How to completely disable the search for a device on Xiaomi Redmi: 5 proven ways

The Find Device feature on Xiaomi Redmi smartphones is a useful tool for remotely controlling a device in the event of loss or theft, allowing users to locate a phone, lock it, or even erase data, but in some situations, users want to disable this option — for example, before selling a device, when transferring it to someone for a while, or because of privacy concerns.

In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to deactivate your search for a device on Xiaomi Redmi, including standard settings, working with your Mi Account and post-reset actions to factory settings. We will focus on the nuances for different versions of MIUI (12 to 14) and Redmi models (Note 10/11/12, K50, A-series, etc.). If you are planning to sell a phone or just want to make sure that no one can track it, this guide is for you.

Why it’s important to disable device search before selling

Many users miss this step, believing that it is enough to perform a reset, but the “Find device” function is tied to the Mi Account, and even after a reset, the new owner may face problems:

• 🔒 Block activation – the phone will require you to enter the data of the previous Xiaomi account at the first setting.
• 📍 Location Tracking – The former owner will theoretically be able to see where the device is (unless they untie it from the account).
• ⚠️ Limitations MIUI — Some features (such as unlocking the bootloader) will not be available without disabling the search.

According to statistics from Xiaomi service centers, about 30% of requests for “locked” phones after purchase are due to non-compliance with this procedure, so disabling the search for a device is a mandatory step in preparing a smartphone for transfer to another person.

Method 1: Disconnect via phone settings (MIUI 12–14)

The easiest method is to deactivate the function directly from the smartphone menu, which is suitable if you have access to the phone and remember the password from your Mi Account account.

1. Open the Settings app (cog icon).
2. Go to Mi Account (or Xiaomi Account in new MIUI versions).
3. Select Find Device (Find Device)
4. Move the slider to the off position. or press Disconnect.
5. Confirm the action by entering a password from the Xiaomi account.

After that, the function will be deactivated, but the device will remain associated with the account. To completely disable (for example, before selling), follow the additional step:

⚠️ Note: If you are selling a phone, it is not enough to simply turn off the device search. Be sure to log out of your Mi Account in the settings and reset to factory settings. Otherwise, the new owner will not be able to use certain features (for example, the store theme).

Method 2: Untie the device via the Mi Account website

If your phone is lost, stolen, or you've already passed it on to another person but you forgot to turn off your search, you can do it remotely through Xiaomi's official website, and this method works even without access to the device itself.

1. Go to account.xiaomi.com and log in.
2. In the Devices section, find your Redmi in the list.
3. Press three points (⋮) Next to the device and select Remove Device).
4. Confirm the action by entering a password.

And then the connection between the account and the phone will be severed, and notice that if the device is stolen, you better lock it through the same partition first, and then delete it, and this will prevent the attackers from accessing your data.

Method 3: Disabling Search After Resetting Settings

Situation: You have done a factory reset (Settings → About Phone → Settings Reset), but when you first set up, the new owner sees a Mi Account request. This means that Find Device** was not disabled in advance.

Option A: Entering data from a previous account

If you haven’t handed over your phone, log in to your Xiaomi account when you first turn on, then:

1. Open Settings → Mi Account → Find the device and turn off the function.
2. Sign out of your account in the same section.
3. Do the reset again.

Option B: Remove the link via the site (if the phone has already been transferred)

If the new owner already owns the device, ask them:

1. Connect to Wi-Fi or mobile network.
2. At the stage of the account request, click Forgot the password? and follow the instructions to remove the binding (confirmation will be required via SMS or email of the previous owner).

💡

If you sell Xiaomi Redmi via bulletin boards (Avito, Yula), take a screenshot of the Mi Account section → Find a device with the feature disabled. This will confirm to the buyer that the phone is not tied to your account.

Method 4: Using Developer Mode (for Power Users)

This method is suitable if the standard methods do not work (for example, due to a failure in MIUI), it requires activation of the developer mode and work with ADB.

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
3. Connect your phone to your PC, install ADB drivers, and execute the command: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.finddevice
4. Reset the device.

This method removes the device’s search module completely, but can cause some Xiaomi services (such as cloud backup) to work in an unstable way.

⚠️ Note: Removing system applications through ADB may disrupt MIUI, Especially on closed-loader Redmi models (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro)+). Before executing the command, create a backup copy of the data.

Method 5: Appealing for Xiaomi

If none of the methods worked (for example, due to account blocking or technical failure), you can contact official support.

1. Prepare proof of ownership of the device: a check, an IMEI box, or a photo of a phone with a serial number.
2. Write to the support chat on the website mi.com/support or call the hotline (for Russia: 8 800 700 01 26).
3. Describe the problem: Specify the model (Redmi Note 11, Redmi K50, etc.), the MIUI version, and the steps you have already tried to follow.

The timeframe for processing the request is 1 to 5 business days, and in most cases, support helps remove the device’s link to the account, but may require additional data (such as a passport scan).

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Official Xiaomi support is the last chance if the standalone methods don’t work, and the main thing is to confirm that you are the rightful owner of the device.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When you turn off your device search, users often make critical errors that then lead to your phone being locked, and here are the most common ones:

• 🚫 Reset without leaving your account – if you do not log out of your Mi Account before resetting, the phone will require data input when activated.
• 🔄 Use of informal firmware - on custom ROM (For example, LineageOS) the “Find device” function may not work properly.
• 📵 Internet shutdown before deleting – if the phone is not connected to the network, the team to unplug through the site will not reach.
• 🔑 Forgotten password from Mi Account - without it, you can't turn off device search.

To avoid problems, follow a simple algorithm:

1. Turn off Find the device in the settings.
2. Delete all synchronized data (contacts, notes, photos).
3. Get out of the Mi Account.
4. Perform a reset to factory settings.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions