Modern smartphones, and especially Xiaomi devices, offer incredible functionality that helps with work and entertainment. However, excessive fascination with social networks and games often leads to an unproductive waste of time.
The MIUI operating system, which is installed on the vast majority of devices of this brand, has powerful built-in tools for digital well-being. You do not need to download third-party software to clean up the use of the gadget. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to correctly adjust the restrictions.
There are a number of ways to limit your apps on Xiaomi, from standard Android features to advanced security settings, and we’ll look at each method so you can choose the one that works best for your situation, and help you maintain a balance between the virtual and real world.
Using the Digital Well-Being function
The most effective and native way to control this is through the built-in Digital Well-being tool, which is integrated directly into the MIUI shell and doesn't require any additional components to be installed, and to get into the settings menu, you have to open the standard Settings app and scroll down to Digital Well-Being and Parental Control.
Inside this section, you can set a limit, like 30 minutes a day for a social network or 1 hour for a game, and after the allotted time, the app icon will turn gray and you can't run it until the next day.
☑️ Setting up the application timer
It's important to note that the system allows you to flexibly manage these settings, so you can change the limit at any time or completely disable it for your chosen program, which is especially useful if you plan to spend more time on weekends for entertainment.
⚠️ Warning: Resetting your phone to factory settings will remove all of your time limits.If you use the phone to restrict children's access, make sure they don't have access to the reset menu.
Setting up the Focus mode for work
For those who need to temporarily turn off distractions while working or studying, Focus mode is ideal, which allows you to create special profiles that block the applications you choose, and unlike the timer, this is not limited by time of use, but by time of day or manually.
You can activate this mode through the notification curtain or in the Digital Well-being menu, and when you turn on the focus, all the programs you select will stop sending notifications, and their icons will disappear from the desktop or become inactive, which helps to keep your focus on important tasks.
Focus mode on Xiaomi devices has several preset scenarios, but you can create your own. For example, the “Work” profile can block games and social networks, and the “Sleep” profile can only access the alarm clock and calls.
Using these profiles disciplines and allows you to develop healthy smartphone usage habits, you decide what apps will be available at a particular time, which gives you complete control over the device.
Parental Controls via Google Family Link
If your goal is to limit your child's smartphone use, then MIUI may not be enough, and in this case, Google's official Family Link app comes to the rescue, allowing the child to remotely control the device from the parent's phone.
To get started, you need to install the app on both devices and create a family group, so once you link your accounts, you can see in real time how much time your child spends on each game or program, and you can set strict limits on how the device is used as a whole.
Key features of Family Link include:
- 🕒 Setting a daily screen time limit.
- 🌙 Set up a “break-off” time when the phone is locked completely.
- 🚫 Blocking the installation of new applications without parental permission.
- 📍 Tracking the location of the device in real time.
This solution is the most reliable, since the child will not be able to bypass the restrictions on his own, knowing the password from the Google account.
Restrictions through the Security App
The MIUI shell has a system application called Security, which also has a restricted-access functionality, and although it's more commonly associated with antivirus protection, it has a useful application lock feature that allows you to block access to programs by password or fingerprint.
To activate this feature, open Security, go to Application Lock and set a password. Then select from the list the programs you want to restrict access to, and now when you try to open them, the system will require authorization.
This is a great way to self-monitor, and if you know you can't get away from the news feed, just put a password on the front, and the extra act of entering code often discourages you from opening the app "just like that" on the machine.
What to do if you forget the lock password?
Comparison of Access Restriction Methods
The right method depends on your specific goals: whether you want to sit on the phone less yourself or control the child. Below is a table that will help you compare the main features of different approaches.
| Method | Type of restriction | Difficulty bypassing | Who's right for? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application timer | Time limit | Medium | For self-control. |
| Focus mode | Temporary lockdown | Low. | For work and study |
| Google Family Link | Full control. | Tall. | For parents. |
| Security lockdown | Password to the entrance | Medium | To protect privacy |
As you can see from the table, each method has its own strengths, and for complex protection, it's better to combine several tools, such as using timers for entertainment and Family Link for general time control.
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Combining methods (timer + password) gives the best result for the development of discipline.
Frequent problems and their solution
Users may encounter difficulties in setting the constraints. It is common for MIUI to aggressively unload background processes, causing timers to reset or malfunction, and to avoid this, you need to go to the battery settings and select "No Limits" mode for system control applications.
Another common problem is that you can't change your usage time after the limit has expired, and that's the way the system behaves, so if you need to open an application, you can extend the timer, but the system will alert you to the consequences.
Users sometimes complain that they can’t find the settings they want. MIUI may vary depending on the firmware version (Global, China, EEA). If you don’t find a menu item, search for the settings by entering the keywords “limit” or “time”.
⚠️ Warning: Installing third-party applications to block from unknown sources may lead to a leak of personal data.Use only verified programs from the official Google Play Store.
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Tip: Check usage statistics regularly, and analyzing weekly data will help you understand which apps are stealing your time the most, and adjust your limits.
Additional settings for advanced users
For those who want to go beyond standard settings, Xiaomi offers Second Space Mode.This is a feature that creates another isolated desktop inside your phone. You can set limits and locks in the second space, leaving the first one completely free.
The good thing about this method is that it creates a clear line between work and home, or between personal and child use, and by switching between spaces, you physically change the set of apps available and their settings.
You can set up Second Space in Settings → Additional Settings → Second Space, where you can set a separate password or fingerprint to log in, which adds another layer of control over access to content.