Search for Xiaomi Redmi phone via Mi Account: all the ways and nuances

Losing a smartphone is stressful, especially if it stores important data, photos or access to accounts. Xiaomi Redmi phone owners have the advantage of not only remotely determining the location of a device, but also locking it, erasing data or turning on a loud signal. However, many users do not know how to use these features correctly, especially if the phone is turned off or in power saving mode.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways Redmi can search through Mi Account, from basic to obscure, how to act when the phone is turned off, how to circumvent geolocation restrictions, and what to do if the device is stolen, and we’ll also reveal the nuances of Find Device (formerly Mi Cloud) that Xiaomi doesn’t advertise in the official documentation.

Important: Search capabilities depend on the Redmi model and version MIUI. For example, on devices with MIUI 12+ You can use the last known location feature, which stores the coordinates even after you turn off your phone. MIUI (10) some options may not be available.

If you've never set up a Mi Account or connected it to your phone, the chances of remote search are minimal, but don't despair: at the end of this article, we'll give you some advice on how to deal with these issues.

1.Preparation: What it takes to search for a phone through Mi Account

Before you try to find Redmi, make sure that the minimum conditions for the Find Device service are met.

First, the phone must be activated and linked to the Mi Account. SMS or an email notification from Xiaomi (when you first turn on the device, the system suggests you create an account). If you do not remember whether the account is attached, try logging into account.xiaomi.com - your Redmi should be displayed in the list of devices.

Secondly, the phone should be on:

• 📶 Mobile data or Wi-Fi (for coordinate transfer).
• 📍 Geolocation (in the Security settings) → geodata).
• 🔄 Synchronization with Mi Cloud (path: Settings) → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Synchronization).
• 🔋 Adequate battery charge (minimum) 15-20% stable operation of background services).

If at least one of these conditions is not met, Find Device will not be able to determine the location, for example, if the phone is dead or in Do Not Disturb mode with the Internet down, the geodata will not be updated.

2. Step-by-step instructions: how to find Redmi via Mi Account from a computer

The most reliable way is to use the web version of Find Device on Xiaomi’s website, which works even if you don’t have a second Xiaomi phone.

Follow the algorithm:

1. Open your browser on your computer or other device and click on i.mi.com (the official Xiaomi device search service).
2. Sign in with the same Mi Account that is tied to the lost Redmi.
3. In the top menu, select the tab “Find Device” (or “Find Device” in Russian).
4. In the list of devices, find your Redmi and click on it.
5. The map will show the current (or last known) location of the phone.

If the phone is connected to the Internet, the coordinates will be updated in real time (with a delay). 1-3 If the device is turned off, the service will show the last saved location (if the function is activated in the settings).

Update the browser page (F5)

Check if the Mi Account is used.

Make sure your phone is syncing with Mi Cloud

Try logging in from another browser (Chrome, Firefox)

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If the phone is stolen, don't try to find it yourself, give the coordinates to the police, they have the tools to respond quickly.

3. Search for a phone via the Find Device app on another Xiaomi smartphone

If you have a second Xiaomi phone (or a friend’s device), you can use the official Find Device app. MIUI It has more features than the web version.

Instructions:

• 📱 Open the Find Device app (Blue Shield with White Location Label).
• 🔑 Sign up with your Mi Account.
• 📍 In the list of devices, select the lost Redmi.
• 🛠️ The screen will display the available actions: “Play sound”, “Block”, “Erase data».

The advantage of the app is a quick update of coordinates (every 30 seconds) and the ability to control multiple devices (for example, if you still have a Mi Band or a Xiaomi laptop).

Critical feature: if the lost phone is enabled with the function "Developer Mode" debugging USB, An attacker can reset Mi Account via fastboot. To avoid this, always turn off debugging in the settings!

4.What to do if the phone is turned off or discharged

If Redmi is turned off, Find Device will show the last known location (if saved).

🔋 If the phone is dead but connected to your Mi Account:

• 🔌 Wait for someone to plug it into charging, and when turned on, the phone will automatically send coordinates to Mi Cloud (if there is internet).
• 📡 If you have a friend nearby, ask them to turn on a Wi-Fi hotspot with the same name that your Redmi connected to.

