Losing a smartphone is stressful, especially if it’s a Xiaomi device with sensitive data, photos or access to payment systems. IMEI (The unique phone ID will help you find the gadget in any state, including the one that's turned off?
In this article, we will discuss the real possibilities of searching for IMEI for switched off Xiaomi phones, including Redmi, POCO We'll explain why standard services like Find My Device or iCloud (for iPhone) are powerless here, and we'll also reveal undocumented ways of interacting with carriers and law enforcement agencies that can improve the chances of a device returning. Without the involvement of the police or special services, it is almost impossible to return a switched-off phone - but there are nuances.
What is it? IMEI Why everyone knows him, but nobody understands how he works
IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity is a 15-digit code that is assigned to each mobile device during the manufacturing phase:
- 🔢 TAC (Type Allocation Code – the first 8 digits identifying the model and manufacturer (e.g. for Xiaomi) 12T It's 8637...).
- 📱 SNR (Serial Number: The following 6 digits, unique serial number of the device.
- 🔄 CD (Check Digit – the last digit to verify the authenticity of the code.
IMEI It's recorded in the modem of the phone and transmitted to the operator's network every time you connect, but here's the main problem: the phone that's turned off doesn't transmit any data. Even if the attacker turns it on later, the operator doesn't have to (and technically can't) track the location of the phone. IMEI without a police request.
It's important: IMEI is not GPS-It's just an ID that helps:
- 🛡️ Block the stolen device in the networks of operators (via the database) CEIR).
- 🔍 Confirm the phone’s identity when contacting the police.
- 📦 Track the history of movements only if the phone was turned on (via operator logs).
⚠️ In Russia since 2021, the system of the MDG (Center for the Development of Advanced Technologies), which theoretically allows you to block phones on the Internet, is operating. IMEI. However, in practice, this only works for devices registered in Russia after 01.01.2021.If your Xiaomi was purchased earlier or brought from abroad, lock through the Internet. IMEI unlikely.
Can I find the Xiaomi switched off? IMEI: fair-spoken
No, you can't.
| Myth | Reality. |
|---|---|
| IMEI work GPS | IMEI — It's just a number. GPS-Tracker is a chip in the phone that shuts down along with the power. |
| Operators are watching everyone. IMEI | Operators store connection logs, but do not track devices in real time without a request from law enforcement. |
| Police will find the phone in 5 minutes | The police can request data from the operator, but only if the phone is on and connected to the network. |
| Services like "Find My Device" are offline | These services require an active Internet connection. = zero-data. |
The only way to track Xiaomi off is if:
- The attacker will turn on the phone and connect to a mobile network or Wi-Fi.
- You have activated Find My Device (Google) or Mi Cloud (Xiaomi) in advance.
- Police are agreeing on a request for the operator to provide a connection history after the phone is turned on.
If the phone is broken or permanently off, IMEI It's useless, but it's still worth saving, to lock the device on the networks and confirm ownership.
Where to find it. IMEI Xiaomi lost: 5 ways (even if the phone is not on hand)
If you haven't recorded. IMEI In advance, there are ways to restore it:
Method 1: View the box from Xiaomi (usually a sticker with a IMEI and SN)
Method 2: Check the check or guarantee card (IMEI it is indicated)
Method 3: Sign in to a Google account → "Devices" → choose Xiaomi
Method 4: Use a backup copy SMS (IMEI It is sent to the user when entering *#06#)
Method 5: Contact the carrier with a passport (if the phone was tied to the number)-->
Method 1: Box or documents
On the original Xiaomi box (especially the Redmi Note models) 10/11/12, POCO X3/X4, Mi 11/12) There's always a sticker with IMEI. The code is also duplicated in:
- 📄 Guarantee coupon.
- 🛒 Check from the store (if you bought it officially).
- 📦 Sticker under the battery (for models with a removable lid, for example, Redmi) 9A).
Method 2. Google account
If your phone is linked to a Google account:
- Go to the Google Devices page.
- Find your Xiaomi on the list.
- IMEI will be listed in the details of the device (sometimes only the latest figures).
Method 3: Backup copy SMS
If you have ever sent a command *#06#, the answer is IMEI It could have been stored in the message history:
- 📱 Other phones where synchronization was performed SMS.
- ☁️ Cloud backups (Google Drive, Mi Cloud).
- 💬 Messengers where you could send a screenshot from IMEI.
⚠️ Note: If the phone was purchased from hand or brought from abroad, IMEI In this case, focus on the code that was displayed when you typed *#06# on the device itself.
What to do after losing Xiaomi: a step-by-step plan
If your phone is lost or stolen, act quickly.
- Block it. SIM-Card: Call the operator (e.g. *111# for MTS, *555# for Beeline) and block the number. SMS (Two-factor authentication, bank notifications).
- Change passwords: Urgently update passwords from: 🔑 Google account (if you have logged in on your phone). 💳 Banking applications and wallets (Sberbank, Tinkoff, Qiwi). 📧 Social media and mail.
- Activate Remote Lock: If Find My Device (Google) or Mi Cloud has been enabled, lock your phone remotely: Go to the following link: android.com/find. Select the device → "Lock. Set a message on the lock screen (e.g., "Return for a reward" +7XXX").
