How to remove the activation lock Xiaomi: the complete guide

The situation when, after resetting or buying a used Xiaomi smartphone, a device requires you to enter a password from a previous account, is familiar to many.The activation lock screen, also known as FRP (Factory Reset Protection), becomes an insurmountable barrier for the new owner.The MIUI security system blocks access to the interface, requiring authorization of an account that you may not have access to.

Owners often fall into the trap of believing that a simple reset via Recovery will completely clean the phone. However, if Find Device is active, the phone is tightly tied to the company's servers. In this article, we will examine legal lockdowns, the technical details of the security protocol, and methods that will help bring the gadget back to life without losing functionality.

What worked on Android 10 may not be useful on Android 13 or HyperOS. Below are the current solutions that require careful attention and understanding of risks.

Reasons for the activation request

Activation blocking is not a bug, but a feature that Google and manufacturers have implemented to protect against theft. When you enter your Mi Account for the first time, a unique device identifier (IMEI) is assigned to your server account. Even a full reset via Recovery Mode does not remove this anchorage.

The most common problem is three: first, when you buy a device from hand, when the seller forgot to untie the gadget from your account; second, if you forgot the password from your account after a long break; and third, when you try to flash it without first detaching.

• 🔒 Data protection: prevents unauthorized access to personal information stored in the cloud or on the device.
• 📱 Makes the stolen phone useless to anyone except the original owner.
• ☁️ Synchronization: ensure that device settings and data are tied to a specific user identity.

It is important to distinguish between screen locks (PIN-The first is stored locally in the system files, the second cannot be avoided by a simple reset, since the verification goes through the server. FRP Lock is a level of protection that ignores the state of internal memory.

Legal method: Restoring access through the server

The most reliable and safe method is to restore access through official channels. If your device is yours but you don't remember the data, don't look for "crackers." You should use the account recovery procedure. Go to the official id.mi.com website and select "Forgot your password?"

You'll need access to the phone number or email address that was linked to your account. The system will send a confirmation code. After a successful password change, you'll have to wait 15 minutes to 24 hours for the servers to update status. Then connect the phone to Wi-Fi and enter the new data.

⚠️ Warning: After changing your password on the site, do not immediately try to enter it into your phone. Give the system time to sync databases, otherwise an authorization error may occur.

If the phone number is lost, you will need a support request with a purchase check or a box from the device, which is the only way to prove ownership if standard recovery methods do not work. IMEI The code on the box must match the locked device.

Method of disabling through settings (if available)

If the phone is turning on and you can get into the menu, but you are afraid of locking after reset, you need to properly prepare the device. Just logging out is not enough - you need to turn off search services. Go to Settings → Mi Account.

At the bottom of the screen, find the "Get Out" button, the system will warn you that the data will be deleted, after you enter the password, the account will unplug, but for full guarantee, you also need to go to the "Security" application → "Find the device" and turn off the switchboard.

Don't forget to delete your Google account, too. Go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google. Select the address you want and click Delete your account. If you don't, the phone will require you to enter your Google email password after reset, which is a separate layer of GMS protection.

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Before selling your phone, take a screenshot of the empty list of accounts in the settings to prove to the buyer that the device is clean.

Bypassing blocking via ADB and Fastboot

For advanced users, there is a method of unlocking through debugging USB. This method works if the phone previously allowed the connection of the computer with this RSA-You're going to need a PC, a cable, a platform. ADB Drivers.

Connect your phone to your computer. Open the command line in the ADB folder. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices. If the device is displayed, you can try to delete the account configuration files, but on newer versions of MIUI, access to system files is often closed without root permissions.

adb shell pm clear com.miui.cloudservice


adb shell pm clear com.google.android.gsf.login

These commands clean up data from cloud and Google services, which in some cases (on old firmware) allowed the activation screen to slip. On modern HyperOS, this method is often ineffective without an unlocked bootloader. Unlock Bootloader through the official Mi Unlock website requires a wait of 168 hours (7 days).

⚠️ Attention: Use ADB commands without understanding their purpose can cause software failure or "bricking" of the device.

Problems with buying used devices

Buying a phone out of hand always puts you at risk of a locked device. Unscrupulous sellers can drop the phone but not untie it from your account, hoping the customer will figure it out. If the seller claims that he "just forgot his password," ask him to enter the details in front of you.

If the seller is unavailable and the phone is recently purchased, it is almost impossible to legally remove someone else's account without the owner's data, as the goods have a hidden defect (impossibility to use).

• 🛑 The risk of locking: the owner can lock the phone remotely at any time.
• 📉 Prices fall: these devices are on the 50-70% cheaper.
• 🔧 Repair complexity: service centers will refuse to service the device without proof of purchase.

There are paid server unlock services, but they require a check to buy and IMEI. Beware of scammers who ask for an advance payment for an "instant unlock" on IMEI without documents. 99% of the time it's a scam.

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The only guaranteed way to remove someone else’s account is to have a check about the purchase and contact an authorized Xiaomi service center.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)