⚡ If the phone is turned off intentionally (for example, the person who stole it):

• 🚫 Find Device will not be able to determine your current location, but you can lock your device remotely (more on this below).
• 📞 Try calling your phone from another number – sometimes attackers turn it on to check the contents.

⚠️

Attention! If your phone is stolen, don't try to turn on a loud signal ("Play sound") - this can provoke a thief to quickly reset the settings.

5 Additional functions: locking, data erasure and sound signal

Find Device not only tracks your location, but also remotely controls your phone.

🔐 How to block your phone remotely:

1. In the web version of Find Device or the app, select the device.
2. Press "Block."
3. Come up with a new one. PIN-code (minimum 6 digits).
4. Add a message with your phone number (e.g., "Find it? Call it: +7XXX»).
5. Confirm the action.

⚠️

Attention! Delete data will delete all files without recovery, including photos on the memory card (if it is not encrypted).

6.Alternative search methods: Google Find My Device and IMEI

If Mi Account didn't help or was not tied to a phone, you can try other methods, but they're less effective.

🔍 Method 1: Google Find My Device

• 🌐 It works if you have a Google account on your phone and geolocation enabled.
• 📍 Go to the site: google.com/android/find.
• 🔑 Sign in with the same Google account as Redmi.

⚠️ Limitations:

• It does not show the last location after the shutdown.
• Can't lock the phone if it wasn't on it. PIN-code.

📱 Method 2: Search for IMEI

• IMEI — Unique phone ID (can be found on a box or check).
• Report to the police with instructions IMEI — Mobile operators can track the device over the network (but this requires a court order).
• Check it out. IMEI On sites like imei.info, phones sometimes appear in databases of stolen devices.

💡

If you lose your phone frequently, turn on the “Send Last Location at Low Charge” option in Redmi settings (path: Settings) → Google → Security → Find the device).

7 What to do if Mi Account is not tied to the phone

If you've never set up a Mi Account or you don't remember if it's tied, the chances of remote search are minimal.

📞 Step 1: Call the phone

• Use a different number or ask your friends to call.
• If a good person finds the phone, he can answer.

📋 Step 2: Check the places you’ve been

• Walk the last routes (work, cafe, transport).
• Ask the administrators, sometimes the phones are lost.

🛠️ Step 3: Contact the Xiaomi Service Center

• If the phone is guaranteed, provide a check and IMEI — It may have been renovated.
• In some cases, service centers can help with the serial number lock.

🚨 Step 4: Report to the police

• Indicate. IMEI, serial number and circumstances of loss.
• If the phone is stolen, it will increase the chances of finding it through carriers.

💡

Without a Mi Account tied, search options are extremely limited. Always set up a Xiaomi account immediately after you buy a phone.

8 How to Protect Xiaomi Redmi Phone from Loss in the Future

To avoid this situation next time, make the following preventive adjustments:

🔒 Basic protection:

• 🔐 Install. PIN-code or pattern lock (path: Settings) → Lock screen → Password).
• 👤 Link Mi Account and enable “Find Device” in your account settings.
• ☁️ Activate Mi Cloud Sync for Contacts, Photos, and Notes.

📍 Advanced settings:

• 📌 Enable “Send Last Location” in Google Settings (Settings) → Google → Security).
• 🔋 Activate the option “Energy saving mode for geolocation” (path: Settings) → Battery → Energy saving for applications → geodata).
• 📱 Install third-party search apps (like Cerberus or Prey) that work even after resetting your settings.

📲 Actions in theft:

• Lock it right away. SIM-card.
• Change passwords from important accounts (mail, social networks, banks).
• Contact Xiaomi Support by Mail Support@xiaomi.com — They can lock the device down. IMEI.

⚠️

Do not store passwords from banking applications in notes or SMS Use password managers like Bitwarden or KeePass with two-factor authentication.

💡

Take a picture of the box from the phone IMEI Serial number – this will speed up the process of recovery of the device in case of theft.

FAQ: Frequent questions about finding a Xiaomi Redmi phone