How to turn off parental control on Xiaomi: full instructions

Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones today have the most extensive functionality to work and have fun. However, many device owners are faced with the need to restrict access to certain apps or content, especially if children use the gadget. This includes special protection mechanisms that in some situations require rapid shutdown. Understanding how to turn off parental control on Xiaomi is necessary for every adult user to avoid blocking important functions.

There are several layers of protection that can be activated on your device, whether it's built-in MIUI limitations, Google account settings, or third-party apps downloaded from the store, parental controls can block new software installation, browser access, or even shopping, and depending on which method is used to protect it, the ways to deactivate it will be radically different from each other.

In this article, we will discuss all possible lock scenarios in detail: you will learn how to restore access if you forgot your password, how to properly remove restrictions through system settings and what to do if your phone is blocked by third-party software.

Determination of the type of lock on the device

The first step before any action to remove restrictions is to pinpoint the source of the lock. On Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones, restrictions can be imposed at different layers of the shell, and users often confuse the system settings with Google’s apps, although the algorithms for disabling them are completely different.

If you try to open an app or perform an action, a window appears with a Google logo and asks you to enter your account password, it is a Family Link system. This is a cloud service that is linked to your account and manages the device remotely, in which case simply deleting files or resetting your phone settings may not help, since the lock will recover immediately after you connect to the Internet.

Otherwise, if the restrictions are manifested in the form of a screen timer, banning games from running at a certain time, or blocking certain categories of content within the MIUI interface, these are built-in shell features. It is also worth checking the list of installed applications. Sometimes parents install third-party blockers that disguise themselves as system processes or have names like Child Safety or Kids Lock.

• 🔍 Check the settings in the Digital Well-Being section to identify system limits.
• 🔍 Search in the application manager for programs with device administrator rights.
• 🔍 Pay attention to notifications that appear when you block – it often contains the name of the application.
• 🔍 Check if the current user is a guest or a limited profile.

⚠️ Note: If you attempt to remove the parental control app without first entering a password or disabling administrator rights, the system may lock the device or require you to enter a screen unlock code.

Identifying the exact type of protection will save you time and nerves. In some cases, it’s enough to simply find a hidden app icon, in others you’ll need access to a Google Master Account. Don’t rush to reset your phone to factory settings until you make sure the softer methods don’t work.

Disconnection through MIUI Digital Wellbeing settings

The built-in MIUI shell tools allow you to flexibly adjust your smartphone usage time, a feature called Digital Well-being, and is often used to self-monitor or softly restrict children, and to gain full access to the phone's features, you need to find and deactivate these settings.

First, you should go to the main settings menu, find a section that could be called Digital Well-Being or Parental Control. Depending on the Android version and the MIUI firmware, the location may be slightly different, and inside you will see usage statistics and set timers.

Settings → Digital Well-Being → Parental Control

If the control is active, you'll see a switch or a control button, and when you click on it, the system will ask you to enter the PIN or pattern lock that was set when you first set it up, and the restriction reset in this menu is instantaneous after you confirm the identity of the owner.

It's important to note that if you don't remember the code that was installed for this partition, you can't get around it with standard methods. Xiaomi's security system stores this key in a secure area. However, if you just want to temporarily remove the limits, you can use the "Ignore Today" feature, which is available in desktop widgets or in the well-being menu itself.

Managing Restrictions through Google Family Link

The most common and powerful tool is Google Family Link, which allows you to control your child’s device remotely from a parent’s phone, and if your Redmi or Xiaomi smartphone is managed through this service, then locally disabling settings on the child’s phone is impossible – all changes are made only from the parent’s device.

To turn off control, you'll need a parent's phone that has Family Link installed on it, go to that, select your child's profile, and go to the management settings, and you'll need to find "Account Settings" or "Access Control," and that's where the switch is, which completely disables surveillance.

The disconnection process is as follows:

1. Open the Family Link app on your parent's device.
2. Select your child’s account from the list.
3. Click on the Parental Control card.
4. Select the option "Disable" or "Disable control".
5. Confirm the action by entering the password from the parent’s Google account.

Once these actions are done, all restrictions will disappear on the child’s phone, apps that have been blocked will become available, timers will cease to work, and the child’s Google account will become fully autonomous, although browsing and shopping history can be stored depending on the privacy settings chosen.

⚠️ Note: When you disable Family Link, all previously set restrictions are removed instantly, and the child will have full access to install any applications from the Play Market and make purchases.

Removing restrictions on apps and purchases

A particular problem for users is that they can't download a particular app or make a purchase because of age restrictions on Google Play, which are tied to a user's profile and can be changed directly in the app store.

To change your settings, open the Google Play Store app. Click on the profile avatar in the upper right corner and select "Settings." You're interested in the "Family" section, and then "Parental Controls" section. You'll need to enter the PIN that was set when you turned on the filter.

After entering the code, you will be able to:

• 🎮 Change the age rating for games and applications.
• 🎬 Set up filtering of movies and books.
• 💳 Disable password request for each purchase or enable biometrics.
• 🚫 Turn off the parental control slider completely.

If you forget your Google Play PIN, you can reset it. Click on the "Forgot the PIN?" button in the input window. The system will send an email to the backup email address specified in your account settings. By clicking on the link in the email, you can specify a new code or completely disable filtering.

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Use biometric authorization (fingerprint or Face ID) to confirm purchases, which is easier than entering a password every time, and safer than storing it in your browser’s memory.

Table of disconnection methods and necessary data

For ease of perception, we have systematized the basic methods of removing blocks in a spreadsheet, which will help you quickly navigate which method is suitable for your situation and what data may be required.

As you can see from the table, most of the regular security practices require code knowledge or access to accounts, and data security in the Xiaomi and Google ecosystems is designed to prevent the possibility of accidental or illegal removal of restrictions.

Third-party applications and complex cases

This is even more complicated if third-party applications such as Kaspersky Safe Kids, ESET Parental Control, or special-purpose launchers are used to monitor them, and these programs often have enhanced removal protection.