Losing an expensive gadget is always stressful and panicky, especially when the device stores important personal data, photos and access to banking applications. Owners of smartphones Xiaomi and Redmi often look for a way to find a phone by IMEI on their own via the Internet for free, hoping to quickly return the loss. However, it is important to clarify right away: direct access to the satellite geolocation of a device solely using the 15-digit IMEI code through open websites is not possible for ordinary citizens.
This function is the responsibility of cellular operators and law enforcement agencies, which have access to equipment HSS (Home Subscriber Server) and subscriber registration databases. However, knowing this code is critical to blocking the device, filing a police report, and using alternative search methods that actually work in the ecosystem. In this article, we will analyze all the legal methods of tracking, the nuances of how services work Android. In this article we will analyze all the legal methods of tracking, the nuances of how services work Mi Cloud and the actions that need to be taken in the event of theft.
What is IMEI and why it cannot be used for direct search on maps
The International Mobile Equipment Identifier, or IMEIis a unique serial number, assigned to each cellular-enabled device at the factory. This code consists of 15 digits and serves as your “passport” in global networks. Telecom operators use it to authorize a device on the network, but not to provide geodata to the end user in real time through a browser. Redmi in global networks. Telecom operators use it to authorize a device on the network, but not to provide geodata to the end user in real time through a browser.
There is a common myth that there are secret sites where you can enter a number and see a point on the map. In fact, any resources that offer such a service for free or for money are most often fraudulent. They are designed to phishing, steal your personal data, or infect your device with malware. Technically, location can only be determined from cell towers (triangulation), and access to this data is only available to communication service providers upon official request.
⚠️ Attention: Never enter your IMEI on dubious sites that promise “instant search”. This will not lead to the discovery of the phone, but it may make your code available to attackers who can clone it or use it for warranty fraud schemes.
However, IMEI plays a key role in the procedure for restoring justice. Knowing this number, you can prove ownership of the device, block its operation in the networks of all operators in the country and help the police identify the found device. Without this code, the chances of returning the phone are zero, since a thief can simply change the SIM card, but it is extremely difficult to change the “hard” identifier without resoldering the chips.
If the box from the phone is lost, look at the IMEI in the purchase receipt, warranty card, or in the personal account of the telecom operator to which the number of the SIM card installed in the device was linked.
How to find the IMEI on a Redmi smartphone before it is lost or on a locked screen
Before moving on to the search methods, you need to make sure that you know your identifier. On smartphones Xiaomi and Redmi there are several ways to obtain this information, even if the device is now in your hands and working properly. The fastest method is to use a universal engineering command that works on all versions Android.
Open the “Phone” application (dialer) and enter the sequence of characters *#06#. Immediately after entering the last hash mark, a pop-up window with technical data will automatically appear on the screen. For dual-SIM models, you will see two codes: IMEI 1 for the first slot and IMEI 2 for the second. Write them down or take a screenshot, as this information may be needed at any time.
If the phone is already lost or the screen is broken and does not respond to touches, you can try to find the code in the system settings if you have access to your account Mi Cloud or synchronization was turned on. Also, the code is often duplicated on the back cover of the device (under the logo) or on the SIM card tray, although these stickers wear off over time. The safest way is to store a photo of the box in cloud storage.
☑️ Where to find IMEI on Redmi
Official Xiaomi services for searching for a device via Mi Account
The most effective way to find a lost phone Redmi on your own is to use a proprietary cloud service Mi Cloud. This method does not require knowledge of IMEI for the search process itself, but linking an account is a prerequisite. If your device has been logged in Mi Account and the “Find my device” function has been enabled, you can track its location with high accuracy.
To get started, go to the official portal i.mi.com from any other device (computer, tablet or friend’s phone). You will need to log in using the same username and password as on the lost smartphone. The security system may request login confirmation via SMS or backup email, so make sure you have access to these means of communication.
After successfully logging into the cloud interface, select your device icon from the list. If your phone is turned on, connected to the Internet (via mobile data or Wi-Fi) and has an active GPS module, its current location will be displayed on the map. The accuracy of the determination depends on the quality of the signal and surrounding buildings, but usually the error is no more than 10-20 meters.
| Function | Description of action | Device requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Search (Find Device) | Displaying geoposition on the map | Internet, GPS enabled |
| Sound (Sound) | Siren turned on at max. volume | Can work even in silent mode |
| Lock | Setting a new screen password | Any network state |
| Wipe | Full reset to factory settings | Internet (data will be deleted permanently) |
It is important to understand that if an attacker turns off the phone or removes the SIM card, it will not be possible to track him in real time via Mi Cloud . However, the service will remember the last known location before disconnecting. This point can become a clue for the police during operational search activities.
What to do if the phone is in airplane mode?
If the device is switched to airplane mode, data transmission stops. However, some modern Redmi models require the screen to be unlocked when trying to turn on airplane mode, which can delay an attacker. It is also worth checking your movement history in Google Maps if chronology was turned on.
