How to remove parental controls on a Xiaomi Redmi phone

Owners of Xiaomi Redmi smartphones often encounter a situation where the device is blocked by restrictive apps. This occurs either due to the setting of parental controls by users themselves for self-discipline, or due to parents' concern for the digital well-being of their children. Regardless of the reason, the need to remove these restrictions may arise at any time, and it is important to know safe methods for solving this task.

The process of deactivating the protection depends on which tool was used to block: built-in MIUI functions, third-party applications or Google services. In this article, we will analyze in detail all possible scenarios, ranging from simply entering a password to more complex reset procedures that will require you to be careful and strictly follow the instructions.

Built-in restriction functions in MIUI and HyperOS

Smartphones Xiaomi i Redmi have their own set of tools for managing screen time and access to content. These functions are integrated directly into the shell MIUI or new HyperOS, which makes them hidden from a superficial glance, but accessible through system settings. If the blocking was set through the “Digital Well-Being” section, the procedure for removing restrictions usually does not require complex manipulations.

First, you need to go to the main settings menu of your device. Look for a section that may be called "Digital Wellbeing and Parental Controls" or have an hourglass icon. Inside this menu you will see application usage statistics and a button to set restrictions. If the system asks for PIN code or a pattern when trying to change the settings, then the protection is active and requires authorization.

⚠️ Attention: If you have forgotten the access code to the built-in parental controls, the standard settings menu will not allow you to reset it. Attempts to guess the code at random can lead to temporary blocking of the interface for several minutes or hours.

In some firmware versions, the function is called “Second Space” or “Application Protection”. Please check these sections separately as restrictions may be duplicated there. Disabling occurs by moving the switch to the inactive position after confirming the identity of the device owner.

Disabling the Google Family Link service

The most common reason for completely blocking phone functions is service Google Family Link. This is a powerful solution from Google that allows parents to control their child's device remotely. It is almost impossible to remove such control directly from a child’s phone without the knowledge of the administrator (parent) using standard methods, since the Android security system blocks the removal of the application.

The only legal way to disable Family Link is to use the parent device. Go to the Family Link app on the parent's phone, select the child's account and find "Account Settings" or "Manage Settings." There should be an option to "Disable Parental Controls". After confirming this action on the child's device, restrictions will be lifted automatically within a few minutes.

If the parent's device is lost or cannot be accessed, the situation becomes more complicated. Attempts to remove the app through Android settings on a child's phone will be blocked with a message stating that it requires administrator permission. Entering the wrong password several times in a row can lead to a complete locking of the device for 24 hours.

Disablement method	Required access	Risk of data loss	Difficulty
Via application parent	Parent's phone	No	Low
Hard Reset	Physical access to Redmi	Total loss data	Medium
Safe mode	Child's phone only	No (temporary shutdown)	High
Service center	Purchase documents	Depends on the master	Low

Removing third-party applications for control

In addition to system solutions, users often install third-party apps from Google Play, such as Kaspersky Safe Kids, Qustodio or Norton Family. These apps have device administrator rights, which prevents them from being uninstalled normally. To remove this parental controls, you must first deprive the application of these privileged rights.

Go to the phone settings and find the “Security” or “Passwords and Security” section. Inside this menu, look for the item "Device Administrators" or "Administrator Applications". You will see a list of apps that have extended rights. Uncheck the box next to the name of the parental control application. The system will ask for confirmation of the action - agree with it.

After the administrator status is removed, the path to completely uninstalling the app becomes open. Return to the "Applications" menu, find the desired software in the list and click the "Uninstall" button. If the button is inactive, check whether the "Deletion Protection" function is enabled in the settings of the control application itself - you need to disable it first.

In rare cases, malware or specific versions of apps may hide their icon or block access to administrator settings. In such a situation, you may need to enter safe mode, where third-party applications do not launch automatically, which allows you to unhinder them.

Using safe mode to bypass locks

Safe mode (Safe Mode) is a diagnostic mode of Android operation in which only system applications are loaded. All third-party apps, including parental control applications, are inactive in this mode. This is a great way to remove blocking software if it prevents you from entering settings in normal mode.

