Owning a modern Xiaomi smartphone involves actively using the manufacturer’s ecosystem, where the Mi Account is central. It is not just a profile for downloading apps, but the key to cloud data, device search and contact synchronization. However, life situations are different: selling a gadget, handing it over to relatives or simply wanting to change the main mailbox require a complete untie of the device from the current profile.
The exit procedure may seem trivial, but the interface of the MIUI shell or the new HyperOS has its own features that often confuse users. Mistakes can lead to locking the device or losing important photos and notes. That is why it is important to clearly understand the sequence of steps and the differences between simple exit and complete deletion of the account.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the nuances of profile management, look at common errors, and offer solutions for complex cases where the system requires a password you don’t remember, and discuss data security issues and why ignoring the correct logout can be a problem when reselling equipment.
Why to leave your account before selling or resetting
Many users underestimate the importance of properly untiing the device, believing that a simple reset to factory settings (Wipe Data) is enough. This is a dangerous misconception. Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones have a powerful Find Device protection system that binds the phone's hardware ID to your unique Mi ID on the company's servers.
If you reset without first logging out of your profile, the activation lock mechanism will be activated. The new owner of the device, turning on the phone, will encounter a password screen from your account. Without this password, it will be almost impossible to turn the smartphone into a working tool, which will make the sale meaningless or require a personal presence to unlock.
⚠️ Warning: Ignoring the exit of a Mi Account before reset turns the phone into a brick for the new owner.Security will not allow the device to be activated without confirming the previous owner.
Also, while the device is listed on your profile, it can receive notifications, sync new photos or messages if you haven't done a full cleanup.Deleting the device from the trusted list ensures that your personal data isn't available to anyone once the phone leaves your hands.
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Signing out before a reset is not just a recommendation, but a mandatory requirement of Xiaomi’s security system to prevent theft and loss of access.
Step-by-step instructions for exiting through phone settings
The most reliable and correct way to unplug a device is through the system settings menu, which ensures that the server receives a command to remove the anchor, and the Find Device lock is removed correctly. The process may vary slightly depending on the shell version, but the logic remains the same.
To start, open the Settings app and find the top line with your name and avatar, and clicking on it will take you to the account management center, which displays all the basic information, including cloud status, subscriptions, and device listings, and this is the area we need to manage the current session.
- 📱 Click on the avatar or profile name at the top of the settings screen.
- 🔍 Select “Account Management” or immediately scroll down to the “Get Out” button».
- 🔐 Enter the password from the Mi Account to confirm the identity of the owner.
- ✅ Confirm exit in the pop-up window by agreeing to the terms.
Once you have entered the password, the system will check the data and, if all is correct, output, at which point the sync will stop and the device will disappear from the list of trusted in your profile on other gadgets. If you have two-factor authorization enabled, you may need code from the SMS or the authenticator application.
☑️ Checking before exit
It is important to note that in some versions of MIUI, the exit button may be hidden in the Security menu or require you to go to the "Mi Cloud" subitem. If you don't see the button right away, use the Settings search by typing in the phrase "Mi Account".
Removing the device from the list of trusted online
There are times when the phone is already sold, lost or simply unavailable, but you need to remove it from your profile, in which case the web version of Xiaomi Cloud comes to the rescue, which allows you to manage the bindings remotely, which is especially useful when buying used equipment if the previous owner forgot to untie the gadget.
To perform this operation, you will need a computer or other smartphone with Internet access. Go to the official i.mi.com website and log in to your login. The interface can be in English or Chinese, so it is important to navigate the icons or use a translator in the browser.
Once you log in, look for the Settings or gear icon, and the My Devices section will be available, and the list will show all the smartphones, tablets and TVs that have ever been linked to your profile and not properly untied.
| Action. | Where to find out. | The result |
|---|---|---|
| Entrance to the cloud | I.mi.com | Access to profile data |
| Section of devices | Settings → My Devices | List of all gadgets |
| Removal | Delete/Unbind button | Removal of activation lock |
| Verification | Page update | The device disappeared from the list |
Find the model you want to use (e.g. Redmi Note 10 or Xiaomi 13) and click on it. In the menu that opens, select Remove/Unbind. The system can request SMS confirmation to make sure the action is being taken by the account owner.
What to do if the device is not removed online?
Solving Forgotten Password Problems
The most common problem users face is the inability to log out because of a forgotten password. Xiaomi's security system will not allow you to untie your device without requiring confirmation. It's a security mechanism, but it also becomes a barrier to the legitimate owner.
If you remember the phone number or email to which your account is linked, you can reset access through a password reset procedure. On the password entry screen, click the link "Forgot password?" and you will be asked to choose the recovery method: via SMS to the associated number or through a backup email.
Enter the confirmation code that came to the phone, and set a new complex password. After that, try to log out of the account in the standard way through the settings. If the phone number is no longer available (for example, the SIM card is lost), the process is complicated and you will need to contact support with the provision of checks for purchase.
- 🔄 Click “Forgot Password” on the lock screen or in settings.
- 📲 Select the recovery method (SMS or Email).
- 🆔 Enter the verification code received from the system.
- 🔑 Create and enter a new password.
⚠️ Warning: Never use third-party services to unlock your Mi Account for money. 99% of the time, they are scammers who will either steal your data or temporarily bypass the protection that will return after the reboot.
In rare cases, the system may require you to enter a password from your Google account if your device is FRP (Factory Reset Protection) enabled. Make sure you remember the data from this profile as well, as it may also be needed when you completely reset your device.
Features of the output depending on the version of MIUI and HyperOS
Xiaomi’s shell interface is constantly changing, and the location of the account controls may vary, and owners of new HyperOS devices may notice deeper integration of services, which requires careful navigation.
In older versions of MIUI (e.g. MIUI 11 or 12), output was often done through a separate Mi Account app in the Tools folder or through the Mi Cloud settings. Modern versions (MIUI 14, HyperOS 1.0) are all concentrated at the top of the main settings.
If you own a Chinese ROM device, the interface may be entirely in Chinese, so look for characters that match the cloud (usually a blue icon) or the person's profile, and the logic remains the same: log in to the profile — search for the exit button (often red or the bottom of the menu).
On Xiaomi Pad tablets and Android TVs, the process is similar, but the navigation is done by remote control. It's important not to confuse leaving a Google account and leaving a Mi Account. These are two different profiles, and to completely clean the device, you need to untie both.