How to turn off device search on Xiaomi: the full guide

Xiaomi smartphone owners often face the need to manage security features before selling a gadget or when you have problems with your account.The device search function is a powerful tool for protection, but in some situations it needs to be deactivated. For example, when transferring a phone to another user or when changing the phone SIM-The system can block access by requiring proof of ownership.

Disabling this option is not always an easy process, as it is deeply integrated into the MIUI and HyperOS shells, and is specifically designed to prevent theft and subsequent resale of equipment. Understanding the mechanisms of geolocation and remote control will help avoid locking the device during the activation phase.

In this article, we will discuss all the ways to properly disable tracking services. We will look at standard methods through settings, working with the Mi Cloud service, as well as actions in emergency cases when access to an account is lost.

Why you need to disable the search function

The main reason users want to turn off the device search is because of the sale or gift of a smartphone: If the new owner tries to turn the device on, he will encounter the Activation Lock screen.

Another scenario is a technical malfunction or malfunction of Google and Xiaomi services, where the phone may mistakenly believe itself to be stolen and block functions, in which case the complete deactivation of geo-location and remote management services helps to return the device to normal operation.

There are also situations where users simply don’t trust cloud services and want to limit their location data transmission as much as possible, and while this reduces security, for some, the complete privacy and autonomy of the gadget is a priority.

⚠️ Warning: Disabling the search function makes it impossible to track the phone in the event of its being stolen or lost.You will not be able to remotely lock the device or erase data if it ends up in the wrong hands.

Standard method through smartphone settings

The best and safest way to disable tracking is to use the regular settings menu, which requires an active Internet connection and access to the lock screen, go to Settings, then look for Mi Account or Accounts and Sync.

Inside the account menu, select Find the Device. The system will ask you to confirm the action by entering the password from your Mi Account. This is a mandatory security measure to prevent attackers from turning off protection. Once you enter the password, the feature slider will change position, and the service will be deactivated.

Be sure to check Google’s settings as well.In the Security section –> Devices, search via Google Play can be activated.It is also recommended to disable before selling to avoid account conflicts.

It is important to understand that once this feature is disabled, geolocation sync stops instantly. If you plan to use the phone further, but just want to hide it from a specific person who has access to your account, it is better to change the password than completely turn off the protection.

Management through the Mi Cloud web interface

If you have limited access to the smartphone itself, but you have a computer or other gadget, you can use the web version of the cloud service. Go to the official i.mi.com website and log in under your login. In the interface, select Find the device.

This shows a map and a list of attached gadgets, and if you select the right device, you'll see a control panel, and if you want to completely disable the function, you'll need to go to your device settings on the site or you'll have to run a cleanup command, which will also reset the anchor, but simply removing the device from the trusted list in your account profile will be more effective.

The web interface allows you to see the last known location, which is useful if the phone has been lost recently, but if the goal is to sell the phone, then using the web interface to remove the device from the tether list is a must.

Google Find My Device Services

In addition to the Xiaomi ecosystem, most smartphones have Google’s service activated, which works independently and also requires special attention when preparing the device for resale, and the disconnection occurs through the settings of the Google account on the device itself or through the website android.com/find.

On a smartphone, the path is: Settings -> Google -> Find the device. The switch should be in the off position. If you just log out of your Google account on the device, the feature also stops working, but you better make sure that it's visual.

Sometimes users forget that there may be multiple Google accounts on the phone, check each one under Users and Accounts, and the lock may be hanging on a secondary profile that you've forgotten about.

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Tip: Before selling, do a full Factory Reset only after you make sure both search types (Mi and Google) are disabled, which ensures a clean installation for the new owner.

Problems with activation and bypassing blocking

A situation where the phone requires a password from the previous owner after a reset is called FRP Lock or Activation Lock. This is the normal behavior of Android and MIUI security systems. You can't get around this protection in legal ways without a password - this is protection against theft.

If you bought a phone with your hands and you're faced with a lockdown, the only solution is to contact the seller, they have to remotely untie the device through the Mi Cloud site or provide login data. Trying to "swipe" the phone often doesn't help, since the binding is stored on the server.

In some cases, it helps to enter Wi-Fi data and try to synchronize time, but on modern versions of HyperOS and Android 12-14, these vulnerabilities are closed.

⚠️ Note: Using third-party software for resetting FRP (Factory Reset Protection can cause the motherboard to fail completely or cause viruses to enter the system.

If you have forgotten your own account password, use the recovery procedure at id.mi.com. After changing your password, wait 24 hours before trying to activate your device – this is a standard security measure.

Resetting settings and data cleaning

The final step in preparing the device is reset, but remember, if you haven't turned off the search for the device in advance, the phone will ask for a password after the reset, so the procedure is strictly regulated: first, we turn off services, then we reset.

To perform the reset, go to Settings -> About Phone -> Reset. Select Erase All Data. The process will take a few minutes, after which the phone will reboot to "out of the box" state.

If the phone is not turned on or the menu is not available, you can use Recovery mode. To enter, press the power button and increase the volume. From the menu, select Wipe Data. However, even this method will not remove the activation lock unless the services have been disabled software before.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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The main rule: Never perform a full reset before manually disabling the Find Device feature in your account settings, which will save you a lot of time and nerves when selling.