To enter safe mode on smartphones Redmi you need to hold down the power button until the shutdown menu appears. Then press and hold the "Power Off" icon on the screen with your finger. After a few seconds, a pop-up window will appear asking you to reboot into Safe Mode. Confirm the action.

⚠️ Attention: In safe mode, some phone functions will not be available, and the interface may look slightly different. Do not be alarmed, this is normal system behavior for diagnostic purposes.

After booting, you will see the words “Safe Mode” in the corner of the screen. You can now go into settings and uninstall the parental control app since it is not running and cannot resist uninstallation. After uninstalling the app, simply restart your phone in the usual way to return to normal operation.

What to do if safe mode does not turn on?

If holding the shutdown icon does not work, try turning off the phone completely. Then turn it on and, as soon as the Mi or Redmi logo appears, hold down the volume down button and hold it until the system is fully loaded.

Resetting the settings to factory settings (Hard Reset)

If none of the soft methods worked, and you cannot remember passwords or access your parent’s account, there remains a radical method - a complete data reset. This procedure will return the phone Xiaomi Redmi to the state it was in when purchased from the store. All user data, photos, contacts and applications will be permanently deleted.

To perform a reset via the Recovery menu, turn off the phone completely. Then hold down the power button and volume up button at the same time. Hold them until the logo appears, then release the power button, continuing to hold the volume up until the main recovery menu appears.

Wipe Data -> Wipe All Data -> Confirm -> Back to Main Menu -> Reboot -> Reboot to System

Navigation in this menu is carried out with the volume buttons (up/down), and the selection is confirmed with the power button. Select Wipe Data, then confirm deleting all data. The process may take several minutes. Once completed, the phone will reboot, and you will have to initially set up the device as new.

Problems with Google account after reset (FRP)

Modern Android devices equipped with protection FRP (Factory Reset Protection). This is a mechanism that requires you to enter the password from the Google account that was synced with the phone before the factory reset. If you did a Hard Reset, but do not remember the password for your account, the phone may remain locked even after clearing the data.

This is done to protect against theft: if a thief steals the phone and resets its settings, he will not be able to use it without the owner's data. Therefore, before performing a full reset, it is critical to make sure that you remember the username and password for the main Google account on the device.

If the FRP lock is still activated, the legal way to unlock it is to restore access to your Google account through any other browser or device. Enter new data when setting up your phone for the first time, and the lock will be removed. Third-party FRP bypass methods are often insecure and may disrupt the system.

⚠️ Attention: After resetting the settings, the phone will require a Wi-Fi connection to verify the account. Make sure that you have access to a stable Internet network to complete the activation procedure.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Is it possible to remove parental controls without losing data on Redmi?

Yes, this is possible if you know the password for the control application or have access to the parent's device (in the case of Family Link). In this case, it is enough to disable the function in the settings or delete the application after removing administrator rights. Resetting data is only required if passwords are lost.

What to do if the phone says “The device is managed by your organization”?

This message often appears when installing corporate profiles or specific control applications. Check the "Administrator Applications" section of your security settings and remove unknown profiles. If this doesn't help, you may need to reset your settings.

How can you find out which app sets parental controls?

Go to your battery or data usage settings. Parental control apps often run in the background and consume a noticeable amount of power even when the screen is off. Look for names like Family Link, Kids Place, Screen Time or system processes unknown to you.

Does resetting the settings block the Mi account?

Yes, if the search for a Xiaomi device was enabled on the phone, after the reset you will need to enter the password for the Mi account. This is similar to Google FRP protection. Make sure that you remember the data from your Xiaomi account before starting the cleaning procedure.

Is it possible to bypass Family Link through safe mode?

No, the Google Family Link service is integrated deeply into the system and is tied to your Google account. Even in safe mode, the system will require you to enter your administrator password when you try to uninstall an application or change account settings. The only way out is the official refusal of control through the parent's application.