How to Track a Lost or Stolen Xiaomi Device: The Complete 2026 Guide

Losing a smartphone, a smartwatch, or another Xiaomi gadget is stressful, but not a hopeless situation. Today's devices come with multiple layers of protection and remote tracking tools that allow you not only to locate the equipment, but also to block it or erase data remotely, the main thing is to act quickly and use the right methods.

In this article, we will look at all the current ways to track Xiaomi devices in 2026, from official Mi Account services and Google Find My Device to alternative solutions through IMEI or carrier. Particular attention will be paid to the nuances of working with different types of gadgets – smartphones (Redmi, POCO, Xiaomi 13/14), smartwatches (Mi Band, Watch 2 Pro) and even laptops (Xiaomi Book), and you will learn what to do if the device is turned off or in airplane mode – this is a critical point that many miss.

Important: tracking effectiveness depends on presets. If you are reading this article before losing your device, be sure to activate all the recommended features in advance – this will save time and nerves in the future.

1. Tracking through Mi Account (official method)

Mi Account is the main tool for finding Xiaomi devices, but it only works if you meet three conditions:

• 🔹 Device is linked to Mi Account (check Settings) → Xiaomi account).
• 🔹 Find the device (path: Settings) enabled → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Find the device).
• 🔹 The gadget is connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network).

If the conditions are met, go to i.mi.com and log in. In Find the device, you will see the latest known location, as well as options:

• 📍 Call - the device will emit a loud signal (works even in silent mode).
• 🔒 Block – set the password on the lock screen.
• 🗑️ Erase data – complete reset to factory settings (irreversible!).

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If the device is turned off but has been online at least once in the last 24 hours, Mi Account will show the last point on the map.Renew the page every 5-10 minutes - when you turn on the gadget, the coordinates will automatically update.

⚠️ Attention: Erase Device only works when you're connected to the Internet. If the device is offline, the command will be executed when you first log in. However, once you reset, you won't be able to track it -- use this option as a last resort.

2.Google Find My Device: The Universal Method for Android

If your Xiaomi smartphone runs on Android (which is 99% of the brand’s devices), you can use Google Find My Device, an advantage of which is that it works even if the Mi Account wasn’t configured, but requires:

• 📱 Linking the device to a Google account.
• 🌐 The Internet on (Wi-Fi/mobile).
• 📍 Activated geolocation (in Settings) → Location).

Instructions:

1. Go to Google Find My Device and log in to your Google account.
2. Select the lost device from the list (if there are several).
3. The map will show the current or last known location.
4. Available options: 🔔 Play the sound (5 minutes without stopping). 🔒 Protect the device (locking) + screen-message). 🗑️ Erase data (full reset).

⚠️ Note: If the device is installed custom ROM (For example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience, Google services may not work properly, in this case only on Mi Account or Pixel Experience. IMEI.

3. IMEI tracking: When nothing helps

IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is a unique identifier for your device that can be used for tracking through a carrier or law enforcement agency.

• ✅ It works even if the device is turned off or without SIM-cards, but only through the operator).
• ❌ Does not show exact coordinates - only approximate location on communication towers.
• ⚖️ Requires contacting the police or the operator with documents.

How to find out IMEI:

• 📄 On the device box (usually under a barcode).
• 📱 In settings: Settings → The phone. → General information → IMEI.
• 🔢 Type on the keyboard *#06# - a window will appear with IMEI.

Further action:

1. Save your IMEI in a safe place (e.g., Google Keep or on paper).
2. Contact the police with a loss/theft report – provide IMEI and documents to the device.
3. Apply to the operator (for example, MTS, Beeline) to block IMEI in the network.

Yeah, it's somewhere.|Yeah, I remember by heart.|No, but I'll keep it now.|No, and no planning.|I don't know what that is.-->

4 Third-party applications: Cerberus, Prey and others

If standard methods don't work, you can use specialized tracking apps that offer advanced features, but require pre-installing:

• 🛡️ Cerberus – allows you to covertly photograph a thief, record sound, lock the device even after resetting.
• 🕵️ Prey – a cross-platform solution for smartphones, laptops and tablets.
• 🔍 Where's My Droid - a simple service with the function of geofences and alerts.

⚠️ Note: Most of these applications require administrator rights that are reset in factory settings. To protect against this, Cerberus has the option of installing as a system application (requires). ADB).

Instructions for Cerberus:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Register and activate the license (there is a free trial period).
3. Enable options: Hidden mode (the app is not visible in the menu), Deletion protection (requires administrator rights), Autostart (start after restart).

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Install the application|Register an account|Enable hidden mode|Granting administrator rights|Set up an auto start|Check the work through the web panel-->

5. Features of tracking smart watches and fitness bracelets Xiaomi

Smartwatches (Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro, Watch S3) and fitness bracelets (Mi Band 7/8) are tracked differently than smartphones.

• 📶 Tracking requires a smartphone connection via Mi Fitness or Zepp Life.
• 📍 Accuracy of location below - used GPS smartphone, not watch.
• 🔋 If the clock is disconnected from the phone, you can find it only at the last synchronization point.

How to find Mi Band or Xiaomi Watch:

1. Open the Mi Fitness app (or Zepp Life for new models).
2. Go to the Devices section → [Your watch] → Find the bracelet.
3. If the watch is within Bluetooth range (up to 10 meters), it will emit vibration and sound.

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi smartwatches do not support independent tracking GPS (If you lost a watch separate from your phone, the chances of finding one are minimal — they don't transmit coordinates on their own.

6 What to do if the device is turned off or in aircraft mode

If Xiaomi’s device is turned off, discharged, or in airplane mode, none of the standard tracking methods will work in real time, but there are several ways to increase the chances of success:

• 🔋 Wait – when enabled, the device automatically syncs data with Mi Account or Google.
• 📶 Check the location history in Google Maps (Chronology section).
• 📞 Contact the operator – some providers may identify the last tower to which the device was connected.

If the gadget is stolen, not just lost:

• 🚨 Lock it down immediately. SIM-card via operator (call the hotline).
• 💳 Untie your bank cards from Google Pay, Mi Pay or other payment systems.
• 🔐 Change passwords from email, social networks and instant messengers.

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Even if the device is turned off, don’t lose hope: the first time you connect to the Internet (even through someone else’s Wi-Fi), it will send its coordinates to Mi Account or Google.

7 How to protect Xiaomi device from loss in advance

The best way to easily find a lost device is to set it up in advance. Here's a checklist of required actions:

Tie up a Mi Account|Enable "Find the Device" in Mi Cloud|Google Find My Device to activate Google Find My Device|Save. IMEI safe-house|Install Cerberus or analogue|Lock in. SIM-map PIN-code|Set up data backup-->

Additional advice:

• 📲 Use a password or pattern lock instead of a face/fingerprint – they are easier to fool.
• 🔄 Enable automatic synchronization of photos and contacts with Mi Cloud or Google Drive.
• 📡 Set up alerts for new ones SIM-maps in Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Notifications SIM-map.

⚠️ Note: If you buy a Xiaomi device from hand, be sure to check it out:

• 🔄 Mi Account Status (Ask the Seller to Leave with You).
• 📱 Status IMEI on imei.info (should not be blacklisted).
• 🔒 Absence of lockdown FRP (Factory Reset Protection – request reset to your hands.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi tracking