Owners of Redmi and Poco smartphones often face a baffling notification or feature called “Device Search,” a system component that is a critical element of Xiaomi’s security ecosystem, but many users perceive it as spyware or simply don’t know it exists until they lose it.
In fact, it's a Google Find My Device, but it works at a deeper level of integration with a Mi Account, which allows you to remotely track your location, lock it, or erase data in the event of a theft, and every user needs to understand how to protect their personal data from attackers.
In this article, we will discuss how to activate security, what it provides and what to do if the system reports an unfamiliar device in your profile, and we will also address privacy issues and understand common misconceptions about surveillance through this service.
The main purpose of the security service
The main goal of implementing Find Device is to create a strong barrier between your personal data and unauthorized persons, which, unlike simple antiviruses, works at the account level, making it independent of the state of the phone itself.
Even if the attacker tries to reset the settings or pull out SIM-The system periodically sends coordinates to the server, even if the geolocation in the interface is turned off (if there is an Internet connection), which greatly increases the chances of returning.
It also allows remote audio output, which is useful if the phone is lost at home or in the office, and is not just a coordinate tracker, but a full-fledged anti-theft mechanism integrated into the firmware MIUI and HyperOS.
- 📍 Accurate location on the map in real time.
- 🔒 Ability to remotely lock the screen with the output of the message for the finder.
- 🗑️ Completely delete all data (Wipe) to protect confidential information.
⚠️ Note: The function works only with the Internet enabled and an active Mi Account. Without authorization, remote management is impossible.
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The service is not created to spy on the user, but to protect the owner’s property in case of loss or theft of a gadget.
How location tracking works
Technically, the tracking process is built on interaction GPS-When you request a search through a web interface or other device, the Xiaomi server sends a hidden request to your smartphone.
The device determines its coordinates in every way possible, if the GPS is turned off or the signal is weak (for example, indoors), data about nearby Wi-Fi points and towers is used, which allows you to get an approximate location, and then the data is encrypted and transmitted to the server.
It is important to understand that the frequency of updates depends on the activity of the device and the settings of energy saving. In charge saving mode, accuracy may decrease, as the system limits the background processes to extend the battery.
Accuracy of coordinates
The user can see the history of the movements, although it is not always detailed. The geolocation is updated every time they connect to the network, so even a brief appearance of the phone online can give an important clue.
Instructions for switching on and setting up
To activate the protection, you need to follow a few simple steps in the settings menu, make sure you have a stable Internet connection and a registered Mi Account.
Go to Settings, then select Security or Mi Account. Search the Find Device option in the menu and activate the switch. The system may request a re-entering of the password to confirm the actions.
☑️ Checking security settings
Once turned on, it is recommended to do a test. Go to i.mi.com from your computer and try to locate the phone, which will help make sure that everything is working correctly and you know how to act in an emergency.
- 📲 Open your smartphone settings and log into your profile.
- 🔓 Enter the unlock password to confirm the changes.
- 🌐 Check the availability of the feature via a browser on another device.
⚠️ Warning: Do not disable Find Device if the phone was purchased by hand.This may result in the device being blocked by a previous owner.
Management via web interface i.mi.com
The main tool for interacting with the lost gadget is the company's official cloud service, which is available from any device that has a browser, whether it is a computer, tablet or someone else's smartphone.
Once you log in, you'll see a map with a tag on it. If it's online, it'll update the tag. If it's offline, it'll show the last known location and time you log in, and it allows you to build search routes.
The interface offers three main commands: "Sound" (a loud signal even when the sound is turned off), "Block" (locking the screen with a password) and "Erase" (full reset).
| Function | Description of action | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Sound. | Reproduces a loud signal within 1 minute | Internet availability |
| Lockdown | Block the device and display the message on the screen | Active Mi Account |
| Erase | Completely removes all data from memory | Network connection |
| Search | Determine current or last coordinates | GPS or network on |
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If you plan to sell the phone, be sure to exit the Mi Account and untie the device in the web interface, otherwise the new owner will not be able to use it.
What to do if an unfamiliar device is found
Sometimes, gadgets may appear on your account’s device list that you don’t recognize, such as an old tablet you forgot, or a sign that your account has been hacked.
First of all, check the list of authorized devices. Go to the security settings of your Mi Account and look at the list. If you see an unknown model, such as the Redmi Note 8, even though you have a Xiaomi 13, this is cause for alarm.
Change your account password immediately and enable two-factor authentication. Once you change your password, all devices will be logged out, and the attacker will lose access to Device Search, and it is also recommended to check your activity history.
- 🔐 Change your Mi Account password to a unique and complex one.
- 📱 Check the list of trusted devices and remove the extra ones.
- 🛡️ Activate two-factor authentication through SMS application.
⚠️ Warning: If the device lists a phone marked “lost” but you haven’t lost it, it may have been reflashed with your account.
Problems and solutions
Users often experience a situation where the feature stops working or shows incorrect data, which may be due to energy saving settings that aggressively kill background processes.
MIUI firmware requires manual auto-start for Google and Mi Cloud services, and check if geo-location is disabled in global privacy settings, sometimes by reinstalling Google Play Services updates.
If the phone shows offline status but you are sure it is on, check the date and time settings. Incorrect timing can lead to server sync errors and security locks.
In rare cases, the problem lies on the server side of Xiaomi. If the service is not available globally, you have to wait for the recovery of functionality. Local failures usually last from a few minutes to several hours.