Losing a smartphone is stressful, especially if it stores personal data, photos or access to banking applications. Xiaomi owners (including Redmi, POCO and Black Shark models) have several ways to remotely lock the device, but not everyone knows how to use them correctly. In this article, we will analyze all working methods, from official Mi Cloud services and Google Find My Device to emergency measures through the operator.
The important thing is to act quickly: the sooner you lock your phone, the lower the risk of data leakage or unauthorized purchases. Not only will we show you step-by-step instructions, but we will also explain which data can be saved even after blocking, and which are lost forever. If you are not sure whether Find My Device was enabled or whether a Mi Account was tied, there is a section in the article with alternative solutions.
Spoiler: If the phone is turned off or discharged, the chances of locking are reduced, but not zero.Read on to learn how to increase the likelihood of success.
1.Blocking through Mi Cloud – the official way for Xiaomi
Mi Cloud is a Xiaomi cloud service that allows you to manage your device remotely, and if you've previously linked your Mi Account to your phone, you're at your best chance of successfully locking it, even if it works. SIM-The card is replaced but requires the lost phone to connect to the internet (via Wi-Fi or mobile data).
If you’ve used Xiaomi services (such as contact sync, themes, or cloud storage), you probably have. If you haven’t, go to the next section about Google Find My Device.
Instructions for locking:
- Go to i.mi.com and log in to your Mi Account.
- In Devices, select the lost phone, and if it's not on the list, it means that the account was not tied.
- Click Find the device, then Lock.
- Set a new password (at least 6 characters) and confirm the action.
Once locked, the phone will be unavailable for use, but the data on it will remain secure until the device is unlocked through your account. If an attacker tries to reset the phone to factory settings, he will need to enter your Mi Account (Mi Account Lock feature).
Check the location of the phone on the map
Delete data from the device (the “Erase Data” option) if you are sure that the phone will not return
Change passwords from important accounts (bank, social networks)
Contact the operator to block SIM-map-->
2.Google Find My Device is a universal method for Android
If you haven't used the Mi Cloud or the phone isn't displayed in the service, try Google Find My Device, which works on all Xiaomi smartphones, as they are Android operating system.
- 📱 Linked to a Google account (usually automatically when you first turn on).
- 📶 Connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile data).
- 🔋 On (if turned off, the lock will work on the next turn on).
Instructions:
- Go to Google Find My Device and log in to your Google account.
- Select the lost device from the list (if it is not, then the account was not tied).
- Click Lock the device and follow the prompts.
Unlike Mi Cloud, you can set a message to a lock screen (like a phone number for communication) and specify an alternate number for a call, which is useful if you hope the searcher is honest.
Mi Cloud
Google Find My Device
Appeal to the communications operator
Another way.-->
⚠️ Note: If the phone has enabled Find the device in Google settings, but the geolocation is disabled, you will not be able to determine the location.
3. Blocking through the operator – if there is no access to accounts
If you didn't tie up your Mi Account or Google, and your phone is stolen, the emergency option is to block IMEI through a carrier, which doesn't lock the phone itself, but makes it useless on mobile networks.
- 📞 Calling or taking calls.
- 📶 Use the mobile Internet.
- 💳 Confirm payments through SMS (If you have not activated Wi-Fi).
How to block IMEI:
- Find your phone’s IMEI (usually on the box, check, or Mi Cloud/Google account if the phone was previously tied) and you can find out the IMEI by dialing *#06# on another phone (if you had access to the device before the loss).
- Contact the communication salon of your operator (MTS, Beeline, MegaFon, Tele2) with a passport and documents on the phone (check, contract).
- Please submit a request for IMEI blocking due to theft/loss.
IMEI lock is only valid in Russia and does not interfere with the use of the phone over Wi-Fi. If the device is re-flashed or used abroad, the restrictions will be removed.
What do you do if you don’t know the IMEI?
4.Remote data erasure – when blocking is not enough
If your phone has critical data (photos, emails, bank access), it may not be enough to lock it down, so it's better to delete all data remotely, which is available in both Mi Cloud and Google Find My Device, but has some nuances:
| Service | How to erase data | Effects of consequences | Recovery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Cloud | In the device menu → Delete data | Complete reset to factory settings, delete all files | Data cannot be restored even after the phone is returned. |
| Google Find My Device | Select the device → Delete the data | Deletes accounts, apps and files, but may not affect SD-map | After the reset, the phone will require you to enter Google/Mi Account data when you first turn on. |
| Communications operator | does not provide such a function | — | — |
Deleting data makes sense if:
- 🔐 The phone had passwords from banking apps or cryptocurrency wallets.
- 📸 Personal photos/videos that cannot be allowed to be accessed.
- 📊 There were working documents or correspondence with confidential information.
⚠️ Note: After erasing the data, it will not be possible to restore it even if the phone returns to you. Make sure you have backups of important files (for example, in Google Photos or Mi Cloud).
💡
Before erasing your data, try to back up your contacts and photos. To do this, select the "Create a Backup" option (if your phone is connected to Wi-Fi) first in Google Find My Device.
5 What to do if the phone is turned off or discharged
If the lost Xiaomi is turned off, locking through Mi Cloud or Google will only work after it is turned on and connected to the Internet.
- Don’t panic: Most thieves turn on the phone for the first day to check its contents.
- Track geolocation: Once the device connects to the network, you will receive a notification of its location (if geolocation is enabled).
- Prepare to lock: Set up options in Mi Cloud or Google Find My Device in advance so that the phone locks immediately when you first connect.
If the phone is dead, the odds of success depend on whether the new owner plugs it in, and statistically, 70 percent of lost phones turn on in the first 48 hours, so don't give up hope.
What can we do right now:
- 🔌 Check if your phone is connected to charging (Mi Cloud displays battery level).
- 📍 Enable geolocation notifications in Google Find My Device (Settings section" →"Notifications").
- 📱 Try calling your phone from another number – sometimes attackers respond to negotiate a ransom".
💡
If the phone is turned off, the lock will still work the next time it turns on, the main thing is that the device is connected to the Internet (even for a few seconds).
6. Additional security measures after losing your phone
Even if you manage to lock your phone, there are still risks associated with data breaches.
- Change passwords from all important services: 🏦 Banking applications and Internet banking. 📧 Mail (Gmail, Yandex, Mail.ru). 🔑 Social media accounts (VK, Telegram, WhatsApp). 🎮 Gaming accounts (if linked to a phone).
- Revoke access to apps that may have been installed on the phone: 🔗 In Google Account, go to Security section → Devices → Manage devices and remove lost phone. 🔗 In the settings VK/Facebook Call off sessions from unknown devices.
- Check activity: 🕵️♂️ In banking applications, see the history of transactions. 🕵️♂️ In Google Account, check the latest actions (Security) → Recent actions).
If the phone was on USB-debugging OEM-Unlocking, an attacker can theoretically bypass the lock via Fastboot, in which case only the lock will help. IMEI operator.
It's worth blocking. SIM-a card to avoid unauthorized calls or SMS-To do this, call the operator or use your personal account on the site.
7 How to increase the chances of getting your phone back
If you are hoping to return the phone, in addition to locking, you can take the following steps:
- 📢 Place a loss announcement on local forums, in groups VK/Facebook In your city, on sites like Avito ("Losts"), specify the model, color, features (such as a case or stickers), but do not report IMEI publicly.
- 🚨 You need to call the police. IMEI, The chances of finding the phone are low, but theft/loss record is useful for insurance (if it was issued).
- 🔍 Use tracking services: Mi Cloud and Google Find My Device show the last known location. IMEI.info can show the country where the phone was last online (if the operator transmits such data).
If the phone is found and is being prepared to be returned, do not hand over the money for a reward in advance, it is better to arrange a meeting in a crowded place (for example, in a police station) and check the device before payment.
⚠️ Warning: Fraudsters often text "our" phone asking for money to be transferred for a refund. Never send money to strangers - require first to show the device (e.g., take a picture of it with a note of your name).