Today’s parents are increasingly faced with the question: how to ensure the safety of the child without limiting his freedom? The app “Where are my kids” (or “Where are your kids,” as it is sometimes called in search terms) is becoming one of the most popular tools for monitoring the location and activity of children through a smartphone. POCO And they often have trouble installing and configuring this service. What's the reason? MIUI, which blocks background activity of applications and restricts access to geodata.
In this article, we’ll look at all the ways to install an app on Xiaomi, including bypassing system restrictions, setting permissions, and solving common errors like “App can’t see location” or “Notifications aren’t coming,” and how to hide the app from a child so that he doesn’t turn it off, and what alternatives exist for parental control on Xiaomi.
⚠️ Note: Installation of child surveillance apps must be done with their consent (if the child is over 10 years old) or with an explanation of the purpose of use. In some countries, covert surveillance may violate privacy laws.
1.Where to Download the Official “Where Are My Children” App for Xiaomi
The first step is to download the app from a reliable source, and the official service, Where's My Kids (developed by LLC "Find My Kids"), is available in several versions:
- 📱 Google Play is the main source for most users.link: play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.findmykids.app. Suitable for all Xiaomi Android-based.
- 🌐 Official site – if Google Play is not available (for example, in China or on phones without Google services). APK here: findmykids.org/ru/download.
- 🛡️ AppGallery (Huawei) is an alternative for regions where Google is blocked».
⚠️ Attention: Don't download APK From third-party sources such as apkpure.com or torrent trackers, files that may contain viruses or spyware that steals your Xiaomi data.
After downloading, check the integrity of the file:
- Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Find the downloaded APK in the Installed Files section.
- Click Scan for viruses (if you have this option in your version of MIUI).
2 Why Where My Kids Are Not Set on Xiaomi: Typical Mistakes
Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO users often experience problems when installing an app, and here are the most common reasons and solutions:
| Mistake. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Failed to install the app. | Blocking the installation from unknown sources | Allow installation in Settings → Applications → Special Permissions → Installation of Unknown Applications |
| The app is not compatible with your device | An outdated version of Android or MIUI | Update the firmware through Settings → About the phone → System update |
| Server error (403, 500) | Blocking Google Play in the region | Use a VPN or download APK from the official website |
| The application is immediately closed after launch | Conflict with MIUI optimization | Disable Auto Start and Battery Optimization for the App |
If you see a message “Device not certified” when installing from Google Play, follow these steps:
Open Settings → Google → Google Play Services
Click Device Certification
Follow the instructions for registering the device
Reboot the phone.-->
Critical information for Xiaomi owners with global firmware: if you bought a phone in China (the local version), Google Play may not be available, in which case the only option is to install via APK or use alternative stores like APKMirror (but only with a developer signature check!).
3. Configure permissions for the correct operation of the application
Even after a successful installation, "Where are my kids" may not show the child's location or send notifications, and 90 percent of the time, the problem is that the MIUI is incorrect, or that's what you need to configure:
Location and background activity permits
- 📍 Geodata: Go to Settings → Annexes → Application management → Where are my children → Permits and turn on: 🔘 Location → Always (not "only during use»!) 🔘 Exact location (to determine coordinates with an error of up to 10 meters)
- 🔄 Background Activity: In the same permissions menu, activate: 🔘 Auto-Run (to make the application work after restarting) 🔘 Show pop-up windows (for notifications) 🔘 Change system settings (to block removal)
Battery optimization and auto-start
MIUI aggressively closes the background to save power. For "Where's My Kids," it's critical -- the app has to work all the time. Do this:
- Open Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Consumption Management.
- Find “Where are my children” in the list and select “No Limits”
- Return to Settings → Apps → Where My Kids → Battery and Turn Off Battery Optimization
💡
If the application still does not show location after setting permissions, try to turn on Developer Mode and disable Background Process Limitation in Settings → Additional → For Developers.
Permissions to listen to ambient sounds (optional)
The app allows you to listen to sounds around the child (for example, if he does not answer the phone).
- In the permissions sections of the annex, insert the Microphone.
- In the “Where are my children” settings, activate the “Watch” function (available in the premium version).
⚠️ Note: Using wiretaps without the child's knowledge may violate privacy laws in your country.In Russia, for example, recording conversations without the consent of participants is prohibited by Art. 138.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation.
4 How to Hide the “Where Are My Kids” App from a Baby on Xiaomi
Children quickly learn to remove or disable surveillance apps, and to avoid this, you can:
4.1 Hide the application icon
- 🔒 Use the function "Hidden applications" in MIUI: Press the "Where are my children" icon on the home screen. Select Hide (if available in your firmware). To return the icon, swipe down on the home screen and enter the password.
- 📁 Move to a folder with a neutral name (for example, “Games” or “Study»).