Modern Smart TVs have become multimedia centers that provide access to a huge amount of entertainment content. For owners of Xiaomi TVs, the issue of security becomes especially urgent, as children are often left alone with the device.
Many users mistakenly believe that it is enough to simply not buy paid subscriptions, but built-in browsers and free streaming services can contain content with an age rating of 18+. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to configure filtering on Android TV and PatchWall operating systems.
The setup process can vary depending on the firmware version and the region in which the device was purchased.We will look at the universal methods that work on most Mi TV models, and also touch on the nuances of working with Google profiles. This will provide maximum protection regardless of which model you use in your living room.
Basic principles of the work of restrictions on Android TV
The basic security architecture in Xiaomi TVs is based on the profile system and the PIN-Unlike smartphones, where locking is often linked to an account, the big screen is more likely to use local protection for specific apps or purchase features, which means you don’t have to create separate accounts for each family member, although this option is also available.
The key here is Google Play Protect and built-in content filters, and when you activate parental controls, the system starts checking the age ratings of apps and media libraries before launch, and if the content doesn't meet the set parameters, the system will ask for a new update. PIN-code.
💡
Use the complex PIN-Avoid combinations like 1234 or 0000, as children often see which buttons you press.
It is important to understand the difference between blocking purchases and blocking content: the first prevents random spending inside app stores, the second restricts watching videos or running games, setting these parameters in different sections of the menu, which sometimes causes confusion for beginners.
⚠️ Warning: Resetting your TV settings to Factory Reset will completely remove all set restrictions and PIN-Be careful when performing this procedure if you want to keep your current security configuration.
Set up a block on purchases in Google Play
The first step to creating a secure environment is to protect against unauthorized spending, 41-pointed spending, where children can accidentally click on the Buy button while playing or watching a cartoon, and to avoid unexpected bills, you need to activate authentication for all transactions on the Google Play store.
To do this, go to Settings and select Accounts and Login, where you will need to log in to your primary Google account if you haven't already. After you log in, look for Settings directly within the Google Play Store app.
In the store’s settings menu, look for Authentication or Require authentication for purchases. Here you will be asked to choose when to request a password: for all purchases or only for those made through Google Play on Android devices.
- 🔒 Select the option “Request password for each purchase” for maximum protection.
- 💳 Make sure that no cards with high limits are tied to your account without additional confirmation.
- 📱 Set up a purchase confirmation via the Google Family Link app on your smartphone for remote control.
After activating this function, any payment attempt will be preceded by a request. PIN-This applies to both paid applications and in-game purchases. TV will not remember the password after entering, requiring it each time again, which guarantees the security of your budget.
☑️ Payment protection check
Restricting access to applications and content
Beyond financial constraints, it is critical to manage which apps and files can run on a TV. The Android TV operating system on which Xiaomi TV is based doesn't have a single "Block Everything" button, but there is an effective age rating mechanism.
To set up, go to Settings → Security and Restrictions (or Parental Controls) where you can set an age limit for apps downloaded from Google Play. For example, by selecting a 6+ rating, you will automatically hide from search and block the launch of games and programs labeled “12+”, “16+” and “18+”.
Special attention should be paid to blocking embedded applications such as YouTube or the browser. Since system applications can often not be removed, the only way to restrict access to them is to use the Guest Mode feature or third-party launchers. However, the basic setting of YouTube ratings is also available through a linked Google account.
| Type of content | Method of limitation | Efficiency |
|---|---|---|
| Apps from Play Market | Age rating in settings | Tall. |
| YouTube video | Restricted Mode Mode | Medium |
| Files from USB | Blocking the launch of the media player | Low. |
| Shopping inside games | Purchase authentication | Tall. |
It is worth noting that setting restrictions on viewing local files (flash drive video) in standard firmware PatchWall or Android TV It is better to use third-party media players with support for passwords, such as: VLC for Android MX Player, and install them separately PIN-code.
How to get around rating restrictions?
Use Google Family Link for TV
The most powerful tool for managing a child’s digital time is the Google Family Link and the child’s account, a method that requires prior preparation: you need to create a separate Google account for your child and add it to your family group through a smartphone app.
After you have created a child account, log in to it on your Xiaomi TV. Go to Settings → Accounts → Add an account and enter your child’s details. The system automatically recognizes the age of the user and applies the appropriate content filters for all Google services.
The advantage of this method is that it's centralized, and through the Family Link app on your phone, you can:
- ⏱️ Set screen time limits for the TV.
- 🚫 Remotely block the launch of specific applications on TV.
- 🔍 See the history of views and running programs.
- 🌙 Set the time off when the TV stops working.
If a child tries to log out of a child's profile without your permission, the system will send a notification to your phone, making Family Link one of the most reliable ways to monitor.
Blocking access to settings and resets
One common problem is that a child can accidentally or deliberately reset the TV settings, thereby bypassing all set restrictions. In pure Android TV, there is no locking function for the settings themselves, but in the PatchWall shell from Xiaomi, there is often protection against changes.
To prevent resetting, it is recommended to hide or block access to Factory Settings. In some versions of firmware, this can be done via Guest Mode. Activate the guest profile when a child is using the TV. In this mode, access to system settings and installing new applications is often limited by default.
If your TV is running an international version of Android TV without PatchWall, use Profile Lock. Create a primary profile with administrator rights (your) and a profile for children. Switch between them before you start watching. The child profile will not have the right to change system settings or delete applications.
⚠️ Attention: Do not tell the child PIN-The unlock code on the TV screen, if it's installed, and knowing that code, a tech-savvy teenager can access an engineering menu or debug. USB.
Also, disable the ability to install applications from unknown sources. Go to Settings → Security → Unknown sources and make sure that this switch is turned off for all browsers and file managers. This will prevent the installation of third-party launchers or programs to bypass locks.
Alternative solutions and third-party applications
Staff funds are not always enough for flexible customization, especially if you want to limit viewing time or block access to YouTube completely, in which case specialized applications from the Google Play Store, designed for parental control on large screens, come to the rescue.
One popular solution is the Kids Place app, or its counterparts for TV, which creates a secure environment (launcher) that displays only the apps you allow, and the child will not be able to physically go outside of this interface without entering a password.
Another option is the use DNS-It's a router-level filtering, but it requires a lot more technical knowledge. DNS inside the device itself, blocking access to adult sites and resources at the network level.
💡
Combination of several protection methods (PIN-code, child profile and third-party launcher create a multi-level security system that is almost impossible to circumvent without adult intervention.
When choosing third-party software, pay attention to reviews and installs. It is important that the application does not require excessive permissions and does not contain its own advertising, which may not be filtered, and install such software in the standard way through a search on Google Play on the TV.