Interaction with the police and telecom operators via IMEI
When an independent search through cloud services does not produce results, the only legal tracking channel by IMEI remains an appeal to law enforcement agencies. The police have the authority to send official requests to mobile operators to determine the location of the device via communication towers, even if it is offline or with a different SIM card.
To initiate the procedure, you need to write a report of theft or loss at the nearest police station. In your application, be sure to indicate the device model, color, special features and, most importantly, the IMEI code. Without this number, the application may be accepted, but the search process will be significantly delayed, since it will be impossible to identify your device among thousands of others.
After registering the application, the investigator sends a request to telecom operators. If a phone is found on the network (even with someone else's SIM card), the police will receive the coordinates of the tower to which it is connected. Next, an operation is carried out to detain the person who owns the phone and seize the device. Remember that private detectives do not have legal access to operator databases and cannot legally track a phone by IMEI.
⚠️ Attention: The processing time for claims of equipment theft may vary. Check with the investigator for the KUSP (Crime Reporting Book) number so that you can monitor the progress of the audit in the future. Don’t rely only on the police - at the same time, monitor advertisements for sale.
Checking device status and blocking through databases
Knowing IMEI also allows you to check the legal purity of the device and its status in global databases. This is useful if you are buying a used phone or want to make sure that your lost device was not resold legally. There are services that allow you to check whether the device is on the blacklists of stolen phones.
One of the reliable ways is to use a device verification service from Xiaomi or third-party aggregators, such as IMEI.info or Sndeep.info. By entering the 15-digit code, you will receive information about the production date, model and sometimes lock status. If the phone was stolen and reported to the police in another country, it may be blocked internationally.
In some countries, there is a practice of blocking stolen phones at the state level. In Russia, a full-fledged IMEI blocking system for individuals is in the development and testing stage, however, telecom operators can block the device at the owner’s request if there are supporting documents (receipt, box with matching IMEI). To do this, you need to contact the technical support of your operator.
The blocking procedure through the operator requires the provision of proof of purchase. Prepare scanned copies of the receipt, where the serial number or IMEI is visible, and a copy of your passport. After verification, the operator will add the identifier to the stop list, and the phone will no longer register in the networks of this provider, turning into a useless “brick” for calls, although Wi-Fi may continue to work.
Blocking by IMEI through the operator does not delete data from the phone, but makes it impossible to make calls and use the mobile data, which reduces the value of the device for a thief.
Monitoring of message boards and additional security measures
Statistics show that a significant portion of stolen smartphones are quickly put up for sale on popular message boards such as Avito, Yula or in local social networking groups. Regular monitoring of these sites by your model name and characteristics can help you stumble upon your device.
When searching, pay attention to the photographs. Often thieves are too lazy to change the background or remove only the SIM card, but forget about specific scratches, chips or unique cases that were on your Redmi. If you find a suspicious ad, do not under any circumstances try to buy the phone yourself or meet with the seller one-on-one.
Immediately provide the link to the ad and the seller’s details to your investigator. The police can conduct a test purchase or organize a meeting with the participation of operational officers to detain the suspect and seize evidence. Independent actions can be dangerous to your health and can scare off the criminal, who will destroy the evidence.
- 🔍 Set up notifications: Create saved searches on ad sites with the keywords of your model to receive emails about new lots instantly.
- 📸 Analyze the photo: Look for reflections, interior details or unique damage to the case that matches your device.
- 👮 Act through the law: All contacts with a potential seller of stolen property should be conducted only under the control of law enforcement agencies.
As a preventive measure for the future, it is recommended to install anti-theft applications that take a hidden photo when you fail to enter the unlock password. Such functions are available in some launchers and third-party security utilities. A photo of the face of a thief trying to guess the code will be excellent evidence for the police and will help identify the attacker.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to find a switched off phone by IMEI via the Internet?
No, it is impossible to find a switched off phone via the Internet on your own. The IMEI signal is transmitted only when the device is turned on and registered on the network. It can only be tracked through the police, who will ask the operator for the history of recent connections before shutting down.
Are search services by IMEI free?
Official services (Mi Cloud, Google Find My Device) are free, but they use an account, not IMEI, for searching. Sites that offer searches by IMEI for free are most often fake. Police services are also free for citizens of the Russian Federation when filing a crime report.
What should I do if I found my phone through Mi Cloud, but it is moving?
Do not try to catch up with it yourself. Record your driving route, take screenshots of your geolocation in real time, and immediately transmit this data to the police. Independent pursuit can be life-threatening.
Does IMEI change after resetting the settings?
No, IMEI is “hardwired” into the device’s hardware and does not change during a hard reset or flashing. It can only be changed through complex hardware intervention, which is illegal and economically unprofitable for the average thief.
Will the blocking work if the thief inserts another SIM card?
Blocking via Mi Cloud will work when connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or any SIM). Blocking through an operator using IMEI will block the device in the networks of this operator, but the phone can work with SIM cards from other companies if inter-operator blocking is not connected.