Search for stolen Xiaomi phone: 7 working ways in 2026

Previous Post:What to do if Xiaomi smartphone is missing

Losing a smartphone is stressful, especially when it comes to theft. Xiaomi offers several built-in tools for data protection and device search, but their effectiveness depends on presetting. If you are reading this article after your phone goes missing, stay calm and act quickly: the first hours after the theft are critical to a successful return of the gadget.

In this guide, we will analyze all available search methods, from the standard functions of Mi Account and Google Find My Device to work with the police and the operator. IMEI, And the important thing is, if the phone is turned off or in airplane mode, some of the methods will only be available once you're connected to the network.

The chances of returning the device depend on many factors – the model (Redmi Note 12 or Xiaomi 13 Ultra), the version of the device. MIUI, root rights of a thief and even a region (in some countries, operators block the use of the Internet) IMEI But even if you can't get your phone back, you can block it remotely and protect your personal data.

1. Search through Mi Account: Xiaomi’s Official Tool

The most reliable way to track Xiaomi is to use the built-in Find Device feature in the Mi Account ecosystem, which works even if the phone is in power saving mode, but requires pre-activation. If you've never turned this option on, move on to the next section.

To check the status of the device:

1. Go to account.xiaomi.com and log in.
2. Select the Device tab → Devices found.
3. If the phone is connected to the network, you will see its last location on the map with an accuracy of 50 meters.

The Mi Account functionality allows:

• 📍 Track coordinates (update every 5-15 minutes with active Internet).
• 🔊 Turn on the sound signal (works even in silent mode).
• 🔒 Lock the device with the message on the screen (for example, "Return for a reward"); +7XXX").
• 🧹 Delete all data (last resort if sensitive information is on the phone).

💡

If the phone is turned off but has been connected to Mi Account in the past 24 hours, the service will show its last known location.

Limitations of the method:

• ❌ It does not work if the thief reset the settings to the factory (without linking to your account).
• ❌ Requires an active Internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile network).
• ❌ In some regions (e.g. China) functionality is restricted due to local privacy laws.

2.Google Find My Device: The Universal Way for Android

If Mi Account didn’t help or was not set up, use Google Find My Device.It works on all Xiaomi smartphones with Google Mobile Services (GMS) — So, you know, global versions of firmware, for Chinese models, like Redmi. K60 For the domestic market, this method may not work.

Search instructions:

1. Open the Google Find My Device site and log in to the same Google account that was linked to the phone.
2. Select the missing device from the list (if there are several).
3. The map will show the current or last location of the smartphone.

Additional options:

• 🔔 "Play the sound" - the phone will ring at full volume for 5 minutes.
• 🔒 "Protect the device" - lock with the ability to specify the number for communication.
• 🗑️ "Delete data" - complete reset to factory settings (irreversible!).

Important: if a thief disabled Google services (for example, through Settings) → Annexes → Google Play Services → Disable the phone, the phone will not be displayed in the service, in which case only the police or the operator will help.

3. Blocking by IMEI: larceny

IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity, a unique 15-digit code for your phone that can be used to lock it at the operator level or even globally, works even after resetting, but has legal nuances: In Russia and most CIS countries, operators are blocked IMEI only at the request of the police.

How to find out the IMEI stolen by Xiaomi:

• 📄 Look at the phone box (usually a barcode sticker).
• 📧 Check your email with confirmation of purchase (if you bought online).
• 🖥️ Find it in Mi Account → Devices → Device information.
• 📱 If the phone is synced to Google, IMEI You can find it on the dashboard account.

What to do with IMEI:

1. Contact the police with a report of theft (be sure to specify) IMEI documented).
2. Request the communications operator to block IMEI (In Russia, this is done by MTS, Beeline, MegaFon and Tele2 by court order or investigator’s order).
3. Register. IMEI in the database of stolen devices (for example, on the site) GSMA — This will help when crossing the border).

Find it. IMEI (box, account, check)

Put it in a safe place (not on your phone!)

Reporting to the police

Request the operator to block

Check the databases of stolen devices (GSMA, local registers)-->

⚠️ Attention: Lockdown IMEI It makes the phone useless to a thief, but you can't use it if you find it) IMEI It is blocked automatically when stolen, in Russia – only through the court.

4. Police work: how to write a statement

If your phone is stolen, you can’t do without going to the police – especially if you want to block it. IMEI Or you can return the device through a carrier, and here's a step-by-step guide to how to increase your chances of success:

1. Gather evidence:

• 📸 Screenshots from Mi Account or Google Find My Device with the latest location.
• 📄 Check or warranty card (confirmation of possession).
• 📱 IMEI telephone (required!).
• 🎥 Video from surveillance cameras (if the theft was in a public place).

