Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones sooner or later face the need to enter a unique code for their account, which may be required when unlocking the bootloader, restoring access after resetting settings or linking the device to the cloud.
The account ID (often called Mi ID) is a unique numeric code that is assigned to the user at the time of registration in the Mi Account ecosystem. Unlike the login, which can be a phone number or email address, this number is unchanged and serves as an internal key for the manufacturer's servers, and it is by this value that the system identifies the owner when requesting lock or synchronization services.
Many users confuse Mi ID with the email address or phone number to which the account is registered. However, technical operations, such as unblocking activation through a service center or contacting for support, require a digital code. It can be found in several ways, and knowing these methods will help you avoid problems with accessing the device.
What is hidden behind the Mi ID digital code
When you register a Mi Account, the system generates a sequence of numbers that becomes your digital passport in the brand ecosystem. This ID doesn't match the device's IMEI or phone serial number. It's tied to your account, not the hardware. If you change your smartphone but log in to the same account, the Mi ID will stay the same.
Knowledge of this code is necessary in situations where standard authorization methods (password, SMS) are not available or when you need to confirm the ownership of the account at the official level, often this number is requested in authorized service centers to unlock devices that have fallen into the Lost Mode mode.
What is the difference between Mi ID and UID applications?
It's important to distinguish between concepts so you don't get confused, and here are the main differences between identifiers:
- 🔑 Mi ID — a permanent digital account code, does not change when you change your device.
- 📱 IMEI — unique number of the physical device, stitched by the manufacturer.
- 📧 Login – variable data (email or phone) that can be changed in the profile settings.
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Record your Mi ID immediately after registration and keep it in a safe place separate from your phone, which will help identify your account if your phone is lost or locked.
Where to see the account ID in the smartphone settings
The easiest and fastest way to find your ID is to use the interface of the smartphone itself, and the path to that information may vary slightly depending on the version of the MIUI shell or HyperOS, but the general logic remains the same: you need access to the settings menu and an active Internet connection.
To start, open the Settings app and find the account section. In modern firmware versions, it is usually at the top of the list or in the Passwords & Security group. Click on your profile icon or Mi Account.
☑️ Search algorithm ID customized
Once you log in, you will see basic information. Your username and avatar can be changed by you, but the Mi ID bar will only contain numbers. In some versions of the interface, this number can be hidden under the “Details” button or located immediately under the name. If you are in the Passwords and Security menu, select Xiaomi Account and the ID will appear on the main screen of this section.
⚠️ Warning: Never send a confirmation code from SMS or email with your Mi. ID Knowing the ID and having access to the phone, fraudsters can try to initiate a password reset.
If you can't find this section, search by settings, type the word "Account" or "Mi" into the search box, and the system will suggest you go to the desired menu, which is especially convenient on smartphones with a lot of settings, where it is easy to get confused in the menu items.
Search for ID through the web interface
If your smartphone is unavailable, lost or locked, you can find your Mi ID through a browser on your computer or other device, which requires access to a company’s cloud service site, and is also useful for checking which devices are linked to your profile.
Go to the official portal i.mi.com or account.xiaomi.com. You need to log in by entering your phone number or email used during registration. After successfully logging into your account, you will be taken to the main account management page.
The home page of the web interface, usually in the upper right corner or in the center of the screen below the avatar, displays your Mi ID. It is the same sequence of numbers as the phone, and you can see a list of associated devices here, which helps to make sure that someone has access to your account.
| Parameter | Where it's displayed | Can we change? |
|---|---|---|
| Mi ID | Settings/Website | No (permanent) |
| nicknaim | Profile/Messages | Yes. |
| Security | Yes (with confirmation) | |
| Phone. | Security | Yes (with confirmation) |
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The web interface is the only way to know Mi ID if your smartphone is completely lost, but you have access to the mail or phone number your account is registered to.
Why you need Mi ID when unlocking the bootloader
One of the most common reasons users search for their ID is to unlock the bootloader, a procedure required to install custom firmware, obtain superuser rights, or deeply modify the system, and Xiaomi has implemented strict security measures that link the device to the account.
The unlocking process requires you to link your device to your account through the Developer Menu. Once you apply in the Mi Unlock app on your PC, the system checks the device's Mi ID and IMEI match, and if you try to unlock your phone by logging in to another account, the process will end in error.
The unlock waiting period (usually 7 to 168 hours) is also tied to this identifier, during which time the servers check your account activity history, and if you reset your phone settings or log out before the timer expires, the countdown will start again, as the Mi ID binding to the hardware will be broken.
- 🔒 Reference - the device remembers Mi ID, from which the application for unblocking was filed.
- ⏳ Timer – the waiting time is counted for a specific account ID.
- 🔄 Reset – exit from the account before the completion of the unlock cancels the application.
For a successful procedure, make sure that the phone settings include data transfer and inserted SIM-The unlock application must see an active internet connection to verify your Mi ID server-side.
Access problems and account recovery
The situation where the phone requires a password from the account after reset (FRP-like lock from Xiaomi) is one of the most unpleasant. In this case, the security system activates the protection against theft. To restore access often requires confirmation via SMS or email, but if this data is lost, the knowledge of registration details, including Mi ID, comes to the rescue.
If you forget which email or number your account is registered to, try to retrieve access through a form on the site.The system can request Mi ID if you remember that number, which makes it easier to search for a profile in the database, especially if the user had multiple phone numbers.
⚠️ Note: If you bought a phone from your hands and it is blocked by someone else’s account, no knowledge of the phone. ID You can't be helped to unlock it legally without the previous owner, bypassing the lock through service utilities can lead to complete inoperability of the device.
If you lose access to the recovery tools completely (changed number, lost mail), support can request a check to buy the device. The check often specifies an IMEI, which managers can run through the database and find a tied Mi ID to initiate the detachment procedure.
To minimize risks, always add backup email to your security settings. Go to Settings → Mi Account → Security and specify an alternative way to communicate, which will allow you to restore access even when you block the main SIM number.
Security and protection of personal identifier
While Mi ID itself is not a private key (it’s just a number), when combined with other data, it becomes a social engineering tool, and knowing your ID, scammers can try to find a password using brute force bots, or create phishing sites that mimic an account recovery page with your ID already entered.
It is recommended to check the list of trusted devices regularly, if you see a smartphone or tablet on the list that does not belong to you or that you have already sold, immediately remove it from the list and change the password.
Activity check:
1. Go to account.xiaomi.com
2. Go to the "Security" section
3. Select "Devices"
4. Click "Exit" on unfamiliar gadgetsUse two-factor authentication where possible. While Mi Account relies primarily on SMS codes, binding strong email and recovery backup codes greatly enhances the security of your digital profile. Remember that Xiaomi account ID is permanent and unchangeable, so leaking it doesn’t require changing the ID itself, but requires stronger password protection.
Be vigilant when installing apps from unknown sources that may request access to your accounts. Xiaomi's official services never ask for a password from third-party programs.