How to turn on the child mode on the Xiaomi phone: full instructions with pictures

Modern smartphones have become an integral part of the lives of even the smallest users. Xiaomi offers built-in tools for parental control, but many device owners do not know how to set them up correctly. MIUI β€” This is not just blocking applications, but a whole range of functions: from limiting screen time to filtering content by age.

In this article you will find the most current ways to activate the mode for children on all modern versions. MIUI (12-15), And we're going to look at not only the basic limitations, but also advanced features like remote control through Mi Account or setting up multiple profiles for children of different ages.

We will pay special attention to typical errors: why the mode can spontaneously turn off, how to bypass the restrictions without a password (in case you forgot it), and what to do if after updating MIUI The child profile is missing from the menu. All instructions tested on Redmi Note models 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13T and other relevant devices 2023-2026 year-end.

What is a child mode on Xiaomi and why it is needed

Childhood regime in MIUI β€” It's a specialized profile with limited functionality that is created on top of the main account:

  • πŸ”’ Blocking application installation without parental confirmation
  • ⏰ Screen time limits with flexible schedules (e.g. 1 hour on weekdays and 2 hours on weekends)
  • πŸ“΅ Filtering content by age (6)+, 12+, 18+)
  • πŸ“ Geosons to track the location of the child (available on some models)
  • πŸ”„ Activity log with history of running applications and visited sites

Unlike standard guest mode, the child profile is linked to the parent's Mi Account, allowing you to manage settings remotely via a web interface, for example, you can lock your child's smartphone right from your phone if they play games too long.

It's important to understand that the child mode doesn't replace full-fledged parent apps like Google Family Link or Kaspersky Safe Kids, but it does provide a good basic protection. 6-12 years when complete isolation from gadgets is no longer possible, but full freedom of action is dangerous.

πŸ“Š How often does your child use a smartphone?
More often than 2 hours a day
1-2 hours a day
Only on weekends.
Rarely or never

Preparation of the phone before the inclusion of child mode

Before you activate your child profile, follow the mandatory steps:

Update. MIUI last-minute|Create a backup copy of the data|Make sure there is a free space on the phone (minimum 500MB)|Connect the device to Wi-Fi|Charge the battery at least 50%-->

The most common mistake is trying to set the mode on an outdated version. MIUI. Parental control functions differ significantly in different firmware:

MIUI versionChildhood regimeRemote controlgeozones
MIUI 12βœ… Basic❌ No.❌ No.
MIUI 13βœ… Expandedβœ… Through the Mi Cloud❌ No.
MIUI 14βœ… Full control.βœ… Mi Account + SMSβœ… Yes (on top-end models)
MIUI 15βœ… AI-filteringβœ… All methods.βœ… Yes (with notices)

If your device is working on MIUI 12 or older, update your firmware first through Settings β†’ The phone. β†’ System updates. Some models (POCO F3, Redmi 10 may require manual installation of global firmware, as on Chinese versions MIUI Childhood regimen is often absent.

⚠️ Warning: If your phone is rooted or custom firmware is installed, your child mode may not work properly.

Step-by-step: how to turn on the children’s mode on Xiaomi

The activation process differs depending on the version MIUI. We’ll look at a universal method that works on 90% of devices:

  1. Open Settings (cog icon on the main screen)
  2. Go to the Special Opportunities section (on some models – Additional)
  3. Choose Child Mode or Parental Control (C) MIUI 14+ This may be called digital well-being)
  4. Click Create a Child Profile and Follow the Settings Wizard
  5. Set your PIN (remember it! without it, you can't change your settings)
  6. Select the age category of the child (this depends on the level of content filtering)
  7. Set time limits and allowed applications

A new desktop with a limited set of applications will appear on the screen. To return to normal mode, swipe down from the top edge of the screen and click on the profile icon (or enter a PIN).

What to do if there is no "Children's Mode" in the settings?
On some models (especially the Chinese market), this feature is hidden. Try: 1. Install global firmware via Fastboot 2. Use the Google Family Link app as an alternative 3. Activate mode via Settings β†’ Accounts. β†’ Family (on MIUI 15) If nothing helps, check the phone model on Xiaomi’s official website – your device may not support this feature.

V MIUI 14 and later, you can create multiple child profiles with different settings, which is convenient for families with children of different ages:

Settings β†’ Digital Well-Being β†’ Profile Management β†’ Add Profile

Configuring the restrictions: what can be blocked

After activation of the child mode, the following restriction options are available:

  • πŸ•’ Time of use: Set daily limits or flexible schedules (for example, 16:00 to 18:00 on weekdays)
  • πŸ“± Apps: Allow only selected programs (e.g., educational or developmental programs)
  • 🌐 Internet: Block browser access or set up a whitelist of sites
  • πŸ’³ Purchases: Full block payments and install new apps
  • πŸ“ž Calls: limit on outgoing calls (whitelisted numbers only)
  • πŸ“ Location: Location tracking with exit notifications (available on the MIUI 14+)

To set the limits:

  1. Go to Settings. β†’ Parental control
  2. Select a child profile
  3. Click on the Use Restrictions
  4. Activate the necessary options and save the changes

Xiaomi. 13/14 series POCO F5 function AI-monitoring: the system analyzes the child's behavior and suggests optimal settings, for example, if the child opens games too often, the system can automatically reduce the limit of screen time.

