Children are increasingly using their parents’ smartphones, and not always for their intended purpose. Social media, microtransaction games, instant messengers, or even banking apps can be a source of risk if a child gets uncontrolled access to them. Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones offer several built-in tools to block apps, but not all users know how to set them up properly.
In this article, we will discuss 5 working ways to restrict access to applications on Xiaomi (including Redmi, POCO and Black Shark models): from standard parental controls to hiding icons and using third-party utilities. We will focus on the nuances of the MIUI 14/15 settings, where the lock logic has changed compared to previous versions.
1. Built-in Parental Controls in MIUI: Step-by-step setup
The most reliable way is to use the built-in Parental Control feature (available on all Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI 12 and later), which allows you not only to block applications, but also to set time limits for use, filter content by age, and monitor the activity of the child.
To activate it:
- 📱 Open the Settings. → Digital Well-Being and Parental Control.
- 👤 Press Parental Controls. → Start and select a child profile (or create a new one).
- 🔒 Set the PIN (remember it! If you lose, you will have to reset your smartphone settings).
- 📵 In the Application Limitations section, select the programs you want to block and click Prohibit.
Important: in MIUI 15, the interface of the feature has changed — now restrictions are imposed through the Child Profile → Application Management. If you have an older version of the firmware, update it through Settings → About Phone → System Update.
Make sure your smartphone is upgraded to MIUI 12+
Remember or write a PIN code to a safe place
Disable guest mode (it resets settings)
Check that your Mi Account is not linked to another device-->
2. Block applications through "Privacy Protection"
If parental controls seem excessive, you can use the Privacy Protection feature (formerly App Lock), which allows you to set a password for individual applications, but does not limit the time of use, suitable for blocking instant messengers, banking programs or purchase games.
Instructions:
- Go to Settings. → Protection of confidentiality.
- Select Application Lock and enable the function.
- Set a password (you can use a fingerprint or facial recognition).
- Check the boxes for the applications that need to be blocked.
⚠️ Note: If your child knows your screen unlock password, they will be able to reset Privacy Protection settings via Settings → Passwords and security → Delete all lock data. To avoid this, set a separate PIN for this function (in the application lock settings).
Parental control
Application Locking (App Lock)
Hiding icons
Third-party annexes
I don't use anything.-->
3. Hiding App Icons: How to Hide a Program from a Child
If you don't want to block an app completely, but just want to make it less visible, MIUI has a Hidden Album (for photos) and Hidden Apps (for programs), which doesn't protect against targeted search, but reduces the chances of accidentally opening it.
How to hide the icon:
- 🔍 Press your finger on the app icon on the home screen.
- 📤 In the menu that appears, select Remove from the screen. → Hide.
- 🔐 To return the icon, swipe down the main screen, click ⚙️ → Hidden applications and enter a password.
Method limitation: Hidden apps still appear in the menu of all programs (swipe up from the bottom of the screen) and in Settings → Apps. To completely mask you will need third-party software, such as Nova Launcher with the function of hiding icons.
What to do if your child finds a hidden app?
Limitation through Digital Well-being: Time Limits
The MIUI’s Digital Well-Being feature allows you to not only block apps, but also set time limits, which is useful if you want to restrict access to games or social media at certain hours (such as during school or sleep).
Limit settings:
- 🕒 Open the Settings. → Digital well-being.
- 📊 Select the Control Panel → Application timer.
- ⏳ Set a daily limit for the programs you want (e.g. 1 hour for YouTube).
- 🔄 Activate the Automatic Lock option after the time has expired.
| Type of restriction | How it works | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Parental control | Full lock + activity reports | Requires the creation of a child profile |
| Application Locking (App Lock) | Password to launch specific programs | Does not limit the time of use |
| Digital well-being | Time limits + statistics | The child can reset the timer through a reset |
| Hiding icons | Masking apps on the main screen | It does not protect against targeted search. |
⚠️ Attention: B MIUI 14/15 Digital Well-being limits are reset after the smartphone is restarted, unless the option Save Settings after the restart is activated (you can find it in Settings). → Additionally. → Special facilities).
5. Third-party applications for blocking: what to choose
If MIUI's built-in features aren't enough, you can install specialized utilities that offer advanced features like geofences, schedule locking, web content filtering, even remote management.
- 🛡️ Google Family Link is the official Google solution for controlling children’s accounts (free, but requires a link to a child’s Google account).
- 🔐 Kids Place – creates a “sandbox” with allowed applications (the paid version removes ads).
- 🕵️ Norton Family – Monitoring activity + Blocking by category (there is a free tariff).
- 📱 AppBlock – Flexible lock rules for time, location or Wi-Fi network.
Warning: Some antiviruses (such as Avast or Kaspersky) may conflict with the built-in MIUI parental controls, causing block failures.
💡
If your child tries to bypass the lock through Developer Mode, turn off this option in Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (7 times click on version number, then return to Additional → For Developers and deactivate mode).
Additional measures: how to strengthen protection
Even after you set up the locks, there are loopholes that the child can exploit to close them:
- Disable installation from unknown sources: Settings → Passwords & Security → Installation from unknown sources → Disable for all browsers This will prevent the installation of bypass utilities (such as alternative launchers).
- Block the developer settings: If your child turns on Developer Mode, they can turn off parental controls via ADB. To avoid this, set a password to access the developer settings (in MIUI 15 this is done through Settings → Additional → Special Features → Password for developer settings).
- Set up password attempts notifications: In Privacy Protection, activate the Failed Attempt Notice option – you will receive alerts if your child tries to unlock the app.
⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi smartphones with bootloader unlocked, a child can reset all settings via Fastboot or Recovery. If you bought the phone from hand, check the bootloader status with the team:
fastboot oem device-infoIf the answer has a line Device unlocked: true, it is recommended to relock the bootloader through the official Mi Unlock Tool.
💡
The most reliable way to protect is a combination of built-in parental control MIUI + application lock (App Lock) + deactivation of the developer mode.