Search for lost Xiaomi Redmi: official and alternative ways

Losing a smartphone is stressful, especially if it stores important data, such as photos, correspondence or access to banking applications. Xiaomi Redmi devices are equipped with built-in search tools, but many users do not know how to use them correctly. In this article, we will analyze all working methods of search, from the official Find Device service to hidden Google functions and third-party solutions.

It's important to understand that search success depends on whether the settings were pre-enabled. If you're reading this article after losing your phone, the odds of finding it are higher if the device has Mi Account activated, has Mobile Internet or Wi-Fi enabled, and has location permission. If the phone is turned off or discharged, some methods may not work -- but there are workarounds here as well.

We tested all the ways on Redmi Note models. 12 Pro+, Redmi 11 Prime and Redmi 10A (2023–2026 Instructions are relevant for devices on MIUI 14/15 If your model is older (e.g. Redmi) 9 or Redmi Note 8), Check the firmware version in the settings - some features may not be available.

Why standard search through Mi Account may not work

Many users are faced with the fact that the service Find Device from Xiaomi does not show the location of the phone or gives an error.

First, there is no binding to Mi Account. If you have never signed in to a Xiaomi account on a lost device, the service simply will not be able to identify it, a common problem for those who bought a phone with their hands and did not reset their settings.

Second, geolocation permissions are disabled. Even if the Mi Account is tied, the phone won't show up on the map if the settings don't allow location for system applications. → Confidentiality → Permits → geodata.

The third reason is that the phone is off or in airplane mode, in which case the last known location may be updated with a delay (up to 24 hours), but there is a way to force the device to wake up, as we will discuss in the section on hidden functions. MIUI.

⚠️ Note: If you bought Xiaomi Redmi in China or on unofficial sites (for example, AliExpress without global firmware), Find Device may be blocked for your region.

Search through Mi Account (Find Device)

This is the most reliable method if the phone is tied to a Xiaomi account, and the instructions are suitable for all Redmi models, including the new Redmi Note 13 and Redmi 12.

Step. 1. Go to the official service website: https://i.mi.com/

Sign in with the same Mi Account used on your lost phone.

Step 2. Select Find Device (or Find Device in Russian) from the menu. If the phone is online, its location will be displayed on the map with an accuracy of 10 to 50 meters.

Step 3: Actions available:

• 📍 Call – the phone will start to ring loud (even if there is a silent mode).
• 🔒 Block – set the password on the lock screen (if it was not).
• 🧹 Erase data – complete reset to factory settings (irreversible!).
• 📱 Send a message – your text will be displayed on the phone screen (for example, a request to return for a fee).

If the phone is turned off, the service will show the last known location with a time stamp. In some cases, you can send a command to turn on the module. GPS the next time you connect to the network – to do this, click “Update Location” and wait for notifications to the mail.

Is Mi Account Linked to Phone?|Is mobile internet or Wi-Fi enabled?|Is location allowed for system applications|Does the antivirus block access to the service?-->

Alternative method: search through Google "Find device"

If Mi Account isn’t tied or Xiaomi’s service doesn’t work, try Google’s tool, which is less accurate but often helps in cases where the basic method isn’t available.

Conditions of work:

• 📱 You must have a Google account login on your phone (even if not in your Mi Account).
• 🌐 Mobile Internet or Wi-Fi enabled.
• 📍 Geolocation Permission for Google Play Services.

Instructions:

1. Go to Google and find my device.
2. Select the lost Xiaomi Redmi from the list (if multiple devices are tied).
3. Wait for the location update (it can take up to 5 minutes).
4. Use the functions: 🔔 Play the sound (5 minutes at maximum volume). 🔒 Protect the device (locking with a password). 🗑️ Erase data (full reset).

The advantage of this method is that it works even on phones without a Mi Account, but Google updates the location less often than Xiaomi and does not show the history of movements.

⚠️ Note: If your phone has custom firmware installed (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), Google services may not work properly.

Hidden functions MIUI: How to Find a Phone Without Internet

Few people know, but in the firmware MIUI HyperOS has hidden search engines that work even when the Internet is off, and these functions are activated through Developer Mode or special commands.

Method 1: Activation through SMS

If the phone is lost, but SIM-The card is yours, you can send it. SMS-switch-on GPS And the coordinates:

1. From another phone, send a message to the lost Redmi with text: ##LOCATE## (without quotes, register is not important).
2. If the function is activated, the phone will respond. SMS with coordinates (example: Lat: 55.7558, Long: 37.6173).

