Why Xiaomi account is not enough
Xiaomi's ecosystem is designed to take half of the functionality of its devices away from Mi Account, and it's not just "another registration" -- it's the key to synchronizing data between a Redmi smartphone, a Mi Band smartwatch, a robot vacuum cleaner, a Mi Robot Vacuum, and even an electric scooter, Mi Electric Scooter.
โข Install firmware updates via OTA (they just wonโt show up in the settings).
โข Use Mi Cloud storage for backup photos and contacts.
โข Unlock the bootloader for custom firmware (even if you are an experienced user).
โข Manage a smart home through the Mi Home app โ devices simply wonโt connect.
But the main thing is that without a Xiaomi account, the smartphone can become a brick after resetting to the factory settings, the system will require you to enter the data of the last authorized user, and without it, unlocking it will cost 30-50% of the cost of the phone in the service center, so it is important not only to be able to log in to the account, but also remember your data.
How to Sign In to Xiaomi Account: Which One to Choose
The company offers several authorization options, and the choice depends on your device and situation. On new smartphones (for example, Xiaomi 14 or POCO F6) all methods are available, and on older models (before the Redmi Note 8) there may be no fingerprint or face scanning.
The main entry options:
- ๐ฑ Phone number is the fastest method, but requires confirmation through SMS. It is suitable for users who do not want to remember passwords.
- ๐ Email is more reliable than phone, as it is harder to crack, recommended for those who use Mi Cloud to store sensitive data.
- ๐ค Through social networks โ you can link Google, Facebook or Apple ID. It is convenient if you often forget passwords.
- ๐ Two-factor authentication is a security requirement, but it makes it difficult to sign in.
- ๐ Scanning. QR-code - available on devices with MIUI 12 and newer. Allows you to log in from another Xiaomi phone without entering a password.
In practice, most users combine phone number and email, such as using SMS to sign in quickly and email to restore an account. Social media is convenient but not recommended as the primary method: if you block a Google or Facebook account, you will lose access to Mi Account.
Step-by-step instructions: entrance via phone or mail
This is the most versatile method, working on all Xiaomi devices, including smartphones, Mi Pad tablets and even Mi TVs. The manual is suitable for MIUI of any version, from MIUI 9 to MIUI 15 (HyperOS).If you have an Android One device (such as the Mi A3), the procedure will be similar, but with slight visual differences.
To log in to the account:
- Open the settings on your device.
- Go to the Accounts โ Xiaomi section (on older versions of Mi Account).
- Click Login or Add Account.
- Select a country (Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, etc.) Importantly, if you have previously registered in another country, select one, otherwise the system will not find your account.
- Enter the phone number or email associated with your account.
- Click Get a code (for phone) or enter a password (for mail).
- Confirm the entry by following the instructions on the screen.
If you are logging in for the first time, the system can request permissions to access contacts, location, and other data, which can be disabled later in the account settings, but at the authorization stage it is better to agree โ otherwise some features (for example, finding a phone through Mi Cloud) will not work.
โ๏ธ Preparation for the first entry into the Mi Account
Entering through social networks: pros and cons
Linking Mi Accounts to Google, Facebook, or Apple IDs seems convenient: you donโt need to remember another password. However, there are hidden risks that Xiaomi doesnโt mention. For example, if your Google account is blocked for violating the rules (even wrongly), you automatically lose access to Mi Cloud, and with it, to backups and smart device data.
How to link social media:
- Go to Settings โ Accounts โ Xiaomi.
- Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Account Settings.
- Go to the Linked Accounts section.
- Select the social network you want and follow the instructions on the screen.
Advantages of the method:
- โ Quick login without entering a password.
- โ You can use one Google account to log in to all Xiaomi devices.
- โ Easy to restore access if you forget your Mi Account password.
Disadvantages:
- โ Risk of losing access when blocking a social network.
- โ Xiaomi may collect additional data about you through linked accounts.
- โ Does not work on devices without Google services (for example, on some models for China).
๐ก
If you do decide to link to social media, use a separate Google account that is not related to work or important services, so you minimize the risk.
Two-factor authentication: how to enable and why it is necessary
Since 2023, Xiaomi has been actively implementing two-factor authentication (2FA) for all accounts.
- ๐ Restoring access to your account through support.
- ๐ฑ Unlock the loader for installing custom firmware.
- ๐ณ Connect Mi Pay for Contactless Payments.
To enable 2FA:
- Go to Account Settings โ Security.
- Choose two-factor authentication.
- Confirm the current password.
- Link your phone number (if not tied) or install an authenticator app (Google Authenticator, Authy).
- Keep your backup codes in a safe place (you can use them if you lose access to your phone).
Once turned on each time you log in from a new device, the system will ask for not only a password, but also a one-time code, which makes life difficult for hackers: even if they recognize your password, without physical access to the phone or backup codes, they will not be able to log in.
What if you lose access to two-factor authentication?
Problem Solving: What to do if you canโt get in
Even with the right data entry, the system can produce errors, and users often face the following problems:
| Mistake. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Wrong password | Misprint, password change, keyboard layout | Check the keyboard language. Use the "Forgot your password?" function. |
| No account found. | Incorrectly specified country or email | Try another email or select another country when you log in. |
| Too many attempts. | Blocking after 5 unsuccessful attempts | Wait 30 minutes or restore access via email |
| The device is not supported | Old version of MIUI or unofficial firmware | Update the system or re-flash the device |
| Network error | Problems with the Internet or servers Xiaomi | Check the connection or try it later. |
If you have forgotten your password, use the recovery function:
- On the screen, click Forgot your password.
- Enter the email or phone attached to your account.
- Get the recovery code by SMS or by mail.
- Create a new password (it should contain at least 8 characters, including numbers and letters).
โ ๏ธ Note: If the system asks you to enter the old password when you restore the password, but you do not remember it, do not try to guess - after 3 unsuccessful attempts, the account will be blocked for 24 hours.
Entrance on different devices: smartphone, tablet, smart watch
The authorization process varies slightly depending on the type of device, for example, on a Mi Band or Xiaomi Watch smartwatch, you log in via the Mi Fitness app on your phone, and on a Mi TV, you log in through a special menu. Let's look at the nuances for each case.
Smartphones and tablets (MIUI/HyperOS):
- ๐ฑ Entrance through Settings โ Accounts. โ Xiaomi.
- ๐ All authorization methods are supported (phone, mail, social networks, QR).
- ๐ After login, you can enable data synchronization with Mi Cloud.
Smart watches and fitness bracelets:
- โ Authorization occurs in the Mi Fitness or Zepp app (for new models).
- ๐ฒ The phone must have the same Mi Account as the one on the watch.
- ๐ When changing the phone, you will have to re-tether the device.
Mi TV and Mi Box:
- ๐บ Entrance through Settings โ Accounts and security โ Xiaomi.
- ๐ฎ On the remote, use the arrow keys for navigation.
- ๐ Only mail and phone are supported (social networks are not available).
Smart devices (vacuum cleaners, lamps, sockets):
- ๐ Authorization only through the Mi Home app.
- ๐ฑ The phone must have a Mi Account login.
- ๐ When changing your account, all devices will unplug and require reconnection.
โ ๏ธ Note: On devices for the Chinese market (with firmware China) ROM) You may need a Chinese phone number to register. If you buy one, you should immediately reflash it to the global version. MIUI or hyperos.
๐ก
All Xiaomi devices use the same Mi Account, which means that if you log in to your phone account, you automatically log in to both your watch and your TV (when you connect to the Internet).