Losing a smartphone or stealing it is a stressful situation that any Xiaomi owner can face. It is easy to forget about basic security measures in a panic, but it is in the first minutes that the device is likely to be returned if you know how to act correctly. Google Find My Device (formerly known as Android Device Manager) is the main tool for finding gadgets based on this operating system, and its functionality is often underestimated.
The effectiveness of tracking depends on the pre-preparedness and correctness of the settings of the smartphone itself. If your Mi or Redmi was enabled geolocation and signed in to Google account, the chances of success are significantly increased. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the steps of the search, configuration of hidden functions and actions in case the device turned off or without access to the network.
It's important to understand that Google's security capabilities not only allow you to see the location on the map, but also remotely control the device. You can lock the screen, display a contact number message on the display, or completely erase personal data to prevent it from leaking. The accuracy of location through GPS satellite modules can reach several meters, but it depends on the quality of the signal in the area of the phone.
Necessary conditions for successful search
Before you get into active search, make sure your Xiaomi smartphone is technically ready to be tracked.Without a set of basic requirements, Google will not be able to connect to the device and transmit its coordinates. This is the foundation without which the next steps do not make sense.
First of all, the phone must be logged in to the Google account you plan to use to log into the search service. Often users have multiple mailboxes, and it is important to remember which one was the main one on the lost gadget. It is also critical that the location function is activated on the device.
The smartphone must have access to the mobile Internet or Wi-Fi network. If the device is in flight mode or simply dead, it will not be possible to track it in real time, although the last known location may remain in history.
- 📱 The device logs into Google account and syncs are enabled.
- 📡 Module GPS activated and has permission to transfer geodata.
- 🌐 There is an active connection to the Internet (mobile or Wi-Fi).
- 🔋 The smartphone is on and has a battery charge above the critical minimum.
It is worth noting that for some Xiaomi models with a MIUI shell or HyperOS, there may be additional power consumption restrictions.The system can aggressively close the background processes, including geolocation services, unless appropriate exceptions are configured.
Geolocation and access to MIUI and HyperOS
Xiaomi’s shells are known for their advanced, but sometimes overly stringent, power-saving settings. To make Google Find My Device work properly, you need to set the permissions in your smartphone menu correctly. Ignoring this stage can lead to the phone being visible on the network, but its coordinates will not be updated.
To start, check the basic location settings. Go to Settings menu → Passwords and Security → Privacy → Permissions Management → Location. The location access switch should be activated here. Also, in the app list, search for Google Play Services and make sure they are allowed to locate at all times, not just when you use it.
⚠️ Note: In newer versions of HyperOS, the path to settings may be different. If you do not find the right item, use the search by settings, entering the request "access to location" or "geolocation".
Special attention should be paid to the energy saving mode, which often blocks data transmission in the background. To eliminate this problem, follow the following steps:
- ⚡ Open the Settings. → Battery and turn off the power saving mode.
- 🔋 Go to Settings. → Annexes → All applications.
- 📲 Find the Google Play Services and Find My Device.
