Losing a smartphone is stressful, especially if it holds important data, photos or access to accounts. Xiaomi devices (including Redmi, POCO and Black Shark) have built-in search tools, but many users do not know how to use them correctly. In this article, we will examine all the current ways to find a lost Xiaomi, from standard Find Device features to little-known methods through IMEI and carrier.
It's important to act quickly: the sooner you start searching, the better the chances of getting your phone back, and if the device is turned off or discharged, some of the methods will still work the next time you connect to the network, and we'll also tell you how to block data remotely and what to do if the phone is stolen.
1 Search through the official Xiaomi Find Device service
The most reliable way is to use Xiaomi’s built-in Find Device feature, which works even if the phone is turned off (provided that sync with Mi Account has been activated previously).
To use the service:
- 🌐 Go to i.mi.com and log in with the same account that you have linked to your phone.
- 📍 In the Find Device section, select the lost device from the list (if there are several of them).
- 🔔 The map will display the last known location of the smartphone with an accuracy of 5-50 meters.
- 🔒 Additionally, you can: Lock the phone with a password; Delete all data remotely (Wipe Data); Enable an audible signal (Ring), even if the phone is in silent mode.
Limitations of the method:
- ⚠️ The phone must be connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network).
- ⚠️ Find Device must be enabled in settings (Settings) → Mi Account → Find Device).
- ⚠️ If the attacker dropped the phone to the factory settings, it will be impossible to track it.
2. Search through Google Find My Device (for Android)
If you have a Google account on your Xiaomi, you can use Find My Device, which works independently of the Mi Account and often helps when standard methods don’t work.
Instructions:
- Open Find My Device in your browser and log in to the same Google account as you did on your phone.
- At the top of the screen, select the lost device (if there are several).
- The last location of the smartphone will appear on the map, and the accuracy depends on the geolocation services that are enabled.
- Available action: 🔔 Play the sound (5 minutes at maximum volume); 🔒 Lock the device (set a new password); 🗑️ Erase data (full reset to factory settings).
Important: If geolocation services or mobile internet are disabled on the phone, the service will show the last known point where the device was on the network.
Geolocation services on the phone are included|The phone is connected to a Google account|The device is enabled mobile Internet or Wi-Fi|You have access to the mail linked to your account-->
3. IMEI Tracking: When It Works
IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is a unique identifier for your smartphone, which you can try to find the device through a carrier or law enforcement, but there are nuances.
How to find out the IMEI of Xiaomi lost:
- 📄 Look in the warranty card or on the phone box (usually a barcode sticker).
- 📱 If the phone is synced to your Mi Account, IMEI You can find it in your personal account on Xiaomi website.
- 💾 Check backups in Google Drive (if you saved your phone data).
What to do with IMEI:
- Contact your mobile operator (MTS, Beeline, Tele2, MegaFon) with a statement about blocking the phone via IMEI. This will not help to find the device, but will block its use on the network.
- Report to the police. Under IMEI, law enforcement can ask operators for data on the last location of the phone (if it was online).
⚠️ Note: Track your phone independently IMEI It's a myth. All online services that offer "find by" IMEI", The only legal way is through the police or the operator.
| Search | Conditions required | Efficiency | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi Find Device | Mi Account, enabled Find Device, Internet on your phone | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Not working after resetting settings |
| Google Find My Device | Google Account, Geolocation Services, Internet | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Shows the last connection point |
| IMEI + operator | Know the IMEI, contact the operator/police | ⭐⭐ | No guarantee of return of the phone |
| Third-party applications (e.g. Cerberus) | Installed in advance, root rights (for some functions) | ⭐⭐⭐ | It's hard to set up, it might not work. |
4. Third-party apps to search for lost phone
If standard methods don't work, you can use specialized applications.
- 🛡️ Cerberus is one of the most powerful solutions, and it works even after you reset (if installed as a system application), allows you to: Track location, take photos from the front camera, lock your phone, receive SMS-Minus: requires pre-installing and setup.
- 📍 Prey Anti Theft is a free app with geolocation and locking features, suitable for Xiaomi, Redmi and other Android devices.
- 🔍 Lost Android – lets you control your phone through SMS (It is useful if there is no internet).
How do you install an app like this if you've lost your phone? Unfortunately, you don't. All third-party solutions require pre-installing, but if you have another Android smartphone, it makes sense to install one of those apps now, in case you lose it, in the future.
How does Cerberus bypass resetting?
5 What to do if your phone is stolen
If you suspect a theft, follow the following algorithm:
- Lock your phone through Mi Account or Google Find My Device, which will prevent you from accessing your data.
- Change passwords from important services (mail, social networks, banking applications), especially if they were saved in a browser or password manager.
- Please report the theft to the police, provide: IMEI phone; Check or document confirming the purchase; Screenshots with the latest geolocation (if any).
Contact the operator.
⚠️ Warning: Never attempt to return your phone yourself if you suspect it has been stolen by professional thieves.This can be dangerous.
If your phone is insured, contact your insurance company, and many policies cover theft of your gadgets if you have documents (check, police report).
6. How to protect data if the phone is not found
If you can't get your smartphone back, you need to protect your personal data.
- 🔐 Delete the data remotely via Mi Account or Google Find My Device (Erase Data feature.
- 📱 Untie accounts: Remove the device from the list of trusted accounts in Google Account (Security) → Your devices; Revoke Mi Account access on your lost phone; Check active social media sessions (VKontakte, Facebook, Instagram) and complete them.
- 💳 Block your bank cards if they were linked to Google Pay, Samsung Pay or banking apps.
- 📧 Set up two-factor authentication on all important accounts so that attackers can’t access them.
What NOT to do:
- ❌ Trying to track down a thief yourself can be dangerous and illegal.
- ❌ Ignore notifications from banks or services about suspicious logins.
- ❌ Use questionable services "search for" IMEI" — They are either not working or they are phishing sites.
💡
If your phone has backed up to Google Drive or Mi Cloud, restore your data to the new device. To do this, select the “Restore from Backup” option when you first set up your new smartphone and log in to the same account.
7.Prevention: How to Prepare Your Phone for Possible Loss
You better take steps beforehand to find the device quickly in case of loss.
- Activate Find Device in Mi Account: Go to Settings → Mi Account → Find Device; Enable the option and allow access to geodata.
- Set up Google Find My Device: Make sure your phone has geolocation services enabled; in your Google account settings, check that Find Your Device is active.
Install a third-party search app
Cerberus
Write down the IMEI.
Turn on the lock. SIM-map PIN-code
Also useful:
- 📸 Regularly back up photos and contacts in Google Photos or Mi Cloud.
- 🔄 Set up automatic note synchronization, SMS and call logs.
- 🔒 Use a complex pattern lock or PIN-screen-lock.
💡
Even if the phone is turned off, the next time you connect to the Internet, Xiaomi and Google will automatically update its location and allow you to lock the device.