How to limit screen time on Xiaomi smartphones: all ways to MIUI 14 and 15

Screen time control has become one of the most pressing issues for modern users of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco. 2023 The average user spends a year on a smartphone 4-6 This number is high per day, and among adolescents, this figure is 7-9 And that's a very serious problem for vision, sleep and mental health. MIUI (version 14 and 15) It offers built-in tools to limit screen time, but many users don’t know how to use them or how to get around typical setup errors.

In this article, you will find step-by-step instructions for all Xiaomi models (including Redmi Note 12, Poco). X5, Xiaomi 13T And so on, and alternative methods for cases where standard functions don't work:

• 🔧 Built-in Digital Wellbeing and Parental Control Tools MIUI
• 📱 Set up restrictions for children and adolescents (including app blocking)
• 🔄 Bypassing restrictions - what to do if the child resets the settings
• ⚙️ Hidden functions MIUI Advanced users (via adb and Developer Options)
• 📊 Screen usage analysis and export of reports

We will pay special attention to the unique function MIUI 15 – “Concentration Mode”, which is absent in the stock Android and allows you to flexibly adjust the restrictions on time of day, days of the week and even geolocation. If you’re looking for a way to reduce your smartphone dependency for yourself or your child, this guide will help you do it as efficiently as possible.

1. Built-in tools MIUI: Digital Wellbeing and Parental Control

Firmware MIUI (Since version 12, it has two main screen time-limiting tools: Digital Wellbeing and Parental Control, one for self-control, one for restricting children's access.

Digital Wellbeing is available on all Xiaomi smartphones MIUI 12+ allows:

• 📊 Track screen usage time by application
• ⏱️ Set timers on individual apps (for example, 1 hour per day for TikTok)
• 🌙 Activate the "Sleep Time" mode (turning off notifications at night)
• 📵 Turn on the "Do Not Disturb" mode on schedule

To activate Digital Wellbeing:

1. Go to Settings → Digital Well-Being and Parental Controls.
2. Choose your profile (if you have multiple users).
3. Press the Control Panel. → Schedule of use.
4. Slip on any app (like YouTube) and set a time limit.

Parental controls work differently, they're tied to a Mi Account and they allow you to remotely control your child's device.

1. Create or sign in to your Mi Account (required!).
2. Go to Settings → Digital Well-Being → Parental Controls.
3. Choose Add a child or ward and follow the instructions.
4. On the child's device, confirm the binding through SMS or QR-code.

⚠️ Warning: If a child resets the phone to factory settings, parental control will remain attached, but only if the device was linked to the Mi Account before the reset.

2. Set time limits for children (step-by-step instructions)

If you want to limit your child’s smartphone usage time, the most reliable way to do this is to use parental controls. MIUI This method works even after the device is rebooted and Attempts bypasses the lock.

Here is the step-by-step guide for MIUI 14/15:

Create a Mi Account for a Parent|Create a Mi Account for a Child (or use an existing account)|The child's device is tied through QR-code|Set time limits and block applications|Activate geo-fences (optional)-->

Let's look at the process in more detail:

1. Parent and child must have separate Mi Accounts, if your child does not have one, register a new one through Settings. → Mi Account → Create an account.
2. Device binding On the child's phone go to Settings → Digital well-being → Parental control → Add a parent. Scan it. QR-code from the parent's phone or enter the binding code.
3. On your parent's phone, open the Parental Controls app (download from Google Play if you don't have one: 🕒 Set a total screen time limit (e.g. 2 hours per day). 📵 Block specific applications (such as games or social networks). 📍 Set up geofences (limitations only work at home or school). 🛌 Set sleep time (locking device at night).

Example of the Constraint Configuration Interface:

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If your child is trying to bypass restrictions through Developer Mode or reset, activate Factory Block in parental control, which will require you to enter your Mi Account password when you try to reset.

3. Hidden functions MIUI for advanced users

If standard tools are not sufficient, MIUI 14/15 There are hidden possibilities for tighter controls, and you can activate them through the developer settings or the adb command.

Method 1: Concentration mode (MIUI 15)

This feature allows you to block all distracting applications for a certain period, leaving only calls and calls. SMS. Activate like this:

1. Go to Settings. → Special facilities → Concentration mode.
2. Select the apps that will be blocked (e.g. Instagram, TikTok).
3. Set a schedule (for example, from 9:00 to 18:00 on weekdays).
4. Activate the mode – all blocked applications will disappear from the main screen.

