Controlling what content children consume has become an integral part of the digital hygiene of modern families. Xiaomi devices — whether they are MIUI smartphones, Mi Pad tablets or Mi TVs — offer built-in tools to restrict access to unwanted materials, manage usage times, and even track location. However, many users have difficulty configuring these features: they require a binding to a Mi Account account, need additional apps, and in some cases, the settings are hidden so deep that it is almost impossible to find them without instructions.
In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to activate parental control on different types of Xiaomi devices, including nuances for the latest firmware versions (MIUI 14/15 and HyperOS), you will learn how to restrict access to games, social networks or individual applications, set up “child mode” on your TV, block purchases on Google Play, as well as what third-party solutions (such as Family Link or Kaspersky Safe Kids) can complement the built-in features.
1. Parental controls on Xiaomi smartphones (MIUI/HyperOS)
In modern Xiaomi smartphones (Redmi, POCO, Xiaomi 13/14), parental control is implemented through the Digital Wellbeing app and a separate section in the settings. The functionality depends on the firmware version: in MIUI 14 and later it is integrated with Google services, and in HyperOS (for models of 2026) additional options have appeared, for example, remote management via Mi Cloud.
To include the basic limitations:
- Open Settings → Digital Well-Being and Parental Controls.
- Select a child profile (if not, create it through Add User).
- Activate the Parental Control switch and install PIN-Code (Do not use date of birth!).
- Set up the restrictions: 🕒 Time of use: Specify the permissible hours (for example, from 9:00 to 20:00). 🎮 Application Restriction: Block games or social networks (e.g. TikTok, YouTube). 🛒 Shopping: Turn off payment without confirmation.
Make sure the latest version is installed on the device. MIUI|Create a backup copy of important data|Remember. PIN-Parental Control Code (It's Hard to Restore)|Link the device to your Mi Account (for remote management)
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Important: If a child is using an Android 12+ device, some settings (such as time limits for individual apps) may require the installation of Google Family Link.
⚠️ Note: If you set up control through Mi Account and then reset your phone to factory settings, all restrictions will be removed. To avoid this, link your child's profile to your Mi Account in Settings. → Accounts. → Mi Account → Family.
2. set up parental controls on Xiaomi tablets (Mi Pad)
Xiaomi tablets (such as the Mi Pad 6 or Pad 6 Pro) have advanced options for children's use, including a special mode "Children's Profile".
- 📚 Safe Browser: Filtering malicious sites through Mi Browser.
- 👁️ Eye protection: Automatic activation of dark theme and blue filter after 21:00.
- 🔒 Blocking system settings: the child will not be able to change Wi-Fi, volume or background processes.
Instructions for activation:
- Go to Settings → Special Opportunities → Children’s Mode.
- Create a profile of your child by indicating his or her age (default restrictions depend on this).
- In the Content section, select which apps will be available (for example, YouTube Kids and Duolingo only).
- Turn on Remote Control if you want to control your tablet from your smartphone via Mi Home.
Smartphone (Redmi/POCO/Xiaomi)|Planchet (Mi Pad)|Television (Mi TV)|Mi Band)|I don't know
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On tablets with HyperOS, the “Learning” feature has appeared – it allows you to track how much time a child spends on educational applications (for example, Photomath or Khan Academy) and block entertainment content if the “teaching norm” is not met.
3.Parental controls on Mi TVs
Xiaomi TVs (Mi TV A2, X Pro, Q2) have a built-in “Children Mode” that restricts access to certain channels, apps (such as Netflix or IVI) and settings. Unlike mobile devices, there is no binding to Mi Account, so control is local.
How to set up:
- On the remote, press Settings (⚙️) → All settings → System system → Parental control.
- Install. PIN-code (by default - 0000 or 1234, but it must be changed).
