How to turn on and configure “Find a Device” on Xiaomi: Full Instruction

Losing or stealing a smartphone is stressful, but Xiaomi device owners can minimize the risks with the built-in Find Device feature**, which not only allows you to track the location of the gadget on the map, but also lock it remotely, erase data or play back an audio signal. However, many users face problems when trying to activate the service: the feature can be hidden in settings, require additional authorization or not at all on some models.

In this article, we will analyze all the official ways to enable “Find a device” on Xiaomi, Redmi and smartphones. POCO, including nuances for different versions MIUI (You will learn how to check the functionality, what to do if it is not activated, and how to use it in emergency situations. Why it’s important to link your Mi Account before losing your phone and how to avoid being blocked by antivirus software.

What is “Finding a Device” on Xiaomi and How Does It Work?

Find Device is a service from Xiaomi integrated into the ecosystem. MIUI. It works on the basis of geolocation technologies (GPS, Wi-Fi, cell towers and allows:

• 📍 Track the location of the phone in real time on the map (accuracy up to 5-50 meters depending on the conditions).
• 🔊 Play sound at maximum volume, even if the device is silent.
• 🔒 Lock your phone remotely with a new password.
• 🗑️ Delete data from the device (full reset to factory settings).
• 📱 View location history (if the function was activated in advance).

It is important to understand that the service is not an analogue of Google Find Device.** It works independently of Google services and requires a binding to a Mi Account, which means that even if you use a smartphone without Google services (for example, in China), the feature will remain available.

• 📶 Active Internet connection (mobile network or Wi-Fi) on a lost device.
• 🔋 Battery charge of at least 5-10% (at a critically low level, the function may be turned off).
• 🔄 Enabled data synchronization in Mi Account settings.

⚠️ Note: If the device is installed custom Recovery (TWRP) or unofficial firmware, Find Device may not work properly or at all, and alternative solutions such as Cerberus or Prey Anti-Theft are recommended.

Preparation before inclusion of the function

Before activating Find Device, you must follow several mandatory steps, and skipping any of them can cause the function to be unavailable in a critical situation.

Create or log in to a Mi Account|Connect the device to the Internet (Wi-Fi/mobile)|Update MIUI last-minute|Disable energy saving mode for geolocation services|Check the permissions for the application "Security"-->

Let’s look at each item in more detail:

1. Mi Account. Without it, the function will not work. If you don't have an account, register it through Settings. → Mi Account → Create an account. Use a real email and a strong password to help restore access when you lose your phone.
2. Internet connection: This feature requires constant network access, make sure that the device is enabled with Mobile data or Wi-Fi, and that there are no restrictions on background processes (see Settings). → Battery → Energy consumption of applications).

Also make sure that the device has geolocation services enabled. → Confidentiality → Permits → Geodata and activate the switch. Without that, location will be impossible.

MIUI 14|MIUI 13|MIUI 12|Old version (MIUI 11 or lower)|I don't know.-->

Step-by-step: how to turn on “Find a device” on Xiaomi

The activation process of the function may vary slightly depending on the smartphone model and version. MIUI. Below is a universal algorithm that works for most devices (including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13 and others.).

Method 1: Through settings MIUI (basic)

1. Open the settings on your smartphone.
2. Go to Mi Account (or Xiaomi Account in the new versions).
3. Select Find the Device (in some firmware it may be called Device Security or Remote Management).
4. Activate the Find the device switch and confirm the action with a password from Mi Account.
5. Include additional options: 📍 Location determination (for tracking by GPS). 🔒 Locking and resetting (for remote control).

Once activated, the system can request permissions to access geodata and send notifications – provide them.

Method 2: Through the Security App

On some devices (e.g. Redmi 10 or POCO M4) The function is hidden in the standard Security app to find it:

1. Open the Security app (shield icon).
2. Go to the Device or Tools tab.
3. Select Find the device and follow the instructions on the screen.

If the app is missing, you can download it from the Mi App Store (not to be confused with Google Play!).

Method 3: via i.mi.com (remote activation)

If you don’t have access to your phone but it’s connected to the internet, you can try to enable the function remotely:

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in to your Mi Account.
2. Select the lost device in the list (if it is linked to the account).
3. Click Find the device and follow the prompts.

