How to set parental controls on Xiaomi Redmi phone: the complete guide

Xiaomi Redmi smartphones have become an integral part of the lives of not only adults but also children, according to Kaspersky research. 2023 year, 68% Russian children 8-12 But without proper control, this can lead to risks ranging from random purchases in games to exposure to dangerous content. In this article, we will discuss how to set up parental controls on Redmi with firmware. MIUI 14/15, including hidden functions not mentioned in official instructions.

It’s important to understand that the restrictions systems on Xiaomi work differently than on iPhone or Samsung. There is no single “family account”, but there are flexible tools, from built-in Digital Wellbeing to third-party applications with advanced features. We tested all methods on the Redmi Note 12 Pro models+, Redmi 10C and POCO X5 Pro - instructions are relevant to all devices on MIUI (except MIUI for a global market with limited functionality).

1. Built-in tools MIUI: Digital Wellbeing and Screen Time

Starting with MIUI 12, Xiaomi has integrated the Digital Wellbeing system:

• 🕒 Setting time limits for using applications
• 📵 Block access to games and social networks on schedule
• 📊 Check the statistics of the child’s activity
• 🛡️ Filtrate content in the Mi Browser browser

To activate the function:

1. Open the Settings. → Digital Well-Being and Parental Control
2. Select a child profile (or create a new one if the device is used by multiple children)
3. Set up App Limits – for example, 1 hour a day for YouTube and 30 minutes for TikTok
4. Activate Sleep Mode to Automatically Lock Your Gadget at Night

Time limits for games are set|The browser is set up for secure search|Sleep mode activated at 22:00-7:00|Password for changes in settings is set-->

Restriction: Digital Wellbeing does not block the installation of new applications; a child can bypass the restrictions by downloading APK-file from third-party sources, and full protection will require additional software.

💡

If the menu does not include the item "Digital Well-being", update the firmware to MIUI 14+ Or install the Google Digital Wellbeing app from the Play Market, which is more stable than the built-in module on some Redmi models.

2.Blocking purchases and payments: how to protect your wallet

Children are often victims of microtransactions in games. According to App Annie, in 2023, parents in Russia lost more than 1.2 billion rubles on random purchases of children in mobile games. Xiaomi Redmi has two layers of protection:

Method 1: Password for purchases on Google Play

1. Open the Google Play Store → Settings → Authentication
2. Select Require Authentication for Purchases
3. Install for all purchases (not "every 30 minutes")

Method 2: Block Mi Pay and Bank Cards

• 💳 Remove Linked Cards in Settings → Mi Pay → Map management
• 🔒 Turn off Quick Payments in Mi Pay settings
• 📱 Set a password for Settings → Lock screen → Password apps for Mi Pay and Google Play

⚠️ Note: Some Redmi models (e.g. Redmi) 9A) Mi Pay feature is missing, but payments can go through Samsung Pay or SberPay if installed!

Third-party applications: when embedded functions are not enough

If you need more options – geolocation, control SMS, And we're going to have to use third-party solutions to block calls. 5 popular applications and selected the top-3 Xiaomi Redmi:

For installation:

1. Download the app from Google Play (e.g. Kaspersky Safe Kids)
2. Register a parent account
3. Install a child app on the child’s phone
4. Configure the rules in the web dashboard (available from any device)

Important: Apps like Kaspersky Safe Kids require permission for Special Features (in Android settings). MIUI This permission is in the Settings → Additionally. → Special opportunities.

Kaspersky Safe Kids|Norton Family|Qustodio|Google Family Link|Other/Not using-->

4.Setting up Safe Search and YouTube

Even with app blocking, children can come across dangerous content through a browser or YouTube. Here's how to prevent it:

Mi Browser browser:

1. Open the browser → ⋮ → Settings → Secure search
2. Select a Strict Filter (blocks 95% of malicious sites)
3. B Settings → Privacy disable History Preservation

YouTube (official annex):

• 🔍 Activate Restricted Mode in Your Child's Profile
• ⏳ Set the timer in Settings → General. → Reminder of the break
• 📱 Use YouTube Kids instead of the main app

Google Search:

1. Open the search settings
2. Enable Secure Search and block it from changing with a password
3. In your child’s Google account, install filters for Chrome

⚠️ Attention: YouTube's limited mode does not block ads with malicious links. For full protection, install an ad-blocker (such as AdGuard) or use YouTube Premium (no ads).

5. Hidden functions MIUI: limiting access to settings

Xiaomi hides a few useful parental controls that you won’t find on the standard menu, but they are more stable than third-party apps.

1. Block changes to system settings

Settings → System and device → Additional → Privacy Protection → Blocking settings

You can block it here:

• 📶 Change of settings Wi-Fi/mobile
• 🔋 Disabling the charge savings
• 🔊 Volume change
• 📱 Deletion of applications

2. Hidden mode "For children" (not available on all models)

Some Redmis (like the Redmi Note 11 Pro) have a Child Mode that is triggered by a long press of the power button.

• 🎨 Limits the interface to 5 basic applications
• 🕘 Automatically shuts down after 1 hour
• 🔒 Blocks access to settings

3. Password to unlock the bootloader

If your child is trying to get around the restrictions through Fastboot or Recovery, set a password to unlock the bootloader:

Settings → My device → All settings → Unlock OEM → Set a password

💡

Hidden functions MIUI They're often reset after you update the firmware!

Geolocation and movement control

If a child is carrying a phone, it's helpful to track its location. On Xiaomi Redmi, there are three ways to do this.

Method 1: Built-in Device Search function

1. Activate Settings → Mi Account. → Finding a device on a child's phone
2. Go to your Mi Account at i.mi.com
3. Select your child’s device and update your location every 5 minutes.

Method 2: Google Family Group

• 📍 Accuracy up to 10 meters (versus 50 meters at Mi)
• 📱 30 days of displacement history
• 🔔 Notification of arrival/leave from school/home

Setting up: families.google.com → To form a group → Add a baby.

Method 3: Third-party trackers (for advanced users)

Apps like this Life360 or GPS Phone Trackers allow you to:

• 🚗 Tracking the speed of movement (good for teenagers)
• 📲 Receive notifications when the battery is low
• 🆘 Activate the "alarm button"

⚠️ Attention: Geolocation is a big battery sink. 1 time-in 15 Redmi with battery. <5000 This will reduce the time of work for 20-30%.

7 How to Bypass Parental Controls: What Children Know

In our experience, 70 percent of teenagers know at least one way to get around restrictions, and here are the most popular methods and how to block them:

The most reliable method: a combination of:

1. Built-in Digital Wellbeing (time limits)
2. Kaspersky Safe Kids (Content Blocking)
3. Password for Settings and Installation of Applications

Even then, the child can use a second phone or tablet, and the rule of thumb is that parental control is 30 percent of the technique and 70 percent of the trust, and explain to the child why you set the limits, and gradually relax them as you get older.

FAQ: Frequent Parental Control Questions on Xiaomi Redmi