Method 2: Blocking through ADB (tech-savvy)

If the child is constantly resetting, you can block the installation of applications at the system level.

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.vending


adb shell pm hide com.android.vending

These commands will disable Google Play Market, but leave you with the ability to use already installed applications.

4. Alternative applications for limiting screen time

If Xiaomi’s built-in tools don’t suit you, you can use third-party apps, which offer more flexible settings, but require administrator rights or special features.

Top.-3 Apps to limit the screen on Xiaomi:

• 📱 Google Family Link is an official solution from Google, works on all Android devices, allows you to set limits, block applications and track location.
• 🔒 Kids Place creates a sandbox with a limited set of applications, and the child can't leave without it. PIN-code.
• ⏳ ActionDash – advanced statistics of phone use with the ability to set strict limits.

How to install Google Family Link:

1. Download the Family Link app from Google Play on both phones (parent and child).
2. Create a family group and add a child.
3. On the child's phone, confirm the binding.
4. Set limits in the parent app.

⚠️ Note: Some apps (such as Kids Place) may conflict with built-in Parental Controls MIUI. If errors occur after installation, disable standard restrictions in Xiaomi settings.

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The side of parental control applications often require battery optimization to be turned off in the MIUI. Without it, they can spontaneously close. To fix this, add the app to Settings. → Battery → Optimizing the battery → All applications → Select the application → No restrictions.

5. How to get around screen time restrictions (for adults and adolescents)

If you want to get around the restrictions temporarily (for example, when you need to do something urgently), or if you are a teenager who has faced excessive blockages, there are several ways: Warning: these methods are only for legitimate use!

Ways to circumvent restrictions:

• 🔄 Phone reboot – some restrictions (like app timers in Digital Wellbeing) are reset after rebooting.
• 📥 Installation of applications through APK — If Google Play is blocked, you can download it. APK-file and manually install it (requires permission to install from unknown sources).
• ⏳ Change in time on the device – if the restriction is tied to the clock (e.g., “sleep time”), shifting the time to the clock 1-2 The hour may temporarily remove the blockage.
• 🔧 Reset Digital Wellbeing settings – go to Settings → Annexes → Application management → Digital well-being → Warehouse → Clear the data.

To remove parental control completely MIUI need:

1. Delete the link to the parent’s account (if you know the password).
2. Or reset the phone to factory settings without recovering from backup.
3. If your Mi Account is linked to your device, you may need to unlock through the Xiaomi Service Center (proof of purchase is required!).

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If you have forgotten your password from parental control, but your phone is linked to your Mi Account, try resetting your password through account.xiaomi.com. This will require access to the email or phone number you provided when you register.

Screen usage analysis and export of reports

MIUI Not only does it allow you to limit your time, but it also allows you to analyze in detail how your smartphone is used, which is useful for identifying addictions (for example, if your child spends 4 hours a day on TikTok).

How to see the statistics:

1. Go to Settings → Digital Well-being → Control Panel.
2. Select the tab "Use schedule".
3. Slip on any day to see a detailed report on the applications.
4. To export data, click on three dots in the upper right corner → Export data.

Example of the day's report:

The exported data is stored in.csv format and can be opened in Excel or Google Sheets for more in-depth analysis, which is useful if you keep a diary of your gadget usage or want to show statistics to your doctor (for example, in the treatment of gambling addiction).

7. Frequent errors and their solutions

When setting up restrictions, Xiaomi users often face typical problems, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

Problem 1: Parental controls are not activated Reason: The child’s device is not signed in to Mi Account or version MIUI Solution: Update your firmware to the latest version and make sure both devices use Mi Account accounts.

Problem 2: Restrictions are reset after rebooting Reason: Digital Wellbeing is not tied to your account.Solution: Use Parental Controls instead of Digital Wellbeing, as it syncs with Xiaomi servers.

Problem 3: Child circumvents restrictions through Developer Mode Reason: Developer Settings has disabled change lock. Solution: Open Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Tap 7 times, then go to the Developer Settings → Block settings and install PIN-code.

Problem 4: Parental control apps don’t work in the background: MIUI Aggressively optimizes the battery. Solution: Add the app to the optimization exceptions (Settings) → Battery → Optimizing the battery → No restrictions).

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After the update MIUI Parental controls stopped working, try to remove and re-connect your child's device, sometimes server settings are reset with major updates.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions