Authorized Xiaomi Account: Full Guide 2026

You just bought a new Xiaomi smartphone, a Mi Band smartwatch or a Mi Router router, but when you first turn on the device requires you to “authorize your account”? Or maybe you’ve encountered a message This device is locked by Mi Account after resetting? In both cases, we are talking about an authorized Xiaomi account – a key element of the brand ecosystem, without which many functions simply do not work.

In this article, we will discuss what an authorized account is, how it differs from a regular Mi Account, why it is required even on used devices, and how to properly tie it to a gadget to avoid blocking. And also, we will talk about the hidden opportunities that open after authorization, and we will give a checklist for safe operation with an account, If you plan to sell or buy used Xiaomi equipment, this material will help to avoid typical errors.

What is an authorized Xiaomi account and why you need it?

An authorized Xiaomi account (or device-associated Mi Account) is a verified account that is associated with a specific gadget of the brand. Unlike the regular Mi Account you create on account.xiaomi.com, an authorized account:

• 🔒 Blocks the device when resetting settings (protection against theft).
• 📱 Unlocks additional features (like Find Device or Note Synchronization).
• 🔄 Save settings when flashing or updating the software.
• 🛡️ Confirms the originality of the device in service centers.

Without authorization, you will not be able to:

• 📲 Use Mi Cloud for backup.
• 🔍 Find your lost smartphone through Find Device.
• 🔄 Update firmware over the air (OTA).
• 🛠️ Unlock the loader for custom firmware.

This is not just a login and password, but it checks that the account belongs to a real user (via email or phone) and the device is not blacklisted (for example, as stolen), which is why it is so important to make sure that the previous owner untie his account when buying used Xiaomi equipment.

Differences between an authorized account and a regular Mi Account

Many people confuse an authorized account with a regular Mi Account, but there are critical differences between them: A regular account is simply your profile in the Xiaomi ecosystem that gives you access to a Mi Store store, a forum or a cloud storage, and an authorized account is an association of this profile to a particular device with proof of ownership.

Important: if you bought a used Xiaomi smartphone and the previous owner did not untie your account, the device will remain locked even after a complete reset. The only way to unlock is to contact the former owner or provide proof of purchase to the service center.

Another key difference is that an authorized account cannot be transferred to another device without first decoupling, for example, if you link your Mi Account to a Redmi Note 12 and then sell it, the new owner will not be able to use the gadget without your help.

💡

Before selling a Xiaomi device, be sure to untie your account in the settings: Settings → Mi Account → Delete your account. If you forgot to do so, use the remote unlock feature on i.mi.com (works for 30 days after unblocking).

How to Create and Authorize Mi Account on Xiaomi Device

The process of creating an authorized account depends on the type of device (smartphone, smartwatch, router, etc.), but the general scheme is the same. MIUI:

1. Turn on the device and wait for the welcome screen to appear. Choose language and region.
2. At the stage of network configuration, connect to Wi-Fi or mobile Internet (without a connection, authorization is impossible!).
3. When the system prompts you to log in to Mi Account, click Create an account (or Sign in if you already have an account).
4. Enter a valid email or phone number.Caution: If you use a number, make sure it is not tied to another Xiaomi account!
5. Create a strong password (at least 8 characters, with numbers and letters).
6. Confirm registration via SMS or email (the code will arrive within 1-2 minutes).
7. After successful authorization, the device will offer to enable Find Device and backup – we recommend you agree.

For other devices (such as Mi Band or Mi Router), the process is slightly different:

• 📿 Smart watches / bracelets: authorization is done through the Mi Fitness or Zepp Life app.
• 📡 Routers: account binding is carried out in the web interface at 192.168.31.1.
• 💻 Mi laptops: authorization is similar to smartphones, but requires confirmation via Mi PC Suite.

Make sure the device is connected to the internet|Check if he's tied up. email/phone to another Mi Account|Remember or write down a password|Enable two-factor authentication (recommended)|Check that the device is not blocked by the previous owner-->

How to check if your account is authorized on your device

If you’re not sure if your Mi Account is linked to your device, there are a few ways to check:

Method 1. Through the settings of the smartphone:

1. Open the Settings. → Mi Account.
2. If your email or phone is displayed at the top of the screen, and below there are Find Device and Mi Cloud items, the account is authorized.
3. Click on the profile avatar: if there is a button to exit, then the binding is active.

