Search for Xiaomi smartphone by IMEI: official and alternative methods

Losing or stealing a smartphone is stressful, especially if the device has stored important data. Fortunately, every Xiaomi phone (like other brands) has a unique identifier, an IMEI, that allows you to track its location or at least lock it down. But how do you do it correctly without running into scammers?

In this article, we will look at 5 working ways to search Xiaomi by IMEI, from official services of the manufacturer to interaction with law enforcement, you will learn what data you can get from imei.xiaomi.com, how to check the history of your movements through Google, and why some “miracle services” on the Internet can be dangerous, and also what to do if the IMEI is unknown or the device is turned off.

Importantly, no single method is 100% guaranteed, but the combination of multiple approaches greatly increases the chances of success. Let's start with the basic steps.

What is IMEI and where to find it on Xiaomi

IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is a 15-digit code that is assigned to each mobile device, which acts as a phone passport, which can identify the model, the country of manufacture, and even lock the device at the operator level.

On Xiaomi smartphones (including Redmi, POCO, Black Shark) IMEI can be found in several ways:

• 📱 In settings: go to Settings → About Phone → General Information → IMEI. On dual-symbol models, there will be two codes (IMEI1 and IMEI2).
• 📞 Through USSD- command: type *#06# on the keyboard - the code will be displayed automatically.
• 📄 On the box: usually indicated on the sticker along with the serial number (S/N).
• 🔋 Under the battery: On older models (e.g., Redmi 4A) on a sticker under the lid.

If the phone is lost and the IMEI is unknown, try to find a box or checks, which often duplicates information, and the code can also be in a backup of the Mi Cloud (if you synced the data).

⚠️ Warning: Never share IMEI in open sources (forums, social networks). Fraudsters can use it to clone SIM- cards or lock your device.

Method 1: Xiaomi’s official device search service

Xiaomi provides its own tool for finding lost devices - imei.xiaomi.com. the service only works for phones associated with a Mi Account account and requires proof of ownership.

To take advantage of it:

1. Go to the site and select a region (e.g., “Russia”).
2. Enter the IMEI or serial number (S/N).
3. Sign in through the Mi Account to which the phone was linked.
4. If the device is on the network, the service will show its last known location (with an accuracy of 50-200 meters).

Limitations of the method:

• 🔴 Only works if the phone is on and connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi/ mobile network).
• 🔴 Does not show the history of the movements, only the last dot.
• 🔴 If the device is reset to factory settings, the data may be lost.

If the phone is turned off, the service will offer to enable the option “Notification on Turning on” – you will receive an email when the device is again connected to the network.

💡

Save a screenshot with an IMEI and a serial number in an encrypted cloud (such as Mi Cloud or Google Drive) to speed up the search process in case of theft.

Method 2: Google tracking “Find a Device”

If your Xiaomi has enabled Google’s Find Device service (which is activated by default when you add a Google account), you can track it through the web version or another Android device.

Instructions:

1. Go to google.com/android/find.
2. Sign in with the same Google account that was on your lost phone.
3. The service will show the current location (if the phone is online), battery level and option:

• 🔔 Play the sound (5 minutes at full volume, even if the phone is silent).
• 🔒 Lock the device (with the ability to display the message on the screen).
• 🧹 Delete data (full reset to factory settings).

Advantages of the method:

• 🟢 Works even if the Mi Account wasn't tied.
• 🟢 Shows the history of the movements (if geolocation is enabled).
• 🟢 You can remotely lock the device so that attackers don't get access to the data.

⚠️ Warning: Delete data is irreversible. If the phone is found later, it will be impossible to recover information. Use it only as a last resort.

Method 3: Contacting the police with IMEI

If a phone is stolen, IMEI will be key evidence for law enforcement: In Russia and most CIS countries, mobile operators are required to lock devices at police request.

Algorithm of action:

1. Write a report to the police (you can use the portal of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia or in person at the office).

phone-in

notice-card

What's next?

• Police will hand over the IMEI to the Stolen Devices Register and operators will block it from their networks.
• If the phone is found (for example, when selling through Avito or in a pawnshop), you will be notified.
• In some regions, the Anti-Raid system works - the phone can be tracked by base stations (accuracy ~1-3 km).

Important: Locking the IMEI does not guarantee a phone return, but it makes it useless for a thief to use the mobile network.

Method 4: Verification through the services of telecom operators

Some mobile operators provide tools to verify the status of IMEI. This is useful if you suspect that the phone has been resold or used with another SIM- card.

How to check:

• 📶 MTS: Send SMS with the text IMEI [your code] to 6677.
• 📶 Beeline: Call 0611 and check with the operator (passport required).
• 📶 MegaFon: check through your personal account or by phone 0500.
• 📶 Tele2: Write to the support chat (tele2.ru) with IMEI.

If the phone is active on the network, the operator can provide information about the last connection (region, base station), but you will not get the exact coordinates without a request from the police.

You can also use the international IMEI databases, for example:

• 🌍 IMEI.info – shows model, country of production, status (stolen/clean).
• 🌍 SND Deep Info - Extended Verification (paid).

⚠️ Warning: Some sites offer to "track the phone on IMEI online" for money. This is a scam - no legal service provides accurate coordinates without police involvement.

Method 5: Alternative methods (for advanced users)

If the standard methods don’t work, you can try more complex options, they require technical knowledge and are not always legal (use at your own risk).

1. Tracking via Mi Cloud (if phone is on)

• 🔗 Go to i.mi.com and log in.
• 🔍 In the Devices section, select the lost phone.
• 📍 If geolocation has been enabled, a location map will appear.

2. Check through services like “Avito” or “Yula”

• 🔍 Use search on IMEI (sometimes sellers list it in the description).
• 📸 Compare phone photos to yours (e.g. scratches, case).

3. Google Log Analysis (if the Location Log was included)

• 🗺️ Go to Google Timeline.
• 📅 Select a date of loss — if geolocation was active, you will see the route.

4 Use of ADB- commands (only for unlocked bootloader)

adb shell dumpsys location

This command will show the last coordinates, but only works if the phone is connected to the PC via USB (unlikely in the case of theft).

What to do if the IMEI is unknown or changed

If you haven't recorded the IMEI beforehand, and the phone is lost, things get complicated.

• 📎 Check backups: If you synced data with Mi Cloud or Google Drive, a screenshot of the settings could have been saved there.
• 📧 Search in the mail: sometimes IMEI is listed in letters from the store (for example, when buying in the Svyaznoy or M. Video).
• 🛒 Contact the store: If you bought the phone officially, they may have a record with IMEI on the check.

If the IMEI has been changed, as thieves often do, it will be almost impossible to track the phone.

• Submit a report to the police with the available data (serial number, phone photo).
• Monitor sites like Avito or Facebook Marketplace.

In extreme cases, you can try to find the phone by MAC- Wi-Fi address (if it was connected to your network), but this requires access to the router and knowledge of network technologies.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi search by IMEI