How to completely disable Find Device on Xiaomi: 5 proven ways

Find Device (or Find Device) on Xiaomi smartphones has become an integral part of the MIUI ecosystem, providing protection against theft and the ability to remotely control the gadget. However, there are situations when this option needs to be deactivated: before selling the phone, when transferring to another user or if the service has started to malfunction. Unlike similar services on iPhone or Samsung, disabling Find Device on Xiaomi has its own nuances – especially if the device is tied to a Mi Account with two-factor authentication.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to deactivate the function, including official methods through MIUI settings, workarounds for locked devices, as well as solutions to common errors such as “Failed Find Device” or “SMS Confirmation Required.” Special attention will be paid to security issues: what will happen to data after a service is turned off, and how to avoid locking the device when resold. Instructions are relevant for MIUI 12-14 (including global and Chinese versions of firmware) and models from Redmi Note 10 to Xiaomi 14 Ultra.

1.Official method: disable Find Device via MIUI settings

The easiest and most recommended method is to deactivate the function directly from the smartphone menu, which is suitable if you have access to the device, it is not blocked, and you remember the data from your Mi Account. Importantly, after disabling Find Device, some functions like Remote Lock or Clearup will become unavailable.

To disable the service:

• 📱 Open the Settings app (cog icon).
• 🔒 Go to Mi Account (or Xiaomi account in global firmware).
• 🌐 Select Find Device (can be called Find Device or Mi Cloud). → Find the device).
• 🔄 Press the switch to deactivate the function.The system can request confirmation via a password or fingerprint.

If after these actions there is an error Not able to disable, check:

• 📶 Internet connection stability (service requires network connection).
• 🔄 Updates MIUI: in older versions of the firmware (below) MIUI 12.5) bugs may occur.
• 🔐 Correctness of entering the password from Mi Account (take into account the register and keyboard layout).

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If after disabling Find Device you plan to sell the phone, be sure to perform a factory reset in the Settings menu → The phone. → Resetting. It will delete all data and account binding.

2. Disconnect via the web version of Mi Cloud: if the phone is not available

Situations where a smartphone is lost, locked, or physically damaged require an alternative approach. Fortunately, Xiaomi allows you to control the Find Device function via the Mi Cloud web interface, which is useful if you want to remotely disable the protection before transferring the device to a new owner or if the phone is located in another city.

Instructions:

1. Open your browser on a PC or other device and go to i.mi.com.
2. Sign in under the same Mi Account that is tied to the target smartphone.
3. In the main menu, select the Find Device tab (or Find the Device).
4. In the list of attached gadgets, find the right one and click on it.
5. In the window that opens, click on Disable Find Device (or Delete Device).
6. Confirm the action through SMS-account code.

⚠️ Warning: After you disconnect from the Mi Cloud, the device is automatically removed from the tethered list, but this does not mean a factory reset. If you sell the phone, additionally reset directly on it (if you have access).

3.Reset via Mi Unlock Tool: if Find Device has blocked the phone

One of the most difficult scenarios is when Find Device is activated and the phone is locked (for example, after resetting the settings without detachment from the account). In such cases, the message This device is locked. Sign in with a Mi Account may appear on the screen.

• 🔧 The method works only for devices with an unlocked bootloader (bootloader).
• ⏳ The process can take up to 720 hours (30 days) of waiting to unlock.
• 📱 Not suitable for phones with damaged screens or broken buttons.

Step-by-step:

1. Download the Mi Unlock Tool from the official website en.miui.com/unlock.
2. Install ADB and Fastboot drivers for your Xiaomi model.
3. Put the phone in Fastboot mode: turn it off, then press the Power button + Volume down.
4. Connect the device to your PC and start the Mi Unlock Tool.
5. Sign in with the same Mi Account as you do on your phone.
6. Follow the instructions of the program to unlock the bootloader.
7. Once unlocked, reset via Fastboot with the command: fastboot erase userdata

⚠️ Warning: Unlocking the bootloader resets all data on the device, including photos and apps. If the phone had important files, try extracting them through the device first ADB pull (if debugging was enabled).

4. Disabling Find Device without password: workaround methods

If you forget your Mi Account data or buy an active-tied phone, official ways to disable Find Device are no longer available, leaving behind semi-legal methods that require caution:

The most reliable of these methods is to contact the Xiaomi service center with documents confirming the purchase, but in practice, many users resort to firmware through EDL, despite the risks.

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows and Qualcomm drivers.
• 📂 Firmware for your model (only download from trusted sources like Xiaomi Firmware Updater).
• 🔧 Mi Flash Tool or QFil.

Important: Firmware via EDL deletes all data without recovery, and can also lead to IMEI blocking if executed incorrectly.

5. Frequent errors and their solutions

When you turn off Find Device, users face typical problems that are often solved by simple actions.

Error: "Failure to disable Find Device. Try again later"

Causes and solutions:

• 🌍 Mi Cloud server problems: Check the status of Xiaomi services at status.mi.com. If servers are not available, wait a few hours.
• 🔄 An outdated version MIUI: Update the firmware through Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 📵 No Internet: Connect to Wi-Fi or mobile network.

Error: "SMS confirmation is required, but code does not arrive"

Algorithm of action:

1. Check if your operator is blocking SMS (especially for virtual SIM cards).
2. Try to request the code by calling the Xiaomi hotline (for Russia: +7 495 644-05-35).
3. Make sure that the phone number associated with the Mi Account is the same as the current one. SIM-card.

Error: "Device locked due to Find Device after reset"

If you reset your settings without disabling Find Device, a request to log in to Mi Account will appear on the screen.

• 🔑 Enter the data from the account that was linked to the phone.
• 📧 If your account is not yours, contact the previous owner to debunk the account.
• 🛠️ Use the methods in Section 4 (with the risk of loss of warranty).

6 Security: What happens after Find Device is disabled

Many users are afraid to deactivate Find Device for fear of losing control of the device, and we will see which features will become unavailable and which will remain:

Shut down:

• 📍 Location tracking through Mi Cloud.
• 🔒 Remote phone lock.
• 🗑️ Remote erasure of data.
• 🔔 Alerts about low battery charge.

Remains available:

• ☁️ Synchronize contacts and notes with Mi Cloud.
• 📱 Backup to the cloud.
• 🎵 Synchronization of multimedia (if included separately).

⚠️ Warning: If you disable Find Device before selling, be sure to exit Mi Account in settings and reset to factory settings. Otherwise, the new owner may face account lock and your personal data (photos, messages) will remain on the device.

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Disabling Find Device does not affect other Xiaomi services (such as Mi Home or Mi Fit), but it does not allow you to remotely control your phone in the event of a theft.

7. Find Device Alternatives: Which Services to Use Instead

If you’ve decided to drop Find Device but want to keep your phone trackable, consider alternative services, most of which offer similar features but with different protection mechanisms:

To switch to an alternative service:

1. Install the selected application from Google Play.
2. Register and connect your account.
3. Configure administrator rights for the application in Settings → Security → Device administrators.
4. Turn off Find Device in Mi Cloud as described in the first section.

💡 Tip: Before installing third-party anti-theft services, check their reputation on forums like 4PDA. Some applications may collect excess data or contain vulnerabilities.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions