The device search feature on Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro is a useful tool to protect your smartphone from loss or theft. However, in some cases, users are faced with the need to turn it off when selling the phone, transferring it to another person or if the feature interferes with work. It is important to understand that disabling the search for the device requires preliminary preparation, since without the right actions you can lock your smartphone or lose access to your Mi Account.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all official and alternative ways to disable device search, including the nuances of working with Settings → Mi Account, using developer mode and even bypassing locking through Fastboot. Particular attention will be paid to security: improper actions can lead to a complete blocking of IMEI (Unique Device Identifier), which will make the phone unusable for use on mobile networks.
Why you can’t just turn off device search through settings
Many users try to find the “Disable Device Search” option in the standard Redmi Note 9 Pro settings, but face the lack of a direct switch, due to Xiaomi’s security policy, which links the feature to Mi Account and data protection.
- 🔒 Protection against theft: Disabling search without proof of ownership could make it easier for thieves to find a way to do it.
- 📱 Reference to IMEI: The device is associated with a unique identifier that is blocked in suspicious activities.
- 🔄 Cloud Sync: Device location and status data is stored on Xiaomi servers and deletion requires authorization.
If you try to delete your Mi Account through Settings → Accounts → Mi Account → Delete your account, the system will request a password and may issue an error “Can’t delete your account due to active device search function.” This is standard behavior for all Xiaomi models released after 2019, including the Redmi Note 9 Pro.
Method 1: Disconnect via official settings (the most secure)
This method is suitable if you have access to your phone, Mi Account password and internet connection. Follow the instructions carefully to avoid being blocked:
- Open Settings and go to the Mi Account section (usually at the top of the menu).
- Click on your profile, then select Device Management or Find Device (depending on the MIUI version).
- In the list of devices, find your Redmi Note 9 Pro and tap it.
- Select the option to Delete Device or Disable Search (password may be required).
- Confirm the action via SMS or email (if two-factor authentication is enabled).
After these steps, the search function will be deactivated, but the Mi Account will remain linked to the phone. To completely delete it, go to Settings → Accounts → Mi Account → Delete the account and follow the system prompts.
Battery charge over 50% | Wi-Fi or mobile internet connection | Password from Mi Account at hand | Backup of important data
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⚠️ Note: If you are selling a phone, do not delete your Mi Account before transferring the device to a new owner. → Additionally. → Reset settings by pre-disabling device search, allowing the new user to activate the phone without any problems.
Method 2: Using Developer Mode (for power users)
If the standard method did not work (for example, due to a synchronization error), you can try to turn off the search for the device through the developer mode, which requires caution, since incorrect settings can disrupt the system.
First, activate the developer mode:
- Go to Settings. → The phone.
- Find the MIUI version and tap it 7 times in a row until the notification “You’ve become a developer!” appears.
- Go back to the main settings menu and open a new section for developers.
Now, do the following:
- 🔧 Find the debugging option by USB and turn it on.
- 📱 Connect your phone to your PC and confirm your debugging permission.
- 💻 On your computer, open the command line and type: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.finddevice This command removes Find Device app for current user.
Once the phone is restarted, the device search function will be disabled, but there may be problems with MIUI updates. Also note that this method does not remove the binding to the Mi Account - additional actions will be required to completely reset.
What if the ADB does not recognize the device?
Method 3: Bypassing locking via Fastboot (extreme case)
If the phone is locked due to active device search (for example, after resetting settings without turning off the function), it may be necessary to unlock through Fastboot.This method is only suitable for advanced users and requires an unlocked bootloader.
Warning: Mistakes in Fastboot can lead to loss of warranty and “bricking” of the phone (completely inoperable).If you are not sure about your skills, contact the Xiaomi service center.
Instructions for unlocking:
- Turn off your phone and press the Volume Down + Power buttons to log into the Fastboot.
- Connect the device to the PC and check its detection by the command: fastboot devices
- Download the official Mi Flash Unlock tool from Xiaomi’s website and log in to it under your Mi Account.
- Follow the instructions of the program to unlock the bootloader (can take up to 72 hours due to Xiaomi’s check).
- Once unlocked, swipe your phone through the Mi Flash Tool with the clean all option option option.
⚠️ Note: Unlocking the bootloader erases all data on the device, including photos, contacts and apps. Xiaomi may also restrict access to certain features (such as Google Pay) on unlocked devices.
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Before unlocking the bootloader, back up your data through Settings → Additional → Backup. Mi Cloud local storage.
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
When you turn off device search, users often face typical problems, and let's look at the most common ones and how to solve them:
| Mistake. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| "It's impossible to delete the account." | The device search function is active | First, turn off search via Mi Account → Device Management |
| "No device found in Mi Cloud" | There is no internet connection | Connect to Wi-Fi or mobile network, update data in Mi Cloud |
| "Error Code 10008." | Xiaomi servers are overloaded | Try again in 10-15 minutes or change your account region |
| "Approval of the previous owner is required" | The phone is linked to another account | Contact the previous owner to remove the device from their account |
If you have purchased Redmi Note 9 Pro handheld and cannot contact the previous owner, the only legal way to unlock is to contact Xiaomi with documents confirming the purchase (check, purchase agreement). Illegal bypassing methods (for example, through third-party services) can lead to blocking IMEI.
What to do after disabling the device search
After successfully disabling the search function, it is recommended to follow several additional steps to ensure the security and correct operation of the phone:
- 🔄 Settings reset: If you sell or transfer a phone, complete a full reset via Settings → Additionally. → Resetting settings → Erase all data.
- 🔐 Change passwords: If the phone was used to work with banking applications, change passwords after transferring the device.
- 📱 Verification IMEI: Make sure that IMEI not blocked by dialing *#06# and checking the number with the data on the box.
- 🔗 Google Account Unbinding: Delete all Google Accounts in Settings → Accounts. → Google.
If you plan to continue using your phone but want to protect yourself from accidentally turning on your device search, you can install a third-party tracking app (like Google Find My Device) that is not tied to Mi Account and allows you to flexibly manage security features.
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Disabling the device's search does not affect GPS or mobile network performance; it only removes the link to the Mi Account for remote control.