Xiaomi smartphones and tablets have long been an integral part of the lives of adults and children, but unlimited access to the Internet, social networks and games carries risks, from random purchases to contact with dangerous content. Parental controls on Xiaomi devices help minimize these threats, allowing you to limit the time of use, block unwanted applications and monitor the activity of the child.
In this article, you will find step-by-step instructions for setting up parental controls on different Xiaomi models (including Redmi, POCO and Mi Pad), and learn about hidden MIUI features that will help make the gadget safer. We will analyze both standard system tools and third-party applications, taking into account their pros and cons.
Important: Parental controls may differ depending on the MIUI version (e.g. MIUI 14 vs MIUI 12) and the firmware region (global, Chinese, European).
Integrated Parental Controls in MIUI: Opportunities and Limitations
Xiaomi has integrated basic parental controls directly into the MIUI shell, which are available on most devices starting with MIUI 10, but are far inferior to specialized applications.
What can be set up through built-in tools:
- 🕒 Time limiting – setting limits on screen time by day of the week.
- 📱 Blocking applications – a ban on the launch of individual programs (games, social networks).
- 🔍 Content Filtering – Restricting access to adult websites (via Mi Browser).
- 🛒 Buying Protection – Payment blocking in Google Play and Mi Store.
The main disadvantage of built-in control is that there's no remote control. All settings are device-specific, and if a child resets them through Settings → Reset, protection disappears. In addition, children over 10 often find ways to get around the restrictions through Developer Mode or firmware reflash.
⚠️ Note: In Chinese versions MIUI (without global firmware, parental controls may be missing or not working properly. Check your device's region in Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI.
2. Step-by-step adjustment of parental control through MIUI
To activate the built-in restrictions, follow the following steps: This guideline is valid for MIUI 12-14 on global and European firmware:
- Open Settings and go to Special Options → Parental Controls (on some models, the path may differ: Settings → Applications → Parental Controls).
- Click Enable Parental Controls and Create PIN-code (remember it or save it in a safe place!) This code will be required to change the settings.
- Select a child profile (if multiple children create separate profiles) Specify age, which is subject to standard restrictions (for example, for children under 7 years of age, all social networks are blocked).
- Set up the restrictions: 📵 Screen time – set a limit (for example, 2 hours on weekdays and 3 hours on weekends). 🚫 Blocked apps – mark games or social networks that can not be run. 🌐 Content Restriction – Enable website filtering (only works in Mi Browser).
Save the settings and check their action by trying to run the blocked application.
Installed PIN-code|Limited time of use|Unwanted applications blocked|Filtering of websites is set up|Work on restrictions checked-->
If Parental Controls is not in the settings, this may mean:
- You have Chinese firmware without global localization.
- The device runs on MIUI older than version 10 (update the system).
- The function is disabled by the manufacturer for your region (the solution is to use third-party apps).
3. Party of the parental control annex: TOP-5 solutions
Xiaomi’s built-in tools are good for basic protection, but if you need advanced features, you’ll have to install third-party software. We tested 5 popular apps and evaluated them according to the criteria: lock reliability, remote management and compatibility with MIUI.
| Annex | Main functions | Pluses | Cons | Price. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google Family Link | Time limit, application blocking, activity reports | Free, Integration with Android | Does not block system settings, bypasses through Developer Mode | Free of charge. |
| Kaspersky Safe Kids | Filtering of sites, GPS-tracker, YouTube control | High level of protection, work on MIUI without failure | Paid subscription for extended functions | 149. ₽/month |
| Norton Family | Monitoring search queries, blocking by keywords | Detailed reports, work in the background | A complex interface can slow down old smartphones | 299. ₽/month |
| Qustodio | Flexible schedules, blocking games by rating, SOS-button | Cross-platform (works on PC and iOS) | Expensive subscription, limit on number of devices | From 399. ₽/month |
| Kids Place | Sandbox with allowed applications, exit lock | Simple interface, reliable locking | No remote management, premium fee | Free / 499 ₽ |
For Xiaomi devices, we recommend Kaspersky Safe Kids or Google Family Link, which are best compatible with MIUI and do not conflict with system processes. If the child is technically savvy and can bypass locks, consider Qustodio with the account binding function (even after resetting the settings, the restrictions will be restored).
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Before installing third-party software, check if it supports your version of Android. For example, Kids Place does not work on Android 13+ without root rights.
4. How to protect parental control settings from resetting
Children quickly learn to bypass the limitations, from simply removing an app to resetting a phone to factory settings.
- Hiding Parental Control icon: In Google Family Link, turn off notifications about restrictions in the app settings. In Kaspersky Safe Kids, activate Hidden Launch mode (premium subscription required).
- Blocking your phone settings: Turn off Developer Mode (if enabled) through Settings → Additional → For developers. Set a password for Settings using apps like AppLock.
Link to the Mi Account:
- Link your device to your Xiaomi account (Settings → Xiaomi Account).
- Turn on the Device Search – this will allow you to remotely lock the phone when reset.
If the child reset the phone to the factory settings, you can restore parental control through:
- 🔄 Remote lock via i.mi.com (if the device is linked to an account).
- 📱 Re-installation of software (for example, Kaspersky Safe Kids saves settings in the cloud).
- 🔧 Hardware reset followed by adjustment MIUI again (extreme case).
⚠️ Attention: On bootloader devices, the child can install custom firmware and bypass all restrictions. Check the bootloader status via the command: fastboot oem device-info If Device unlocked: true is required to re-lock.
5. Features of settings on Xiaomi tablets (Mi Pad)
Xiaomi Mi Pad tablets (including Mi Pad 5/6 models) have the same parental controls as smartphones, but with a number of nuances:
Challenges and solutions:
- 🎮 Games from Mi Game Center -- built-in parental controls don't block them. Solution: delete Mi Game Center through Settings → Apps or use Kaspersky Safe Kids.
- 🖥️ Multiplayer mode - you can create a separate profile for a child with limited rights on tablets. → Users → Add a user.
- 🔋 Energy consumption – background control applications (e.g. Qustodio) drain the battery quickly.Solution: add them to Optimization Exceptions (Settings) → Battery).
For tablets, blocking purchases in Google Play is also relevant:
- Open Play Store → Settings → Authentication
- Select Require Authentication for Purchases.
- Set up for all purchases and confirm with a password.
How to disable advertising in the MIUI children's profile?
6. Frequent errors and ways to correct them
When you set up parental controls, users are faced with typical problems, and here are the most common solutions.
| Problem. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Restriction settings are not maintained | Security app cache failure (responsible for control) | Clear the cache: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Security → Warehouse → Clear the cache |
| Child bypasses blocking via VPN | VPN-Applications are not blocked in the settings | Block VPN installation in Google Play or through Settings → Network and Internet → VPN |
| Parental controls disappear after MIUI update | Resetting settings with major update | Before upgrading, export your settings via Mi Cloud or reconfigure control after the update. |
| The control application does not start | Conflict with battery optimization | Add the app to exceptions: Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization → All applications |
If after all the manipulations, parental control does not work, try:
- Restart the device in Safe Mode (hold the power button → Safe Mode) and check if the problem persists.
- Remove updates to Security (Settings) → Annexes → Security → ⋮ → Remove updates).
- Reset network settings (Settings → Network and Internet → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth).
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If your child is technically savvy, combine built-in MIUI tools with third-party apps (e.g. Kaspersky Safe Kids + Developer Mode lock).
7.Alternative methods: limitation without specialized tools
If parental controls are not available for some reason, workarounds can be used:
- 🔒 Blocking through Google Play: Open Play Store → Settings → Family control. PIN-code and limit content by age (for example, for children under 12 years of age).
- ⏰ Using Digital Well-Being: Go to Settings → Digital well-being and parental control: Set up app timers and sleep mode (lock device overnight).
- 📵 Hardware lock: Buy a lock case (e.g. Xiaomi Smart Case with a lock case) PIN-Use smart sockets (e.g. Xiaomi Mi Smart Plug) to turn off charging at night.
These methods are less reliable than specialized applications, but can be a temporary solution, for example, Digital Well-Being is easy to get around through Developer Mode, and lock cases do not protect against using a device without a case.