Xiaomi theft: How to find a phone if it was stolen - the full guide 2026

A stolen smartphone is not only a loss of money, but also a risk of leaking personal data, photos, passwords from social networks and banking applications. If you have lost Xiaomi (be it Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 or the flagship Xiaomi 14 series), you need to act quickly: the first hours after theft are critical to successful search for a device.

In this article, we'll look at all the current search methods, from standard Mi Account and Google Find My Device to police and mobile phone service, and how to remotely lock your phone even if your internet is off. Importantly, some methods will only work if you pre-set them up — check them right now to be prepared for an emergency.

1. Search through Mi Account (official method from Xiaomi)

Mi Cloud is the main tool for tracking Xiaomi devices, and it works if you have:

• 🔹 Mi Account is enabled (you have logged in at least once)
• 🔹 Activated function Find the device in the settings
• 🔹 Internet access (Wi-Fi or mobile network)

To check the location:

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in.
2. Select the Find Device tab.
3. The map will show the last known location of the phone (most likely works with GPS).
4. Additional options: 🔔 Turn on the beep (if the phone is nearby but hidden) 🔒 Block the device with the display of the message on the screen 🗑️ Delete data (last resort if the phone has confidential information)

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If the phone has a password, the thief can't turn off Mi Account without a factory reset, but once it's reset, tracking will be impossible -- act fast!

⚠️ Warning: If a thief turns off his phone or takes it out SIM-The map, the coordinates will not be updated, but the next time you connect to the network, the location data may appear.

2.Use Google Find My Device (unless Mi Account has helped)

If you haven’t used Mi Account but you have a Google account on your phone, try Find My Device, which works on all Android devices, including Xiaomi, and lets you:

• 📍 View the last location (more precisely if it is enabled) GPS)
• 🔔 Make the phone make a sound (maximum volume, 5 minutes)
• 🔒 Lock the screen with the output message (for example, "Give back the phone! reward 5000"₽")
• 🗑️ Delete all data (if the phone cannot be returned)

Instructions:

1. Open Find My Device and log in to your Google account.
2. Select the stolen Xiaomi from the list of devices.
3. The map will appear the last known geolocation (updated when connected to the Internet).

🔍 Important: If the phone is turned off, the service will show the last place it was on the network.

3. IMEI Tracking: Myths and Reality

IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is a unique identifier for your phone, and many people think it's easy to find your device, but in practice it only works through police and mobile operators.

What can be done with IMEI:

• 📋 Lock the phone in the operator database (so that the thief can not use the phone) SIM-map)
• 👮 Provide police for search (if the phone is found during network checks)

How to find out the IMEI stolen by Xiaomi:

1. Look at the phone box (usually a barcode sticker).
2. If there is no box, check checks/guarantee coupons.
3. If the phone has been synced to Mi Account, the IMEI can be found in the device profile on i.mi.com.

⚠️ Note: Track your phone independently IMEI It's impossible, it's illegal. All online services that offer "find by" IMEI 500₽", are fraudulent!

4. Working with a mobile operator: SIM locking and search

If your phone was yours. SIM-First, lock it so that the thief can't make calls or use the mobile Internet:

• 📞 Call the operator support (numbers: 0611 for Beeline, 500 for MTS, 050 for MegaFon, 700 for Tele2).
• 💳 Or block the card through your personal account (operator’s website / application).

In addition, the operator may:

⚠️ Note: Operators are not allowed to give you the exact coordinates of the phone without a request from the police.

5. Calling the police: what to say and what documents are needed

If your phone is stolen (not just lost), make sure to report it to the police, and without it, operators and Xiaomi won’t be able to help with the IMEI lock.

What it takes to make a statement:

• 📄 Passport (or other identity document)
• 📱 IMEI telephone number if available)
• 💰 Check or warranty card (proof of purchase)
• 📝 Detailed description of the circumstances of the theft (where, when, how it happened)

Where to go:

• 🚔 Police station at the scene
• 📲 Through the portal of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia (section "Reception of appeals")

🔍 Advice: In the statement, indicate what you are asking:

1. Check the security cameras at the scene of the theft (if it was in the shopping center, transport, etc.).
2. Send a request to mobile operators to block IMEI.
3. Check the database of found things (if the phone was handed over to the police).

Make sure your phone is stolen (not at home or work)|

Find IMEI (box, checks, Mi Account) |

Prepare copies of documents (passport, phone check) |

Block it. SIM-card and Mi Account|

Take a picture of the serial number (if there is one on the box)-->

6. Additional methods: social networks, markets and services

If the official methods did not help, try alternative options:

🔍 Searching for the secondary market:

• 🛒 Check ads on Avito, Yula, Facebook Marketplace – thieves often sell phones in 1-2 weeks.
• 🔎 Use filters by model (Xiaomi Redmi Note 11, POCO F5 etc.) and the region.
• 💬 Write to the seller, ask for a photo of the box or IMEI (If it matches, it's your phone).

📢 Social media mailing:

• 📌 Post a post from a phone photo, IMEI and description in local public (Vkontakte, Telegram).
• 🏙️ Specify the area of theft and offer a reward (e.g. “5000”)₽ information").
• 🚨 Ask your friends to repost – the more people know, the better the chances.

⚠️ Warning: Don't try to contact a thief or buy out your phone, it's dangerous.

7 How to protect data if the phone is not found

If you can’t get Xiaomi back, protect your data:

🔒 Remote locking:

• Using Mi Account or Find My Device, lock your phone and display a message with your number.
• If the phone had a fingerprint/face + PIN, the thief will not be able to unlock it without resetting it.

🗑️ Deletion of data:

• If your phone has important files (photos, documents, passwords), delete data via Mi Cloud or Google.
• 🔐 After that, be sure to change passwords from mail, social networks, banking applications.

🛡️ Account protection:

• Revoke access to Mi Account and Google on the lost device (in your account security settings).
• Enable two-factor authentication wherever possible.

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Even if the phone is not found, locking and deleting the data will minimize the risk of a thief being able to use your accounts or sell the device to a “clean” one.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi theft