⚠️ Warning: Remote activation only works if the function has been enabled at least once before. If you've never set it up on your phone, this method won't work.

💡

Turn on the function “Find the device” immediately after buying a smartphone – it will take 2 minutes, but save hours of nerves when you lose the gadget.

How to check that the function is working

Activation is only half the battle. To make sure Find Device does work in a critical situation, run a test:

1. Checking through the web interface: Open your browser on a PC or other phone and go to i.mi.com. Sign in to your Mi Account. If the device appears in the list with the current location, the feature is active.

Check through SMS-team:

Send it to the lost phone. SMS textual #MI# (The answer should come with a message with coordinates and a link to the map!

If the device does not appear on the site or does not respond to SMS, check:

• 🔄 Internet connection (try to reboot your phone).
• 📱 Availability of the function in the settings (it may be disabled by the administrator of the device).
• 🔋 Battery level (at 1% the function may not work).

What to do if “Find the device” does not turn on

Sometimes users find that Find Device* is not in the settings or is not activated. Let's look at the most common causes and ways to fix them.

Problem 1: The function is not in the menu

If in Settings → Mi Account does not have a point Find the device, it can mean:

• 📱 The device does not support the function (relevant for very old models, for example, Redmi). 4A or Mi A1).
• 🌍 Regional firmware without Xiaomi services (e.g. global version for Europe).
• 🔧 The function is disabled by the administrator (on corporate devices).

Decision:

1. Update your firmware to the latest version via Settings → About Phone → System Update.
2. Install the Security app from the Mi App Store (if removed).
3. Try changing your region to China (Warning: This could affect other services!).

Problem 2: Password confirmation is required, but it doesn’t pass

If you try to enable the function, the system requests a password from Mi Account, but does not accept it, follow the following steps:

• 🔑 Make sure you enter a password from Mi Account, not from Google or the lock screen.
• 📧 Try resetting your password through account.xiaomi.com.
• 📱 Restart the device and try again.

⚠️ Note: If you have forgotten the Mi Account password and cannot recover it (for example, you cannot access the linked email), contact Xiaomi with proof of purchase.

Problem 3: The function is turned on but not working

If the switch is activated but the device is not displayed on i.mi.com, check:

• 📶 Internet connection: the function requires an active connection. Try switching from Wi-Fi to mobile data or vice versa.
• 📍 Permissions for geolocation: go to Settings → Annexes → Application management → Security → Permits and enable access to geodata.
• 🔋 Energy Conservation: In Settings → Battery → Energy consumption apps add the Security app to the list of exceptions.

How to Use “Find Your Device” in Emergency Situations

If you lose your phone or it's been stolen, you can do it quickly and consistently.

1. Device Lock: Go to i.mi.com and log in. Select the lost device and click Lock. Set a new password (it should be different from the old one!).

Positioning:

Click Find the device, the map will show the last known location, update the data every 5-10 minutes.

Sound reproduction:

If the phone is nearby (for example, crashed in the couch), use the option to play the sound.

Remote data erasure (last resort!):

If your phone has sensitive data (bank applications, photos), use Delete the device.

If the phone is turned off or discharged, Find the Device will not be able to locate it, but once it connects to the internet again, you will receive a notification.

💡

Create a pre-recorded copy of important data (contacts, photos) through Settings → The phone. → Backup. This will help you quickly recover information after resetting.

Alternative ways to track Xiaomi

If the standard Find Device function** does not work or is not available, alternative methods can be used:

1.Google "Find the Device"

If your Xiaomi has Google services installed, you can use their tool:

1. Go to google.com/android/find.
2. Sign in with the same Google account as you do on your phone.
3. Select the device and use the options to Play Sound, Block or Erase Data.

⚠️ Attention: Tracking by IMEI It's not possible to identify a location by yourself using this number -- don't believe the scammers who offer this service!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Now you know how to turn on and configure Find Device** on Xiaomi smartphones, and what to do in emergency situations. Don’t put off setting up until later – take 5 minutes now to protect yourself from data loss and device in the future!