Affiliate Disclaimer OK, so you, like me, have bought your child a Xiaomi phone — I get it, it’s cheap and an adequate option. Now you need to set it up for your child. Have other Mi devices too? No problem.
All Xiaomi devices have basic parental controls. Most Mi phones running Android (like Redmi, Poco, Mix, and Civi) offer such tools through the Digital Wellbeing feature, Mi TVs — through in-built settings, and routers — through Wi-Fi app.
Still, comprehensive parental controls for mobile phones typically rely on external solutions such as Google Family Link and third-party apps like mSpy.
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Earlier MIUI versions, like MIU7 and MIU8, had a special child mode that allowed parents to limit device and app usage to enhance children’s safety. However, Xiaomi phased out the child mode feature from global versions after MIUI 11.
Further, although the Kids Mode was tested in China, it was not implemented globally.
The extent of parental control features varies depending on the phone’s MIUI version and regional software variations. Most Xiaomi phones running Android 9 (Pie) or later have parental controls available through the Digital Wellbeing and paired Family Link. Chinese versions of these phones may not support Google services, but they have a Kids Mode designed specifically for the Chinese market.
Android expert
Let’s look at the detailed instructions on how to set up parental controls on each of Xiaomi device: phone, TV, and router. Note that features might vary across models.
Parental Controls for Mi Phones
You can apply Redmi parental controls using the Digital Wellbeing feature, Google Family Link, or a family tracker you can choose from our top.
As a mom, I’ve found Redmi phones to be a good budget-friendly choice for my youngest child. It’s a great starting point with its basic parental controls. But for my older child, though, I feel more comfortable using additional monitoring apps to keep a closer eye on things. As they get older, you need to ensure full control and peace of mind.
HeyLocate contributor, mother of three children
How to Manage Digital Wellbeing Feature
The digital wellbeing feature on Xiaomi phones allows you to set screen time and see how long your child spends on different apps. You can manage it through your child’s phone.
Open Settings on your child’s Xiaomi smartphone, and scroll down to Digital Wellbeing and Parental Controls. You will see a chart with the screen time for that day. The chat will show you the apps your child uses the most.
From there on, you can set different restrictions.
- Tap App limits to set screen time limits for each app.
- Select Bedtime Mode to set up a time when a kid’s device will turn inactive.
- Manage Focus mode with pausing distracting apps and notifications during your child’s studying.
- Manage notifications to set up which app can send them.
Explore all the options of the Digital Wellbeing feature to tailor it to the needs of your child.
Still, note that a child can easily change these time limits on their phone. That’s why it’s best to educate children about the conscious use of apps, or opt for professional parental control tools.
How to Set Up Parental Control via Family Link
To improve parental control on Xiaomi phone and use it remotely, pair child’s and parent’s devices through Google Family Link.
- To use Family Link:
Open Settings > Digital wellbeing & Parental Controls. Scroll to [Set up] parental controls.
Follow the onscreen instructions to set up Google Family Link. The parent and child device need to be linked. Thus, you will be able to review the apps that your child will access and manage other settings. - To use Family Link to Set up Daily Limits:
Open the Family Link app. Tap [Set Up] under Daily Limits. The [Set limits page] will open. Set the hours and days you want, then tap [Done]. - To use Family Link to set up app limits:
Go to the App limits section of Google Family Link. You will see a list of apps. Tap [Set limit], add the hours you want to limit the app’s usage, and tap [Done]. - To restrict content using Family Link:
Go to content restrictions and choose a Google app to apply restrictions. For Google Chrome, select the option that filters explicit sites or allow the URLs you approve for younger kids.
Use mSpy Parental Monitoring App
A parental monitoring app is another great choice for applying parental controls on your child’s Xiaomi phone. We’ve researched various family trackers, and one of the best tools for monitoring your child’s device is mSpy.
How to use mSpy on Xiaomi Smartphone
mSpy parental monitoring tool requires installation on a Xiaomi cell phone. Once you configure the app, it will show you the child’s phone activities. mSpy monitors call logs, text messages, social media apps, location, and internet usage.
mSpy shows you who your child called and their contacts, and takes screenshots of DMs on Facebook and Instagram.
You can also block apps, Wi-Fi, and websites. Hence, you’ll always know where your child is and what they’re up to.
