Find Device is a useful tool for finding lost phones, locking or remotely erasing data. However, it can be a inconvenience: constantly sending location data, draining the battery, and even interfering with the sale of the device. If you decide to disable this option, it is important to do it correctly to avoid errors in MIUI operation or problems with your Mi Account.
In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can deactivate a feature, from standard settings to hidden methods for advanced users, and find out why sometimes the option doesn’t turn off the first time and how to fix it. If you plan to sell or reset your smartphone to factory settings, be sure to read the section on the consequences of a shutdown.
What is “Finding a Device” and Why Disable It
The “Find Device” feature in Xiaomi works through Mi Cloud services and allows you to:
- 📍 Tracking the location of the phone on the map in real time.
- 🔒 Lock the device remotely (with password setting).
- 🗑️ Wipe all data from your phone remotely.
- 🔔 Turn on the beep, even if the phone is silent.
Despite the obvious advantages, many users want to disable it.
- 🔋 Increased battery consumption – the service is constantly synced with Xiaomi servers.
- 📡 Transfer of location data, which may raise privacy concerns.
- 💰 Preparing for sale – the new owner will not be able to link his account while the feature is active.
- 🔄 Conflicts with other services (e.g. Google Find My Device).
It’s important to understand that disabling the feature doesn’t remove the device from your Mi Account, it just stops sending location data and blocks remote control, and if you want to completely untie the phone from your account, you’ll need to reset it.
Method 1: Disconnecting through MIUI settings
The easiest method is to use the standard MIUI menu. It is suitable for most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models on current firmware versions (from MIUI 12 and later).
Instructions:
- Open the Settings app (cog icon).
- Go to the Mi Account (or Xiaomi Account).
- Select Mi Cloud (Cloud)
- Find the option Find Device and tap it.
- Move the slider to the off position.
- Confirm the action by entering the password from Mi Account.
If the Find Device option is not in the Mi Cloud menu, check:
- 🔄 Update your firmware to the latest version (path: Settings) → The phone. → Updating the system).
- 🔓 Make sure you are logged in to Mi Account (the account name should be displayed at the top of the Mi Cloud screen).
- 📱 Restart your phone – sometimes the settings are not loaded immediately.
☑️ Preparing for disconnection “Find the device»
⚠️ Note: If the function is activated again after the shutdown, this may mean that the device has enterprise software installed (for example, from a telecom operator), in which case you will need to reset to factory settings.
Method 2: Disconnect via the web version of Mi Cloud
If you don’t have access to the phone itself (for example, it’s lost or locked), you can turn off the feature via the Mi Cloud web interface.This method is also useful if the settings on the phone are not saved.
Step-by-step:
- Open your browser on a PC or other device and go to i.mi.com.
- Sign in with the same Mi Account that is linked to your phone.
- In the top menu, select the Find Device tab.
- In the list of devices, find the desired smartphone and click on it.
- In the upper right corner, click on the icon. ⚙️ (Settings).
- Select Disable the "Find Device" function and confirm the action.
After that, the phone will automatically update the status of the function (may need to restart).If the device is offline, the changes will apply the next time you connect to the Internet.
| Method of shutting down | Advantages | Deficiencies |
|---|---|---|
| Through MIUI settings | Quickly, it does not require additional devices. | It does not work if the phone is locked. |
| Through the web version of Mi Cloud | It works remotely, even without a phone. | Requires access to account and Internet on the phone |
| Through ADB (for Advanced) | It works on any firmware. | Hard for beginners, requires PC |
⚠️ Warning: If you disable the feature via Mi Cloud before selling your phone, be sure to reset to factory settings (Settings) → Additionally. → Restore and reset otherwise the new owner will not be able to link his account.
Method 3: Disconnect via ADB (for power users)
If standard methods fail (e.g., due to custom firmware or operator limitations), you can use the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) tool, which requires connecting your phone to a PC and basic command line knowledge.
