Mi Account on Xiaomi: what it is, why you need it and how to manage it

Why without a Mi Account, your Xiaomi won’t unlock its full potential

You just unpacked Xiaomi's new smartphone -- whether it's the Redmi Note 13 Pro+, POCO X6 or Xiaomi's flagship 14 Ultra -- and during the setup phase, the system insists on creating or logging in to the Mi Account. Many users skip this step, thinking it's optional, but it's a gross mistake. Mi Account is not just another account on your phone, but a central node of the Xiaomi ecosystem that links smartphones, smartwatches, headphones, TVs and even household appliances.

Without an attached account, you lose half of the features, from cloud backup photos to remote device management in the event of a theft. Moreover, some services, such as Mi Cloud or Find Device, simply won’t work. In this article, we’ll go into detail about what a Mi Account is, why you need it on a Xiaomi phone, how to create it, link it to it, and what to do if you have problems with authorization.

This is especially true for those who buy Xiaomi smartphones from hand or from abroad: an improperly linked account of the previous owner can lock the device, and the lack of access to the original email can make the phone a useless “brick”, we will tell you how to avoid such situations and what to do if they already happen.

What is a Mi Account and why you need it on Xiaomi

Mi Account (or Xiaomi Account) is a single account that integrates all devices and services of the Xiaomi ecosystem, essentially an analogue of Apple ID for iPhone or Google Account for Android, but with unique features specific to Xiaomi technology.

The main tasks of the Mi Account:

• 🔐 Security: Device locking in case of theft, remote data erasure, protection against unauthorized access.
• ☁️ Cloud Storage: Automatic Backup of Contacts, Photos, Notes and Apps in Mi Cloud (5GB Free).
• 📱 Synchronization: transferring data between Xiaomi devices (e.g., from Redmi to Xiaomi devices) POCO vice versa).
• 🛒 Purchases and services: access to Mi Store, discounts, branded themes and applications.
• 🔄 Updates: Priority for firmware and beta versions MIUI.

Important: Without a Mi Account attached, you can’t unlock a bootloader on Xiaomi to install custom firmware, which is critical for enthusiasts who want to flash LineageOS or Pixel Experience.

Another nuance: on some models (for example, Xiaomi) 13T or Redmi K60) Mi Account is required for activation IR-The remote control (infrared port) or the Dual Apps function (cloning messengers). Without it, these options will not be available.

How to create a Mi Account on Xiaomi phone: step-by-step instructions

You can create a Mi Account directly on your phone during the first setup or later through the menu.

Method 1: Registration on first inclusion

If you have just enabled the new Xiaomi, the system will offer to create an account at the configuration stage:

1. Choose the language and region (we recommend Russia or Global, if you bought officially).
2. Connect to Wi-Fi.
3. In the step "Login to Mi Account" click Create an account.
4. Enter a valid email (preferably Gmail or Yandex) or phone number.
5. Create a strong password (at least 8 characters, with numbers and letters).
6. Confirm registration by link in the letter or SMS.

Method 2: Creating an account through settings

If you missed registration when setting up, do so later:

1. Open the Settings. → Mi Account (or Mi Account).
2. Press Enter. → Create an account.
3. Select the method of registration: by email or phone number.
4. Fill in the data and confirm the account.

Important: when registering by phone, use a number to which you have permanent access. SIM-The card to restore the account is difficult.

Is email and phone linked |Does backup enabled in Mi Cloud |Does two-factor authentication activated |Do contacts and photos synced-->

How to link Mi Account to Xiaomi phone

Creating an account is half the battle, and you still have to link it to the device properly, or some features won't work.

1. Go to Settings. → Mi Account.
2. Enter the login and password from your account.
3. Confirm your login via SMS or email (if two-factor authentication is enabled).
4. Allow access to contacts, photos and geodata (optional, but recommended for full operation of the Mi Cloud).

Once anchored, check that your email or phone number is displayed at the top of the screen. If you see a message that is not connected or other people's data instead, your account is not tied.

What if the phone is already linked to someone else's account? That's a typical problem when you buy used devices.

• 📱 Ask the seller to untie the account through Settings → Mi Account → Get out.
• 🔄 If the seller is not available, make a hard reset (reset to factory settings) through Settings. → The phone. → Resetting settings.
• ⚠️ Note: on some models (for example, Redmi Note 12 with a MIUI 14) after reset, it may be necessary to enter the data of the previous account. If there is none, the phone will be locked!

How to Restore Access to Mi Accounts If You Forgot Your Password

Forgot your Mi Account password? Don't panic -- you can get access back in a number of ways, as long as you have access to your linked email or phone.

Method 1: Recovery via email

1. On the Mi Account login screen, click Forgot your password.
2. Choose Restore via email.
3. Enter the email address associated with the account.
4. Click on the link in the letter from Xiaomi and create a new password.

Method 2: Recovery via SMS

1. Click Forgot Password? → Restore via phone.
2. Enter the number associated with the account.
3. Enter the code from SMS and set a new password.

If you do not have access to either email or phone, you can only contact Xiaomi with proof of ownership of the device (check, box with IMEI).

⚠️ Warning: Never buy a “clean” Mi Account on a third-party site! this violates Xiaomi’s rules and can be blocked along with all associated devices.

Frequent Mi Account Problems and How to Solve Them

Even after successful registration, users experience errors when working with Mi Account. Let's consider the most common and ways to fix them.

If the problem is not solved, try:

• 🔄 Reboot the phone.
• 📱 Update MIUI Up to the latest version (Settings) → The phone. → Updating the system).
• 🛠️ Delete the cache of the Mi Account application in Settings → Annexes → Application management → Mi Account. → Warehouse → Clear the cache.

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If you have a “Too Many Trials” error when you sign in to your Mi Account, wait 24 hours or try to log in from another device (e.g., from your computer via [account.xiaomi.com](https://account.xiaomi.com/)).

How to delete Mi Account from Xiaomi phone

If you decide to sell or transfer your Xiaomi, it is important to properly untie your Mi Account, otherwise the new owner may face problems.

1. Open the Settings. → Mi Account.
2. Scroll down and press Out.
3. Confirm the exit by entering the password from the account.
4. After the exit, reset to factory settings (Settings → About Phone → Resetting → Erase all data).

Important: if you do not log out before resetting, the phone may be locked with the requirement to enter the data of the old owner!

To completely clean the device of your data, it is also recommended:

• 🗑️ Delete all backups in Mi Cloud.
• 📱 Untie the device in the personal office on [account.xiaomi.com](https://account.xiaomi.com/) (section Devices).
• 🔒 Disable the Find Device function (Settings) → Mi Account → Find Device).

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Before selling Xiaomi, be sure to exit the Mi Account and reset your settings. Otherwise, the new owner will not be able to use the phone without your login details.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions about Mi Accounts