How to block YouTube channel from children on the TV Xiaomi Mi TV: way

Xiaomi Mi TVs TV With the pre-installed YouTube app, it's becoming more and more popular in family living rooms, but with the ease of viewing, there's a problem: how do you keep kids from unwanted content? Even if you carefully monitor your child’s pastime, one wrong click can lead to a video not intended for their age. Fortunately, Xiaomi and YouTube itself offer several tools for restricting access, from built-in parental controls to third-party solutions.

In this article, we will discuss 5 How to block individual channels or all of YouTube on Xiaomi Mi TVs TV (including the Mi models TV 4A/4S/5/5X/Q1/Q2 2020-2026 You will learn how to set up PIN-code for the app, activate limited YouTube mode, use a profile for children in the MIUI TV, We will also focus on nuances that are often overlooked in standard instructions, such as why blocking through Google Family Link may not work on some Xiaomi models.

Before you start settings, check your TV’s firmware version: go to Settings → On TV. → Version of the software. Current versions MIUI TV (3.0 support all of the following methods, but for older models (Mi) TV 3 or early 4A) may require an update.

1. Block YouTube through parental control in the MIUI TV

The most reliable way to restrict access to YouTube on Xiaomi Mi TV — It's a built-in parental control feature that allows you not only to block individual apps, but also to set time limits on their use.

To activate the lock:

1. Open Settings (cog in the upper right corner of the main screen).
2. Go to the System and Device section → Parental control.
3. Enter the standard. PIN-code (default: 0000 or 1234 if you haven't changed it) If the code doesn't fit, reset it via Settings → Accounts and security → Reset PIN-Code (requires a Xiaomi account attached).
4. Turn on Parental Controls switch and select Application Limitation.
5. Find YouTube and set an age limit for it (12).+, 16+ 18+) or completely block access.

After saving the settings, the YouTube app will be hidden from the main menu, and when you try to start the system will ask for a request. PIN-Please note: this method does not block access to YouTube through a browser or third-party applications (e.g. Smart YouTube). TV). For full protection, we recommend combining it with other methods.

Make sure your TV is connected to the Internet (settings are synchronized with Xiaomi servers)

Remember or write down a new one PIN-code (by default, it can only be reset via your Mi Account)

Update the firmware to the latest version (in older versions) MIUI TV Parental control is not stable)

Check that your child’s profile does not have administrator rights (otherwise, they can disable restrictions)-->

2. YouTube Limited Mode: How to Enable on Xiaomi TV

Restricted Mode is a built-in YouTube feature that filters content by age criteria. It blocks videos marked 18.+, You can also turn on channels that the system considers unsuitable for children, right on the YouTube app on the Xiaomi Mi. TV, But there is a nuance: the setting is reset after leaving the account or clearing the cache.

Instructions for activation:

• 📺 Open the YouTube app on your TV.
• 👤 Sign in to your Google account (if not authorized, you can’t turn on mode!).
• ⚙️ Go to Settings. → General. → Restricted regime.
• 🔒 Turn on the switch and confirm the action by entering the password from your Google account.

After activation, an icon will appear in the upper right corner of the screen. 🔒, It's a filter signal that's turned on, but it has 3 critical flaws:

1. The mode does not block comments under the video (they may contain profanity).
2. Filtering only works for content in English and major European languages, and Russian-language channels often pass by filters.
3. Your child can turn off the mode if they know the password from your Google account or if they log out.

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If the limited mode is not enabled, check the region of your Google account. For Russia and CIS, the function may not be available - in this case, use the VPN Connecting to servers in Europe or the United States.

3. Creation of a child profile in MIUI TV

Starting with the version MIUI TV 3.2 (2021), Xiaomi added the ability to create separate profiles for family members with different access rights.The children's profile automatically restricts the launch of applications with an age rating of 16+ And above, including YouTube, which is a very useful method if you have multiple users.

How to set up a child profile:

1. Open the Settings. → Accounts and security → Profile management.
2. Select Add Profile → Childish.
3. Enter your profile name (e.g., “Child”) and set age limits (0-12 years).
4. Set up. PIN-code for switching between profiles (default: 0000).
5. Save the changes and restart the TV.

