Modern users of Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones often face the need to monitor the use of the device. The built-in “Screen Time” feature allows not only to track statistics, but also severely restrict access to applications. However, standard settings can be too strict or, conversely, not flexible enough for the specific tasks of the parent or the user.
Changing these parameters requires understanding how MIUI and Google’s Digital Wellbeing work. Depending on the operating system version, the paths to customization may vary slightly, but the overall principle remains the same. Digital well-being is a powerful tool that, when configured correctly, helps to keep productivity.
In this article, we will discuss how to circumvent restrictions, change limits, or completely reconfigure timers, where hidden menus hide and how to use special codes to access advanced system functions. Changing system constraints often requires access to debugging USB or ADB-team.
Analysis of current constraints and statistics
Before making changes, you need to clearly understand what limits are set on your device. MIUI-based Android maintains a detailed log, which can be found in the relevant settings section. Usually the path is: Settings → Digital Well-being → Screen time.
This shows you detailed information on each app, you can see how much time you spend on social media, games, or instant messengers, and if you want to change your screen time on shaomi, you can first look at the current charts, and this will help you understand which apps are consuming the most resources of your time.
It's important to note that the statistics don't update instantly. Sometimes the data can be a few minutes late. The synchronization of the data is in the background, so don't panic if the numbers haven't changed immediately after you use your phone.
And look at the data and notifications section, and this is where you generate your daily reports, and if you're planning to change your settings, take a screenshot of the current statistics to compare the results later, and this is especially true for parents who control their kids' gadgets.
Limits setting through Digital Wellbeing
The main management tool is the Digital Wellbeing service, which allows you to set time frames for using specific applications, so to change these settings, go to the screen control menu and select the desired program from the list.
Click on the hourglass icon next to the app name. Here you can set a new timer. The system will offer standard intervals, but you can set an arbitrary time. Once you set the limit, the application will be blocked after the allotted time.
- 📱 Open Settings and find the Digital Well-Being section.
- ⏳ Select Application Timers to access the list of programs.
- 🔒 Set the desired limit or select the option "No restrictions".
It's worth remembering that for some system applications, the limit change option may not be available, because it's designed to keep your smartphone running smoothly, and if you're trying to limit your system processes, the system may issue a warning.
⚠️ Note: Resetting Digital Wellbeing through the app menu may result in the loss of all accumulated usage statistics.
If the standard methods of changing the time can not be, it is possible that the device has a Child profile, in which case the control is only from the parent device through the Family Link application.
Managing the Child Profile and Family Link
If the smartphone belongs to a minor, it is likely to be linked to the parent’s account via Google Family Link, which is a configuration that makes it impossible to change screen time directly on the Xiaomi device.
A parent can add extra time or change the device's sleep schedule at any time, by opening the Family Link app on their phone, selecting a child's profile, and going to the restrictions section, where flexible day-of-week settings are available.
☑️ Parental control checks
There's a nuance that's often overlooked: If your child's device is missing, the changes that the parent makes may not be effective immediately, syncs occur when you first connect to the network, so if you've just changed the limits, ask your child to connect to Wi-Fi.
In some cases, users try to circumvent the restrictions by changing the date on the device, but modern versions of Android and Google services are able to track such manipulations and lock the device until real time, this is protection against bypass attempts.
| Action. | Where it's done | Internet is required | Instant effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Setting a limit | Family Link (Parent) | Yes. | Yes (with network availability) |
| Adding time | Family Link (Parent) | Yes. | Yes. |
| Change of password | Google account settings | Yes. | No (requires entry) |
| Locking the device | Family Link appendix | Yes. | Yes. |
If you forget your parent's password, it's going to be very difficult to restore access to your screen. Google's focus on security is so it can take days to recover, and two-factor authentication is key.
Special codes and hidden MIUI menus
MIUI is known for its hidden capabilities, and you can use engineering codes to access advanced screen time settings and test features, and they allow you to get deeper into the system than the standard menu.
Open the Phone app and dial ##4636##. This will open the testing menu. Here you can find usage information, although direct access to Digital Wellbeing timers is closed from here on newer versions of Android.
- 🔍 Code #4636## opens the test menu.
- 🛠 Code ##6484## (or #64663##) launches the engineering menu CIT iron-test.
- 📊 The test menu can be viewed with statistics on the use of components.
Do the codes work on new versions of Android?
Another way is to use settings activity, and when you search for settings, type "use." The system can offer a shortcut that leads directly to the desired section, bypassing long menus, which saves time if you change settings often.
Some users try to use the codes to reset statistics. Be careful: forced reset of system meters can lead to incorrect display of data in the future.
⚠️ Note: Entering unknown engineering codes may cause network settings to reset or change important radio module parameters.
Using ADB for Advanced Change
For users who lack standard features, there is a method using Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This way you can make changes to the settings database that are not available through the interface. USB.
First, you need to activate debugging mode. Go to Settings. → About the phone and press 7 times on "Version" MIUI". In the menu "For developers" include "Debugging by" USB". Connect your phone to your PC and allow debugging on your smartphone screen.
adb shell pm grant com.android.wellbeing android.permission.PACKAGE_USAGE_STATSWith the command line, you can force services to stop or change configuration files. For example, you can try to reset the data of the Digital Wellbeing application if it does not work correctly.
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Before using ADB, make sure to make a full backup of the data, as an erroneous command can lead to loss of system settings.
This method requires caution. Incorrect use of commands can lead to a "bootloop" (cyclic reboot) or unstable interface, if you are not sure of your actions, it is better to limit yourself to standard settings.
ADB can also remove system-restricting applications if they were pre-installed by the manufacturer or operator, but on global versions of MIUI, such restrictions are rare, more common with children's smartphones.
Solving problems with lockdown and timers
Often users are faced with a situation where the timer has worked, but the application is not blocked, or vice versa - the lock is instantaneous, in such cases, cleaning the cache of the service "Digital Well-being" helps.
Go to Settings → Apps → All apps. Find the list “Digital Wellbeing” (or Digital Wellbeing). Click “Clear Data” and “Cache Clear.” After that, restart the device. This eliminates most software failures.
- 🔄 Rebooting the device often solves problems with hanging timers.
- 🗑 Cleaning the service data restores the work of meters.
- 📡 Checking the date and time is important for the correct operation of schedules.
If the issue persists, check to see if there is a third-party parental control app installed that may conflict with Xiaomi's built-in features.competition for access rights PACKAGE_USAGE_STATS can cause errors.
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The most effective way to correct timer errors is to completely clean up the data of the Digital Wellbeing service and restart the smartphone.
In rare cases, updates to Google Play components help. Go to the Play Market, search for Google Play Services and check for updates. System libraries often get bug fixes that affect screen time.