Method 2. Through i.mi.com:

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in.
2. In the Devices section, check the list of attached equipment.
3. If your device is on the list, your account is authorized.

Method 3. Through a team for developers (for advanced users):

adb shell dumpsys account

In the output, look for a line with com.xiaomi – if there is one, the account is tied.

If none of the methods showed binding, but the device requires authorization when reset, then:

• 🔴 The device is listed on the blacklist (stolen/lost).

What happens if you don’t log in to Xiaomi?

Some users deliberately avoid logging in as a “surveillance” or unnecessary formality, but without a linked account, you lose not only the convenience of the features, but also the basic security.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 12 and newer without an authorized account is not working OTA-This means you won’t be able to install security patches, and over time, apps (like banking) will stop supporting your version of Android.

What you lose without authorization:

• 🔍 Finding a device: you can’t find or block your smartphone if you lose it.
• ☁️ Cloud Storage: Contacts, Photos, and Notes Will Not Sync.
• 🔄 Backups: It is impossible to restore settings after resetting.
• 🛡️ Protection against theft: anyone can drop the device and use it.
• 📱 Additional features: for example, Second Space (dual workspace) or Game Turbo.

Moreover, on some models (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra or Redmi). K60 Pro) without authorization cameras do not work in full resolution – the manufacturer artificially restricts the functionality to encourage users to register.

There's a downside: if you don't unplug your account before selling, the new owner won't be able to use the device, which is one of the most common causes of aftermarket disputes, like, on Avito, every day, you get ads like, "I'll sell the Redmi Note 11, but please unplug my Mi Account," which is a direct consequence of not knowing the authorization rules.

💡

Mi Account authorization is not a manufacturer's whim, it's a security measure, and without it, you lose access to critical functions, and the device becomes vulnerable to theft or unauthorized dumping.

How to unplug an authorized account before selling a device

If you plan to sell or transfer a Xiaomi device to another person, be sure to untie your account. Otherwise, the new owner will not be able to use the gadget after resetting.

Method 1. Through device settings (most reliable):

1. Open the Settings. → Mi Account.
2. Click on your profile (email or phone).
3. Select Delete Account (Remove Account).
4. Enter the password for confirmation.
5. Wait 24-48 hours: the device will be automatically untied from the account (this rule was introduced in 2021 to protect against theft).

Method 2. via i.mi.com (if the device is not available):

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in.
2. In the Devices section, find the right gadget.
3. Click Remove and confirm the action.
4. Wait until 72 hours, the device will be unlocked.

⚠️ Note: If you delete your account from your device but do not untie it via i.mi.com, the new owner will not be able to log in for 30 days, a rule that protects against scammers who steal phones and immediately reset settings.

Method 3. Through the service center (if you forgot the password):

• Contact the official Xiaomi service with a check about the purchase.
• Please. IMEI Devices (can be found via *#06#).
• The service center will send a request for unlocking, which is considered up to 5 business days.

After the detachment, be sure to reset the settings (Settings). → The phone. → Reset settings to delete all data. If you sell your device through Avito or Yula, please specify in the description: "Account untied, ready for new binding».

Frequent authorization problems and how to solve them

Even with proper authorization, users are faced with errors, and here are the most common problems and solutions.

If you encounter an error that is not in the table, try:

• 🔄 Reboot the device and repeat authorization.
• 🌐 Use a different type of internet connection (e.g. mobile data instead of Wi-Fi).
• 📱 Update the firmware through Fastboot (for power users only!).
• 📧 Write in support of Xiaomi through the form on the website mi.com/support.

For devices with MIUI 14 and later, there is an additional rule: if you entered the wrong password 5 times in a row, the account is blocked for 24 hours, in which case you only have to wait or restore access via email.

FAQ: Frequent Questions About Xiaomi Authorized Account