Lock it down. IMEI and call the police.
Save it. IMEI and write a report to the police (online via the MVD website:
- 📱 Model and IMEI phone.
- 📍 Location and time of loss/theft.
- 📸 Photo of the box/check (to confirm the property).
💡
If the phone was connected to Mi Account, try finding it through i.mi.com. Even if the device is turned off, the service can show the last known location (if it was sent to the server before the shutdown).
How the police search for phones IMEI: Real cases and limitations
In theory, the police can help find the phone. IMEI, But in practice, it only works if a few conditions are met:
| Conditions | How it works. | Chances of success |
|---|---|---|
| Phone's on and on. | Police request the operator's current location IMEI | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (high-rise) |
| The phone is off but was turned on earlier. | The operator provides connection history (base stations) | ⭐⭐ (middle-class) |
| The phone is off and not on. | IMEI It is useless, you can only block the network. | ⭐ (low-key) |
| Two-piece device SIM (Dual SIM) | IMEI It is tied to each slot, but only active is tracked. SIM | ⭐⭐ (depends on the operator) |
Real case: In 2023, in Moscow, police returned the Xiaomi 13 Pro to the owner 3 days after the theft. The phone was turned off, but the attacker turned it on for sale. At the request of the police, MegaFon provided data on the last base station to which the phone was connected, as a result, the device was found in a pawnshop.
However, such cases are an exception.
- 🕒 The request to the operator is considered from 3 to 30 days.
- 📡 Accuracy of location – radius of 500-2000 meters (according to the base station).
- 🚫 Operators are not obliged to provide data without a judicial request (according to 152-FZ "On personal data").
⚠️ Note: If the phone was bought from hand or brought from abroad, it is IMEI It may not be registered in Russian bases, in which case even the police will not be able to track it through operators. IMEI MDG.
Alternative Search Methods: What to Do If IMEI doesn't help
If the phone is off and IMEI It is useless, try these methods:
How Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Tracking Works
1. Search through tied devices
If you have:
- 🎧 Xiaomi AirDots or Buds headphones connected to your phone.
- ⌚ Smart watches Mi Band or Xiaomi Watch.
- 🚗 Car with Android Auto or Mi Car.
Try to find your phone through a pair of connected gadgets, for example, the Mi Fit app can display the last location of the watch, and with it the phone.
2. Social engineering
If the phone is stolen, not lost:
- 📢 Place a search ad on Avito, Yula or local forums with a photo phone and IMEI.
- 💰 Offer a reward (but don’t transfer money in advance!).
- 📞 Use the second number to call the lost phone – sometimes thieves answer.
3. Checking online sites
Monitor the sales sites:
- 🛒 Avito, Yula, FB Marketplace – by filter model and IMEI.
- 📦 Groups in Telegram or VKontakte for the sale of used equipment.
- 🔧 Services like Swap.gg or GameSwap (if the phone was a game phone, for example, POCO F4 GT).
Use services like IMEI.info to check if your phone appears in the database of stolen devices.
💡
If the phone was tied to Mi Account, the chances of a return are higher: even when resetting the settings, the device will remain locked without your login / password (Mi Cloud Lock function).
How to block Xiaomi from IMEI It works on its own (and why it doesn’t always work)
Lock-in IMEI It prevents the use of the phone in the networks of operators:
- Communications operator: Contact the communication salon with a passport and IMEI. The operator will add the device to the blacklist CEIR (Central Equipment Identity Register, however, only works if: 📱 The phone was purchased officially in Russia. 📡 IMEI registered.
Police.
When submitting the application, indicate IMEI — Police can initiate a lockdown through the Home Office. This takes 1 to 4 weeks.
International bases
Register. IMEI on sites like:
- IMEI.info (Stolen Devices database)
- FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi search IMEI ❓ Can I find the phone if it's dead? No. = switched-off. IMEI nontransmittable, GPS The only chance is if the phone gets turned on and it connects to the network. ❓ Will the phone help to bypass the lock on IMEI? Partially. On MediaTek processors (like Redmi). 9A or POCO M3) IMEI You can change it through Engineering Mode. on Qualcomm Snapdragon (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T) It is more difficult, but it is possible to QPST or QCN-files, however: 🔧 New IMEI It can be blocked by the operator as a fake. 📱 The phone will remain linked to the Mi Account (if activated). ❓ What if you find a phone and demand a ransom? Don't transfer money! It's a scam. Act like this: Agree to a meeting in a crowded place (for example, a police station). Record the conversation on a recorder (in Russia, it is legal if you are a participant in the conversation), hand the recording and the data of the fraudster to the police. If the phone is really yours, the police will help return it without a ransom. ❓ Can you track a phone if it has two? SIM-Yes, but more difficult. IMEI tied to the device, not to the SIM. However: 📡 The operator will only see the one. SIM, currently active. 🔄 If the attacker uses the second SIM, first-hand. 📍 The location will be determined by the active SIM. ❓ How to check if someone is using my lost Xiaomi: 📊 In Google Activity (myactivity.google.com) see if activity is coming from a lost device. 📈 In Mi Cloud, check for the latest syncs (if the feature was enabled). 🔋 If the phone is connected to charging, a new location may appear in Find My Device.