How to Set Parental Controls on Xiaomi Phone: A Complete 2026 Guide

Xiaomi smartphones are among the most popular devices among teenagers and children due to their combination of price, performance and functionality, but with access to the Internet and apps, there are risks: gambling addiction, access to unwanted content or uncontrolled purchases. Parental control on MIUI It helps solve these problems, but it's often questionable. Unlike iOS or Google Family Link, it's a system that can be used to fix them. MIUI They have their own tools that work differently, and not always intuitively.

In this article, you will find step-by-step instructions for all current firmware versions (MIUI 14/15), including features for Redmi models, POCO We'll look at not only the standard features, but also hidden settings that the manufacturer does not advertise, such as how to circumvent restrictions on the Chinese versions or configure control through Mi Account without access to the child's phone. You will also learn which third-party applications are better integrated with the MIUI, If standard tools are not enough.

1. What are the parental control options available in MIUI

Firmware MIUI (Starting with version 12, it includes a built-in Parental Control module that allows you to use the:

• 🕒 Limit the time of use of the device (by day of the week or total limit).
• 🔒 Block individual applications or categories (games, social networks, instant messengers).
• 🌐 Filter web content through Mi Browser (including blocking adult websites).
• 🛒 Control purchases in Mi Store and Google Play (requires card binding).
• 📍 Track the location of the device (via Find Device).

However, there are nuances: on Chinese firmware (without Google Services), some functions may be missing, and on global ones - require authorization through Mi Account. For example, filtering web content works only in the standard Mi Browser browser, and blocking applications does not apply to system utilities (for example, Settings or Phone).

Important: Parental control in MIUI block out:

• 📱 Calls and SMS (Only through third-party applications).
• 🔄 VPN-Traffic (you can bypass the restrictions via Psiphon or 1.1.1.1).
• 🎮 Games established through APK (Only from Google Play or Mi Store).

2.Preparation of the phone before setting up

Before you turn on parental controls, follow the mandatory steps:

1. Update the firmware to the latest version. MIUI 14/15 Fixed bugs with circumvention of restrictions through Developer Mode.
2. Create a backup copy of the child’s data (photos, contacts) – when resetting settings, they can be deleted.
3. Make sure your phone has a Mi Account (preferably yours, not your child) without it, some of the features will be unavailable.
4. Turn off Developer Mode (if enabled) and you can bypass the locks.

If the phone is Chinese-built (without Google Play), install the Google Services Framework manually through Settings. → Annexes → Application management → Install APK. Family Link and other services will not work.

Update MIUI last-minute|Create a backup copy of the data|Attach your Mi Account (not your child)|Disable Developer Mode|Install Google Services (for Chinese firmware)-->

Chinese firmware warning: On devices without Google Play (e.g. Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra China) ROM) Standard parental controls only work through Mi Account, and full locking requires you to install global firmware or use third-party apps like Kids Place.

3. step-by-step adjustment of parental control in MIUI

The instructions are suitable for MIUI 14/15 on the Redmi Note models 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13 If you have an older version (for example, MIUI 12.5), Some menu items may be different.

Step 1: Enabling Parental Controls

1. Open the Settings. → Parental control.
2. Click Start and select I am a parent.
3. Sign in with your Mi Account (not your child’s account!).
4. Create a P.IN-code (remember it – without it, you can not change the settings!).

Step 2: Set up the restrictions

After activation, tabs will be available:

• 🕐 Time of use: Set limits by day (e.g. 2 hours on weekdays and 3 hours on weekends).
• 📱 Application Restriction: Select programs to block (e.g. TikTok, YouTube).
• 🌐 Content filter: Enable adult site blocking (only works in Mi Browser).

Important: If your child is using Chrome or Firefox, site filtering won’t work, in which case install Mi Browser as the default browser or use third-party solutions (for example, use Mi Browser as the default browser, DNS-router-filter).

Step 3: Additional settings

To strengthen control:

1. Enable the Mi Store and Google Play block (requires a bank card link).
2. Activate Location Tracking through Settings → Additionally. → Find Device.
3. Set up Safe Mode in case your child tries to reset.

💡

If the child knows yours PIN from parental control, change it through Settings → Parental control → Change. PIN. Use a combination that is difficult to match (for example, not a date of birth).

4. Features for different Xiaomi models

Parental controls may vary depending on the phone model and firmware version, and the key differences below are:

For models POCO F5 Redmi Note 12 Pro+ Game Turbo is available, which allows you to limit the time in games separately from the general limit:

1. Go to Settings → Special features → Game Turbo.
2. Select the Game Time Limitation.
3. Set a limit (for example, 1 hour per day).

💡

On Chinese firmware, parental controls only work through Mi Account, and if your phone is not tied to your account, you won't be able to remotely control settings.

5. Third-party applications for enhanced control

If the built-in functions MIUI Not enough, consider these apps (all compatible with Xiaomi):

• 🛡️ Google Family Link: Free solution to block apps, limit time and track activity. Works on all phones with Google Play.
• 👶 Kids Place: Creates a sandbox with allowed apps, and a child can't leave without it. PIN-code.
• 🔍 Qustodio: a paid application with advanced site filtering, activity reports and geolocation.
• 📵 AppBlock: blocks applications on a schedule (for example, social networks from 22:00 to 8:00).

How do you choose?

• If you need a free option → Google Family Link.
• If the child bypasses the blockages → Kids Place (full control).
• If the details of the reports are important → Qustodio (paid).

Compatibility warning:

⚠️ Note: On phones with Chinese firmware (Redmi) K60 China ROM, Xiaomi 13 China) Google Family Link is not working due to the lack of Google Play Services. In this case, use Kids Place or set up control via a router (e.g. OpenDNS FamilyShield).

6 How to Bypass Parental Controls: What Children Know

Children quickly learn to find loopholes in control systems, and here are the most common ways to bypass and prevent them:

• 🔄 Reset: A child can do Hard Reset via Recovery Mode. Solution: Enable Reset Protection in Settings → Additionally. → Data protection.
• 🛠️ Developer mode: You can turn off parental controls through it. Solution: Turn off Debugging by USB and Unlocking OEM.
• 🌐 VPN Or proxy: Bypass filtering sites. Solution: block the installation of new applications.
• 📱 Second account: The child creates a new account on the phone. Solution: limit the number of users in Settings → System system → Multiplayer mode.

The most reliable way is a combination:

1. Built-in parental controls MIUI.
2. Third-party application (Kids Place).
3. Blocking at the router level (e.g. OpenDNS).

If your child is tech-savvy, consider hardware solutions, such as a phone with Kids Mode preinstalled (like the Xiaomi Mi Play) or specialized devices like GizmoWatch.

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Error 1: Use your child’s account to set up control.

⚠️ Note: If you logged in through your child's Mi Account, they can deactivate parental controls at any time, knowing the password from the account!

Mistake 2: Forgotten PIN-code.

If you lost PIN It's not parental control, it can only be reset through a full reset of the phone (Wipe Data in Recovery Mode:

• Write it down. PIN secure location (e.g. Google Keep with encryption).
• Link your phone to your Mi Account – this will reset PIN via Find Device.

Mistake 3: Incorrect time limits.

If you set too tight limits (like 30 minutes a day), your child will look for workarounds.

• 1-2 hours on weekdays.
• 2-3 hours on the weekend.
• "Bonus time" for completing tasks (e.g. cleaning the room = +30 minutes).

Error 4: Ignoring updates.

In the new versions MIUI Often closes vulnerabilities that allow you to bypass control. Always update the firmware through Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions