Modern smartphones, including popular Xiaomi and Redmi models, have become an integral part of our lives, but sometimes we do not notice how many hours we spend in the face of the screen. Screen Time or Digital Wellbeing is designed to help the user control this process by providing detailed statistics on application usage. However, unlike pure Android or iOS, in the shells of MIUI and the new HyperOS, access to these settings can be hidden or implemented outside the box.
Many users have difficulty finding this section, as it is often renamed or moved depending on the firmware version and region. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to activate and configure device usage monitoring, learn how to use standard system tools, as well as how to access the hidden engineering menu for deeper analysis.
Understanding how to go to shaomi screen time is not only necessary for self-control, but also for setting up parental control, and if you configure these parameters correctly, you can limit your children's access to certain games or social networks at a given time of day, and we'll look at both software methods through settings and special codes that open up access to system statistics.
What is Digital Wellbeing and Where to Find It MIUI
The time control feature is based on Google Digital Wellbeing, which is typically pre-installed and integrated into system settings on global MIUI and HyperOS firmware versions, but can vary in location, most often via the phone's main settings menu, but in some builds it can be put into a separate app or hidden.
To access the basic statistics, you need to open your device settings. Depending on the shell version, the item you're looking for may be called Digital Well-Being or Screen Time. If you don't find it right away, try searching by settings by typing in the appropriate query. This is the fastest way to find the desired section if the menu has been changed after the update.
⚠️ Note: On Chinese versions of the firmware (CN ROM) Google Digital Wellbeing may not be available or may not work properly without installing Google Play services, and in such cases, it is recommended to use third-party applications or flashing to the global version.
It’s important to distinguish between system function and third-party applications. The built-in Digital Wellbeing tool has deeper system access rights than regular programs from the Play Market. It can block apps from running on a timer, turn on Do Not Distract mode, and even change the interface to black and white to reduce the attractiveness of the screen.
If the standard path doesn't work, it's possible that your device has a system component disabled. Check the list of installed apps, look for Digital Well-being and make sure it's not disabled. It's also worth checking for updates for Google's system components through the app store.
Instructions: How to Include Use Statistics through Settings
To start full control, you need to activate and customize the function to your needs. The process of turning on is simple enough, but requires careful consideration when choosing constraints. Follow the step-by-step instructions to activate activity monitoring on your smartphone.
Go to your device’s settings menu first. Find a section that could be called Digital Well-Being and Parental Controls or simply Screen Time. In newer versions of HyperOS, this item is often highlighted as a separate category at the top of the settings list.
Once you log in, you'll see the general statistics for the day. If the data isn't displayed, the statistics service may be stopped. Click the three dots in the upper right corner or the Start button to activate tracking. The system will request the necessary permissions to use the data.
☑️ Checklist of activation function
Once activated, you can set limits for specific applications, for example, you can limit your use of social media to one hour a day, and when the limit is exhausted, the app icon will turn grey, and you can only run it by ignoring the restriction.
Special attention should be paid to the “Sleep Time” or “Sleep Mode” mode, which allows you to set a schedule during which notifications are turned off and the screen goes into black and white mode, which helps you fall asleep faster and avoid being distracted by the bright colors of the late night display.
Secret code to enter Xiaomi usage statistics
There is a lesser-known way to access detailed statistics that works on most Xiaomi and Redmi devices. USSD-This method is useful if the standard settings menu is not working or hidden.
To enter this menu, open the Phone app and enter the following combination: ##4636##. Once you enter the last star, the menu should open automatically, call the connection no longer needed. If the code did not work, your firmware version may block this access.
In the menu that opens, select Usage statistics, which displays a detailed list of all apps you have launched, with the last use time and session duration, and provides more raw yet accurate data than the Digital Wellbeing GUI.
What if the code doesn't work?
Using this code is safe for user data, as you only get access to the system logs, but it is not recommended to change other parameters in the test menu if you are not sure about their purpose, as this can affect the operation of the radio module or network.
These statistics are especially useful for diagnosing problems when a particular application eats up battery power or runs in the background, even if you can't see it, and by comparing data from a hidden menu and a standard interface, you can identify discrepancies and hidden activity of programs.
Set up parental controls and time limits
One of the main reasons users are looking for ways to access their shaomi screen time is to limit children’s access to their gadgets, and the built-in MIUI tools allow them to create a profile of their child and control their device remotely or on the same phone.
To set the restrictions, go to Parental Controls inside the digital well-being menu, where you can link your child's device to your Google account, or set the restrictions locally, and block new apps from being installed without adult confirmation.
The key feature is setting timers for specific categories of applications, you can allow educational programs to be used without restrictions, but you can set a hard limit of 30 minutes for gaming applications, and when the time goes out, the application will be blocked until the next day.
| Type of restriction | Description of function | Where to find the setting |
|---|---|---|
| Application timer | Limiting the time of use of a particular application per day | Digital Well-Being → Application Timers |
| Sleep regimen | Block notifications and change screen colors on schedule | Digital well-being → Sleep regimen |
| Content filtering | Blocking Adult Sites and Unwanted Content in Chrome | Google settings → Parental control |
| Locking down calls | Prohibition of incoming/outgoing calls from unknown numbers | Security → Anti-Thief / Blacklist |
Therefore, it is recommended to set a password for settings or use the Google Family Link app, which integrates with the system and protects settings from changes.
⚠️ Note: When setting up parental controls, be sure to set PIN-A code or graphical key that only you know, without which your child can turn off all restrictions at any time.
Access problems and lack of function on the device
It is not uncommon for users to experience screen time completely missing from the menu or not working properly, often on devices purchased in the grey market or on older models that have not received updates to current versions of Android.
The main reason for the lack of Google services is the lack of or incorrect operation of Google services. Digital Wellbeing is part of the Google ecosystem, and without updated Google Play services, it will not launch. Check in the settings if all Google system applications are updated to the latest version.
Another reason could be custom launchers or themes that conflict with system processes, try switching temporarily to the standard MIUI Launcher launcher and the standard theme to see if statistics are available.
If the software methods don't work, you can use alternative solutions. There are many applications in the Play Market, such as ActionDash or StayFree, that provide similar and sometimes more advanced functionality, and they use the same system APIs to collect statistics.
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If the feature is gone after a system update, try clearing the Settings and Digital Well-Being app cache through the application management menu, which often resolves the issues with the menu items disappearing.
As a last resort, if the feature is critical and your current version of the software doesn’t, consider upgrading your firmware. Switching from MIUI 12 to MIUI 13/14 or HyperOS is guaranteed to add this functionality, as it has become the standard for modern versions of Android.
Alternative applications for time control
Xiaomi’s built-in tools are good, but not always perfect. If you lack functionality like detailed weekly reports or hard locking, you should look for third-party solutions, which often offer more flexible customization and cross-platform.
One of the best solutions is the Google Family Link app, which allows you not only to track the time, but also to fully control the child’s device: see their location, approve or block the installation of applications and remotely block the screen.
For those who just want to get some nice statistics and motivation to use their phones less, Forest or StayFree is a game-playing app, where you don't touch your phone, you have a virtual tree growing, or you earn points, and it's a psychologically effective way to deal with addiction.
When installing third-party apps, be sure to give them permission to use data access. Without this right, the application will not be able to see what programs you run and how much time you spend on them.
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Third-party apps often provide more detailed statistics and user-friendly desktop widgets than standard MIUI tools, but can consume more battery power in the background.