market app.
- Slip on the profile avatar in the upper right corner.
- Select Settings → Authentication → Require authentication for purchases.
- Specify the preferred method of confirmation: 🔑 Every time (recommended for maximum safety) ⏱️ Every 30 minutes (convenient if you buy apps frequently)
After activating each purchase attempt (including subscriptions and donations in games), the system will require a password from the Google account, PIN-code or fingerprint (depending on the device unlock settings).
☑️ Checking the protection of purchases
⚠️ Note: This method does not block the installation of free apps.If you need to completely restrict access to the Play Market, use the methods in the following sections.
Method 2: Block Play Market with Digital Well-Being (MIUI 14/15)
MIUI 14 and MIUI 15 firmware (and some versions of MIUI 13) have a built-in Digital Well-Being feature that allows you to set a password for individual applications, including Google Play, which is suitable for completely blocking access to the store.
Instructions for setting:
- Open Settings → Digital Well-Being and Parental Controls.
- Select Digital Well-Being Tools → Block Apps.
- Activate the function by following the prompts on the screen (you will need to create a feature). PIN-code).
- In the app list, find the Google Play Market and turn on the switch next to it.
- Set up additional parameters: 🔒 Type of lockdown: PIN, password. ⏰ Lock timer: you can set a time limit (for example, block overnight).
After activation, each time you start Play Market, a window will appear with the requirement to enter PIN-This is a more reliable method than the previous one, because it blocks not only purchases, but also access to the store itself.
| Method of blocking | Protects shopping. | Protects access to the Play Market | It works without the internet. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Authentication in Google Play | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. |
| Digital Well-Being (MIUI) | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. |
| Third-party applications (AppLock) | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No (administrator rights required) |
| Child-friendly mode (MIUI) | ✅ Yes (partially) | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. |
⚠️ Note: In some regional versions MIUI (For example, in China, the Digital Well-being function may not be available or have limited functionality).
Method 3: Use of Third-Party Applications (AppLock)
If your version of MIUI does not have built-in application locking, you can use third-party utilities such as AppLock, Norton App Lock or Smart AppLock, which allow you to set a password for any application, including Google Play Market.
Step-by-step instructions for AppLock:
- Download and install AppLock from Google Play (link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.doom.applock).
- When you first start, set a master password (it is recommended to use a combination of letters, numbers and symbols).
- Give the application the device administrator rights (necessary for secure locking).
- In the AppLock main menu, search for the Google Play Market and activate the lock.
- Set up additional parameters: 🔐 Type of lockdown: PIN, password. 📷 Hidden Mode: Hiding the AppLock icon from the app menu. 🚨 Anti-Hug: Takes a photo of someone trying to break the lock.
Advantages of this method:
- 🔧 Flexible settings (you can block not only Play Market, but also other applications).
- 📊 Entry Attempts Statistics (Useful for Parental Controls).
- 🔄 Ability to temporarily unlock on schedule.
Important: Some antiviruses (such as Avast or Kaspersky) may conflict with AppLock, causing locking failures. Check compatibility in security settings before installing.
💡
If Google Play has stopped updating after installing AppLock, add the app to battery optimization exceptions: Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization → All Apps → AppLock → No Limitations
Method 4: Parental Control in MIUI (for children)
If you want to restrict access to Google Play for a child, MIUI has a special mode called "Children's Mode" that allows you to create a separate profile with limited rights, which is suitable for devices that are used exclusively by children.
How to set up:
- Open Settings → Special Opportunities → Mode “For Children”.
- Create a new child profile by following the instructions on the screen.
- In the profile settings, select Restrictions → Applications.
- Find Google Play Market and set a limit: 🚫 Block completely (the child will not be able to open the store). ⏰ Limit time (for example, 30 minutes a day).
PIN-code
In the child profile, you can also:
- 🎮 Block games with an age rating above the specified.
- 📵 Restricting access to the Internet or Wi-Fi.
- 📱 Set limits on screen use.
⚠️ Note: In child mode, Google Play may not work correctly - some apps will not update automatically.
What to do if the child knows PIN-code?
Method 5: Blocking through Google Account Settings (for advanced users)
If you need to not just restrict access to the Play Market, but completely block the installation of applications without your knowledge, you can use the settings of the Google account. This method is suitable for Android 12+ devices and requires access to a computer.
Instructions:
- Open the page on your computer https://myaccount.google.com/ Sign in under the same account as on your phone.
- Go to the Security section → Device management.
- Find your Xiaomi smartphone in the list and select App Access Management.
- Activate the option "Block the installation of unknown applications".
- Return to your phone and open Settings → Applications → Special Access → Install Unknown Apps.
- For Google Play Market, set a disallow limit.
After these actions:
- 🔒 Installing apps from the Play Market will require you to enter a password from your Google account.
- 🚫 Downloading APK-Files from the browser or file manager will be blocked.
- 🔄 Application updates will only be manually completed after confirmation.
This is the most reliable method, but it has a disadvantage: all installations are blocked, including updates to system applications, and only use it if you need maximum protection.
💡
Blocking through a Google account is the only way that works even after resetting your phone to factory settings (if you don’t delete your account).
What to do if you forget your Play Market password?
If you forgot your password, PIN-code or pattern lock installed on Google Play, the way you reset depends on the method of blocking:
| Locking method | How do I drop it? | Data loss? |
|---|---|---|
| Authentication in Google Play | Reset your password from your Google account via https://accounts.google.com | ❌ No. |
| Digital Well-Being (MIUI) | Enter a spare PIN or reset through Settings → Passwords and Security → Block Apps | ❌ No. |
| AppLock | Use a question to restore or uninstall the application through Settings → Apps | ✅ Yes (if removed) |
| Child profile | Enter the parent PIN or reset the profile in the settings | ❌ No. |
| Google account | Restor your account access via https://accounts.google.com | ❌ No. |
If none of these things work, you just have to reset the settings to the factory.
- Turn off the phone.
- Press the Power + Volume buttons up until the Mi logo appears.
- From the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data → Factory Reset.
- Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.
Important: Reset will delete all data from your phone, including photos, contacts and apps. Before the procedure, back up via Settings → About Phone → Backup.