Remote locking of the smartphone Xiaomi: 3 working ways and what to do if it does not work

Losing or stealing a smartphone is stressful, but Xiaomi device owners have a powerful protection tool: remote locking, which not only prevents access to personal data, but also increases the chances of getting the gadget back. Unlike a physical reset via Recovery, remote locking works even if the phone is turned off (under certain conditions) and does not require access to the device itself.

In this article, we will analyze all the current ways of blocking, from the official Mi Cloud service to alternative solutions through Google and mobile operators. What to do if the phone is dead, how to bypass the lock attacker (and how to prevent this), and why sometimes services refuse to lock the device, POCO and Black Shark on base MIUI or hyperos.

1. Blocking through Mi Account (official method)

The most reliable and quickest method is to use the built-in Mi Cloud feature, which works on all Xiaomi devices associated with the Mi Account, and allows you not only to lock the phone, but also to track its location, erase data or play back an audio signal.

To block, follow the following steps:

• 🌐 Go to i.mi.com and log in to your Mi Account (the same as your phone).
• 📱 In Devices, select the lost smartphone. If it's not on the list, check if it was linked to your account (see spoiler below).
• 🔒 Click Find the device, then select the option to Lock.
• 📝 Enter a new unlock password (at least 6 characters) and confirm the action.

Once locked, a message will appear on the phone screen with your contact number (if you have specified it) and a suggestion to contact. The attacker will not be able to bypass the lock without entering a password, even if he makes a reset via Recovery - new versions of MIUI and HyperOS have Factory Reset Protection (FRP).

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If you don’t remember the Mi Account password, restore it via the attached email or phone number on account.xiaomi.com. Use a computer or other device – you can’t do that from a lost phone.

2.Blocking through Google Find My Device

If the Mi Account wasn’t tied or you can’t log in, the alternative is Google Find My Device, which works on all Android devices, including Xiaomi, but has limitations:

• ✅ The phone must be connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network).
• ✅ In settings should be activated Find the device (Settings) → Google → Security → Find my device).
• ❌ It does not work if the phone is turned off or discharged.
• ❌ After resetting via Recovery, the lock is removed (unlike Mi Account).

Instructions for locking:

1. Open google.com/android/find and log in to the same Google account as your phone.
2. Select the lost device from the list (if it is not, check the account binding).
3. Click Lock the device and follow the prompts.
4. Please provide a new password and contact number for communication.

Important: If the phone has MIUI 12+ or HyperOS installed, blocking through Google may conflict with the protection of Mi Account, in which case the lock from Xiaomi takes priority.

3. Blocking through a Communications Operator (IMEI)

If the phone is stolen and remote methods fail (e.g., the device is turned off), you can lock it over IMEI via a mobile operator, which will not return the gadget, but will make it useless for the thief - the phone will not be able to connect to the networks of any operator in Russia and most countries.

For IMEI lock-up:

1. Find the phone’s IMEI (if you haven’t saved it before, check the box, check, or photos of the device).
2. Contact the communication salon of your operator (MTS, Beeline, MegaFon, Tele2) with a passport and documents on the phone.
3. Write a blocking application by IMEI. The procedure is free, but takes up to 3 working days.

Limitations of the method:

• 📵 The lock is valid only in the network of your operator (in Russia, operators exchange databases, but abroad it is not guaranteed).
• 🔄 If you find a phone, unlock it. IMEI It can only be done through the same operator.
• ⚠️ Thieves change a lot. IMEI It is not a fake method, so it does not provide 100% protection.

4.What to do if the phone is turned off or discharged

The main problem with remote locking is that it only works when the phone is connected to the Internet. If the device is turned off or discharged, Mi Cloud and Google Find My Device services will not be able to execute the command immediately.

• 🔋 If the phone is discharged but not completely turned off, the lock will work the next time you connect to the charging and network.
• 📴 If the phone is turned off forcibly (for example, by an attacker), the lock is activated when turned on.
• ⏳ On the new versions MIUI/HyperOS The lock command is stored on Xiaomi servers until 30 If the phone connects to the Internet during this time, the lock will apply automatically.

To increase the chances of success:

1. Try calling the phone - sometimes this turns it on for a few seconds, enough to pass the command.
2. Send a SMS with lock text (if you have previously configured this feature in Settings → Memory and Backups → Find the device).
3. Activate Notify when connected to Mi Cloud – you will receive an email when the phone is back online.

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Even if the phone is turned off, locking through Mi Account will work on the first connection to the Internet, the main thing is to have time to send a command before the attacker resets the settings.

5 How to bypass the block and how to avoid it

Attackers know several ways to bypass remote locking, especially on older versions of MIUI.

The most reliable protection is a combination of several methods:

• 🔐 Link your phone to your Mi Account and Google Account.
• 📱 Activate Find the device in both services.
• 🔧 Update regularly MIUI/HyperOS — New versions are closing vulnerabilities.
• 📌 Save it. IMEI Serial phone number in a safe location (e.g. Google Keep).

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Configure in Mi Cloud the option Automatic lock when extracted SIM-It'll lock your phone if the thief takes yours out. SIM-map.

6. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Many users experience problems when trying to remotely lock, and here are the typical errors and their solutions:

⚠️ Note: If you are selling or transferring a phone, be sure to untie it from your Mi Account via Settings → Accounts. → Mi Account → Delete your account, otherwise the new owner will not be able to use the device!

• 🚫 Error: "Device not found" in Mi Cloud Solution: Check if the phone was linked to an account. If not, try Google Find My Device.
• 🚫 Error: "Failure to lock the device." Solution: Make sure your phone is on mobile internet or Wi-Fi. If the phone is off, wait.
• 🚫 Error: Once locked, the phone still works. Solution: Maybe the attacker will have time to reset the settings before the lock is applied. IMEI.

Another common problem is the forgotten password from Mi Account, if you can't log in:

1. Try to restore your password through account.xiaomi.com.
2. If you have a phone number attached, ask for it. SMS-code.
3. In extreme cases, contact Xiaomi with proof of ownership of the device (check, box).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions