How to set parental controls on a child’s Xiaomi phone: The full guide 2026

Why parental control on Xiaomi is a necessity, not a whim

A smartphone in the hands of a child is not only about access to educational materials and entertainment, but also potential risks, from random purchases in games to contact with strangers on social networks. According to a 2023 Kaspersky Lab study, 68% of children aged 8-12 years have experienced aggressive content online, and 42% of parents did not even know it. Xiaomi smartphones (including the Redmi and POCO lines) offer built-in parental control tools, but many users do not know how to set them up properly.

In this article you will find step-by-step instructions for all current versions. MIUI (12 to 14), including hidden features not covered in official manuals. We'll look at not only the basic limitations, but also advanced methods -- like how to block access to specific apps on a schedule or track a child's location without installing third-party software. MIUI It can nullify all your control efforts – and how to fix it.

Preparing the phone: what to do before setting up control

Before you include restrictions, make sure your child's phone is ready for this, and here are the mandatory steps that 90% of parents skip:

• 📱 Update. MIUI In the old firmware (for example, in the latest version, MIUI 11 and below) Parental control functions are unstable or non-existent. → The phone. → Version. MIUI.
• 🔄 Back up your data. When you reset your settings (if necessary), all photos, contacts and messages will be deleted. Use Settings → Additionally. → Backup.
• 👤 Set up a separate Mi Account for your child. Don't use your primary account, it'll create sync problems. Register a new one through Settings. → Xiaomi account → Add an account.
• 🔒 Turn off guest mode. Xiaomi has a Guest feature that bypasses all restrictions. Check in Settings → System and device → Additionally. → Multiplayer mode.

⚠️ Warning: If your child’s phone is already linked to your Mi Account, untie it to Settings first. → Xiaomi account → Device management. Otherwise, when you set up control, locks will apply to your smartphone!

It’s also worth checking if the phone has third-party launchers (like Nova Launcher or Apex) that may be in conflict with system limitations. Return the standard launcher to Settings → Applications → Default → Launcher.

Method 1: Built-in parental controls in MIUI (without third-party apps)

Starting with MIUI 12, Xiaomi has a built-in Parental Control tool that allows you to:

• 🕒 Limit the time of use of the phone (by day of the week).
• 🎮 Block games and social networks on schedule (for example, from 21:00 to 7:00).
• 🔍 Filtrate content in the Mi Browser browser.
• 📍 Track location (only if Find Device is enabled).

To activate it:

1. Open the Settings. → Parental control.
2. Click “Start” and select “I am a parent.”
3. Create. PIN-code (remember it! If you lose it, you'll have to drop your phone).
4. Link your child’s account (if not, the system will offer to create one).
5. Set the restrictions in the Time Management and Content Limitation menus.

⚠️ Note: Built-in control does not work for applications downloaded from APK (If your child installs games through files, use method 3 (below).

Installed. PIN-code+ figure|

Linked your child’s account to your Mi-account |

Blocked the installation of applications from unknown sources |

Checked the work of restrictions in the “child mode” (see method 2)|

Synchronized settings with the cloud (Settings) → Parental control → Synchronization)-->

Method 2: Mode "For children" - a simplified interface for children

If your child is under 10, instead of having a very complicated set of constraints, you can turn on a special kid mode, which turns the smartphone into a sandbox with apps you've pre-approved, and it activates like this:

1. Go to Settings → Special Opportunities → Mode “For Children”.
2. Click "Enable" and set a password (other than the one you use). PIN-parental control code!).
3. Select apps that will be available in the child mode (for example, YouTube Kids, Duolingo, Camera).
4. Set up an automatic exit timer (maximum 2 hours of continuous use).

Features of the regime:

• 🎨 The interface becomes bright, with large icons.
• 🚫 All other applications and settings are blocked.
• 🔔 Notifications from social networks and messengers are not shown.
• 📴 Calls and SMS They are working normally (so that the child can call you).

⚠️ Note: In the "For children" mode, you can not use banking applications (for example, Sberbank Online or Tinkoff). PIN-the code to exit the mode, it will be able to access payment services. Solution: use a separate user profile (see method 4).

Method 3: Google Family Link – Control Apps and Purchases

If Xiaomi’s built-in tools don’t suit you, use Google Family Link, Google’s official solution that works on all Android smartphones, including Redmi and POCO.

• 🛒 Block purchases in games and the Google Play store.
• ⏰ Flexible schedule (e.g., allow YouTube only from 16:00 to 18:00).
• 📊 Activity reports (how much time the child spent in each application).
• 🔍 Content filtering in Google Search, YouTube and Chrome.

How to set up:

1. Download Google Family Link to your phone and child’s phone (link).
2. Create a Google account for your child (if not) through familylink.google.com.
3. Link your child’s device to your Family Link account.
4. Set the restrictions under “Application Management” and “Use Time”.

Important nuance: Family Link does not block Xiaomi system applications (such as Mi Browser or GetApps).To close this loophole, additionally use the built-in MIUI control (mode 1).

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If a child has deleted Google Family Link from their phone, don't panic! the app will still work in hidden mode as it is tied to a Google account. To return the icon, go to familylink.google.com and send the "Install" command to the child's device.

Method 4: Hidden MIUI features for advanced users

If standard methods don’t provide the right level of control, Xiaomi has hidden settings that few people know about, and can be enabled through Developer Mode or special commands.

Here are the most useful:

⚠️ Attention: Hidden Surveillance Mode (#4636##) does not save logs after the phone is restarted. If the child turns off the device, the action history will reset. Use third-party apps (for example, Kaspersky Safe Kids) for constant monitoring).

Another secret trick: if your child is constantly resetting, block access to Recovery.

1. Turn on Developer Mode (7 times click on Version) MIUI» customized).
2. Go to Settings → Additional → For Developers → Block OEM and turn it off.
3. Set your password to Fastboot via the command: fastboot oem lock (requires a PC connection and Mi Unlock Tool).

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The most reliable way to protect is to combine built-in parental controls MIUI + Google Family Link + Recovery lock, which closes 95% of the loopholes that children use to bypass restrictions.

What to do if your child bypasses restrictions: 5 non-obvious loopholes and how to close them

Children quickly learn to find workarounds, and here are the most common ways they use them and how to prevent them:

• 🔄 Reset settings via Recovery Solution: block Recovery (see Method 4) or install custom Recovery (for example, TWRP) password-wise.
• 📥 Installation APK Solution: block installation from unknown sources in Settings → Privacy → Special permits → Installation of unknown applications.
• 🕵️ Use of the VPN Solution: block the installation. VPN-Apps via Google Family Link.
• 🎭 Switch to guest profile. Solution: disable multiplayer (see "Preparing the phone" section»).
• 🔧 Change date/time to bypass timers Solution: block date change in Settings → System and device → Date and time → Automatic date and time.

If your child is technically savvy, consider hardware solutions:

• 🔌 A router with parental control (e.g. Xiaomi Mi Router) 4A). Blocks access to websites at the network level.
• 📶 SIM-Children's card (e.g. Tele2's "Children's" card) restricts mobile internet.

⚠️ Note: If your child is using dual-app (cloning applications in the app) MIUI), Parental controls won't work for cloned versions. → Annexes → Dual Apps and Remove Them.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions About Parental Controls on Xiaomi