How to block a site on Android Xiaomi Redmi: Full instructions

Modern Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones offer users huge opportunities, but with them come the challenges of digital noise. Often there is a need to limit access to certain resources, whether to protect children from unwanted content or to improve their own productivity to eliminate distractions. Owners of devices based on MIUI can face difficulties, as the built-in filtering functions are not implemented as clearly as in desktop operating systems.

Blocking Android sites can be required for a variety of reasons, from parental controls to traffic savings. Fortunately, Google's ecosystem and MIUI shell capabilities offer several effective ways to do this.

In this article, we will discuss in detail all available methods, from the simplest settings. DNS You'll learn how to permanently shut down distracting resources or malicious portals. The most reliable method at the moment is to change the way you do it. DNS-server at the system level, as this blocks content in all browsers at once, including hidden tabs.

Use the Private DNS feature in Android 9 and higher

Since Android 9 (Pie), the native Private feature has appeared in the system. DNS, code-encrypting DNS-It’s the perfect way for Xiaomi owners who don’t want to install third-party apps.The technology works at the operating system level, covering Chrome, Yandex Browser and other customers.

To activate, you need to go to the connection settings. Open Settings → Connection and Sharing → Private DNS. The default value is “Auto”, which means using the DNS provider. You need to select the option “Host Name of the DNS provider” and enter the address of a specialized filtering service.

One of the most popular solutions is AdGuard DNS or NextDNS. By entering their address, you will automatically cut off advertising and access to known phishing sites. However, blocking specific domains (for example, a social network) will require creating your own profile on the DNS provider’s website, which then gives you the personal address of the host to enter into your phone settings.

It's important to understand that this method blocks access to all applications that use the standard network stack, so if you type in the wrong host address, the Internet on your phone can go completely missing, in which case, just return the setting to the "Disable" or "Auto" position.

⚠️ Note: When entering a private address DNS Watch the syntax. Any extra spaces or symbols will cause a connection error, and the Internet will stop working even if there is a signal on the network.

Blocking through specialized blocking applications

If system settings seem too complicated or require a paid subscription to be flexible, Google Play apps come to the rescue. The leader in this niche is BlockSite, which works great on the MIUI shell, it allows you to create blacklists of sites and even block apps for a certain time.

Once installed, the program will request a number of critical permissions, primarily access to Special App Access to allow it to block other windows and transitions. Without this step, locking will not work, because Android prevents one application from interfering with another without explicit consent.

• 📱 Download the BlockSite app or its analogue Stay Focused from the official store.
• 🔐 Provide all permissions requested, including access to use and operating on top of other windows.
• 🚫 Add the target. URL-Addresses to blacklist through the program interface.
• ⏱ Set up a schedule if you only need locks during working hours or at night.

Another powerful tool is Internet Blocker, which has more stringent algorithms: if a user tries to delete an app or disable its services, the phone can lock itself up for a given time, a great solution for those who suffer from digital addiction and do not trust their willpower.

Setting up a lock in the Google Chrome browser

Many Xiaomi users use Google Chrome as their primary browser. Although it doesn’t have a built-in blacklist feature for organic pages, there are workarounds, one of which is installing extensions if you’re using a mobile version of Chrome that supports add-ons, or using alternative builds.

However, a more reliable way inside the browser itself is to block through content settings, although it is limited.You can disable pop-ups and redirects by going to Settings → Site Settings → Pop-ups and redirects.This will not block a particular site directly, but will prevent automatic clicks to it from other resources.

Chrome Android often uses a method of extending functionality through third-party launchers or profiles to fully lock, but the easiest solution is to use Incognito mode with caution or install plugins if you use Chromium browsers that support desktop extensions such as Kiwi Browser.

Kiwi Browser can install a full-fledged Block Site extension from the Chrome Web Store, which makes your mobile browser a powerful filtering tool. Just find the extension, click "Install", and a new option to manage blacklists will appear in the menu.

⚠️ Warning: Incognito is not a locking device, but rather bypasses history and some cached data, so you can’t rely on it to restrict access.

Parental Controls of Google Family Link

If your goal is to keep a child safe when using a Redmi or Poco phone, the best solution is Google Family Link, which is the official Google app that lets you control a child's device from your phone, and it's deeply integrated into the system and doesn't require superuser rights.

Once you have set up the Parent-Child bundle, you have full control of the Chrome browser on your child's device. In the Filters section, you can select the level of severity. When you select the Allowed Sites Only mode, you will only be able to access the resources you manually whitelist. Everything else will be blocked.

You can also use the "Attempt Site Filtering" mode, where Family Link automatically blocks adult sites and violence, and you can manually add specific URLs to the list of prohibited. Changes apply instantly and sync through your Google account.

Modification of the hosts file (for advanced users)

For owners of Xiaomi devices with unlocked BootLoader and Root rights (for example, through Magisk), there is a most fundamental method - editing the hosts system file. IP-The address corresponds to which domain name, and if you redirect a request to a malicious site to a local address, you make it inaccessible.

To implement this method, you will need a root file manager, such as Root Explorer or MT Manager. The file is located on the path /system/etc/hosts. You need to open it as text and add lines in the format: 127.0.0.1 address-com.

127.0.0.1 facebook.com


127.0.0.1 www.instagram.com




127.0.0.1 tiktok.com

Once the file is saved and the device rebooted, any request to the specified domains will be sent to nowhere (localhost), which works globally, regardless of browser or application. However, obtaining root rights to MIUI is difficult and can lead to loss of warranty, so this method is recommended only for advanced users.

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Before editing system files, always back them up. An error in the syntax of the hosts file can lead to unstable network operation or inability to boot the system.

Frequent questions and problems with blocking

Despite its apparent simplicity, Xiaomi users often face the nuances of blockers. Aggressive battery optimization in MIUI can kill the background processes of blocking applications, which causes the protection to stop working. To avoid this, you need to go to the battery settings, find the locker application and set the “No restrictions” mode.

It is also important to remember the protocol. HTTPS. Modern websites use encryption, so simple methods of filtering by keywords are used in the Internet. URL This may not work if only part of the address is blocked. DNS-blocking and specialized applications cope with this better, as they analyze the domain name when establishing a connection.

If after all the manipulations, the site continues to open, check if the application uses its own DNS or proxy.Some browsers, such as Opera or UC Browser, have built-in traffic saving features that skip requests through their servers, ignoring the DNS system settings.

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The combination of methods (DNS + App) gives the maximum effect, but requires careful configuration of exceptions to avoid blocking important system services of Google.