How to password a Xiaomi TV: 3 working ways to protect from children and strangers

Why You Should Password Xiaomi TV and What Risks It Prevents

Xiaomi TVs are not just screens for watching programs, but full-fledged multimedia centers with access to the Internet, payment services and personal data. Without protection, any family member or guest can accidentally (or intentionally) change settings, buy an in-app subscription, delete important files or even install malware through third-party APKs. A particularly pressing problem for families with children: according to studies, 68% of parents faced a situation when a child independently ran unwanted content or spent money on purchases in games.

In this article, we’ll break down three official ways to protect Xiaomi TVs (including MIUI TV and Google TV models): Launch lock, app access restriction, and parental control settings. All of these work on current firmware from 2026 and don’t require root rights or complex manipulations, and you’ll learn how to bypass a password if you forget it yourself — without resetting to factory settings.

Method 1: Password to start the TV (screen lock)

The most reliable way of protection is installation PIN-This feature is available on all Xiaomi models. TV s MIUI TV 3.0 and newer (including Mi) TV 4S/5X/6 Pro, Redmi Smart TV After activation, the TV will require a password to be entered each time it is turned on or out of sleep.

To set up the lock:

1. Open Settings → Accounts and Security → Screen Lock.
2. Select the type of protection: PIN-code (4-6 digits) or pattern lock (pattern).
3. Enter the password twice and confirm.
4. Activate the option to Require a password when enabled.

⚠️ Note: If you use a remote with a Netflix or Prime Video button, some models allow you to run these apps bypassing the lock. To close the loophole, turn off Quick Launch Apps in the security settings.

Make sure your TV is connected to the Internet (you need to sync your account) |Remember or write your password to a safe place |Deactivate guest mode in your account settings |Check that there is a Menu button on the remote (you need to unlock it)

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Method 2: Parental Controls to Limit Content

If the main goal is to protect children from unwanted content (violence, 18+, in-game purchases), you just need to configure parental control, which works even without locking the screen and allows you to:

• 🔒 Prohibit the launch of specific applications (YouTube, Netflix, games).
• 🕒 Set time limits for use.
• 🛡️ Filtering content by age ratings (PG-13, R-18 etc.).
• 💳 Block purchases on Google Play and MI Store.

Instructions for MIUI TV:

1. Go to Settings → System → Parental Controls.
2. Create. PIN-code (by default - 0000 or 1234, but it must be changed).
3. In the Application Limitations section, select programs that require a password to run.
4. In Content Settings, set an age rating (e.g., 12+).

For TVs on Google TV (e.g. Xiaomi TV A2/A Pro):

1. Open Profile → Settings → Family → Parental Controls.
2. Activate the function and create a PIN.
3. Set the restrictions for each app separately (including YouTube Kids).

Launch password |Parent Control |Shopping restriction |Nothing set up |Other option

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Method 3: Block purchases and app installs

One of the most dangerous scenarios is when a child or guest installs paid apps or buys subscriptions through Google Play or MI Store, and to avoid this, set up purchase protection:

On MIUI TV:

1. Go to Settings → Accounts and Security → Authorization of purchases.
2. Enable the option to Require a password for each purchase.
3. Set a PIN (it may match the screen lock password).

On Google TV:

1. Open Play Store → Settings → Authentication
2. Select Require Authentication for Purchases.
3. Please note for all purchases (not just for paid purchases).

⚠️ Note: Some apps (such as Megogo or Okko) have their own payment systems that are not associated with Google Play, and you will have to set the password separately in the settings of the service itself.

How to Reset Your Password If You Forgotten: Official and Alternative Methods

If you forgot. PIN-Screen lock or parental control code, there are several ways to recover it without losing data:

The easiest way to do this is to restore it through your Mi Account:

1. On the lock screen, select Forgot your password.
2. Enter the username and password from the Xiaomi account tied to the TV.
3. Follow the instructions for resetting PIN-code (confirmation code will come to email or phone number).

If your account is not tied or your TV is offline, you will need to use ADB (for advanced users):

adb shell am start -n com.android.tv.settings/.deviceadmin.DeviceAdminAddActivity


adb shell dumpsys device_policy force_lock

These commands will reset the lock password, but require pre-setting the debugging over USB.

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Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When setting up a password on Xiaomi TV, users often face typical problems:

• 🔄 The password is not saved after the reboot. Cause: the security module malfunctions. Solution: upgrade the TV firmware to the latest version or reset the security settings to Settings. → System system → Resetting settings → Resetting security.
• 📱 Remote does not respond to input PIN-The culprit: dead batteries or a Bluetooth remote conflict. Try using the original IR remote or plugging the keyboard into the keyboard. USB.
• 🌐 Parental controls don't filter content on YouTube, because YouTube uses its own age-restriction algorithms.

Another common mistake is using simple passwords like 1111 or 1234. Children learn these combinations quickly: 6-significant PIN-code without repeating numbers (e.g, 742-961) or a graphical key with intersecting lines.

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Additional Security Measures: What to Do Beyond Password

Passwords on TV are just the first step, and for full protection, we recommend:

• 🔌 Shut down. HDMI-CEC. This feature allows you to control the TV through connected devices (for example, a set-top box or a sound bar). If you do not turn it off, an attacker can bypass the lock through another gadget. → Devices and accessories → HDMI-CEC.
• 📡 Hide your home Wi-Fi network. To prevent outsiders from connecting to your TV via Mi Home or Google Home, turn off the feature. WPS Set a complex password on the router.
• 🔄 Set up automatic software updates. Outdated firmware versions contain vulnerabilities that can bypass your password. Enable auto-update in Settings → System system → Update of the PO.
• 🛡️ Install VPN This will protect against phishing and blocking of unwanted sites at the network level. TV).

If you have teenagers in your family, you should also set up activity notifications.

1. Install the Google Family Link app on your smartphone.
2. Add the TV as a child’s device (via Google account).
3. Turn on Activity Reports – you will receive data about the applications you are running and the time of use.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions