How to disable device search on Xiaomi Redmi: all ways

Xiaomi Redmi’s device search feature is a useful tool to protect your smartphone from loss or theft, but it sometimes becomes a hindrance, such as if you’re selling your phone, refurbishing it, or just want to improve privacy. In this article, we’ll look at all the official and alternative ways to disable device search, including the nuances for different MIUI versions and Redmi models.

It is important to understand that disabling this feature can affect the security of your gadget. In some cases (for example, if you steal), it will be almost impossible to return the device without active search.

We will look at the options for disconnecting through phone settings, the Mi Account web interface, and forced methods for locked devices. All instructions are tested on current versions of MIUI 14/15 and models Redmi Note 12/13, Redmi 10/11, Redmi K50/K60.

What is Xiaomi Device Search and Why Disable It

Find Device is a service from Xiaomi, similar to Find My iPhone from Apple.

📍 Track the location of the smartphone on the map in real time
🔊 Turn on a loud signal (even if the phone is silent)
🔒 Remotely lock the device or erase data
📱 View the battery level and network connection status

However, there are situations where this function needs to be deactivated:

💰 Selling or transferring a phone to another user (the new owner will not be able to activate the device without disabling the search)
🔧 Repairs at an unofficial service center (some workshops refuse to work with devices tied to an account)
🛡️ Increased privacy (unless you want Xiaomi to track your location)
🔄 Reset to factory settings (some firmware requires pre-disabling search)

Important: Once you disable the feature, you will not be able to remotely lock or locate your phone in the event of a theft, and it may also affect other Mi Account services, such as syncing notes or backups.

📊 Why you want to disable device search on Xiaomi Redmi?

Selling a phone.

I'm renovating.

I want to increase confidentiality.

Interfering with another function

Another reason.

Method 1: Disabling device search through phone settings

The easiest and safest method is to deactivate the function directly from the smartphone menu, which is suitable if you have access to the phone and remember the password from the Mi Account.

Instructions for MIUI 14/15:

Open the Settings app (cog icon).
Go to Mi Account (may be called Xiaomi Account or Mi Account).
Select Device Search (in some versions of Find Device or Remote Management).
Turn off the device search slider.
Confirm the action by entering the password from Mi Account.

On the Redmi models with MIUI 12/13, the path may be slightly different:

Settings → Xiaomi Account → Security → Device Search

Charging the phone > 20%|Connecting to Wi-Fi or mobile network|Password from Mi Account is on hand|Backup copy of important data-->

If the Device Search item is inactive (grey), this means that:

📵 The phone is not connected to the internet (check the connection)
🔄 The function has already been disabled
🔒 The device is locked by the administrator (for example, in corporate phones)

⚠️ Note: Some firmware may require a phone restart after disabling the device search. Do not interrupt the process, otherwise the function will remain active.

Method 2: Disconnecting from the web version of Mi Account

If you don't have physical access to your phone, but you have the data to log in to your Mi Account, you can turn off your device search through your browser, which is useful if your phone is lost but you want to transfer it to a new owner.

Step-by-step:

Go to the official Mi Account website and log in.
In the Devices (or Find Device) section, select your Redmi.
Press three points (⋮) Next to the device and select Remove the device.
Confirm the action by entering a password.

After that, the phone will be unplugged from your account and the search function will be deactivated.

📱 The phone must be connected to the internet to apply the changes.
🔄 Some devices will require additional reset via Recovery.
📌 If the phone is in Lost Mode, you must first turn off this mode.

Method of disconnection	Access to the phone is required	Password Mi Account is required	It works without the internet.
Through phone settings	✅ Yes.	✅ Yes.	❌ No.
Through the web version of Mi Account	❌ No.	✅ Yes.	❌ No (I need internet on my phone)
Through Recovery Mode	✅ Yes.	❌ No (but you need an unlocked bootloader)	✅ Yes.
Through ADB-team	✅ Yes (USB-debugging)	❌ No.	✅ Yes.

⚠️ Warning: If you sell a phone, it’s not enough to just turn off the device search. Be sure to exit the Mi Account and reset to factory settings, otherwise the new owner will not be able to use the device.

Method 3: Disabling search on a locked phone (without a password)

If you forget your Mi Account password or your phone is locked, standard methods won't work, and there are a few alternatives, but they require technical skills or a service center.

Option 1: Recovery Mode (requires an unlocked bootloader)

Turn off the phone.
Press the Power button + Volume up to enter Recovery.
Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (this will delete all data!).
After resetting, the search function will be disabled automatically.

Option 2: via Fastboot (for advanced users)

fastboot oem clean_frp

This command removes the Google/Xiaomi account binding, but only works on some Redmi models with the bootloader unlocked.

Option 3: Contacting the service centre

Xiaomi’s official service centers can untie the device from the account upon presentation of:

📄 Check of purchase (proof of ownership)
🆔 Passport holder
📱 The device itself (even when switched off)

What happens if you drop your phone without turning off your device search?

On most Xiaomi Redmi models, after resetting to factory settings without first disabling the device search, Mi Account protection is activated. The phone will require you to enter the username and password from the last associated account. Without this data, you will not be able to use the device - it will be blocked at the initial setup stage. This is called FRP-lock (Factory Reset Protection).

Method 4: Disconnection through ADB-teams (for developers)

If you have USB Debugging enabled, you can turn off device search via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a method that is suitable for users who have previously activated the developer mode.

Instructions:

Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable.
Open the command line (Windows) or the terminal (Mac/Linux).
Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices should display your device.
Run the command to disable device search: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.finddevice
Reboot the phone.

If the team doesn’t work, try an alternative:

adb shell settings put global device_provisioned 1

This method removes the Find Device app only for the current user, without affecting system files. After flashing or resetting, the feature can return.

⚠️ Attention: Use ADB-commands may disrupt other system services. Before executing, backup your data via adb backup.

adb shell cmd package install-existing com.miui.finddevice

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

When you turn off device search, users often encounter problems, and let's look at the most common errors and how to fix them.

1. the "Search for Device" button is inactive (grey)

📌 Reason: No Internet connection or Xiaomi server is not available.
🔧 Solution: Check the connection to Wi-Fi/Try switching to another type of connection. If the problem persists, wait for the servers to recover (check status at status.mi.com).

2. requires a password, but you forgot it

📌 Reason: Mi Account Password is not the same or account is blocked.
🔧 Solution: Restore password through the official website (access to the official website is required) email/If recovery is not possible, contact Xiaomi with proof of ownership of the device.

3.After reset, the phone asks for an old account

📌 Reason: Mi Account Lock function (FRP) active.
🔧 Solution: Enter the last account you linked. If your account is not yours (e.g., a handheld phone), contact the previous owner to unblock it. Unblock it without an account will require a check to the service center.

4. "Failure to disable device search" error

📌 Reason: Failure to sync with Xiaomi servers or restrictions on regional firmware.
🔧 Solution: Reboot your phone and try again. Update your firmware to the latest version via Settings → System Update. Try disabling the feature via the web version of Mi Account.

💡

If none of these methods worked, check to see if the phone has custom firmware installed. Some modified versions of MIUI can block changes to security settings.

Security after disabling device search

Disabling the device search feature reduces the level of protection of your Xiaomi Redmi. To minimize risks, follow these recommendations:

1. Alternative means of protection

🔐 Set it up solid. PIN-code or pattern lock (at least 6 characters).
📱 Activate unlocking by fingerprint/face in Settings → Password and security.
🔄 Enable automatic backup in Google Drive or Mi Cloud.

2. Configure other security functions

📍 Turn on Google Find My Device (works independently of Xiaomi services).
🚨 Activate the Block option SIM-maps in operator settings.
📧 Set up two-factor authentication for Mi Account.

3. Actions in the event of theft or loss

If the phone is stolen or lost and the search for the device is disabled:

Lock it down immediately. SIM-card.
Change passwords from all important accounts (mail, social networks, banks).
Contact the police with the IMEI phone (you can find it on the box or via *#06#).

Remember, even with your device search turned off, attackers won’t be able to easily access your data if you use encryption and strong passwords.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

Can I turn off my search for a device without a password from my Mi Account?

No, you always need a password to disable it through your settings or web interface, if you forget it, restore it through the official website or contact the support with proof of ownership of the device. Alternative methods (for example, through Recovery) will lead to data loss.

Will the device search work after resetting to factory settings?

If you've pre-disabled your device search, it'll remain deactivated after the reset, and if it doesn't, the phone will require input from the last Mi Account tied (FRP-lock), a measure of protection against theft.

How to check if the search device is disabled?

There are three ways: In your phone settings: Mi Account → Device Search (the slider must be inactive); Through the web version of Mi Account: in the list of devices, your Redmi must be absent or have Offline status; Try to find the phone through the search service - if the feature is disabled, the device will not show up.

Can I temporarily disable the search for the device?

Yes, you can deactivate the function through the settings and then turn it back on: 📍 The current location of the phone will no longer be updated. 🔊 The loud signal function will be unavailable. 🔒 Remote lock and data reset will not work. To temporarily shut down, it is enough to move the slider in the device search menu and confirm the action.

What if after disabling the search, the phone stopped turning on?

It's an unlikely situation, but if it happens: Connect your phone to charge for 30 minutes - maybe your battery is dead. + Volume up) and run Wipe Cache. If your phone doesn't respond, contact the service center -- it's probably not a search shutdown, but a different crash. Disabling the device’s search by itself cannot bring the phone down, as it is a software feature that does not affect the hardware.