How to block YouTube from Xiaomi Mi TV TV: from parental control to DNS-filter

Xiaomi Mi TVs TV Android TV Or PatchWall provides access to a huge amount of content, including YouTube, a platform that can distract children from school, show unwanted ads, or just eat up family time.

In this article, we will discuss 5 Proven methods of blocking YouTube on Xiaomi Mi TVs TV (including the Mi models TV 4A/4S/5X/6 Pro/Q2/Q1E From built-in parental controls to technical solutions like change DNS Or using third-party apps, you'll find a solution that's right for you. Importantly, some of the ways require administrator rights or access to a router, so prepare the data to log in to your router settings in advance.

Before you start, note: locking at the TV level can be bypassed through a smartphone or tablet connected to the same Wi-Fi. For full protection, we recommend combining methods - for example, set parental control on TV and change the system. DNS router.

1. Parental Controls in PatchWall (the easiest way)

If your TV is running on a PatchWall shell (most Xiaomi Mi models) TV After 2019, it already has built-in parental controls, which require no technical skills and takes less than 5 minutes.

To activate the restrictions:

1. Open Settings (cog in the upper right corner of the main screen).
2. Go to the Account and Security section → Parental control.
3. Enter the PIN (by default, 0000 or 1234 if you have not changed it).
4. Select App Restriction and find it in the YouTube list.
5. Set an age limit (e.g. 18).+) Or completely block the application.

Then when you try to open YouTube, the system will ask for a PIN, and the important thing is that if the PIN hasn't changed, it's easy to pick up, set your password right away in the parental control settings!

Reset the PIN code of parental control to the standard (if you forgot)

Write a new PIN code to a safe place

Check that YouTube is not listed in the "Apps Permitted" list.

Restart the TV to apply changes-->

This only works for the built-in YouTube app, and if you install a service through Google Play or open it through your browser, locking won't work. For full protection, move on to the following methods.

2. YouTube Delete via Android Settings TV

On Xiaomi TVs with pure Android TV (Like Mi. TV Stick or some Mi models TV A Pro, you can completely remove the YouTube app, not just hide it, it's a radical method, but it's guaranteed to solve the problem.

Instructions:

1. Open the Settings → Applications.
2. Find YouTube (can be called YouTube for Android) TV).
3. Choose Remove or Disable (if deletion is not available).
4. Confirm action. If necessary, enter your Google account password.

If the Remove button is inactive, then YouTube is a system application.

• 🔧 Use it. ADB For forced removal (the method for advanced users, described below).
• 🔄 Reset the TV to factory settings (remove all data!).
• 🛡️ Block access through DNS or router (the following sections).

3. YouTube blocking via router (for all devices on the network)

If you want to block YouTube not only on your TV, but on all devices connected to your Wi-Fi, the best option is to configure filtering at the router level, which works independently of the TV model and does not allow you to bypass the lock through the browser or third-party applications.

Ways to block on the router:

The most reliable and universal way is to change DNS For example, CleanBrowsing servers (185.228.168.168 and 185.228.169.169) block access to YouTube and other entertainment resources:

1. Go to the router control panel (usually at 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1).
2. Find the Network section → WAN or DNS.
3. Enter family addresses DNS opportunistic.
4. Save the settings and restart the router.

OpenDNS FamilyShield: 208.67.222.123 and 208.67.220.123

- Yandex.DNS Family: 77.88.8.7 and 77.88.8.3-->

⚠️ Attention: Shift DNS The router will block YouTube on all devices, including smartphones and laptops. If you need to restrict access only on the TV, use the methods from the following sections.

4. Use of third-party applications for blocking (AppBlock, Digital Wellbeing)

If the built-in tools Xiaomi Mi TV Not suitable, you can install third-party apps to monitor the time of use, such as AppBlock or Digital Wellbeing (available on Google Play for Android). TV). These programs allow:

• 🕒 Set time limits on YouTube.
• 🔒 Block the application on schedule (for example, during school hours).
• 📊 Track usage statistics.
• 👤 Set up different profiles for family members.

How to install and configure AppBlock:

1. Open Google Play on your TV.
2. Find AppBlock: Block Apps & Sites and install it.
3. Start the program and create a profile (for example, "Child").
4. Add YouTube to the list of blocked apps.
5. Set a PIN code to unlock.
6. Activate the lock on schedule or constantly.

The advantage of this method is flexibility: you can block YouTube only at certain hours (for example, from 18:00 to 20:00) or set daily limits. However, the application itself can be removed by a user if they have access to Google Play. To avoid this, block the installation of new programs through parental control.

💡

Apps like AppBlock are suitable for time limits, but don’t guarantee 100% lock. For reliability, combine them with other methods (e.g., change). DNS).

5. Advanced methods: ADB and lock through hosts

If you are ready to go into technical details, ADB (Android Debug Bridge and hosts file editing will block YouTube at the system level, which requires connecting the TV to the computer and basic command line knowledge.

Method 1: Delete YouTube via ADB

If YouTube is a system app and is not removed via the menu, use the command:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.youtube.tv

For this:

1. Turn on the debugging. USB in the settings of the TV (Settings) → On TV. → Build Number – Press 7 times, then return to Settings → For developers).
2. Connect TV to PC via USB and execute the command at the terminal.

Method 2: Locking through the hosts file

Edit the file. /system/etc/hosts, line:

127.0.0.1 youtube.com


127.0.0.1 www.youtube.com




127.0.0.1 m.youtube.com

This will redirect all requests to YouTube to a local address, making the service unavailable. ADB superuser.

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB or editing system files may cause the TV to fail.Before experimenting, back up the data or be prepared to reset your settings.

6.Alternative solutions: SmartTubeNext and restriction through Google account

If you don’t want to block YouTube completely, but just restrict content (like removing ads or hiding unwanted videos), consider alternative clients like SmartTubeNext.

• 🚫 Blocking ads.
• 👁️ Hiding Age Recommendations.
• 🔒 Launch password.
• 📱 Possibility to set up a blacklist of channels.

You can install SmartTubeNext via ADB or using the Sender app (if the TV supports installation) APK). However, please note that this is unofficial software and its use may violate YouTube’s rules.

Another option is restrictions through your Google account:

1. Go to the Google Family Link website.
2. Create a child account or add an existing one.
3. Set age limits and block YouTube for this profile.
4. Sign in to your child's account on TV.

This method is handy if you’re using Google’s family library and want to sync restrictions across all devices.

Comparison of YouTube blocking methods on Xiaomi Mi TV

The choice of method depends on your goals:

• 👶 To protect children, it is better to combine parental controls + shift DNS.
• 🕒 AppBlock is suitable for time restrictions.
• 🔧 For full lock on all devices, set up a router.
• 💻 If you are ready for technical manipulation, use it. ADB.

Frequently asked questions