How to find a Xiaomi device by geolocation: from phone to smartwatch

Losing a smartphone, tablet or Xiaomi smartwatch is stressful, but modern technology allows you to quickly track the gadget by geolocation. In 2026, owners of Mi, Redmi, POCO or Mi Band devices have at least 5 working ways to find equipment: from built-in Mi Cloud features to third-party services like Google Find My Device.

In this article, we will analyze step-by-step instructions for searching by GPS, IMEI, through SIM-And even if the device is turned off, we'll focus on the hidden functions. MIUI 14/15, We'll also tell you how to protect your data if your phone is stolen, and what to do if none of the methods work.

1.Official method: Search through Mi Cloud

Mi Cloud is a Xiaomi cloud service that automatically syncs device data, including its latest location.

• 🔹 Be logged in to one Mi Account on the lost device and the one you are searching from.
• 🔹 Make sure that the gadget is enabled the transfer of geodata (Settings) → Confidentiality → Location).
• 🔹 Access the Internet (on the device from which you are searching).

If the conditions are met, go to i.mi.com (or use the Mi Cloud app on another smartphone). In the Devices section, select the lost gadget and the system will show its last known location on a Baidu map or Google Maps (depending on the region).

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If the map doesn’t update, try to turn on Find Device mode – it will make the phone send the current coordinates, even if it’s in sleep mode.

An important nuance: if the device is turned off or discharged, the Mi Cloud will show the last point where it was online.In some models (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi Note 12) there is a feature “Offline Finding” – it uses the nearest Xiaomi devices to find the gadget turned off via Bluetooth.

2 Search through Google Find My Device

If your Xiaomi has Google services installed (which is relevant for global firmware), you can use Find My Device, which works even if the Mi Cloud is disabled, but requires:

• 📱 Log in to the same Google account as on the lost device.
• 📡 Internet enabled (Wi-Fi or mobile data) on the gadget.
• 🔄 Active synchronization of geodata (Settings) → Google → Security → Find my device).

Algorithm of action:

1. Go to Find My Device or install the app of the same name.
2. Select the lost device from the list (if there are several).
3. The map will display its location with an accuracy of 10–50 meters.
4. Use options if necessary: 🔊 Play the sound (5 minutes at maximum volume). 🔒 Lock the device (with the ability to display the message on the screen). 🧹 Delete data (last resort if gadget is stolen).

Limitation: If Google Play Services is disabled on a device (e.g., on Chinese firmware without GMS), this method will not work, and Google does not show the history of the movements - only the current point.

3. Search by IMEI: Myths and Reality

Many users believe that IMEI (Unique Device Identifier) can accurately determine the location of a phone, which is partly true in practice, but with reservations:

• 📡 Communications operators can track IMEI, but only at the request of law enforcement agencies (for ordinary users, this option is not available).
• 🔍 Databases of stolen devices (e.g. IMEI.info) show only the status of the phone (stolen/clean), not its location.
• 🚔 Police can request data from the operator, but only if you file a theft report.

How to find out the IMEI of Xiaomi lost:

1. Look at the box of the device (usually under a barcode).
2. Check the check or the warranty card.
3. If the phone has been synced to Mi Account, the IMEI can be found in the device profile on i.mi.com.

It's important: IMEI substitute GPS-It's more of a tool to lock the device than to find it, IMEI It is useless until it is turned on the network.

4.Search for Xiaomi smart watches and bracelets

The Mi Watch, Redmi Watch or Mi Band fitness bracelets can also be tracked, but with nuances.

1. Open the Mi Fitness app (or Zepp Life for new models).
2. Go to the Profile section → My devices.
3. Select the lost gadget – if it is within range of Bluetooth (up to 10-30 meters), the application will show a communication signal.

For models with GPS (For example, Xiaomi Watch S3 Or Mi Band 8 Pro, you can find the device, and it's going to make the wristband vibrate and flash the screen, but you can't track the location of the watch on the map, it doesn't transmit. GPS-Data in the cloud, like smartphones.

If the watch is lost on the street, the chances of finding it are minimal – their GPS does not transmit data in real time, it is better to activate the Lost Mode function in the application (if supported) to lock the gadget and show the contact for communication on the screen.

5. What to do if the device is turned off or discharged

The most difficult situation is when the phone or Xiaomi smartwatch is turned off, in which case standard methods (such as Mi Cloud or Google Find) will only show the last known point.

• 🔋 The “Offline Finding” feature (available on Xiaomi) 12/13/14 Redmi Note 11/12): Uses nearby Xiaomi devices to search via Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). It works even when the phone is turned off if the battery is not completely discharged.
• 📡 Operator: some operators (for example, MTS or Beeline) can show the last tower to which the phone connected.
• 🔍 Third-party services: apps like Prey Anti Theft or Cerberus can send SMS with coordinates when turning on the phone (requires pre-setting).

Make sure that the phone has enabled the function “Offline Finding” (Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Device Search)

Check if your data is synced to Mi Cloud or Google

Save the IMEI and serial number of the device (required for police)

Contact the operator within 24 hours of the loss-->

If your phone is stolen, don’t try to find it yourself, it’s dangerous, but lock it down via Mi Cloud or Google and contact the police with your IMEI and account details.

6. How to protect data if the device is stolen

If you're sure that your gadget is stolen, the priority is to block access to your personal data.

1. Remote lock: Through Mi Cloud: Devices → Lock. Through Google Find My Device: Security → Lock the device.
2. Delete data (if there is important information on the phone): In Mi Cloud: Devices → Delete data (irreversible!) In Google Find: Delete the device (password confirmation is required).

Block it. SIM-map

• Call the operator or use your personal account (for example, My MTS, My Tele2).
• Order a new SIM with the same number.

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Even after resetting data via Mi Cloud or Google, attackers can recover some information using special software. If the phone had banking applications or passwords, change them on all services.

If your phone is linked to a bank card (e.g., via Google Pay or Mi Pay), immediately:

• 💳 Block the cards in the mobile bank.
• 🔑 Change passwords from email, social networks and instant messengers.
• 📱 Revoke access to accounts from a lost device (in Google’s security settings, VK, Telegram and others.).

Note: If the face unlock/print feature is enabled on the phone, attackers can bypass it (for example, with a photo or a thumb cast), in which case remote locking is mandatory.

7 Third-Party Search Apps for Xiaomi

If standard methods don't work, you can use third-party services. Here are the proven options:

For these applications to work, they need to be installed and configured in advance, for example, in Prey or Cerberus, you can set "triggers" - the actions that will be performed when you replace them. SIM-card or phone switching off (for example, sending) SMS with a new number on your mail).

How to set up Cerberus on Xiaomi:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Register and activate administrator rights (Settings → Applications → Special Access → Device Administrators).
3. In the Cerberus settings, enable options: 📍 GPS-tracking. 🔊 Audible signal (even in silent mode). 📸 Photo with incorrect password entry.

If the phone is stolen, send it. SMS-command (e.g. cerberus lock) from another number – the device will lock and send you the coordinates.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi’s geolocation search