Now, when you turn on the TV, you'll be offered a profile choice.

• 🚫 YouTube will be blocked (unless it is set up separately).
• 🕒 You can set a time limit for use (for example, 2 hours per day).
• 📱 Will be hidden system settings and the Google Play app store.

Important: If the child knows PIN-To avoid this, use complex code (e.g. 2468 instead of 1234) and don't keep it in notes on your TV.

4.Blocking YouTube via router: a universal method

If the built-in tools Xiaomi Mi TV Not suitable (e.g., you have an old model without parental control), you can block access to YouTube at the network level, and this works for all devices connected to your router, including smartphones and tablets. The lock will be valid for all users of the network, not just for children.

Instructions for routers Xiaomi Mi Router, TP-Link or Keenetic:

For more flexible settings, use DNS-For example, replace the filtering. DNS-servers in the router settings on:

• 🛡️ CleanBrowsing (Family Filter): 185.228.168.168 and 185.228.169.168 (blocks porn, gambling and YouTube for children).
• 🌍 OpenDNS FamilyShield: 208.67.222.123 and 208.67.220.123 (filters content by category).

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Blocking a router is the most reliable way if you have multiple devices (TV, tablet, child's smartphone), but it doesn't work for mobile Internet (4G/5G) You can block YouTube for all family members.

5. Third-party Parental Control Applications

If the standard methods are not satisfied, you can install on Xiaomi Mi TV And these are specialized parental control apps that offer advanced features like keyword lock, activity log, remote phone control. So let's look at 3 proven solutions:

1. Kaspersky Safe Kids

• ✅ Blocks YouTube and other apps on schedule.
• ✅ Filters content into 14 categories (violence, drugs, etc.).
• ❌ Requires subscriptions (from 399) ₽/year).
• ❌ On Xiaomi Mi. TV It only works through the browser (no native application).

Installation: download APK from the official Kaspersky website and install via the File Manager on the TV (pre-allow installation from unknown sources in Settings). → Security).

2. Net Nanny

• ✅ Block YouTube at a level DNS + contention.
• ✅ There is a Safe Search feature to filter search results.
• ❌ A complex setup for beginners.
• ❌ It can slow down the TV.

3. Google Family Link (limited)

• ✅ Free solution from Google.
• ✅ Allows you to set time limits.
• ❌ Xiaomi is unstable on TVs – often resets settings after a reboot.
• ❌ It does not block the built-in YouTube (mobile version only).

Before installing third-party applications, consider:

⚠️ Note: Many parental control apps require root rights or special certificates that are on Xiaomi Mi. TV It's impossible to get it without the risk of losing the warranty. APK Check compatibility with your TV model in forums (e.g, 4PDA or XDA Developers).

6. Alternative ways: what to do if nothing helps

If none of the above methods work (for example, you have a very old Xiaomi Mi model). TV without updates, try radical measures:

Method 1: Delete YouTube

On some firmware, you can delete the pre-installed YouTube via ADB (Android Debug Bridge:

1. Turn on the debugging. USB In Settings → On TV. → Software version (click 7 times on the build number, then return to the developer settings and activate debugging).
2. Connect the TV to the PC on USB and execute the command: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.youtube.tv

Cons: After resetting the settings or updating the software, the application will return.

Method 2: Physical locking

• 🔌 Turn off the TV from the internet when your child is using it (for example, through a smart timer outlet).
• 📶 Use a guest network on your router without access to YouTube.
• 🔄 Set up whitelists (only allow certain sites, such as Channel One or Carousel).

Method 3: Replacing YouTube with Childhood Alternatives

Install specialized applications instead of YouTube:

• 🎵 YouTube Kids (official but requires authorization).
• 📚 Mashariki TV or Multiple (Russian-language content).
• 🎬 Kidoodle.TV (paid but with strict moderation).

⚠️ Note: If you decide to delete YouTube via ADB, Please note that this may disrupt other Google services (such as Google Play or Assistant). → System system → Backup.

FAQ: Frequent questions about blocking YouTube on Xiaomi TV