⚠️ It only works if the Settings item was previously included in the settings → Memory and backup → Backup SMS.

Method 2: Use of ADB (for advanced users)

If your phone is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your computer, you can try sending a command via the same Wi-Fi network. ADB:

1. Install Platform Tools from Google.
2. Connect to your phone via Wi-Fi (if debugging was previously enabled) USB): adb connect IP_phone address:5555
3. Send the team to turn on. GPS: adb shell settings put global location_mode 3

This method is complex and requires preliminary adjustment, but can save in a hopeless situation.

Third-party search apps: pros and cons

If the built-in methods didn't work, you can use third-party services, and we tested 5 popular apps and made a comparison table:

Of all the tested solutions, Cerberus proved to be the best – it works even if the phone is in airplane mode (via the phone). SMS-It can take hidden photos from the front camera, but to install it, you need to set up the application on the phone in advance, otherwise it will not be possible to activate it after losing it.

How to install Cerberus in advance:

1. Download the app from Google Play.
2. Sign up and activate the premium (free trial period 7 days).
3. In the settings, turn on: 🔐 Device administrator (authorization to lock). 📶 Remote management through SMS. 👤 Hidden mode (so that the attacker does not delete the application).

💡

If you lose your phone a lot, create a Cerberus widget on the home screen with quick access to the Call feature, which will help you find the device even in silent mode without going to the application.

What to do if your phone is stolen: Steps to lock and save data

If you are sure your phone is stolen, act fast – the first few hours are critical for data retention and fraud prevention.

1.Block it. SIM-map

Contact the operator (for example, MTS, Beeline, Tele2) and block SIM-It's a card by contract number:

• 💳 Access to SMS-Banking and Confirmation of Payments.
• 📞 Calls and messages on your behalf.
• 🔑 Recovery of passwords through SMS.

2. Change the passwords.

Update your passwords immediately for:

• 📧 Mailboxes (Gmail, Yandex, Mail.ru).
• 🏦 Banking applications and wallets (Sberbank Online, Tinkoff, Qiwi).
• 🔑 Social networks (Vkontakte, Telegram, WhatsApp).

3.Put a report to the police

This will require:

• 📄 IMEI phone number (can be found on a box or check).
• 📱 Serial number (indicated on the sticker under the battery or in the About phone settings).
• 📅 Date and place of disappearance.

Police may request data from a telecom operator to track the phone IMEI, But it doesn't work in all cases.

⚠️ Warning: If contactless payments (such as Google Pay or Mi Pay) have been enabled on your phone, immediately block them through the web version of the service.

💡

If your phone is stolen, don't try to track the thief yourself, which is dangerous and can be seen as arbitrary, and turn over all your data to the police and go through official channels.

How to Prepare Xiaomi Redmi for Possible Loss: Checklist of Proactive Measures

The best way to find a phone is to set it up in advance for this, and here's what you need to do right now while the device is safe.

1. Link Mi Account and Google

• 📱 Go to Settings. → Accounts and synchronization.
• 🔗 Add or create a Mi Account and a Google Account.
• ⚙️ Enable synchronization of Contacts, Photos and Notes.

2. Activate the search functions

• 🌍 Turn on the settings. → Location → Accuracy of location (high level).
• 🔍 Allow Find Device to use geodata: Settings → Confidentiality → Permits → geodata → Find Device.
• 📶 Make sure that mobile internet or Wi-Fi is turned on even in the background.

3. Install additional protections

• 🛡️ Configure Cerberus or Prey Anti Theft (see section above).
• 🔐 Turn on the settings. → Lock screen → Blocking applications for banking services.
• 📋 Backup important data through Settings → Memory and backup → Backup.

4. Write down important data

Take a photo or write it down in a safe place:

• 📟 IMEI (Type *#06# or look at the box).
• 🔢 Serial number (Settings) → The phone. → General information).
• 📋 Number. SIM-Cards (indicated on the card or in a contract with the operator).

Link Mi Account and Google|Insert high-precision positioning|Allow geodata to find Device|Install Cerberus or Prey Anti Theft|Make a backup copy of the data|Write it down. IMEI and serial number-->

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi Redmi search