How to Manage Parental Controls on Xiaomi Mi TV
Parental controls on Xiaomi Mi TV create a safer TV-watching environment. To set up parental controls on the Xiaomi Mi TV:
- Start from the Home Screen and go to the gear icon for the settings menu.
- Click All Settings > Channels & Inputs.
- Select Channels > Parental Controls.
- Click Password Required. Enter your password and then go to [Modify Settings].
- Scroll down to Program Restrictions, then click on the toggle to turn it on.
- Go to Ratings to choose a suitable rating for your children from High, Medium or Low.
- Go back to select the input source, such as HDMI or AV, and you’re done.
Source of screenshots: mi.com
How to Configure Parental Controls on Xiaomi Router
Xiaomi offers router parental controls that limit or restrict Wi-Fi on connected devices. To manage your Xiaomi router’s parental controls, you must access the router’s settings using the Xiaomi Mi Wi-Fi app.
Open the Mi Wi-Fi app and select the device for which you want to set parental controls. From there, you have several options:
- deny Internet access within a set time;
- manage access control by setting a URL block list and exceptions to control which websites your child can and cannot visit.
Use Xiaomi Kids App For Location Tracking
The Xiaomi Kids app is a parental control and location-tracking app for the Xiaomi Kids watch. This app allows parents to track the watch’s location in real time, and the child can use the SOS function in an emergency.
In addition, the Xiaomi Kids App allows two-way communication between the child and parent, and you can use other features to interact with your child.
Can Children Bypass Xiaomi Parental Controls?
Children can bypass Xiaomi parental controls that are applied directly to their devices. For example, they can easily switch off screen time allocations.
It seems like it’s better when a kid’s Mi phone is paired with the parent’s device through Family Link. However, reddit users have reported that Xiaomi’s Dual App feature allows children to bypass parental controls like Google Family Link by cloning apps.
The mandatory Security app enables cloning and remains briefly accessible after a reboot, creating further loopholes. Additionally, children can exploit Safe Mode or Fastboot to disable parental controls entirely, leading to limited effectiveness of digital safety measures.
It’s better to use a professional phone tracker like mSpy, which integrates with the Mi phone system and works in stealth mode, so a child won’t even notice, but they’re still under your parental control.
Xiaomi Parental Controls VS Family Tracker
To understand the comprehensiveness of Xiaomi’s parental controls, let’s compare them with family trackers and monitoring apps like mSpy.
| Features | Digital Wellness | Family Link | mSpy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screen time limits | + | + | – |
| App limits | + | + | – |
| Content restrictions | – | Limits access to explicit content on Google Chrome; Restricts access to 18+ rated apps on Google Play; Blocks apps and certain URLs. | Blocks Wi-Fi, websites and apps. |
| Location tracking | – | – | Tracks phone’s live location; Offers geofencing features. |
| Social media monitoring | – | – | Tracks social media content and DMs. |
| Internet tracking | – | – | Shows internet history. |
Conclusion
As a parent, I know how important it is to keep our kids safe while navigating the digital world. Xiaomi’s parental controls offer a good starting point with features like Digital Wellbeing and Mi TV controls, but they might not cover everything we worry about.
That’s why I recommend combining these tools with apps like Google Family Link or mSpy for extra peace of mind.
By setting boundaries on phones, TVs, and even routers, we can create a healthier balance for our kids while still letting them enjoy the benefits of technology. It’s all about staying one step ahead and making sure they’re protected every step of the way. Discover more in our HeyLocate research on parental controls.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Xiaomi has parental controls that manage screen time and app usage on the Digital wellbeing feature. From there on, you can also turn on Google Family Link for more features.
The Xiaomi kids mode was discontinued and is no longer available in Xiaomi phones running MIUI 11 and later.
The age limit for Xiaomi account is 13 years old.
To apply Redmi parental controls, use the Digital Wellbeing feature. You can also install Google Family Link or app like mSpy for more parental controls.
You can access parental controls from the home screen by dialing Settings > All Settings > Channels & Inputs > Parental Controls. Here, you can choose program restrictions or enter the desired rating for your children.
Find parental controls on your Mi Smart TV, and then navigate to the app list. Scroll to YouTube and choose lock. Enter the PIN, and the lock will be applied.
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