What you need:
- 🖥️ Computer with installed Xiaomi drivers (you can download on the official website).
- 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
- 📦 Utility. ADB (is part of Android SDK or can be downloaded separately).
- ⚙️ Included debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Tap 7 times, then return to the additional → For developers → Debugging by USB).
Instructions:
- Connect the phone to the PC and allow debugging (a request will appear on the phone screen).
- Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB.
- Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
- Execute the function: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.cloudservice This command removes the Mi Cloud app for the current user, which automatically deactivates Find Device**.
- Reboot the phone.
⚠️ Note: Deleting com.miui.cloudservice may cause other cloud functions to fail (synchronize contacts, notes, photos). If you need these services, it is better to use standard ways to disable them.
What if the ADB can’t see the device?
Why Find a Device Doesn't Turn Off: Common Problems
Sometimes users find that the function does not deactivate or is turned on again after a reboot.
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The slider returns to the "On" position. | Mi Account is tied to corporate policy | Reset your phone to factory settings or contact your account administrator |
| There is no “Find the device” item in the settings | Outdated version of MIUI or custom firmware | Update your firmware or use ADB |
| It requires a password, but you don’t remember it. | Mi Account is blocked or deleted | Restor access via account.xiaomi.com or reset your phone (data will be lost!) |
| The function is turned off, but after a while it is activated again. | Automatic update of Mi Cloud services | Turn off auto-update in Settings → Applications → Application Management → Mi Cloud → Auto-Update |
If none of the methods worked, you may have a firmware installed on your device (for example, for the Chinese market or from a carrier), in which case the only way out is to unlock the bootloader and install a global version of MIUI.
💡
Before selling your phone, be sure to check the status of Find Device through the Mi Cloud web version. Even if it is disabled on your phone, it may still be active in the cloud!
What happens after the shutdown: consequences and risks
Disabling Find Device** has both pros and cons. Let's look at the main changes:
Advantages:
- ⚡ Increase battery life (5-15% depending on the model).
- 🛡️ Transfer of location data to Mi Cloud will be stopped.
- 💰 The phone can be sold or transferred to another user.
- 🔄 Disappear conflicts with other geolocation services (eg, Google or Samsung).
Disadvantages:
- 🚨 You can’t find your phone if it gets lost or stolen.
- 🔐 Remote blocking and erasure of data will become unavailable.
- 📱 Some Mi Cloud features (such as backup) may not work well.
- ⚠️ When resetting your phone to factory settings, you may need to enter a password from your old Mi Account (if the device was tied to your account).
If you’re turning off the feature just to save battery, try alternative methods:
- 🔋 Turn off permanent geolocation in settings (Settings) → Confidentiality → Permits → geodata).
- 📴 Limit background activity of Mi Cloud (Settings) → Annexes → Application management → Mi Cloud → Battery → Limit background activity).
- 🔄 Set Power Saving Mode for Mi Cloud App.
💡
Disabling Find Device does not remove your phone from your Mi Account. Full Unlock requires a factory reset!
How to check if the function is disabled
To make sure that Find Device** is fully deactivated, follow the following steps:
Method 1: Through phone settings
- Go to Settings. → Mi Account → Mi Cloud.
- Make sure that the Find device slider is in the off position.
- Check that your phone is marked as Out of Network in the Mi Cloud list of devices (if the feature is disabled, services will not be able to track it).
Method 2: Using the Mi Cloud Web Version
- Go to i.mi.com and log in.
- Go to the Find the device section.
- If the phone is not displayed in the list or next to it there is the message Service is disabled, then everything went well.
Method 3: Through Test SMS (for Advanced)
Send an SMS to your phone with the text:
##6484##*If the function is disabled, an error message or an empty answer will come back, and if it is active, the phone can send location data (depending on the model).
⚠️ Note: On some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro or Xiaomi 12) it can remain active in the background after the feature is disabled in the settings. To guarantee that it will be deactivated, uninstall the Mi Cloud app via the ADB (see method 3).