Losing a smartphone is stressful, especially if it’s turned off. Xiaomi device owners (including the Redmi, Poco and Mi series) have the unique ability to track the gadget even in offline mode through the tied Mi Account. However, there are nuances here: not all models support this feature equally, and the effectiveness depends on the latest activity of the device on the network.
In this article, we will discuss the official and alternative methods of finding a phone that is turned off, the limitations of technology, and practical tips on how to increase the chances of success.
Let me warn you right away, there's no 100% guarantee, if the phone is dead or uncoated, even the Mi Account won't be able to show its location, but chances are, and we'll tell you how to make the most of them.
How to Find a Phone with Mi Account
Xiaomi devices are positioned via the built-in Find Device (formerly Mi Cloud) function, which relies on two key mechanisms:
1. Last known geo-location: When the phone is turned on, it periodically sends coordinates to Xiaomi servers (if geolocation services and location data are enabled). When the device is turned off, the service shows the last recorded point - but does not update it in real time.
2. Low power mode (for some models) phones on Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2/3 (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra or Redmi K60 Pro) can briefly wake up to transmit location data even when the battery is not fully discharged, but users note it on forums MIUI.
Important: the function of finding the device turned off is officially supported only on smartphones with MIUI 14+ And Qualcomm 8 Series chipsets, from 22nd and later, on budget models like Redmi. 10A POCO M5) It might not work.
- 📍 Accuracy of coordinates: depends on the last source of the signal (GPS, Wi-Fi or cell towers, indoor error can be as high as 50 to 200 meters.
- ⏱️ Data retention period: Xiaomi servers store the last location for up to 7 days.
- 🔋 Charge level: if the battery is discharged to 0%, the phone will not be able to transmit coordinates even with a short turn on.
Step-by-step: search through Mi Account on PC or phone
To find a phone that is off, you'll need any device with Internet access (computer, tablet, or other smartphone).
1. log in to Mi Account via browser at:
https://account.xiaomi.com/pass/serviceLoginUse the same account that is linked to the lost phone.
2. Go to the Find Device section (click on the profile avatar) → Devices → Choose the lost phone).
3. The map will show the last known location. If the phone was turned off recently, try updating the page in 10-15 minutes - sometimes the coordinates are updated with a delay.
4 Additional actions (if the phone turns on):
Press Play Sound – the device will emit a loud signal (works even in silent mode).
Activate Lock Device – lock the phone with a password and show a message with a contact for communication on the screen.
Use Erase Data – Full reset to factory settings (irreversible!).
Is Mi Account Linked to Phone?|Geolocation services on the device are enabled|Is there internet access on the device you are looking for?|Do you remember the password from the Mi Account?-->
⚠️ Note: If the phone has enabled Privacy Protection (in Settings) → Privacy, Find Device may not show the exact coordinates, in which case you will only see an approximate region (city or district).
Alternative ways to find a switched off Xiaomi
If Mi Account didn't work, try these methods. They're less reliable, but sometimes they work.
1.Google Find My Device (for phones with Google Mobile Services):
- Go to the https://www.google.com/android/find.
Sign in with the same Google account as you do on your phone.
The system will show the last known dot, but only if the phone is turned on at least once after the loss.
Communications operator:
Contact the support of your mobile operator (for example, MTS, Beeline, Tele2).
- Ask for data on the latest activity SIM-Cards (base station to which the phone was connected).
Limitation: operators do not give precise coordinates, only approximate area (radius 1-3 km).
3. Social networks and messengers:
- If WhatsApp is active on your phone, VK Or Telegram, check your login history. Some services record your login history. IP-address and approximate location.
| Method | precision | Conditions of work | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Account (Find Device) | Tall (50-100 m) | Phone turned on in the last 7 days, tied to Mi Account | It does not work on older models (until 2020) |
| Google Find My Device | Medium (200-500 m) | Google services are enabled, the phone is turned on at least once | Does not show devices turned off for longer than 24 hours |
| Operator data | Low (1-3 km) | SIM-Card is active, the operator provides information | It requires a formal request, for a long time. |
| Messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) | Very low (city) | Account not deleted, was active after loss | It shows only the region, not the exact coordinates. |
💡
If your phone is stolen, lock it immediately. SIM-You can use the card through the operator and change the passwords of key accounts (mail, social networks, banks), even if the device is found, attackers can copy the data.
Why Mi Accounts Don't Show the Location of the Phone Turned Off
If the Find Device service does not display coordinates, the reasons may be as follows:
1. Phone is discharged. At a charge level below 5%, most functions are turned off, including the transmission of location data.
2. Mi Account is not linked, check if you have logged in to the account on the lost device.
- Go to Settings. → Accounts. → Mi Account.
If it's empty, the phone's not tied, and you can't search.
3. geolocation services are disabled. The phone must be on:
- Settings → Security → Geolocation services.
- Settings → Google → Security → Find your device (if you use Google Services).
4. Outdated firmware. On phones with MIUI 12 and older, the off-site search function may not work. Update your firmware in advance (if your phone is not lost yet).
⚠️ Note: Some "gray" firmware (for example, customized) MIUI Third-party developers can block data transfer to Mi Cloud. If you install unofficial software, the chances of search are dramatically reduced.
What to do if the phone is found but not turned on
If you can track the location of your phone but it doesn’t respond to taps, follow this algorithm:
1. Check the charging:
Connect your phone to the original charger (preferably from Xiaomi).
Wait 15-30 minutes – sometimes a battery is discharged and takes time to wake up.
Forced reset:
- Press the power button. + Volume up for 10-15 seconds.
- On some models (e.g. Poco) F5) nutrient combination + Loudness down.
Check for physical injuries:
Check the charging connector for moisture or dirt.
If the phone fell, damage to the motherboard is possible - in this case, only the service center will help.
4.Restore via Fastboot (for advanced users):
Connect your phone to a PC with the Mi Flash Tool installed.
- Transfer the device to Fastboot mode (clamp Power). + Loudness down).
- Try to re-flash the official version. MIUI.
How to Enter Recovery Mode on Xiaomi
How to protect your Xiaomi phone from future loss
The best way to avoid problems is to set up the device in advance, and the following steps will increase the chances of successful search:
1. Attach Mi Account and enable Find Device:
- Go to Settings. → Mi Account → Find Device.
Activate Location and Remote Lock options.
2. Set up a backup:
- B Settings → Accounts. → Mi Cloud enable automatic synchronization of contacts, photos and notes.
This will help to recover data even if the phone is dropped.
3. Use third-party trackers:
- Install applications like Cerberus or Prey Anti Theft. SMS with coordinates even when the Internet is turned off (via SMS-team).
Enable the "Emergency Contact" function:
- B Settings → Memory and backup copies → Emergency information include phone number for contact in case of loss.
- 🔒 Password to SIM-Map: Install PUK-This will make it harder for attackers to access your number.
- 📱 Dual authentication: Enable 2FA Mi Account and Google Account to prevent unauthorized login.
- 🔄 Regular checks: Test Find Device once a month to make sure the service is active.
💡
Even if the phone is turned off, there is a chance of finding it, but only if you pre-configure the Mi Account and enable geolocation services, without these preparations, no service can help.