How to completely remove device search on Xiaomi: disable, reset and hidden settings

Xiaomi’s Find Device feature is a useful tool for tracking a lost smartphone, but it sometimes becomes a cause for irritation, such as when the phone constantly sends location notifications, drains the battery or prevents the sale of a gadget. In this article, we will discuss all the ways to completely disable the search for a device, from standard settings to hidden commands through ADB and even hardware reset.

It’s important to understand that simply turning off the settings menu doesn’t always work. MIUI can automatically turn the feature back on after an update or reboot. We’ve tested the methods on Redmi Note 11, Poco X4 Pro, Xiaomi 13, and others with MIUI 12-14 firmware. If you plan to sell the phone or transfer it to another person, delete the Mi Account binding necessarily, otherwise the new owner will not be able to use the device.

Why Xiaomi Device Search Doesn't Turn Off Through Settings

Many users are faced with a situation when, after disabling Find Device in the menu, the function is activated again. MIUI:

• 🔄 Automatic synchronization with Xiaomi servers – the system can turn the function back on when connecting to the Internet.
• 🔒 Mi Account Linking – As long as the account is active, some security features remain enabled.
• 📱 Manufacturer restrictions on some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T) Device search cannot be turned off without resetting.

Another reason is that you don't completely delete your data when you reset, and if you just ran Wipe Data through Recovery, but you didn't delete Mi Account through Fastboot, it may still be active, and this is especially true for FRP (Factory Reset Protection)-enabled devices.

Method 1: Standard shutdown via MIUI settings

The easiest method is to use the built-in options, which is suitable if you are not planning to sell the phone and want to temporarily deactivate the feature.

1. Open Settings → Google → Security → Find the device and turn off the slider.
2. Return to the main settings menu and go to Settings → Memory → Find Device (or Additional → Device Search depending on the version of MIUI).
3. Turn off the option and confirm the action with a password from the Mi Account.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware (MIUI 13 Global and later) after the shutdown, a notification may appear: "The function will be activated again in 24 hours for your safety." To avoid this, immediately after the shutdown:

• 📴 Turn off mobile data and Wi-Fi for 5-10 minutes.
• 🔄 Restart the device in Safe Mode (press the power button) → "Restarting in Safe Mode").
• 🔧 Check if the function has returned.

Turn off mobile internet|Delete your Google account (if you don’t need to)|Make a backup copy of the data|Battery charge > 50%-->

Method 2: Delete your Mi Account (completely disabling)

If you want to permanently remove your device search, you have to delete the attached Mi Account, which is the only way to guarantee that you will deactivate the feature, but it has consequences:

• 🚫 You will lose access to cloud backups, themes and syncs.
• 🔓 After deleting the account, the phone will be unlocked for the new owner (important when selling).
• ⚠️ On some models (Poco) F3, Redmi K40) After deleting the account, a blocking may work FRP.

Instructions for removal:

1. Go to Settings → Accounts → Mi Account.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner → Delete your account.
3. Confirm the action with a password and code from SMS.
4. After removal, reset to factory settings (Settings → About Phone → Reset settings).

⚠️ Note: If you delete your account on a device with MIUI China ROM, You may need to be linked to a new account within 72 hours or your phone will be locked.

Method 3: Disconnect via ADB (for advanced users)

If standard methods don't work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which is suitable for devices with unlocked bootloader or root rights, the advantage of which is that the shutdown occurs at the system level, without resetting data.

Procedure:

1. Enable Developer Mode (click 7 times on the MIUI version in Settings → About Phone).
2. Activate Debugging by USB in Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and execute commands: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.finddevice pm disable-user --user 0 com.xiaomi.findevice

Once you have completed the commands, restart the device. The search function will be disabled, but the MIUI update may bring it back. To avoid this, add com.miui.finddevice to the list of blocked packets through ADB:

adb shell cmd package block com.miui.finddevice

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If the ADB search still works after the commands, check for updates for the com.miui.finddevice package in Settings → Applications → Application Management → Three points → Show system. Force it to stop and clear the cache.

Method 4: Fastboot Reset (to delete Mi Account without password)

If you forget your Mi Account password or your phone is locked, you can use hardware reset via Fastboot.This method deletes all data, including your account binding, but requires an unlocked bootloader.

Tools required:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB and Fastboot.
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original, stable connection).
• 📄 Fastboot firmware ROM For your model (download from the official website of Xiaomi).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to log into the Fastboot.
2. Connect the device to the PC and check the connection with the command: fastboot devices
3. Complete reset (delete Mi Account and all data): fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase frp fastboot reboot

⚠️ Note: On some models (Xiaomi) 11T, Redmi Note 10 Pro) may need to be re-activated via Mi Account after a Fastboot reset. If the phone asks for an old account, use password recovery.

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Fastboot reset is the only way to delete Mi Account without knowing the password, but it only works on unlocked devices.

Method 5: Physically shutting down the module (extreme case)

If software methods don't work (e.g., on devices with corrupted firmware), you can physically disable the search module, a radical way that only works for power users or service centers.

What needs to be done:

1. Disassemble the phone (Redmi and Poco usually require a mediator and a T3 screwdriver).
2. Find the Wi-Fi/Bluetooth module (usually marked as WCN3990 or BCM4356) on the motherboard.
3. Slash or cut the track leading to the antenna. GPS (On some boards, it is marked as GPS_LNA).

⚠️ Effects of consequences:

• 📡 Stop working. GPS, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
• 🔋 Battery consumption may increase due to system errors.
• 🛠️ The guarantee will be cancelled.

This method is used in extreme cases, for example, if the phone is stolen and locked through Find Device, and other methods of unlocking do not work.

Table: Comparison of methods to disable search of Xiaomi device

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When you turn off your device search, you often have typical problems, and here are the most common ones and solutions:

• 🔄 "The function is turned on itself after restarting" → Use it. ADB to block the packet (Method 3) or delete the Mi Account (Method 2).
• 🔒 "Not deleted account - writes 'network error'" → Check your internet connection (mobile data is better) or change region in your account settings.
• 📱 "After reset, asks for an old Mi Account" → Run a reset via Fastboot with the fastboot erase frp command (Method 4).
• ⚠️ "The phone is blocked after deleting the account" → On devices with China ROM Link a new account within 72 hours.

Another common mistake is using informal firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), which may not work with Find Device, or even work at all. If you have custom firmware installed and want to return the original MIUI, use the Xiaomi Flash Tool with the official Fastboot ROM.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions