Losing a smartphone is stressful, especially if it holds important data, photos or access to accounts. Fortunately, Xiaomi offers several ways to track the device, from built-in MIUI features to Google services and third-party apps. But to make the search work, you need to set it up in advance, otherwise the chances of returning the phone are dramatically reduced.
In this article, we will discuss all the current methods of activating search on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones (including models from 2023-2026), learn how to enable the feature through MIUI settings, link the device to a Mi Account, and what to do if the phone is turned off or stolen.
Important: If you haven’t set up a phone search yet, do it now – it won’t take more than 3 minutes, but it will save you nerves and money in case of loss.
1. Built-in search function in MIUI: how to enable and use
Xiaomi smartphones based on MIUI 12-14 have their own device search system – Find Device (or Find Device in Russian), which works through the Mi Account account and allows you to:
- 📍 Determine the location of the phone on the map (with an accuracy of 10–50 meters).
- 🔔 Turn on a loud signal, even if the phone is silent.
- 🔒 Lock the device remotely.
- 🧹 Delete all data (if absolutely necessary).
To activate the function:
- Open the Settings. → Mi Account.
- Sign in to your account (unless you have done so before).
- Go to Mi Cloud. → Find the device.
- Activate the switch and confirm permissions (access to geodata, SMS, etc.).
Is Mi Account linked to phone | Mobile Internet enabled or Wi-Fi | Is geodata access allowed for Mi Cloud | Is MIUI updated to the latest version-->
Once activated, you can control your phone via the i.mi.com web version (Find your device section). Please note that Geodata and Mobile Data/Wi-Fi must be enabled to accurately locate your phone.
⚠️ Warning: If an attacker resets the phone to factory settings, the Mi Account binding will remain, but it will be harder to track the device, in which case only locking through i.mi.com will help.
2. Google Find My Device Setup on Xiaomi
An alternative to the built-in feature is Google Find My Device (formerly Android Device Manager), which works on all smartphones with Google Mobile Services (GMS), including Xiaomi.
- 🌍 It works even if Xiaomi’s Find Device is disabled.
- 📱 Supports remote blocking and data erasure.
- 🔄 You can use it on multiple devices under a single Google account.
Instructions for activation:
- Open Settings → Google → Security.
- Select Find My Device (or Find My Device).
- Turn on the switches: "Location Detection" (required!) "Allow remote locking and erasure."
You can control your phone via google.com/android/find or Find My Device on another device, and the service shows the last known location, even if the phone is now off (if geodata was previously enabled).
Built-in Find Device from Xiaomi|Google Find My Device|Both options|I didn't set it up)|Other-->
| Function | Find Device (Xiaomi) | Find My Device (Google) |
|---|---|---|
| Requires an account | Mi Account | |
| It works with the phone off. | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes (last location) |
| Remote lockdown | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. |
| Loud signal | ✅ Yes (even in silent mode) | ✅ Yes. |
| Erasure of data | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. |
3. Search for Xiaomi phone through third-party apps
If standard methods are not suitable (for example, there is no GMS on the phone or Mi Account is not tied), you can use third-party services:
- 📲 AirDroid – allows you to track your device, manage files and even take screenshots remotely.
- 🛡️ Cerberus - advanced anti-thief with the function of hidden shooting through the camera.
- 🔍 Prey Anti Theft is a free service with support for geofences and remote control.
Example of setting up Cerberus:
- Install the app from Google Play.
- Register and confirm your email.
- In the application settings, activate the Device Administrator and Special Options.
- Set up a hidden mode (so that the attacker does not see the application).
Third-party services often offer advanced features, such as:
- Hidden sound recording through a microphone.
- Photographing a thief when entering a password incorrectly.
- Sending. SMS-telephone-control.
⚠️ Note: Some anti-thieves (e.g. Cerberus) require root rights for full functionality. On modern Xiaomi, rooting is difficult - it can violate warranty and security.
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If you lose your phone at home often, turn on the Smart Home feature in MIUI and link the smartphone to the Xiaomi smart speaker, then you can say, "Hey Google, find my phone," and the device will emit a loud signal.
4.What to do if the phone is turned off or discharged
If the phone is turned off, standard search methods (via Mi Account or Google) will only show the last known location, but there are several ways to increase the chances of success:
- Check your geodata history: Open the Chronology on Google Maps, where you can save the route before you turn it off. In Mi Cloud, check the Geodata section (if the feature was enabled).
- Use it. SIM-Card: Call the phone from another number — if the battery is not completely discharged, it can turn on for a few seconds. SMS coordinates of the nearest tower to which the phone was connected.
Activate alerts
- In Find My Device, enable notifications – the service will tell you when the phone will reappear online.
How do you know? IMEI, if the phone is lost?
5. Step-by-step instructions: how to find a Xiaomi phone through a computer
If you have access to a PC or laptop, follow this algorithm:
- Step 1. Open your browser and go to i.mi.com (for Find Device). or google.com/android/find (for Find My Device).
Step 2. Sign in.
Mi Account
Step 3. Select the device
Step 4: Use the available functions
- 📍 Find the location – show a point on the map.
- 🔔 Play the sound – the phone will ring at full volume for 5 minutes.
- 🔒 Lock the device – set a password and show a message on the screen.
- 🧹 Erase data – complete reset (use as a last resort!).
If the phone is not displayed on the map:
- Check if it is on mobile internet or Wi-Fi.
- Update the page in 5-10 minutes – sometimes the data is updated with a delay.
- Try another browser or device (such as a tablet).
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If your phone is connected to Wi-Fi but not to the mobile network, search services can show location with an error of up to 100-200 meters. For accurate determination, turn on GeoData and Mobile Internet on the lost device.
6. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them
Many users have trouble finding a phone, and consider common mistakes and solutions:
| Problem. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The phone is not displayed on the map. | Geodata or the Internet disabled | Check Location and Mobile Data settings on the lost device (if available) |
| No SMS with the team. | SIM card blocked or deleted | Try sending a command via Find My Device or contact the operator |
| The “Reproduce Sound” function does not work. | Phone in "Do Not Disturb" or off | Use alternative methods (call from another number, check chronology in Google Maps) |
| Failure to block the device | No Administrator Rights or Resets Reset | Contact Xiaomi with proof of ownership (check, box) |
Another common mistake is not having a backup, and if your phone is stolen and you decide to delete it remotely, you can't restore photos or contacts, and you can save important information regularly to Mi Cloud or Google Drive!
Users often forget:
- 🔄 Update MIUI — New versions improve the work of Find Device.
- 📱 Linking Mi Account to your phone (without this, the search will not work).
- 🔋 Keep an eye on battery power – a dead phone does not respond to commands.
7. Additional security measures for Xiaomi
To minimize the risk of losing your phone, set up:
- 🔐 Screen lock: Use a password or pattern lock (fingerprint and Face) ID Enable Autolock in 30 seconds in the screen settings.
- 📎 Tie-up SIM-maps: In Settings → SIM-Maps and mobile networks activate the Block SIM-Set up the maps. PUK-Operator code – this will protect the card from use in another phone.
- 🛡️ Two-factor authentication: Enable 2FA for Mi Account and Google (via Google) SMS or-app).
- 📤 Backup: In Settings → The phone. → Backup: Configure automatic data storage in Mi Cloud.
If you are often in crowded places, install the Anti-Theft Alarm app – it works when extracting. SIM-Card or incorrect password entry, sending SMS spare-room.
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Take a picture of the phone’s serial number (on the box or under the battery) and save it to the cloud, which will speed up the process of locking the device through the police or the operator.