Recovery of Xiaomi Mi Account after changing phone: all working ways

Switching to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always exciting, but it can be a headache if you find you can’t log in to your Mi Account. Things get complicated when your old phone is already sold, dropped or lost, and access to your linked mail or phone number is lost. Without an account, you lose sync, the ability to use the Mi Cloud cloud, and on some models even unlock the device after a reset.

In this article, we will look at all the current ways to restore Mi accounts in 2026, from standard (via email and SMS) to alternative (through backup contacts or support calls), focus on the typical errors that users make when trying to regain access, and explain why some methods stopped working after the security policy updates of Xiaomi. If you have already tried to restore through the official website and received an error 20200 or 86006, here you will find solutions.

Why Mi Accounts May Not Be Available After a Phone Change

Problems with signing into Xiaomi account after buying a new device arise for several reasons, most often due to:

• 📱 Lack of access to your old phone – if you didn’t log out before selling or resetting, the new owner could have removed the link.
• 📧 Login data loss – a forgotten password, a changed email or a phone number that no longer has access to.
• 🔒 Blocking on suspicion of hacking – Xiaomi system can temporarily block the account when trying to sign in from a new device or IP.
• 📅 Outdated data – if you haven’t used your account for more than 6 months, Xiaomi may require additional verification.

Another common situation is that you have to link your account to an old phone number that you no longer use, for example, if you have a SIM card from a carrier that you have long since disabled, and you can't recover via SMS, so you have to look for workarounds.

⚠️ Note: If you try to log in, the system gives an error of 20200 ("wrong password or account"), do not try to enter combinations at random. After 5 unsuccessful attempts, the account will be blocked for 24 hours.

Method 1: Recovery via email (main method)

Xiaomi’s most reliable and recommended method is to recover via linked email, which works even if you don’t have access to your old phone, but requires that the email be valid and you can get an email to it.

Instructions:

1. Go to the Mi Account login page: account.xiaomi.com.
2. Click Forgot Password? under the field for entry.
3. Select the Email tab and enter the address associated with the account.
4. The system will send a message with a password reset link, which is 30 minutes.
5. Follow the instructions in the email to create a new password.

If the letter doesn't come in:

• 📥 Check the Spam or Promotion folder (in Gmail).
• 🔄 Try sending the letter again in 5-10 minutes.
• 🔧 Make sure there is enough space in the mail (a crowded drawer may block new emails).

⚠️ Note: If you used a corporate email (e.g. from work or school), access to it may be restricted by the administrator, in which case you will not be able to restore your account via email.

Method 2: Recovery via SMS (if the number is still active)

If you have a valid phone number attached to your account, you can restore access via SMS, which is faster than email, but only works if you meet two conditions:

1. The phone number has not been changed in the account settings.
2. The SIM card is active and can receive SMS (even if it is on another phone).

Step-by-step:

1. On the login page (account.xiaomi.com) click Forgot your password.
2. Select the Phone tab and enter the number in the format +[country code][number] (for example +79123456789).
3. Confirm that you are not a robot (capcha).
4. The number will be sent to a 6-digit SMS, and enter it on the website.
5. Create and confirm a new password.

If SMS doesn't come:

• 📶 Make sure there is a network on the SIM card phone (try restarting the device).
• 🔄 Re-request the code – sometimes messages are delayed up to 10 minutes.
• 📵 Check if the operator is blocking the service SMS (For example, the Tele2 or Yota may have limitations).

Number tied to Xiaomi account|SIM card is active and accepts SMS|There is a network on the phone (not a “plane mode")|No blocking from the operator on service messages-->

Method 3: Use backup contacts (if configured)

Few people know, but Xiaomi allows you to attach a backup email or phone number to your account in case you lose access, and if you set this option up in advance, it will be easier to recover.

How to check and use backup contacts:

1. On the recovery page (link) select Other ways.
2. If backup contacts are set up, the system will prompt you to select one of them.
3. Confirm your contact (via email or SMS) and follow the instructions.

