Xiaomi: How to find a phone by stealing IMEI, Mi Account and other methods

Losing or stealing a smartphone is stressful, especially when it comes to a device with personal data, photos and access to banking applications. Xiaomi offers several built-in tools to find a stolen phone, but their effectiveness depends on the actions of the attacker. If a thief immediately turned off the device or dropped it to factory settings, the chances of remote tracking drop sharply, but even then there are ways to lock the device, save data and increase the likelihood of return.

In this article, we will analyze all the current methods of finding stolen Xiaomi – from the standard features of Find My Device and Mi Cloud to working with the police and mobile operators. IMEI, Serial number and lock nuances through Google Account, you will also learn what to do if the phone is already reset, and SIM-map replaced.

The more you do, the better the chance of getting your device back, the first few hours after the theft are critical.

1.The first steps: what to do immediately after theft

If your Xiaomi is stolen, follow this algorithm in the first 30 to 60 minutes.

• 📱 Try calling, sometimes the thief doesn't have time to turn off the phone, use another device or online services like Call Fire (if the number is still active).
• 🔒 Block it. SIM-card – call the operator (support number is usually listed on the site) and ask to suspend service. SMS (For example, to confirm payments).
• 🌐 Log in to Mi Account from another device and check for the latest activity. If the phone is still online, you can try remotely locking it.
• 📝 Write it down. IMEI And the serial number -- you'll need them to go to the police and the carrier, and you'll need them on the box, in the check, or in Google Account»).

Don’t waste time searching for your phone around your home or among friends – if you’re sure it’s been stolen, act quickly. IMEI-The number can be found even without a box: it is duplicated in the settings of the Google account (Security section» → «Your devices» → Choose a model).

⚠️ Note: If the phone is on USB-If you debug or unlock OEM, an attacker can reset the settings via Fastboot, and then it's almost impossible to track the device.

2. Search through Mi Cloud (Official Xiaomi Service)

Mi Cloud is a cloud service from Xiaomi that allows you to remotely control your device if it's connected to the Internet.

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in with the same account as the stolen phone.
2. In the Find Device (or Find Device) section, select the missing device.
3. If the phone is online, you will see its last location on the map with an accuracy of 50–100 meters.
4. Available action: 🔔 Turn on the sound – the phone will start ringing loud (useful if it is nearby, but you can’t see it). 🔒 Block – set the password on the lock screen (if it was not). 🧹 Erase data – a complete reset to factory settings (use as a last resort!).

Limitations of the method:

• ❌ It does not work if the phone is turned off or dropped.
• ❌ If the thief disabled Mi Cloud in the settings, the device will not show up.
• ❌ The location is updated only when connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network).

Make sure the device is connected to the internet

Check out the time of last activity

Check if the settings are not reset

Save a screenshot with coordinates for police-->

If the phone is displayed in Mi Cloud but its location is not updated, try sending a command to Find the device – sometimes this causes the device to briefly connect to the network.

3 Search through Google Find My Device

Google Find My Device (formerly Android Device Manager) is a universal tool for all Android devices, including Xiaomi, which works even if the Mi Cloud is disabled, but requires:

• 🔹 Log in to Google account on your phone.
• 🔹 Included geolocation services.
• 🔹 Internet connection (at least for a short time).

Instructions:

1. Go to Google Find My Device.
2. Select the stolen Xiaomi from the list of devices.
3. If the phone is online, you will see its location, battery level and model. Wi-Fi/network.
4. Available action: 🔔 Play the sound (5 minutes at full volume). 🔒 Lock the device (set password and message on the screen). 🧹 Erase data (full reset).

An important nuance: if the Smart Lock feature was enabled on the phone, an attacker can bypass the lock screen. → Security → Device management.

4 How to find Xiaomi by IMEI: myths and realities

IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity is a unique 15-digit code for your phone, and many people think it's a way to track your device accurately, but it doesn't work that easily in practice.

What can be done with IMEI:

• 📋 Lock the phone from the operator – if SIM-The card is still in the device, the operator can block it by IMEI. However, this will not prevent the attacker from using another operator.
• 🚔 Provide police with — IMEI It's locked in a database of stolen devices, and if the phone gets repaired or sold, it can be identified.
• 🔍 Check on black markets – some services (e.g. IMEI.info) show the status of the device (stolen/clean).

What NOT to do with the IMEI:

• ❌ Tracking location in real time (it's a myth!).
• ❌ Remotely lock the phone (only through the Mi/Google-account).
• ❌ Find out who is currently using the device.

Where to find it. IMEI, if there is no box:

• 📄 In Google Account: Security → Your devices → Device management.
• 📱 On another Xiaomi phone: type *#06# - will show up IMEI Your main device (if it was linked to your account).
• 💳 In a check or warranty card (if retained).

⚠️ In Russia since 2021, there is a database of stolen IMEI (MTS service, but it only works for devices connected to Russian carriers' networks, and if the phone is taken abroad, it will be impossible to track it.

5. Police work: how to write a statement

Calling the police is a must, even if the chances of getting your phone back are slim.

• 📄 Get a certificate for the insurance company (if the phone was insured).
• 🔒 Block it. IMEI The operator (criminal case number required).
• 🛡️ Claim compensation if the phone is found.

How to make a statement:

1. Indicate the exact circumstances of the theft: date, time, place, signs of the attacker (if you saw).
2. Put it in. IMEI, serial number and photo of box/check.
3. Write phone models (e.g. Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro)+ 5G) and its color.
4. Mention if the phone had banking apps or personal details.

Model wording:

I ask you to open a criminal case for the theft of my Xiaomi 12T smartphone (IMEI: 123456789012345, serial number: ABC12345DEF) that occurred in [the location]. The phone was stolen from my bag in [circumstances]. The device has banking applications (Sberbank, Tinkoff), and personal photos and documents are stored. Please take measures to find the device and lock it by IMEI.

After the application is submitted:

• 📋 Take a notification ticket with a registration number.
• 🔗 Keep track of the case on the MIA website.
• 📞 After 10 days, call the duty station and check if the case is initiated.

💡

If the phone was stolen in a public place (cafe, transport), ask the administration for security camera footage, and even if the thief's face is not visible, recording the time and circumstances will help the investigation.

6. if the phone has already been dropped or turned off

If an attacker manages to reset Xiaomi to factory settings, the chances of remote tracking tend to zero, but there are several ways to minimize the damage:

• 🔐 Blocking through Google: Even after a reset, the phone may require data input from a previous Google account (FRP Lock, that's not gonna let thieves use the device.
• 🛡️ Remote locking of bank cards: contact banks and block phone-bound cards.
• 📱 Secondary market check: monitor Avito, Yulu and local social media groups, sometimes thieves sell phones for a day.

How to get around FRP Lock on Xiaomi (if your phone is yours, but you forgot your account):

1. Turn on your phone and reach the Google account entry screen.


2. Connect to Wi-Fi (required!).




3. Go back and select "Emergency Call".




4. Dial ##4636## → go to Testing → Phone Information.




5. Click on "Battery Settings" and hold the text to open the browser menu.




6. Go to the FRP reset site (e.g. frpbypass.net) and follow the instructions.

⚠️ Warning: If you bought Xiaomi with your hands and it requires an old Google account, this is a sure sign of theft. return the phone to the seller and demand the money back - otherwise you risk being left without a device and without funds (the original owner's account can lock the device at any time).

7. Alternative search methods

If the standard methods didn’t help, try these options:

• 📡 Tracking by MAC-Wi-Fi address: If your phone is connected to your home network, you can try to find it through the router. Go to the router's administrator panel (usually 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1) and check the list of connected devices.
• 🔎 Services like Find My Phone from operators: some mobile operators (like MegaFon, Beeline) offer paid search services over the network.
• 🤝 Social Media and Local Groups: Post with a Photo of Your Phone, IMEI And the circumstances of the theft in groups like "Search for stolen phones [your city]." Sometimes thieves or dealers get in touch.

Ineffective methods (don’t waste time):

• ❌ Apps like Cerberus or Prey – they must be installed before theft.
• ❌ Contact service centers – without a court decision, they have no right to block the phone IMEI.
• ❌ Paid “detective” services – 99% of them are fraudulent.

💡

If the phone was connected to Xiaomi smart devices (such as Mi Band or robot vacuum cleaner), check their apps – sometimes there is a history of connections with geodata.

8 How to protect a new phone from theft

If you can’t get back the stolen Xiaomi, when buying a new device, set up protection in advance:

• 🔐 Turn it on. FRP Lock: Settings → Google → Security → Find the device (should be enabled).
• 📱 Link Mi Account: without it you will not be able to use Mi Cloud and other Xiaomi services.
• 🔑 Set a strong password: at least 8 characters, with numbers and special signs. Turn off Smart Lock if you are not using it.
• 📍 Activate “Find Device” in Google: Settings → Security → Find the device.
• 📎 Take a picture of the box and IMEI — keep your photos in the cloud.

Additional measures:

• 🛡️ Install AppLock on critical applications (banks, instant messengers).
• 🔄 Make backups regularly in Mi Cloud or Google Drive.
• 🚨 Set up notifications about new account connections (in Mi Account and Google).

If you are often in high-risk locations (public transportation, mass events), consider buying an air tag (such as an Apple AirTag or Samsung SmartTag) that can be hidden in a phone case — it won’t save you from theft, but it will help you track your location.