Parental controls on Xiaomi Redmi 9: step-by-step configuration

Xiaomi Redmi 9 has become a popular choice for a child’s first device due to its affordable price and reliable filling. However, the openness of the Android operating system requires parents to take a careful approach to digital hygiene and safety. Without proper configuration, the gadget can become a source of unwanted content or excessive gaming at the expense of school.

Modern tools allow you to flexibly manage screen time and limit access to certain functions. The built-in MIUI mechanisms in conjunction with Google services create a powerful barrier to potential threats. It is important not just to ban, but to properly configure the system to work automatically and efficiently.

In this article, we’ll take a look at all the protections available, from system constraints to specialized applications. You’ll learn how to create a safe digital environment for your child using only free and proven tools. The right configuration will take no more than 15 minutes, but will provide peace of mind for the long term.

Built-in MIUI restrictions and the Guest mode

The MIUI shell on Redmi 9 offers a basic level of protection through the creation of separate profiles.This solution is ideal for situations where you give the phone to a child for a short time, for example, on the road or in line.

To activate this function, you need to lower the notification curtain and find the current user icon, clicking on it, you can add a new profile, in this mode, you do not save browser history and account data, and after leaving the profile, all traces of activity are erased.

⚠️ Note: Guest mode is not a full parental control, it only hides your data, but does not limit the time of use or install applications inside the guest session.

A more advanced tool is Second Space, which creates a completely separate environment on the device with its own settings and applications, and you can install only children's games and educational programs, leaving the main profile free of unnecessary software.

• 📱 Switching between spaces occurs via a password or fingerprint.
• 🔒 Each space has its own privacy and network access settings.
• 📂 Applications do not overlap between the main and second profiles without your knowledge.

Using the second space requires manually configuring each application, which can be time-consuming, but for the Xiaomi Redmi 9, it’s a great way to prepare the device for the child without installing third-party software.

Google Family Link: The Most Important Protection Tool

The most effective Android smartphone solution is the Google Family Link app, which allows you to remotely control your child’s device, set time limits and filter content on Google Play, and requires a Google account from both a parent and a child.

The setup process starts with installing the Family Link app on Redmi 9. If the app is not found in the store, you can download it as a download. APK-File with verified resources, as on new versions MIUI It's sometimes hidden by default.

Installation -> Start -> Entering an activation code from a parent's device

Once you pair the devices, you have full control over your schedule, you can set the time you sleep when your phone is locked, or limits on how you use specific apps, and you can also show reports of how much time your child has spent on YouTube or games.

• ⏰ Flexible screen lock schedule by week.
• 🚫 Instant locking of the device from the parent’s phone.
• 📍 Tracking the location of the device in real time.

Importantly, Family Link requires a constant internet connection to keep reports running correctly, and if a child turns off the internet, the restrictions may not apply immediately, although the basic lock will remain active.

Content Filtering and Secure Search

One of the main tasks is to restrict access to unwanted content on the Internet, and in conjunction with Google Family Link, a SafeSearch filter is used to block explicit images and texts in search results, but you should not rely on it alone.

For Google Chrome, which is the default browser on Redmi 9, you can turn on incognito mode with restrictions or use specialized children's browsers. In the settings of the child's account through the Google web interface, you can force "Safe Search" to be enabled.

⚠️ Warning: Smart kids often know how to get around a lock by simply changing their browser or changing their browser. DNS. Be sure to set a password to change network settings and prohibit the installation of new browsers.

YouTube deserves special attention. Even with the filter turned on, algorithms can skip questionable videos. It is best to install the YouTube Kids app, where content is moderated more strictly, and viewing time is also limited through Family Link.

A comprehensive approach that combines software filters and educational conversations is the best thing to do, and technical protection is just a tool to help you form the right habits.

Blocking purchases and limiting costs

Modern games and apps often contain in-app purchases that can lead to unexpected expenses. On Xiaomi Redmi 9, you need to set up authorization for each transaction in the Google Play Store, which will prevent accidental or intentional spending of funds from the linked card.

In the Play Store settings, find Settings → Authentication. Select Require for All Purchases. Now any attempt to buy in-game currency or subscription will require a password or confirmation through the parent's app.

Also, check your Google One subscription settings or other services that may have a trial period.Remove the payment methods from your child's device completely, leaving the option to pay only through a request for permission from the family group organizer.

• 💳 Untie the bank cards from the child’s account.
• 🔐 Set a complex password to log in to your Google account.
• 📉 Check your transaction history regularly on Google Pay.

In some regions and app stores (GetApps by Xiaomi), settings may vary. Make sure that all installed app stores have passwords to purchase.

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Tip: Use virtual cards with a limit to pay for subscriptions, and even if access to payment is obtained, the child will not be able to spend more than the set amount.

Remote management and activity monitoring

The remote control features in Family Link allow not only locking the device, but also seeing what's happening right now, so that a parent can see which app is running at any time and close it remotely if necessary.

The activity history is stored for a week, which allows you to analyze the behavior of the child, and you can see that after 22:00, the activity in the messengers increases sharply, which signals a violation of sleep patterns.

Geolocation is another important security aspect, and the location accuracy on Redmi 9 is quite high, thanks to GPS and networking modules, and you can set up geo-fences, like getting a notification when a child comes to school or comes home.

⚠️ Attention: Constant monitoring may be perceived by adolescents as an invasion of privacy.Talk to your child about how to use the phone and explain that the control is for the sake of security, not total surveillance.

To operate geolocation, you need to allow the application to access the location "Always", otherwise tracking will only work when the screen is unlocked, which is a critical parameter in the MIUI resolution settings.

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Balancing control and trust is key to successful parenting, and open dialogue is more important than any technical constraints.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)