Searching for a Lost Xiaomi Redmi: How to Enable and Configure All Tracking Ways

Losing a smartphone is stressful, especially if it stores important data, photos or access to accounts. Xiaomi Redmi owners have several built-in tools to find the device, but many users do not even know they exist before the incident. In this article, we will analyze all the available ways to activate search, from standard MIUI functions to Google services and third-party solutions.

It's important to understand that search performance depends on pre-setting, and if you're reading this article after losing your phone, the odds of success are lowered -- many features require pre-activation, but even then, there are options that we'll cover in the last section.

We analyzed the search work on Redmi Note models 12 Pro+, Redmi 10C, Redmi A2+ and other relevant devices (2022–2026 All steps are checked on the latest versions. MIUI 14/15 Android 12/13/14.

1. Built-in "Find Device" function in MIUI

The most reliable way to track is a branded service from Xiaomi, which works even when the Internet is turned off (via SMS).

1. Open the Settings. → Xiaomi Cloud (Mi Cloud).
2. Sign in to your Mi Account (if not registered, create it now!).
3. Go to the Find the device section.
4. Activate the switch Find this device.
5. Enable the Last Location option and send SMS-team.

After activation, you will be able to:

• 📍 View the current location of the phone on the map (accuracy) ~10–50 meters).
• 🔊 Turn on a loud signal (even if the phone is silent).
• 🔒 Lock the device remotely.
• 📱 Delete all data (last resort for loss).

Log in to the Mi Account|Enable "Find the device"|Activate "Last Location"|Permission. SMS-team|Check access to geodata-->

An important nuance: to function, the phone must be turned on and have access to the Internet (mobile data or Wi-Fi). SIM-map removed, tracking through SMS It will be impossible, but geolocation over Wi-Fi can be saved up to 24 hours (if the Last Location option was enabled).

⚠️ Note: If you are selling or transferring your phone to another person, be sure to turn off Find Device and exit your Mi Account. Otherwise, the new owner will not be able to activate the smartphone after resetting the settings, the system will require you to enter your data!

2 Search through Google (Find My Device)

An alternative is Google’s Find My Device service, which works on all Android smartphones, including Xiaomi Redmi, but requires pre-configuration:

1. Open Settings → Google → Security.
2. Select Find the device.
3. Activate switches: Search for this device (allows location detection), lock and reset (allows remote blocking or erasing data).

Settings → Location

Google Play Services

To find the phone:

1. Go to google.com/android/find from any device.
2. Log in to the same Google account as on your lost phone.
3. The map will show the last known location.

The advantage of Google is that it works even if you haven’t used a Mi Account, but Xiaomi offers more flexible options (such as sending). SMS-team).

Only MIUI Find Device|Google Find My Device and Google Find My Device|Both services|I didn't set up a search.|Another option-->

3. Set up geolocation and search permissions

To make the search function work properly, you need to configure access to the geodata and background activity of the applications.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find Find a device (MIUI) and Google Play Services.
3. For each application: Allow Location (Always Mode) Enable Autostart and Background Activity, Turn off Battery Optimization (Battery section).

Why is this important? Many users complain that device search is not working even though the feature is activated. 90% of the time, the problem is with background activity or geodata access restrictions. For example, if Google Play Services is optimized to save battery, Find My Device may not update location.

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Before you travel to another country, check if roaming is enabled for geodata transmission, without it, mobile Internet search will not work, even if the phone is connected to the network.

We also recommend:

• 🔄 Update regularly MIUI Google Play Services (via Settings) → The phone. → Updating the system).
• 📶 Enable Geodata Transfer in Settings → Additionally. → Confidentiality.
• 🔋 Disable ultra-low power modes (such as Ultra Battery Saver) as they block background processes.

4.Search for a phone turned off: possible options

If the phone is dead or turned off by an attacker, standard search methods stop working, but there are several ways to increase the chances of success:

1. Last known location: In MIUI Cloud, check the Last Location section, where coordinates can be saved before turning off. In Google Maps, open the location history (if it was enabled).
2. In MIUI Find Device, activate the Notify option when you connect to the network – you will receive a letter when the phone appears again on the network.

SIM card and SMS:

• If SIM-Card active, send to the phone number SMS textual #MIUI# — In response, the coordinates will come (works only when turned on) SMS-team).

Real case: Redmi Note 11 Pro user lost his phone in the subway, 3 days later the device turned on (apparently someone tried to sell it), and the owner received a notification about the connection to the network, thanks to rapid response, he was able to track the location and return the gadget.

⚠️ If you suspect a theft, don’t try to return your phone yourself, contact the police with location data. In some countries (for example, in Russia), a self-driving “raid” can be regarded as arbitrariness.

5. Third-party applications for device search

If you don't like the built-in features, you can use third-party services, and we tested some of the popular solutions and selected the most reliable ones:

How to determine:

1. Download the app from Google Play (like Cerberus).
2. Register and set up administrative rights (in the app menu).
3. Activate Hidden Mode and Delete Protection options.
4. Conduct a test location determination.

Warning: Some antiviruses (such as Avast or Kaspersky) may block the functions of third-party trackers, considering them suspicious activity.

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Third-party apps are useful if you want hidden control or advanced features (like camera photos), but they won’t replace built-in MIUI/Google services, as they can be removed by an attacker after a reset.

6. What to do if the search does not work?

If you’re trying to find a phone but services don’t show its location, check out the following:

• 🔌 Phone is off or discharged: Wait until it is connected to charging (may be online in 5-30 minutes). MIUI Cloud.
• 🌐 No Internet access: If your phone is connected to Wi-Fi but not to your mobile network, try tracking it through your home or work network. SMS-team #MIUI# — If the phone is on, it will send coordinates (it works even without the Internet).
• 🔒 Phone reset to factory settings: If attacker performed reset, MIUI Find Device will still work on your next connection to the network (if you haven't logged out of your Mi Account).Google Find My Device after reset doesn't work.
• 📵 SIM-map removed: Tracking through SMS It's not possible, but Wi-Fi geolocation can be saved. SIM, to prevent its use.

Emergency measures:

1. If your phone is stolen, lock it through MIUI Cloud or Google Find My Device.
2. Contact the police with IMEI (you can find it through a box, check or Google account in the Active Devices section).
3. If your phone has cryptocurrency wallets or banking apps, block them immediately.

7.Prevention: How to protect your phone from loss

The best way to avoid problems is to prevent loss. Here are the proven methods:

• 🔐 Set up screen lock: Use Pin code or pattern lock (face/fingerprint is not reliable enough). → Screen locking → Turn on Wipe after 10 wrong attempts (caution: this will remove everything from your phone!).
• 📱 Link trusted devices: Add a backup email and a phone number to restore access to your Mi Account. Set up two-factor authentication (2FA) In Settings → Xiaomi Cloud → Security.
• 📍 Include Location History: In Google Maps, activate Timeline to help track the route before you lose it.
• 🔄 Regularly create backups: C Settings → System and device → Backup: Configure automatic data storage in Mi Cloud or Google Drive.

Hidden MIUI: Some firmware has an Anti-Theft option (Settings → Password & Security → Anti-Theft) that lets you link your phone to your Mi Account at the hardware level — even after a reset, the device will be locked without your data. Activate it if you plan to sell your phone through message boards.

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If you often lose your phone at home, buy a Xiaomi Smart Band or Mi Tag – they will help you find the gadget by Bluetooth signal (works up to 50 meters away).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi Redmi search