How to completely block YouTube from a child on a Xiaomi phone: all ways 2026

Controlling children’s access to content online is a key concern for parents today. Xiaomi smartphones (including the Redmi, POCO, and Mi line) offer several built-in tools to restrict YouTube use, but not everyone knows how to use them correctly, a problem compounded by the fact that standard methods (such as deleting an app) are often ineffective: a child can easily install YouTube again through a browser or app store.

In this guide, we will discuss 5 working ways to block YouTube on Xiaomi Android phones, including hidden MIUI features, third-party apps and Google settings. We will focus on avoiding common errors, such as why blocking through Digital Well-being may not work on some models (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, etc.), and how to fix it. You will also learn how to restrict access to YouTube without deleting your Google account and without losing the functionality of your phone for adult users.

1. Built-in Parental Controls in MIUI: Step-by-step setup

The MIUI (versions 12-14) includes a Parental Control tool that allows you to block applications, set time limits, and filter content, but this method only works if:

  • 📱 You. MIUI Global or MIUI Europe (Chinese firmware may not have a function).
  • 👤 The child does not have administrator rights or access to the Mi Account.
  • 🔒 The unlock password is different from the phone’s pattern lock.

To activate parental control:

  1. Open Settings → Applications → Parental Controls.
  2. Click "Start" and create. PIN-code (do not use date of birth or simple combinations!).
  3. Select a child profile (or create a new one).
  4. In the "App Restrictions" section, search YouTube and set the switch to "Blocked".
  5. Activate the “Hide blocked apps” option to make the YouTube icon disappear from the home screen.

Set up complex PIN-code (at least 6 characters)|

YouTube added to blocked apps list |

Hiding blocked applications enabled |

The child’s profile does not have administrator rights-->

An important nuance: on some models (Redmi 10A, POCO M4 Pro) after upgrading to MIUI 14, parental control may be reset. To avoid this, link settings to your Mi Account account (select "Sync with Mi Cloud" in the Parental Controls menu).

2. Block YouTube through Digital Well-Being (Google)

If the built-in MIUI tools seem unreliable, use Google Family Link or the built-in Digital Well-Being app, which is suitable for Xiaomi phones running pure Android (like the Xiaomi 13T with HyperOS) or devices with an unlocked bootloader.

Instructions:

  1. Install Google Family Link on your child’s phone and phone.
  2. Create a Google account for children (if not) or link an existing one.
  3. In the Family Link app, select your child’s profile → “App Management” → “YouTube” → “Block”.
  4. Additionally, set up content filtering: go to YouTube Settings and activate Restricted Mode.

For devices without Family Link, use Digital Well-Being:

  1. Open Settings → Digital Well-Being and Parental Controls.
  2. Press "Control Panel" → Select a child profile.
  3. In the "App Limitations" section, search YouTube and set the limit to "0 minutes."
  4. Activate Forced Stop so that the application does not start even after the reboot.
What to do if your child resets their digital well-being settings?
If your child has reset via Settings → System → Reset settings, restore restrictions via Family Link. To do this: 1. Go to [Family Link console](https://families.google.com) on PC. 2. Select the child’s device and re-apply the restrictions. 3. Set a password to reset settings in Settings → Additional → Privacy → Reset Block (available on MIUI 13+).

⚠️ Note: If the phone is installed MIUI China, Google Family Link may not work due to lack of Google services. in this case, use the methods in section 3 or 4.

3. Hiding YouTube through launcher settings and system restrictions

If app-level blocking doesn't work, you can hide YouTube so that the child can't find it, and this works even without root permission, but requires some pre-production.

Ways of concealment:

  • 📂 Hide the icon: Press and hold the YouTube icon → Select "Remove from the main screen" → Confirm the removal (the application will remain in the menu of all applications).
  • 🔍 Turn off search: Go to Settings → Annexes → Application management → YouTube → After that, YouTube will not appear in search results on the system.
  • 📥 Block installation: in Settings → Annexes → Application settings → Special access → Install unknown applications, turn off browser permission (Chrome, Mi Browser). APK YouTube from third-party sites.

For full cover, use the Hidden Apps mode (available on MIUI 12.5+):

  1. Open Settings → Applications → Hidden Applications.
  2. Enter your password (if not set, create it).
  3. Select YouTube and confirm the cover-up.

Important: Hidden applications remain in the system and can be found through a packet search (e.g., using a file manager).To avoid this, rename the folder /data/app/com.google.android.youtube-1 via ADB or Root Explorer.

Removed the app manually |

Used parental control MIUI|

I have been using Google Family Link|.

Hiding the badge from the main screen |

I've tried nothing.-->

4. Blocking through a firewall or Internet restriction

If a child is using YouTube via a browser or VPN, the usual blocking methods will not work, in which case a network firewall or restricting access to YouTube domains at the system level will help.

Ways to block traffic:

  • 🌐 Through hosts file: add to /etc/hosts Lines for redirecting YouTube domains to 127.0.0.1. For that:
  • 🔥 With NetGuard (no root): install NetGuard, select YouTube from the app list, and disable Wi-Fi and mobile data access.
  • 📡 Through router: block YouTube domains in router settings (Parent Control or Filtration section) MAC").

To edit hosts file without root rights:

  1. Install Call Blocker (has a built-in hosts editor).
  2. Add YouTube domains (see list above).
  3. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Note: Blocking through hosts may disrupt other Google services (e.g. Google Play Store).Before editing, backup the file with the command: adb pull /system/etc/hosts hosts_backup.txt

5. YouTube Deletion at System Level (for Advanced)

If you're willing to take drastic measures, you can completely remove YouTube from the system, which requires unlocking the bootloader or root rights, but guarantees 100% blocking.

Methods of disposal:

MethodRequirementsInstructionsRisks.
Through ADBUSB debugging, cableadb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.youtubePost-discharge recovery
Through TWRPCustom recoveryDelete files /data/app/com.google.android.youtube*Loss of guarantee
Through MagiskRoot rightsUse the App Systemizer module to uninstallViolation OTA-update

For removal via ADB:

  1. Activate USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times) → Settings → Additional → For Developers.
  2. Connect the phone to the PC and execute the command (see the table above).
  3. Reset the device.
adb shell cmd package install-existing com.google.android.youtube

6.Alternative methods: time limit and account control

If a full YouTube block is not feasible (for example, a child needs access to educational videos), set time limits or use specialized apps.

Flexible control options:

  • ⏰ Time limits: In Digital Well-being, set a daily limit on YouTube (e.g. 30 minutes). Once the time is exhausted, the app will be blocked until the next day.
  • 👁️ Account Control: Create a separate Google account for a child with YouTube Restricted Mode enabled:
  • 🛡️ Third-party apps: Use Kids Place or Screen Time to create a sandbox with allowed apps.