Protecting content on Xiaomi’s Smart TV from accidental viewing or access by children is a pressing task for many users, especially YouTube, where recommendation algorithms can offer videos that are not intended for young audiences. Unfortunately, YouTube itself does not provide a built-in password-locking feature on TVs, but there are several ways to circumvent this restriction.
In this article, we will discuss 5 proven methods to set a YouTube password on a Xiaomi TV (including Mi TV 4/5, Redmi Smart TV, Mi TV Q1/Q2 and others). From standard parental controls in MIUI TV to using third-party apps and settings of Google Account, you will find a solution to your needs. Importantly, some methods require pre-setting, so read carefully!
1. Parental control in MIUI TV - the basic method
The most obvious and safe method is to activate the built-in parental control in the firmware. MIUI TV. This feature allows you to block the launch of individual applications (including YouTube) using the PIN-It works on all Xiaomi TVs with a software version at least below. MIUI TV 3.0.
To enable the lock:
- 📺 Open the settings on the TV (button with a gear on the remote).
- 🔒 Go to the System and Updates section → Parental control.
- 🔢 Install. PIN-code (remember or write it down!).
- 📱 In the list of applications, find YouTube and activate the lock.
After that, every time you start YouTube, the system will require input. PIN-This method does not block access to YouTube through a browser or other applications (such as SmartTubeNext), so use it in combination with other methods for full protection.
Make sure the TV is connected to the internet.|
Write it down. PIN-code on paper (do not keep it in your TV notes)|
Check out the version of MIUI TV in Settings → About TV|
Turn off the guest mode if it is turned on-->
2. Blocking through a Google account (for authorized users)
If you logged in to YouTube on your TV via Google Account, you can restrict access to the service directly from your profile settings, which is suitable for families where children have their own Google accounts, or if you want to restrict access to certain types of content.
Instructions:
- 🌐 On your computer or smartphone, open the Google Account Management page.
- 👨👩👧👦 Go to the Family section. → Parental control.
- 📺 Choose a child profile (or create one if you don’t already have one).
- 🔞 In the restrictions settings, find YouTube and set age limits or block the service completely.
Once synchronized (it can take up to 24 hours), the restrictions will apply on Xiaomi TVs, too, and the method is that the lock only applies to authorized accounts. If someone logs into YouTube under a different profile, the restrictions will not work.
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If you have multiple Google accounts on your TV, delete unnecessary ones in Settings → Accounts and syncs so kids can’t get around the lock.
3. Use of third-party launchers (for advanced users)
For users who are ready to experiment, an alternative launcher with application blocking functionality is suitable, such as ATV Launcher or Sideload Launcher, which allows you to hide or password-protect individual applications, including YouTube.
How it works:
- Download. APK-launcher file (for example, with APKMirror) on the flash drive.
- Connect the flash drive to the TV and install the application through File Manager → Install unknown applications.
- In the new launcher settings, find the App Lock option and add YouTube to the blocked list.
⚠️ Attention: Installing third-party launchers can disrupt the stability of the TV. Before experimenting, back up your settings in Settings → System system → Backup.
| Locking method | Difficulty | Efficiency | Deficiencies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parental control MIUI TV | ⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | Does not block YouTube in the browser |
| Restrictions of Google Account | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | It only works for authorized users. |
| Third-party launcher | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | The risk of unstable TV work |
4.Reset YouTube to the children's version (YouTube Kids)
If your goal is not to block YouTube completely, but to make it safe for children, replace the standard app with YouTube Kids, which automatically filters content by age and has a simplified interface.
How to determine:
- 🔍 On Google Play on TV, find the YouTube Kids app.
- 📥 Install it and log in to your Google child account.
- 🔄 Remove the standard YouTube app (if necessary) via Settings → Annexes → Delete.
YouTube Kids doesn’t require a separate password, but content is strictly moderated.
Parental controls MIUI TV|
Restrictions of Google Account|
Third-party launcher |
YouTube Kids|
Another option-->
5. Physical blockage (for extreme cases)
If the software methods are not suitable, you can go to radical measures:
- 🔌 Disable the Internet for YouTube through router settings (block the domain youtube.com on the MAC-TV address).
- 🔄 Remove the app completely and disable its installation in Google Play → Settings → Parental control.
- 🔐 Block the remote in a special case (sold in children's stores).
These methods do not require technical skills, but can limit the functionality of the TV, for example, blocking the YouTube domain on the router will block it on other devices on the network.
What to do if you forgot PIN-parental code?
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
When setting up a YouTube block, users often face typical problems:
⚠️ Attention: If after installation PIN-If you have the code in parental control, YouTube still opens without a password, check if the app is in guest mode. → Accounts. → Guest mode.
Other common mistakes:
- 🔄 Unsynchronized Google settings – after changing the restrictions in the account, remember to restart the TV.
- 📱 Browser use – even with the YouTube app blocked, it remains available via TV-Browser (e.g. Mi Browser) Solution: Block your browser in the same way.
- 🔧 Outdated firmware - on TVs with MIUI TV below 3.0 may not have parental controls. → System system → Update.
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The most reliable way is to combine MIUI TV parental controls + Google Account restrictions + delete the browser, which closes all loopholes to bypass the lock.