If backup contacts are not available, they can only be added after you have restored access to your account settings (Security → Backup Contacts) to help avoid problems in the future.

Method 4: Calling for Xiaomi Support (If Nothing Works)

If standard recovery methods fail, you can call Xiaomi’s official support, which is the longest way (the answer can come in 3-7 days), but often the only way out.

How to make a request correctly:

1. Go to the support page: mi.com/global/support.
2. Select Mi Account → Account Recovery.
3. Fill out the form by specifying: 🆔 ID account (if you remember). 📧 Email or phone number associated with your account. 📱 The phone that last came in. 📅 Approximate date of last successful entry. 📝 Any additional evidence of account ownership (purchase checks, support correspondence screenshots, etc.).

Attach a scan of your passport or other document (may be required for verification).

Important nuances:

• ⏳ The review period is up to 7 working days and during peak periods (for example, after a major sale) the response may be delayed.
• 📄 Support may request proof of identity, especially if the account is tied to a Chinese region.
• 🔄 Repeated requests - don't send multiple requests in a row. This can slow down the process.

1. On the box from the device (barcode sticker).

2. In the settings of the new phone: About the phone → General information → IMEI.

3. On your old phone (if you have access): dial *#06# in the dialer.-->

Method 5: Alternative methods (for power users)

If all official methods are exhausted, you can try out-of-the-box solutions, they are only suitable in extreme cases and require technical skills.

Method 1: Recovery with Mi Unlock Tool (only for unlocking your phone)

If your new Xiaomi phone is locked due to an old account (This device is locked error), you can try:

1. Download the official Mi Unlock Tool from Xiaomi website.
2. Sign in to the tool with another account (not blocked).
3. Connect the phone in Fastboot mode and try to unlock the bootloader.

⚠️ Risk: This method doesn’t work on all models and can result in a complete data reset.

Method 2: Use a backup of Mi Cloud (if any)

If you had Mi Cloud sync enabled on your old phone, try:

1. Sign in to Mi Cloud via browser: i.mi.com.
2. If you manage to log in (for example, through a saved password in the browser), go to the Account Settings and change the password.

- Possible loss of data on the phone.

Violation of Xiaomi rules can lead to the blocking of the account.

- Not all methods work on new models (e.g. Xiaomi) 13/14 series with enhanced protection).-->

What to do if your account is linked to a Chinese region

The Chinese version of Mi accounts (region=cn) has more stringent security rules, and it is harder to restore such accounts, especially if you are outside of China.

Here's what we can do:

• 🌏 Change of region: Try to enter through VPN Chinese IP (It's like Hong Kong or Shanghai, and sometimes it's a way around the restrictions.
• 📧 Chinese Post: If the account is linked to @qq.com or @163.com, Restoring access through these services (may require Chinese knowledge).
• 📞 Support in Chinese: Contact support via the Chinese version of the site (use an interpreter.

If you bought the phone in China but don’t speak Chinese, the best option is to reach out to Russian-speaking communities (like 4PDA or Mi Community), where they often help with the translation of messages with support.

How to avoid problems with your Mi Account in the future

To avoid losing access the next time you change your phone, follow these rules:

• 🔐 Use a strong password and save it to your password manager (e.g. Bitwarden or Google Password Manager).
• 📧 Link backup email that is not related to work or study (for example, personal email). @gmail.com).
• 📱 Update your phone number in your account settings if you change your SIM card.
• 🔄 Periodically log in to your account (every 2-3 months) so that it is not considered inactive.
• 📤 Save a backup of important data (Mi Cloud, Google Drive) before selling your phone.

It is also useful to check the account in advance:

1. Open the Mi Account settings.
2. Go to the Security section → Account management.
3. Check the email and phone numbers linked to it. Delete the old ones.

💡

The most common reason for losing a Mi Account is the lack of backup recovery methods, even if you remember a password, a linked number or email may become unavailable (for example, when you change operator or close an inbox).

FAQ: Frequent questions about retrieving a Mi Account