Screen time on Xiaomi: how to configure, limit or disable MIUI

Screen time on Xiaomi smartphones is not just a device usage statistic, but a powerful tool for monitoring digital hygiene. It can track how much time you spend in apps, set limits for yourself or children, and analyze your usage habits, POCO Or Mi face difficulties: where to find these settings in MIUI 14/15, How to set the limits correctly and why the function sometimes doesn’t work properly.

In this article, we will discuss all the nuances of working with screen time on Xiaomi - from basic settings to solving typical problems. MIUI 12-15, To set up parental controls for children, bypass restrictions (if necessary), and even how to reset statistics, we will focus on the differences between firmware versions and models, for example, why the software is not available. POCO F5 The menu may look different than the Redmi Note. 12.

What is screen time on Xiaomi and why it is necessary

Screen time (or Digital Wellbeing in Google analogues) MIUI performs three key tasks:

• 📊 Usage statistics: Shows how much time you spent in each app, how many times you unlocked your phone, and how activity is distributed by day of the week.
• ⏱️ Application limits: allows you to set daily restrictions on the use of social networks, games or instant messengers.
• 👨‍👩‍👧 Parental control: Separate mode to limit the time children use the device, with the possibility of locking on schedule.

For example, if you notice that you spend 5 hours a day on TikTok or YouTube, you can set a limit of 1 hour — after it is exhausted, the application will be blocked until the next day. For children, the functionality is even broader: parents can set sleep time, study hours and even remotely monitor activity through Mi Account.

It is important to understand that screen time in MIUI It works at the system level, not at the individual application level:

• 🔄 Restrictions apply even if you reboot your phone.
• 📵 Blocking the application does not depend on the availability of the Internet (unlike some third-party utilities).
• 🔒 It is impossible to get around the limits without a password or fingerprint (unless you use workarounds, which we will talk about later).

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI Global (European/Global firmware) screen time function may be called Screen Time, and MIUI China - (time use) The interface and location of menu items remain identical.

How to turn on screen time on Xiaomi: step-by-step instructions

Activation of the function takes no more than a minute, but the path to settings may differ depending on the version. MIUI. Below is a universal algorithm for most Xiaomi, Redmi and other models. POCO (firmware MIUI 12-15):

1. Open the settings (cog icon on the desktop).
2. Scroll down and select Screen Time (or Digital Wellbeing & Parental Controls on some models).
3. Click Start or Enable Screen Time.
4. The system will prompt you to create a user profile – choose This is my phone (for personal use) or This is a child’s phone (for parental control).
5. Set a PIN to protect your settings (a mandatory step!) Remember that without the code, you can’t change your limits or disable the feature.
6. After activation, you will see the main menu with statistics and customization options.

If the screen time section is not in the settings, check:

• 📱 Version MIUI: on very old firmware (below) MIUI 10) function may not be. Update the system in Settings → The phone. → Update of the PO.
• 🌍 Firmware region: on some Chinese versions MIUI The solution is to change the region to Global or install a patch through Xiaomi.eu.
• 🔧 Root rights: If you previously received root, some system features may have been disabled.

Update MIUI to the latest version

Check the presence of the section in the settings

Remember the PIN code for screen time

Make sure your phone has enough free memory (at least 1 GB)-->

In some models (for example, POCO X3 Pro or Redmi K50) The path may be slightly different:

Google → → Digital Well-Being and Parental Control

This is because Xiaomi sometimes integrates the feature into Google services, in which case the interface would be identical to standard Digital Wellbeing on pure Android.

How to set limits on apps and games

The main feature of screen time is the ability to limit the use of individual applications, which is useful if you:

• 🎮 Depend on mobile games (Genshin Impact, PUBG Mobile, etc.).
• 📱Too often check social networks (Instagram, TikTok, VKontakte).
• 👨‍💼 Want to focus on work, limiting messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram).

To set a limit:

1. Open up the screen time. → Usage statistics.
2. Select an app from the list (or find it through search).
3. Press the badge. ⏱️ The hourglass next to the name.
4. Set a daily limit (for example, 1 hour 30 minutes).
5. Activate the Block option after the limit has expired.

Once the limit is exhausted, the app will be blocked and a notification will appear on the screen: "Daily usage limit is exceeded."

• 🔓 Entering the screen time PIN code.
• 👍 Allow another 15 minutes (available 1 time per day).
• 📵 Reboot your phone (does not work on the phone) MIUI 14+).

⚠️ Note: If you set a limit on system applications (such as Settings or Phone), this can cause the device to malfunction. Xiaomi automatically blocks the ability to restrict mission-critical services.

For more flexible control, you can configure the lock schedule:

1. Go to Screen Time. → Sleep/learning schedule.
2. Activate the option Sleep Time or Study Hours.
3. Set the interval (for example, from 23:00 to 7:00).
4. Select the apps that will be blocked at this time (everything is blocked by default except for calls and alarm clocks).

💡

If you need to temporarily turn off all limits (for example, on vacation), go to Screen time. → Settings (⚙️) → Turn off screen time. Don't forget to turn back on the stats or they'll be reset!

Parental Control: How to Limit Screen Time for Your Child

For children, Xiaomi offers an extended parental control mode that includes:

• 🕒 Tight time limits (e.g. 2 hours per day).
• 📵 Scheduled blocking (during sleep or study).
• 🔍 Control of application installation (child will not be able to download the game without permission).
• 📊 Weekly activity reports (sent to the parent's email).

