Losing a smartphone is stressful, especially if it stores important data like photos, emails, banking apps. Fortunately, Xiaomi has built-in Find Device, which allows you to track Redmi's location, block it remotely, or even erase data in the event of a theft, but many users face the problem of either being disabled by default or having its settings hidden in the depths of the MIUI menu.
In this article, we will discuss how to correctly activate device search on any Xiaomi Redmi smartphone (including Note 12, Redmi 10 models, POCO X5 And others), what conditions must be met for it to work, and what to do if the function is not turned on, and you will learn about the hidden features of the service, for example, how to turn on the Anti-View mode** or set up automatic alerts when retrieving. SIM-map.
Important: Find Device only works when you connect to the Internet (mobile or Wi-Fi) and GPS is on, and if the phone is turned off or in airplane mode, you can't track it.
What is “Finding a Device” on Xiaomi and How Does It Work?
Find Device is a built-in service from Xiaomi that is integrated into the MIUI ecosystem and allows you to:
The service runs through the Xiaomi Cloud, so activating it will require a Mi Account account. Without it, the feature will not be available. It is important to note that Find My Device is different from Google Find My Device, two independent services, and it is better to use them together for maximum protection.
Typically, the feature is automatically activated when you first sign in to Mi Account, but some firmware (especially custom ones) have to manually enable it, and there are cases when the service is disabled after resetting settings or updating MIUI.
Preparation before activation: what to check
Before turning on “Find the device”, make sure all the preconditions are met:
Mi Account Linked | Location Included (GPS)| Internet Connected (Wi-Fi/mobile network)| Updated MIUI firmware to latest version | Power saving modes for background processes turned off-->
If at least one of the conditions is not met, the function may not work correctly or not turn on at all, for example, if GPS is turned off, the service will only show an approximate location on cell towers, and without the Internet, tracking will become impossible.
Special attention should be paid to the power saving mode. In the default MIUI settings, background activity for system applications may be limited, which will cause Find Device to be disabled when the battery is low. To avoid this, add Find Device to the exclusion list:
- Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Consumption Management.
- Select the Apps Choice → Find the Device.
- Set the setting without restrictions.
Step-by-step: how to turn on “Find a device” on Xiaomi Redmi
Activation of the function takes no more than a minute if you follow this instruction:
- Open Settings** on your Redmi and go to Mi Account (or Xiaomi Account on newer versions of MIUI).
After activation, it is recommended to immediately check the functionality.
- Go to i.mi.com from a computer or other phone.
- Sign in with the same Mi Account as Redmi.
- Select the Find the device tab – the map should show the current location of your smartphone.
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If the feature doesn’t turn on, try updating Google Play and Find a Device app through the Google Play Market. Sometimes crashes are caused by outdated versions of system components.
Configure additional security parameters
The basic activation of Find the Device is not enough to protect you properly. MIUI has hidden settings that will enhance your Redmi’s security:
To activate the Antivor mode:
- Go to Settings → Additional → Find the device → Anti-thief.
- Turn on the Antivor switch.
- Set a password to unlock (it should be different from the one you want to use). PIN-lock-screen).
- Activate the Lock When Reset option – this will prevent the protection from being bypassed through Recovery Mode.
What to do if the “anti-violence” is not included?
Please note: if you forget the password from the "Antivor" mode, you can unlock the phone only through Mi Account with confirmation by email or SMS. In extreme cases, you will need to contact the Xiaomi service center with proof of ownership.
Frequent problems and their solutions
Find the device doesn't always work correctly, but here are some of the most common errors and ways to fix them:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Function not enabled (Gray button) | No Internet connection or no synchronized Mi Account | Check the network connection and reboot the phone. If it doesn't work, reconnect the account. |
| The device is not displayed on the map | GPS disabled or energy saving mode blocks background activity | Include high-precision location in Settings → Location. |
| No notifications are coming in for a new one. SIM-map | Not configured service SMS-alerts in the Mi Account | Check the linked phone number in the account settings and permissions for the Messages app. |
| After resetting the settings, the function is turned off | Reset removes all settings, including binding to Mi Account | Re-authenticate in your account and turn on “Find the device” again. |
If none of these methods worked, try resetting your network settings:
- Go to Settings → Connections and Sharing → Network Reset.
- Confirm the action and restart the phone.
- After restarting, re-enable "Find the device".
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If your phone is stolen, lock it immediately via i.mi.com and contact the police with location data. Don't try to track the intruder yourself - it's dangerous!
How to use the function in emergency situations
If you lose Redmi, follow the following algorithm:
- Check the latest location on i.mi.com, and if the phone is on and connected to the Internet, you'll see it on the map.
- Turn on the beep (play back sound option) – the phone will ring at full volume for 5 minutes, even if there is a silent mode.
- Lock the device (Block option) if there is a risk of access to data, you can set a message with a contact number for the finder.
- Delete the data (Erase the data option) if the phone is stolen and contains sensitive information.
If the phone is turned off, the service will show its last known location (if it was stored in cache).
- Periodically check the card – when you turn on the phone, its location is updated.
- Contact the mobile operator with a request to suspend communication services (so that the attacker could not use your service) SIM-card).
- To file a report with the police indicating the IMEI phone (you can find it through a box or check, or in the settings About the phone → General information).
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Save your Redmi’s IMEI to cloud storage or mail in advance, which will speed up the process of locking your phone through the carrier in case of theft.
Alternative ways to track Xiaomi Redmi
If the built-in “Find the device” function does not work or you are not satisfied with its accuracy, you can use third-party services:
- 🔍 Google Find My Device — works on all Android devices, requires a Google account binding, accuracy is higher than Xiaomi, but for a remote reset you need active synchronization.
- 📱 Third-party apps like Cerberus, Prey Anti Theft, offer advanced features like camera capture, sound recording, system software masking.
- 📡 Tracking by MAC-This is the right address (via router or special programs like Fing) if your phone is connected to your Wi-Fi network.
For maximum protection, it is recommended to use both Xiaomi Find Device and Google Find My Device, so you increase the chances of successful tracking even if one of the services fails.
If you choose a third-party app, pay attention to:
- 🔐 Having data encryption (so that attackers can’t intercept your location).
- 📱 Support your Redmi model (some apps don’t work on custom firmware).
- 💰 Availability of paid features (for example, in Cerberus, the free version has limitations).