2. Write a statement:

Textual sample (adapt to your situation):

I ask you to open a criminal case on the fact of theft of my smartphone Xiaomi [model], IMEI: [specify code].


The phone was stolen [date, time, place] under the following circumstances: [description].




Please:




1. Check the location of the device through the operator [name].




2. Block the IMEI [code] in the operator's network.




3. take measures to search and return property.





I enclose: [list of evidence].

Where to go:

• 🚔 Local Police Department (at the place of theft or residence).
• 📞 112 – Uniform emergency number (if the theft has occurred recently).
• 🌐 Online Reception of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (for some regions).

The application period is up to 10 days, if the phone is found, you will be notified, if not, you will receive a waiver order (it can be appealed or used to block the case). IMEI).

💡

Police rarely search for phones, but without a statement you can't block them. IMEI or receive insurance compensation (if any).

5. Alternative ways: social networks, markets and services

If the official methods don't work, try the non-standard approaches, which are less reliable, but sometimes they help you get your phone back or at least find a thief.

Where to look for stolen Xiaomi:

• 🛒 Advertisements for sale: check Avito, Yula, Facebook Marketplace and local groups on VKontakte/Telegram. Use filters by model and IMEI (If the seller is honest, he will put it in the description).
• 🔧 Service centers: Call official and unofficial Xiaomi SCCs - a thief could have turned in for unlocking or repair. IMEI.
• 🚨 Stolen search teams: There are communities on social media that post information about thieves (e.g., Search for stolen phones [your city]").
• 🔍 Specialized services: sites like Stolen Camera Finder (for cameras, but sometimes helps with phones) or IMEI.info for checking the status of the device.

If you found a phone on sale:

1. Do not agree to the meeting yourself - report the details to the police.
2. Ask the seller to send you a photo. IMEI (dial *#06# on your phone).
3. If IMEI match, pass the information to the investigator in your case.

⚠️ Warning: Don't try to return the phone yourself if you suspect a thief of aggression. In 2023, several cases were recorded in Russia where victims were victims of fraudsters posing as sellers of a "found" phone.

6.Data Protection: What to do if the phone is not found

If Xiaomi fails to return, the priority is to protect personal information, and even if the phone is locked, a skilled thief can access the data through an engineering menu or firmware reflash.

Safety checklist:

Change passwords from social networks and email (from another device)

Disable the associated bank cards (Sberbank Online, Tinkoff, etc.)

Remove the phone from trusted devices in Google/Mi Account

Revoke access to cloud services (Yandex.Disk, Mail.ru Cloud)

Check out the active sessions in Telegram/WhatsApp (account settings)-->

How to delete data remotely:

• Through Mi Account: Devices → Devices found → Erase the data.
• Google Find My Device: Destroy your device (no tracking possible!)
• Samsung Find My Mobile (if you have a Secure Folder installed, it is rare, but it is found on some Xiaomi models).

Important: once the data is reset, it will be impossible to recover it. If the phone had important files, try to extract backup copies first:

• 📁 Check out Mi Cloud (if sync was enabled).
• 📧 Go to Google Photos or Google Drive – you may have photos and documents saved there.
• 🔄 If your phone is connected to a PC, check the folders. DCIM and Downloads on the computer.

7.Prevention: How to Protect Xiaomi from Theft

The best way to deal with theft is to prevent it, and here's a list of ways to reduce the risk and make it easier to find a phone if it goes missing:

Security settings (required!):

• 🔐 Turn on the screen lock (PIN, Avoid simple combinations like 1234 or date of birth.
• 🔄 Activate automatic sync with Mi Cloud and Google (photos, contacts, SMS).
• 📍 Turn on the settings. → Additionally. → Find the device (for Mi Account) and Settings → Google → Security → Find the device.
• 🚫 Turn off the debugging. USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times to tap → Developer → Debugging by USB).

Physical protection:

• 📱 Use a hand-loop cover or a wrist strap (especially on public transport).
• 🔊 Set up a loud signal when extracting SIM-maps (Settings) → SIM-map → Notice of change SIM).
• 📌 Enable suspicious activity notifications in Google Play Protect.

Additional measures:

• 💳 Do not store photos of documents (passport, license) in the gallery – use secure applications like Notes with a password.
• 📱 Install an antivirus (such as Dr.Web or Kaspersky) to protect against spyware.
• 🔄 Update regularly MIUI — New versions of the system cover vulnerabilities exploited by thieves.

If you are often in high-risk locations (metros, concerts, tourist areas), consider buying an AirTag or similar tracker that can be hidden in a phone case — it will not save you from theft, but will help to track the location even if you have a new one. SIM-map.

FAQ: Frequent questions about finding stolen Xiaomi