To set up parental control:

1. Open up the screen time. → This is the baby's phone.
2. Create a profile of your child (name and age).
3. Link your Mi Account for remote management.
4. Set up the basic restrictions: 🎮 Maximum time of use of the device per day. 🛌 Sleep time (for example, 21:00 to 8:00). 📚 School hours (blocking games and social networks).

PIN code

Once set up, the child will see the remaining time on the lock screen, and an attempt to open the blocked application will be accompanied by a message: "This application is blocked. Contact your parents."

You can remotely manage settings through:

• 🌐 Web version of Mi Account (account.xiaomi.com).
• 📱 Mi Family app (available on Google Play).

⚠️ Warning: If your child resets the phone to factory settings, parental control will go offline. To avoid this, link the device to your Mi Account in Settings. → Xiaomi account → Security of the device.

Yes, strict restrictions.

Yes, but with flexible rules.

No, but I'm planning to set up

No, I don't see the need.-->

How to bypass screen time on Xiaomi (if you forgot your password or need to unlock it urgently)

Sometimes users are faced with a situation where:

• 🔐 Forgot the screen time PIN code.
• 📵 You need to open a blocked application (for example, to work).
• 👧 The child has set limits and cannot remove them.

There are no official ways to get around the restrictions without a password, but there are several working methods:

Method 1: Reset via Mi Account (if the phone is tied)

1. Go to the Mi Account website and log in.
2. Find your phone in the list of devices.
3. Choose Remove Screen Time or Reset Settings.
4. Confirm the action via SMS or email.

✅ Plus: No phone reset required.

❌ Minus: Works only if the device is linked to the account.

Method 2: Delete the data of the application "Screen time"

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find your screen time (or digital wellbeing).
3. Press Warehouse. → Delete the data.
4. Reboot the phone.

✅ Plus: Resets all limits and passwords.

❌ Disadvantage: Removes all usage statistics.

Method 3: Use Safe Mode (Security Mode)

If the phone is completely locked:

1. Press the power button before the off menu appears.
2. Hold the option to turn off until the prompt to switch to Safe Mode appears.
3. Confirm the transition. The phone will restart in safe mode (without third-party applications).
4. Open the Settings. → Screen time and reset settings.

⚠️ After leaving Safe Mode, the limits will return if you do not delete the application data.

⚠️ Attention: Using circumvention techniques may result in data loss or disruptions MIUI. For example, deleting Screen Time data sometimes resets Mi Account settings and requires re-authorization.

How to Reset Screen Time Statistics on Xiaomi

By default. MIUI It stores usage statistics for the last 7 days, and if you want to start the report again (for example, after a vacation or before the new school year), you can reset the data:

1. Open up the screen time. → Settings (⚙️).
2. Choose Reset Statistics.
3. Confirm the action by entering the PIN code.

If you do not have the option to reset statistics (this is the case with the MIUI 12 and below, use an alternative method:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find Screen Time and Press Warehouse → Delete the data.
3. Confirm removal.

After discharge:

• 📅 Use history will nullify.
• ⏱️ App limits will remain (they must be reset separately).
• 🔄 Statistics will start to be collected again from the current day.

On some models (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro with a MIUI 14) resetting the statistics automatically turns off screen time, and then you have to reconfigure all limits and profiles.

Table: Differences in screen time in different versions MIUI

The screen time has evolved with MIUI. Below is a comparison of features in different versions of the firmware:

If you have a version MIUI It does not support the desired function, it can be:

• 📲 Update the firmware through Settings → The phone. → Update of the PO.
• 🔧 Install alternative apps (such as ActionDash or StayFree from Google Play).
• 🛠️ Flash your phone on Xiaomi.eu (unofficial firmware with advanced features).

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even after setting up screen time correctly, Xiaomi can malfunction. Consider typical errors and ways to fix them:

Problem 1: Screen time doesn't count statistics

Causes and solutions:

• 🔄 Resetting settings: Go to Settings → Annexes → Screen time. → Warehouse → Delete the data.
• 📵 Internet is not available: Some data (e.g. weekly reports) are only synchronized when connected to the network.
• 🛠️ System error: Update MIUI Or reinstall the screen time app via Google Play.

Problem 2: Limits are reset after rebooting

It's a typical mistake for MIUI 12 and some models and some POCO. Decisions:

• 🔐 Make sure that the PIN code is set for screen time (without it, the settings are not saved).
• 📱 Check if the energy saving mode is enabled (Settings) → Battery → Energy saving regime).
• 🔄 Reset the cache of the Screen Time app in the settings.

Problem 3: Parental control is not working

If the child is circumventing the restrictions:

• 🔒 Check if your phone has root rights or Find My Device is inactive.
• 📧 Make sure that the parent’s Mi Account is linked to the device (Settings) → Xiaomi account).
• 🛡️ Enable Reset Protection in Parental Control Settings.

Problem 4: The application is not blocked after the limit has been exhausted

Possible causes:

• 🎯 Appendix added to exceptions (check in Screen time) → Exceptions).
• 🔄 The limit is set to 0 minutes (check the settings again).
• 📵 The application runs in the background (for example, music or downloads).

💡

If none of the methods worked, try to roll back. MIUI before the previous version via Fastboot or contact Xiaomi Support with error logs (you can get them in Settings). → The phone. → Error report).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions