Digital Well-Being in Xiaomi: Where to Look and How to Set Up on MIUI Smartphones

Digital Wellbeing is a tool that helps control smartphone time and reduce gadget dependency. On Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices, this feature is integrated into MIUI firmware, but not always obvious to users. Many smartphone owners do not even suspect that they can track app usage statistics, set screen time limits or turn on concentration mode — all of which are available out of the box, without installing third-party apps.

In this article, we will look at where the Digital Well-being section is located in different versions of MIUI, how to activate it if it is hidden, and what features it provides. We will focus on the differences between models (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro vs Redmi Note 12) and firmware versions (from MIUI 12 to MIUI 15).

Where is Digital Well-Being in MIUI: Ways for Different Versions

The location of the partition depends on the version of MIUI and the model of the smartphone. In recent firmware (MIUI 14/15), the path is simplified, but on older devices (for example, Redmi 9 with MIUI 12) an additional step may be required.

• 📱 MIUI 14/15 (2023–2026): Settings → Digital Well-Being and Parental Control
• 📱 MIUI 12/13 (2020–2022): Settings → Annexes → Digital Well-Being or through Search by Settings
• 📱 Old versions (MIUI 11 and below: Feature may not be available – Google Digital Wellbeing from Play Market needs to be updated or installed
• 🌍 Global vs Chinese firmware: On Chinese versions (China) ROM) The section is often missing – you need to move on Global/EU ROM

If you don't find the paths, try searching by settings (the magnifying glass icon in the upper right corner). Enter Digital Wellbeing or Digital Wellbeing, the system will tell you the exact path. On some devices (e.g., POCO F5), the function may be called Time of Use.

How to turn on Digital Well-being if it is hidden or disabled

Sometimes the partition doesn't even show up in the actual firmware, and the reasons can be different, from regional constraints to system bugs.

1. Update MIUI: Go to Settings → About Phone → Update and install the latest version. In MIUI 14+, the feature should appear.
2. Reset application settings: In Settings → Annexes → Application management → ⋮ (menu) → Reset settings. It'll bring back the hidden system partitions.
3. Install Google Digital Wellbeing: If native functionality is missing, download the official Google app from Play Market. It works on all Xiaomi with Google services.
4. Check the region: The Chinese firmware (China ROM) feature is often missing, so you can reflash the device on the Global/EU ROM (instructions are available on the XDA Developers or 4PDA forums).

Important: On devices without Google services (such as the Chinese versions of the Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra), native Digital Well-Being may not work even after the upgrade, in which case the only way out is to install third-party apps like ActionDash or StayFree.

Key features of “Digital Well-Being” in Xiaomi: what you can customize

The tool offers several key features for controlling smartphone usage, and let’s take a closer look at them:

The most useful feature for most users is time limits, for example, you can set a limit of 30 minutes a day for social networks, and when the limit is exhausted, the application will be blocked (unblocking is possible only through the use of social networks). PIN-This helps to combat procrastination and addiction to social networks.

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If you reset your limits often, try enabling the Hard Limit feature in the app's timer settings, in which case unlocking will require you to enter PIN-This will make it harder to “deceive” the system.

How to get around the limitations of Digital Well-Being (if they get in the way)

Sometimes limits or locks become a hindrance, such as when you need to urgently log into a blocked application. Here are legitimate ways to bypass (without rooting or hacking):

• 🔓 Temporary Shutdown: Getting into Digital Well-Being → ⋮ (menu) → It'll suspend all restrictions for 5 to 60 minutes.
• 📱 Use the second profile: Create an additional user in Settings → System system → Multiple users: Restrictions will not apply in the new profile.
• ⏳ Timer reset: Change date and time on the device (Settings) → Additionally. → Date and time, then return. Some limits will reset (not work on all versions) MIUI).
• 🔄 Delete the Application Data: To Reset Statistics Go to Settings → Annexes → Digital well-being → Warehouse → Clear the data. Attention: this will remove all settings!

⚠️ Attention: Using circumvention techniques may disrupt the function’s purpose of controlling your gadget addiction. If you regularly reset your limits, you may want to rethink your digital habits or adjust more flexible rules.

Differences in “Digital Well-Being” on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO

While all devices run on MIUI, implementations of the feature may vary depending on the brand and model.

Xiaomi (Flagship models: 13/14 series, Mix):

• 📊 Full statistics with details by hours and days of the week.
• 🔒 Support for biometric authentication (Face) ID/print) to unlock limits.
• 🌙 Integration with Mi Health for Sleep Analysis.

Redmi (budget and mid-range models: Note 12, 11 Pro):

• ⏱ Simplified statistics (without detail on the time of day).
• 🚫 No support for sleep mode in older models (e.g. Redmi 9).
• 🔄 Limits are automatically reset at midnight (flexible schedules can be set on flagships).

POCO (Game and performance models: F5, X5 Pro):

• 🎮 Separate section Playing time for game control.
• 📈 Extended schedules of use CPU/GPU during play sessions.
• 🔕 Ability to disable notifications from games in Concentration Mode.

On POCO, the feature is often optimized for gamers. For example, in POCO F5, you can set individual limits for games and social networks, as well as track how games affect battery power and device heating.

Make sure you have the latest version installed. MIUI|Check the firmware region (Global/EU vs China)|Use the search by settings if the section is not visible|Try installing Google Digital Wellbeing from Play Market-->

Frequent problems and their solutions

Xiaomi users often encounter digital well-being bugs, and here are the most common problems and ways to fix them:

1. Statistics are not updated or dropped

If the graphs show incorrect data or are reset by themselves:

• Clear the cache of the Digital Well-Being app in Settings → Apps.
• Check if there are any third-party “optimizers” or “cleaners” that may interfere with the function.
• Update MIUI to the latest version – old firmware had bugs with time count.

2.The concentration regimen is not working.

If the application blocker does not work:

• Make sure the correct applications for blocking are selected in the mode settings.
• Check if the application is added to the Exclusions (e.g., Calls or Messages are always available).
• Restart the device – sometimes background processes interfere with the activation of the mode.

3.The section disappeared after the MIUI update

This is a common problem when switching to a new firmware version.

• Do a reset (Settings → About Phone → Reset), but save the data beforehand.
• If the partition is missing after upgrading to MIUI 15, try to roll back to the previous version via Fastboot (instructions are available on 4PDA).
• Install an alternative time-control app (e.g., ActionDash or Google’s Digital Wellbeing).

⚠️ Note: On some devices (e.g. Xiaomi Mi) A3 with Android One), the Digital Well-being feature has been replaced by Google's standard solution, in which case the settings are searched in Settings. → Digital Well-Being and Parental Control (without mentioning) MIUI).

Alternative applications for screen time control

If native MIUI doesn't suit you, you can use third-party solutions, which often offer more analysis and flexibility.

For maximum control, you can combine native MIUI with third-party applications, such as using Digital Wellbeing for limits and ActionDash for detailed statistics.

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If you care about privacy, avoid little-known time-control apps that can collect data about your activity, and choose proven solutions like Google Digital Wellbeing or ActionDash.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi’s “digital well-being”