⚠️ Note: Some devices will have their child profile wiped out after resetting. To avoid data loss, export the settings through Settings β†’ System system β†’ Backup.

Remote control via Mi Account: how to monitor your child's phone

One of the most useful features is the ability to manage your child profile from your phone.

  1. Make sure that both devices use the same Mi Account.
  2. On the child’s phone, activate synchronization in Settings β†’ Accounts. β†’ Mi Account
  3. On your phone, open the Mi Cloud app or the web version of i.mi.com
  4. Go to the Family or Devices section
  5. Select your child’s phone and manage your settings.

Through remote access, you can:

  • πŸ“± See the list of installed applications
  • ⏰ Change the screen time limits
  • πŸ“ View location history (if geolocation is enabled)
  • πŸ”’ Lock the device remotely
  • πŸ“Š Get weekly activity reports

On Xiaomi 13 Ultra and MIX Fold 3 is available emergency alert: if a child presses the power button 5 times in a row, your phone will come to you SMS coordinate.

πŸ’‘

Create a separate Mi Account for your child and add it to the family group, so you can control the device even if the main account is blocked.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Despite the convenience, the Xiaomi children’s mode sometimes fails, and here are the typical problems and ways to solve them:

Problem.Reason.Decision
The mode spontaneously shuts downSync failure with Mi AccountGo back to your account and update your settings.
Filtering of websites does not workUsed. VPN alternative DNSTurn it off. VPN network-setting
You can't set time limits.An outdated version of MIUIUpdate the firmware to MIUI 13+
The child bypasses the restrictionsThird-party launchers installedReturn the standard launcher in the settings

After the update MIUI child-regime gone:

  1. Make a backup copy of the data
  2. Perform a reset of settings through Settings β†’ System system β†’ Reset
  3. After restarting, check for the function again.

On some devices (Redmi Note 11, POCO X4) Re-link to Mi Account after reset.If the problem persists, contact Xiaomi support with the phone model and version. MIUI.

Alternative ways of parental control on Xiaomi

If the built-in child mode does not suit you, consider alternative solutions:

  • πŸ” Google Family Link: Free app with advanced monitoring features (works on all Android devices)
  • πŸ›‘οΈ Kaspersky Safe Kids: a paid solution with content filtering and GPS-tracking
  • πŸ“Š Screen Time: an application for detailed statistics of the use of the gadget
  • πŸ”’ AppLock: blocking individual applications by password

For maximum protection, we recommend combining the built-in Xiaomi child mode with one of the third-party solutions.

  1. Use the built-in mode for basic locking
  2. Install Google Family Link for remote control
  3. Add Kaspersky Safe Kids to filter web content

On the Xiaomi Pad 6 and other tablets of the company there is an additional multiplayer feature that allows you to create a completely isolated profile for a child with a separate desktop and settings.

πŸ’‘

The parental control app side may conflict with Xiaomi's built-in child mode. Turn off the built-in restrictions before installing.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

Can I turn on the Xiaomi Child Mode without the Mi Account?
Yes, but the functionality will be severely limited, and without account binding, remote control, setting synchronization, and some advanced features like geofences will not be available, and the basic constraints (use time, application lock) will work.
How to reset the PIN code of the child mode, if you forgot?
The only official way is to reset your phone to factory settings via Settings. β†’ System system β†’ Reset. Alternative method (not working on all models): Reboot your phone in Recovery mode (clip Power). + Volume up) Select Wipe Data (erases all data!) After reboot, Child Mode will be deactivated On some devices (Xiaomi) 12T, POCO F4) You can reset your PIN through your Mi Account at account.xiaomi.com.
Does the child mode work on custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience)?
No, because it is a proprietary function. MIUI. On custom firmware, you'll have to use third-party parental control apps, except for firmware based on the parental control app. MIUI from third-party developers, for example, MIUI EU), where the function can be maintained.
Can you limit access to specific contacts in your phone book?
Yes, but only on devices with MIUI 14+. To do this: Open Contacts Select the right contact Click More β†’ Restrict children's profile on older versions MIUI This function replaces blocking outbound calls to all numbers except those added to the whitelist.
How to turn off the child mode if the child activated it and does not know the PIN?
If you are a parent and have access to a Mi Account linked to your phone: Go to i.mi.com from your device Select your child’s phone in Devices Click Delete Child Profile If your account is not tied, the only option is to reset your phone to factory settings (all data will be deleted!).