- Include restrictions: 📺 Block channels: select from the list (e.g, «18+»). 🎬 Limit applications: hide YouTube, TNT-Premier etc. 🕒 View timer: for example, no more 2 day-day.
| Function | Mi TV on Android TV | Mi TV on Google TV |
|---|---|---|
| Locking channels | Yeah (via PIN) | Yes + Category Filter |
| Time limit | Only manually. | Automatic shutdown |
| Control of applications | Hiding from the menu | Launch lockdown |
| Remote control | No. | Through Google Family Link |
Important: On TVs with Google TV (e.g. Mi TV Q2 2023), it is better to use Family Link, as the built-in settings of Xiaomi there are unstable. To link TV to your child’s account, go to Settings → Accounts → Add account → Children’s profile.
4. Third-party applications for parental control
Xiaomi's built-in tools don't always cover all the needs, like:
- 📍 Tracking the location of the child in real time.
- 📱 Blocking calls from unfamiliar numbers.
- 🔍 View the history of the browser bypassing VPN.
In such cases, third-party solutions will help:
| Annex | Main functions | Compatibility with Xiaomi | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Family Link | Time limit, application blocking, geolocation | All devices on Android 7+ | Free of charge. |
| Kaspersky Safe Kids | Site filtering, location tracker, social media monitoring | Requires a rut on some firmware | From 399. ₽/year |
| Qustodio | Advanced usage analytics, keyword blocking | It works without a root. | From 2,499. ₽/year |
| Mi Child Space | Xiaomi’s Official App for Children’s Content | Only for smartphones/tablets | Free of charge. |
When choosing a third-party software, pay attention to:
- 🔄 Compatibility with MIUI/HyperOS: Some apps (such as Norton Family) may conflict with Xiaomi’s built-in services.
- 📲 Root rights: without them, some functions (for example, blocking system applications) will not work.
- 🌍 Regional restrictions: Google Family Link has a reduced functionality in some countries.
💡
If your child has removed the parental control app, check Settings → Apps → Special Rights → Device Administrators, where you can block the removal of protected programs.
Typical problems and their solutions
Even after setting up parental controls correctly, Xiaomi can malfunction, and consider the most common situations and ways to fix them:
Problem 1: The child has dropped PIN-code-driven.
Decision:
- If your device is tied to Mi Account, restore control via i.mi.com → Devices → Family Settings.
- If not, use Google Find My Device to block your phone remotely.
Problem 2: Restrictions are reset after the MIUI update.
Solution: Before upgrading, export control settings through Settings → System → Backup. In HyperOS, this function works automatically if cloud redundancy is enabled.
Problem 3: Your child uses a VPN to get around the locks.
Decision:
- Lock the installation. VPN-Apps via Google Play (in Family Link settings).
- In Settings → Networks → VPN, disable the ability to add new connections.
How to get around parental control if you forget your PIN?
⚠️ Attention: On bootloader devices, your child can get root rights and disable any control. To avoid this, check the lock status through Settings. → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Click 7 times on “Kernel Version” – if the inscription “Status of the bootloader: blocked” appears, everything is fine).
6. Additional security measures
Parental controls are only part of the protection, and to make using Xiaomi devices truly safe for children, we recommend:
- 🔐 Disable guest mode: in Settings → System system → Multiplayer mode remove all additional profiles.
- 📲 Set up a lockdown. SIM-Maps: This will prevent the installation of new applications via the mobile Internet.
- 🛡️ Install antivirus: for example, Avast Mobile Security (free version scans applications for malicious content).
- 📧 Control email: Link your child’s email to your Gmail account via Family Link to see confirmation emails.
For TVs, Mi TV is useful:
- 🔌 Shut down. HDMI-CEC (In Settings → Connections → HDMI-CEC), So that the child can not control TV through the game console.
- 📼 Delete your browsing history regularly to hide traces from outsiders.
💡
The most reliable protection scheme is the combination of built-in MIUI control + Google Family Link + third-party antivirus, which closes most loopholes to circumvent restrictions.