Previous articleLost Xiaomi phone? 7 ways to find it by GPS, IMEI and other data

Losing a smartphone is stressful, especially if it stores important data, such as photos, contacts, access to banking applications or work correspondence. Xiaomi offers several built-in tools for finding a device, but many users do not know how to use them or what alternative methods exist. In this article, we will analyze all the current methods, from the official Find Device service to search through IMEI or a telecom operator.

It's important to understand that search efficiency depends on whether the phone has Internet (mobile data or Wi-Fi), whether the geolocation is activated, and if the battery is not running out, if the device is turned off or in airplane mode, most methods will be useless, but even then there is a chance of returning the gadget, which we will discuss below.

1.Official Find Device service from Xiaomi

The most reliable way to track Xiaomi is to use the branded Find Device service (formerly called Mi Cloud), which works on all the smartphones of the brand associated with the Mi Account.

1. Go to i.mi.com from a computer or other phone.
2. Sign in with the same account that was used on the lost device.
3. In the menu, select Find Device (or Find Device in Russian).
4. The map will show the last known location of the phone (if it is connected to the network).

If the phone is on the network, the service will allow:

• 📍 View the current geoposition with an accuracy of 10–50 meters (depending on the signal) GPS).
• 🔊 Turn on the beep - the phone will start to ring loudly, even if there is a silent mode.
• 🔒 Lock the device with a new password (useful if it was not) PIN-code).
• 🧹 Delete all data remotely (last resort if phone cannot be returned).

⚠️ Note: If the phone is disabled transfer of geodata (Settings) → Confidentiality → Permits → Geodata, the service will show only the last known point before turning off GPS.

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Before locking your phone through Find Device, check if it is connected to your Google account, and sometimes a two-way lock (Mi Account + Google) makes it difficult to restore access after the device is returned.

2. Search through Google "Find the Device"

If you have a Google account on Xiaomi, you can use Find Device, which works similarly to Find Device, but with some features:

• 🔄 Updates location more often (every 5-15 minutes with active Internet).
• 📱 Shows the battery level.
• 🚫 No need to be linked to Mi Account – Google account is enough.

Instructions:

1. Open the service page and log in to your Google account.
2. In the top menu, select the lost device (if several gadgets are tied to the account).
3. A location tag will appear on the map, and if the phone is offline, the last known dot will be indicated.

You can use Google to:

• 🔔 Turn on the beep (rings 5 minutes in a row).
• 🔒 Block the screen with the message output (for example, “Reward for returns»).
• 🗑️ Delete all data (works even if the phone is turned off, but the next time you connect to the network).

⚠️ Note: If Google Geolocation Services are disabled on your phone (Settings) → Security → Device administrators, the service will not be able to determine the location, but the lock and reset data will remain available.

3.IMEI search: When the phone is turned off or stolen

IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity is a unique 15-digit code that is assigned to your phone in the factory, and can be used to find a device even if it is turned off or turned off. SIM-The map has been replaced:

• ✅ Police may request data from telecom operators IMEI (but only if there is a claim of theft).
• ❌ Tracking the phone independently IMEI It is impossible – the databases of operators are closed for public access.
• 📱 IMEI You can find out in advance: dial *#06# on the phone or look at the box / in the settings (About the phone) → General information).

What to do if your phone is stolen:

1. Find the IMEI (if not saved in advance, check check checks, warranty cards, or photos of the box).
2. Please report theft to the police, including the IMEI, the model (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, etc.) and the circumstances of the disappearance.
3. The operator of communications at the request of law enforcement agencies can track the latest activity SIM-cards (unless they have been changed).

Important: since 2021, Russia has a system of MDGs (Center for the registration of purchases of equipment), which records the IMEI If a thief tries to sell or activate your Xiaomi with a new phone SIM-But this doesn't guarantee that the device will be returned by the card, it only makes it harder to use it.

4. Assistance of the operator: MTS, Beeline, MegaFon, Tele2

If the phone is lost, but SIM-The card is still active, and the operator can help track it through cell tower data:

Please note:

• 📡 The operator will only see the approximate location (the area of the city where the phone last caught the network).
• 🔒 Without a police report, the data will not be provided – this is a violation of the privacy law.
• 📵 If SIM-card is fired or phone in the mode of the plane, the operator is helpless.

Make sure that SIM-card not blocked

Preparation of passport data

Find out the IMEI phone

Report to the police (if theft is reported)

Try to call the phone (possibly it will be picked up by a decent person)-->

5. Alternative ways: social networks and smart devices

If the standard methods don’t work, try the non-obvious options:

• 📱 Tied Smart Devices: If you have Mi Band, Xiaomi Smart Home or other gadgets synced to your phone, check out their apps – sometimes they keep connection history.
• 👥 Social media: In VK, Telegram or WhatsApp may be active session from your phone. Try sending a message from another device — if it is read, then the phone is on the network.
• 📧 Email: Check the activity log in Gmail or Mi Mail – there may be IP-last-entry address.

Example of search via Telegram:

1. Open the web version of Telegram.
2. Go to Settings. → Devices.
3. Look at the last time your Xiaomi was online.

If your phone is stolen, you can try social engineering.

• Post in local groups asking for help (specify model, color, cover features).
• Write to Xiaomi Support (mi.com/support) – sometimes they block stolen devices by serial number.

6 If the phone is found: how to recover data

Even if you managed to get Xiaomi back, you may have access issues:

• 🔐 Forgot your password? Use Find Device to reset your lock (if your phone is tied to your Mi Account).
• 📲 Restore your backup from Mi Cloud or Google Drive (if it was created).
• 🛠️ Phone locked after reset? will require login and password from Mi Account that was tied before reset.

Recovery instructions from Mi Cloud:

1. On the phone found, go through the initial setting to the recovery screen.
2. Select Restore from backup.
3. Sign in to Mi Account and select the latest copy.
4. Confirm the recovery – the data (contacts, SMS, photos) will return to the place.

⚠️ Note: If the phone was reset via Recovery Mode and the Mi Account is not tied, the data cannot be recovered – it is irrevocably erased.

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The most reliable way to get your data back after losing your phone is to back up your phone regularly in Mi Cloud or Google Drive, and even if you don't find it, you won't lose important information.

7 How to Protect Xiaomi Phone from Loss in the Future

To minimize the risks, set up Xiaomi in advance:

• 🔒 Activate Find Device: Go to Settings → Mi Account → Find Device and enable the option.
• 📍 Enable geolocation: Settings → Confidentiality → geodata → Accuracy of location (select "High accuracy»).
• 📱 Tie it up. SIM-Map: In Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Settings SIM-Activate the card "Blocking" SIM-map».
• 🔄 Set up automatic backup: Settings → The phone. → Backup and reset.

Additional measures:

• Install the Cerberus app (paid but with advanced search features).
• Put a sticker with IMEI on the phone box so you won’t lose the code.
• Enable Remote Management in Google Play Protection (Settings → Google → Security).

If your phone is stolen and you can’t remotely lock it, you should:

1. Call the operator and block it. SIM-map.
2. Change passwords from banking apps and social networks.
3. Report theft to the police (include IMEI and serial number).

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Take a picture of the serial number (under the slot cover) SIM-You can save the photo to the cloud, which will speed up the process of contacting the police or service center.

FAQ: Frequent questions about finding Xiaomi phone