How to restrict access to YouTube for children on Xiaomi TV: full guide

Xiaomi TVs with MIUI TV or Google TV have become popular choices for family viewing, but without the right settings, they can open children to unwanted content on YouTube. Unlike smartphones, where parental controls are configured through apps like Google Family Link, on TV, the process has its own nuances: restrictions can be reset after updates, and some features depend on the firmware version.

This article covers all the current ways to restrict access, from built-in tools Xiaomi to settings at the router level, we will discuss how to block specific videos, channels or the entire service, and explain why some methods (for example, using the Internet) DNS-The filters are unreliable on modern versions of YouTube, and it's important if your TV is running Android. TV 12+, Some of the functions may be different, we will warn you about this separately.

1. Built-in parental controls in MIUI TV

The most obvious way is to use Xiaomi’s built-in tools, which are available on all models with MIUI TVs (such as the Mi TV 4A/4S/5 Pro), but have limitations: the lock only works for standard applications, and YouTube can bypass it through the web version.

To activate control:

1. Open Settings → Accounts and Security → Parental Controls
2. Install. PIN-code (remember it! if you lose it, you'll need to reset the TV).
3. Select the YouTube app in the list and set an age limit (options available are 3+, 7+, 12+, 16+, 18+).
4. Activate the option to Block the installation of new applications so that the child can not circumvent the restrictions through alternative launchers.

⚠️ Attention: On TVs with Google TV (for example, Xiaomi TV A2 2023) this method will not work, but it uses a different system of restrictions (see Section 3).

Installed. PIN-code+ figure|Reduced age rating for YouTube|Blocked the installation of new applications|Check the work of restrictions in Safe Mode (hold Menu) + Volume Down when enabled)

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If the child still sees unwanted content after setting up, the reason may be:

• 🔄 App cache: Clear YouTube data in Settings → Annexes → YouTube → Warehouse.
• 🌐 Web version of YouTube: In MIUI TV There is no browser lock, so children can access youtube.com via Mi Browser. DNS-filtering (section 4).
• 📱 Outdated firmware: On versions MIUI TV below 3.0.12, the parental controls are unstable. → On TV. → Updating the system.

2. Set up restrictions via Google Family Link (for Google TV)

If your Xiaomi TV is running on Google TV (Models 2022 and newer, for example, Xiaomi TV Q2 or Xiaomi TV A Pro), then built-in parental control MIUI is missing.

• 📺 Children’s profiles only: A child profile must be created on the TV via Google Account (not to be confused with a local account). MIUI!).
• 🔗 Smartphone binding: Manages via Family Link app on parent’s phone.
• ⏳ Time limits: You can set limits on your use of YouTube (e.g. 1 hour per day).

Step-by-step:

1. On your TV, go to Settings → Accounts & Login → Add an account and create a child profile (Gmail required).
2. Install the Google Family Link app on your smartphone (available for Android and iOS).
3. In the app, select your child’s profile → Settings Management → Content Control → YouTube.
4. Activate Approved Content Only and whitelist secure channels.

⚠️ Note: If your child knows the password for your Google account, they can reset the restrictions through the TV settings. To avoid this, enable two-factor authentication in your Google account.

3. Block YouTube through router settings (DNS/URL-filtering)

If the software isn't working (like you have an old model of TV without updates), you can block YouTube at the network level, which works for all devices connected to your Wi-Fi, but has disadvantages:

• 🔌 Blocking for everyone: YouTube will be unavailable on all gadgets connected to this router.
• 🛠️ Technical difficulty: Access to the router administrator panel is required.
• 🔄 Passage VPN: Teenagers can use it. VPN on a smartphone to bypass the lock.

Instructions for routers Xiaomi Mi Router (relevant for firmware MiWiFi R3G v2.28.13+):

1. Open the router control panel at 192.168.31.1 (username and password is usually admin).
2. Go to Additional Settings → Network Tools → Access Control.
3. Add a new rule: Type: Blacklist Device: Select MAC-The address of your TV (you can find it in Settings) → On TV. → State of the network). URL to block: enter youtube.com, googlevideo.com, ytimg.com.

Save the settings and restart the router.

For routers from other vendors (TP-Link, ASUS), the path may be different. Look for sections like Parental Controls or Access Control.

4.Use of third-party apps for parental control

If the built-in tools of Xiaomi or Google are not satisfied, you can install specialized applications. TV:

• 🛡️ Net Nanny: Blocks content by category (violence, 18+), It keeps an activity log (~$40/year).
• 🔒 Kaspersky Safe Kids: Free version allows you to block apps and set time limits. Plus: works without being tied to a Google profile.
• 📊 Norton Family: Monitors search queries and browsing history.Limitation: does not block YouTube Music.

How to determine:

1. Download. APK-file USB-drive (for example, from apkmirror.com).
2. Connect the flash drive to the TV and open File Manager (or Explorer).
3. Start the APK installation by pre-allowing installation from unknown sources in Settings → Security.
4. After installation, set up the application by following the instructions on the screen.

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi TVs with Google TV Some apps (like Net Nanny) may not be running due to Android 12 limitations+. In this case, use ADB-command:

adb install -r -t --fastdeploy /path/to/app.apk


adb shell pm grant com.netnanny.android android.permission.WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGS

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Before installing third-party apps, check their compatibility with your TV model in the 4PDA forum (section "Xiaomi TV").

5. Alternative methods: Safe Mode and hardware solutions

If the software methods do not work, you can go to radical measures:

• 🔧 Safe Mode: Runs the TV without third-party apps. To activate, hold Menu + Volume Down when enabled. YouTube will not work in this mode, but other features will be limited.
• 🔌 Hardware blocker: Devices like Circle Home Plus connect to the router and filter content by category.
• 📺 Replacement of launcher: Install a children's launcher (such as Kids Place) through ADB. This will hide YouTube from the main menu.

Critical information: On Xiaomi TVs with firmware MIUI TV 4.0+ (Released after 2021) hardware reset (Settings → Recovery and reset does not remove parental controls if they were set up through Google Family Link, which means that after reset, the TV will still request a reset. PIN-YouTube-code.

If you choose to use Safe Mode, consider:

• Netflix, Prime Video and other streaming services do not work in this mode.
• To exit Safe Mode, just reboot the TV.
• Some models (Xiaomi Mi TV 4X) can automatically exit this mode after the update.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even after setting the constraints, users face typical problems, and here's how to solve them:

• 🔄 Restrictions reset after the update: Update the TV firmware to the latest version, then reset parental controls. On Google models TV Check if your child’s profile is on Google Family Link.
• 📱 The baby dropped off PIN-code: If you forgot PIN, the only way is to reset the TV to factory settings (Settings) → Recovery and discharge → Settings reset. Attention: this will delete all installed apps and accounts!
• 🌐 YouTube opens via browser: Delete Mi Browser or block it through parental controls. Alternatively, install a browser with child mode (e.g. Kidoz Browser).
• 🔌 Blocking on router not working: Check if the TV is using DNS Google (8.8.8.8). Forced to ask DNS router in the settings of the TV network.

If none of the methods worked, consider buying a child’s tablet with parental controls preset (like the Xiaomi Pad 6 Kids).This is more reliable than setting up a TV, as the tablets have more flexible restrictions.

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On Xiaomi TVs with Google TV (2022 and later), the most reliable way is to combine Google Family Link + lock DNS on the router.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions