Losing or stealing a smartphone is stressful, but Xiaomi device owners have a powerful tool to protect personal data: remote locking through Mi Accounts, which allows not only blocking access to the phone, but also tracking its location, erasing data or even leaving a message for the finder. However, many users have difficulty trying to activate the lock — the system can request additional confirmations, and in some cases the feature is not available at all.
In this article, we will discuss all the ways Xiaomi locks through Mi Account, including the nuances for different models (from Redmi Note 12 to Xiaomi 14 Ultra), explain why sometimes the lock does not work, and give a checklist of actions for maximum data protection.
What is a lock through a Mi Account and how does it work?
The remote lock feature in Xiaomi’s ecosystem is integrated into Mi Cloud, a cloud storage service that syncs data between devices. When you activate the lock via a web interface or mobile app, a command is sent to your phone that:
- 🔒 Locks the device screen with a password (even if it was not previously available)
- 📍 Includes search mode (subject to active Internet)
- 📤 Allows data to be deleted remotely (optional)
- 💬 Displays your message on the lock screen
It is important to understand that to function, the phone must be connected to the Internet (mobile data or Wi-Fi) and linked to the Mi Account. If an attacker immediately disconnects the network or performs a reset, the lock may not work, in such cases only appealing to support Xiaomi with proof of ownership of the device will help.
⚠️ Note: If the phone is enabled with the Settings function → Google → Security → Find a device, lock through Mi Account may conflict with Google services.
Step-by-step: how to block Xiaomi through Mi Account
The locking process takes no more than 5 minutes, but requires preparation.
- 📱 Login and password from Mi Account tied to the phone
- 📧 Access to an email or phone number for two-factor authentication
- 🌐 A stable internet connection on the device from which you are blocking
Follow the algorithm further:
- Go to Mi Cloud at i.mi.com and log in.
- In the menu, select Find Device (Find Device).
- The map will show the location of your Xiaomi (if it is online).
- In the window that opens, select Lock Device.
- Create a temporary password (at least 6 characters) and confirm the action.
- Optionally, add a contact message for the finder (e.g. Return Reward! Call: +7XXXX).
- Confirm the lock via SMS or email (if two-factor authentication is enabled).
Check if the phone is connected to your Mi Account|Make sure that your device is enabled with mobile data or Wi-Fi|Prepare the backup. email/number|Save it. IMEI telephone number (in case of contact with the police)-->
After successful locking, your message and password field will appear on the smartphone screen, and even if the attacker resets the settings, the system will request data from the previously associated Mi Account when it is first activated.
Yes, but I found it myself |Yes, I returned it through the police/service |No, I never lost |I haven't lost it yet, but I'm afraid-->
What to do if the lock through Mi Account does not work
Sometimes users encounter errors when trying to lock the device.
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The device is not displayed in the Mi Cloud | Phone disconnected from the Internet or not linked to your account | Try connecting to another device with the same Mi Account and check the binding in Settings → Mi Account |
| Error "Device not supported" | Outdated firmware or model without support for Mi Cloud | Update the firmware through Settings → About the phone → System update |
| No confirmation code is coming back. | Blocking SMS by the operator or failure of Xiaomi servers | Use a backup email to retrieve the code or try again in 10 minutes |
| After the reset, you do not request a Mi Account. | Mi Account Protection is disabled in settings | Contact Xiaomi with a purchase check and IMEI |
If none of these methods worked, use alternative methods:
- 🔄 Google Find My Device – Works if Google syncs are enabled on your phone.
- 📞 Contacting the operator – the mobile operator can block SIM-card on request.
- 🚔 Report to the police - please provide IMEI phone (you can find it through a box or check).
💡
If you lose things a lot, install the Mi Band app on Xiaomi and tie your smartphone to it, and if you lose it, your phone will vibrate if you move 10+ meters away from it.
How to Unlock Xiaomi After Remote Locking
If you find a phone or have a wrong lock, you can unlock it in two ways:
- Through Mi Cloud: Sign in to i.mi.com. Select a locked device and click Unlock. Enter the temporary password you set when you locked.
Directly on the phone:
- On the lock screen, enter a temporary password.
- If you forgot your password, use the Forgot your password function and confirm the unlock via email/SMS.
If the temporary password is lost and you don't have access to email/SMS, you'll have to reset your settings completely through Recovery Mode, but after the reset, the phone will require you to enter the data from the Mi Account that was tied before the lock, and without that data, unlocking the device is almost impossible, which is one of the measures to protect against theft.
⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi models with MediaTek processor (e.g. Redmi) 10A POCO M4 Pro) after reset may require additional confirmation via Mi Unlock Tool.
Additional security measures for Xiaomi owners
To minimize the risks of losing your phone, set the following settings in advance:
- 🔐 Enable two-factor authentication in Mi Account (Settings) → Mi Account. → Security).
- 📍 Activate Find the device in Settings → Google → Security (Duplicate by Mi Cloud).
- 📎 Tie it up. IMEI to the account via imei.xiaomi.com.
- 🔄 Set up automatic backup in Settings → Mi Account. → Mi Cloud → Backup.
We also recommend installing third-party protection apps, such as Cerberus or Prey Anti Theft, which offer advanced features like stealth from the front camera when you enter a password incorrectly or record sound around the device.
How to find the IMEI of a Xiaomi phone without a device?
Frequent User Mistakes When Blocking Xiaomi
Analysis of Xiaomi support shows that most of the problems can be avoided if you do not make the following mistakes:
- Using a weak password for Mi Account: Attackers can pick up a simple password (e.g., 123456) and unlock the device.
- No backup email/phone, and without them, it will be extremely difficult to restore access to your account.
- Disabling sync with Mi Cloud to save battery life. Without the Internet, locking won't work.
- Ignoring firmware updates: Older versions of MIUI may have vulnerabilities that can bypass the lock.
Another common mistake is to delete your Mi Account from your phone before selling. If the new owner doesn’t reset, you can lock the device remotely, even if you don’t own it. To avoid this, always perform Settings → Additional → Reset before transferring the phone to another person.
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Even if the phone is turned off, locking the Mi Account will work the next time you connect to the Internet, and the main thing is not to delete the device from the list in the Mi Cloud until it returns.