- 🛑 In the "Energy Saving" section, select the option "No restrictions". 💡For maximum reliability, turn off automatic memory cleanup for Google system services in the Security app. After making changes, it is recommended to restart the device so that all services are updated and start working with new parameters. This ensures that when lost, the phone can send its signal to Google servers in a timely manner. Using Find My Device, the main search tool is the web service and the Find My Device app, which can be used from a computer or from another smartphone or tablet. The service interface is as simplified as possible and allows you to perform all the necessary actions even in a stressful situation. android.com/find or run the same app on another Android device. You'll need to log in using the same Google account that was the main one on the lost Xiaomi phone, and if there are multiple accounts, the system will prompt you to choose the one you want, and after successful login, the map will display your device's current or last known location. On the left side of the screen (or on the bottom of the mobile version), a control panel with three main functions will appear. The interface may vary slightly depending on the version of the browser or application, but the essence remains the same. ☑️ Check before searching Log in to the correct Google account:Device displayed on the map:Device status "On the network" or "offline":Available control buttons: 0 / 1 If the device is on the network, you'll see its exact location. If the phone is offline, it will show you the time and place of the last login. At the top of the list of devices can display the status of the connection. functions of remote control of the smartphone Google service provides three powerful tools for interaction with the lost gadget. Understanding the differences between the two will help you make the right decision. The first function is "Play Sound," which makes the phone sound at full volume for 5 minutes, even if it's been put into silent mode. This is ideal for finding a device if you lost it at home or in the office, like under the couch or in your bag. The second option is "Lock the device." PIN-If you have a code, a pattern lock or a password, if you have previously set it, you can set a new password remotely if you have not blocked it. And then you'll see your message, like the phone number to contact the finder, and the third and most radical measure is, "Clean the device," which completely erases all the data from the phone's internal memory, returning it to the factory settings. After this operation, tracking your phone will become impossible, so only use this method if you are sure that the gadget is stolen and will not be found. ⚠️ Warning: Clear Device is irreversible. Once activated, you will no longer be able to track your phone through Google, even if it re-enters the network. If it is offline, commands will be queued and executed as soon as the device is online. If a standard search does not give results or the phone was turned off, Google Timeline can help). This service saves the history of the device associated with the account and can show where the phone was in the past. google.com/maps/timeline. Select the date on the calendar, and the map will show the route the device traveled during the day, which will help you understand where the phone was lost or where it was taken. The data in Chronology is updated periodically, so the information may not be the latest, but it is often the only clue. The accuracy of the tracks depends on how often the phone went online and whether it turned on. GPS. 📊 How often do you check geolocation settings?Daily:Once a week:Only when buying:Never checked Use of Chronology is particularly effective when combined with outdoor surveillance cameras. If you see that the phone last lit up at a certain point, you can request a camera record from nearby stores or entrances. Actions if the phone is turned off or off the network The situation when the phone is dead or turned off by an attacker is the most difficult. In this case, you can not track the device in real time through the standard interface. However, there are nuances that owners of Xiaomi should know. Some modern smartphone models, even when turned off, can briefly give Bluetooth signals if this function was activated in special settings (the function "Search for the device even if it is turned off"). However, other devices must be located in front of the network. Once the device is connected to the charger and turned on, it will automatically try to connect to the network. At this point, a location notification may arrive in your mail if the appropriate option is enabled in Google security settings. You should also use Xiaomi Cloud (Find Device). If you had a Mi Account, you could log in in in parallel. Xiaomi cloud functionality sometimes allows you to see the location even when Google is silent, although for this the phone also needs to be online. Google Find My Device Xiaomi Cloud (Mi Account) Required Google Mi Account Device Device Device Device Device Device Device Device Device Device Device Device Device Device Device Device Device Device Device Device Device Device Device Device Device Device Device Device Device Device Device Device Device Device Device Device Device Device Device Device Device Device Device Device Device Device Device Device Device Device Device Device Device Device Device Device Device Device Device Device Device Device Device Device Device Device Device Device Device Device Device Device Device Device Device Device Device Device Device De (GPS + Wi-Fi) High (GPS + If you get a call from a phone you find, don't give you the unlock codes right away. Make an appointment in a crowded place, such as a police station. If the caller demands a ransom, you better contact law enforcement. If the phone is not long-term, you should not rely only on technology. IMEI-Device code that can be found on a smartphone box or in a purchase check. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Can you track a phone if it wasn't running the Internet? No, an active connection is required to transmit coordinates to the Google server. However, if the phone later connects to a Wi-Fi it "knows" about (like a home network), it can send location data. Will the signal work if the phone is silent? Yes, the "Play Sound" feature in Find My Device forcibly turns the speaker on at maximum volume, ignoring the silent mode or vibration settings. Will the thief see that I'm tracking his activity through the computer's login, however, you can send a message to the new device directly from the login, if you now send it to the device, or that you send a notification to the login. What if Google says "Location Unavailable"? This means that the phone is off, discharged, in flight mode or has no network coverage, and then you just have to wait for the device to appear on the network or use the last known route from Chronology. Can you track the phone by IMEI to a regular user? It is impossible to track the device by IMEI alone via satellite. This function is only for telecom operators and law enforcement agencies on official request. The services that offer this on the Internet are most often fraudulent.