Mi Xiaomi account: a complete guide for smartphone users and smart appliances

If you've just bought a Xiaomi smartphone, a Mi Band fitness bracelet, or another Mi ecosystem device, you'll eventually have to create a Mi Account. It's not just another registration in the service, it's the key to all the features of your technology, from data synchronization to remote control. But what is it really? Why are many features not working without it? And most importantly, how to set it up correctly so as not to lose access to devices?

In this article, we’ll take a look at Mi Xiaomi’s account from all angles, from basic registration to solving typical problems (such as a blocked account or a password loss), what data is tied to your profile, how it affects your smartphone, and why some users prefer to do without it, and why linking your phone number to your Mi Account can save your data when you steal a device, and how it works in practice.

What is a Mi Account and Why You Need It

A Mi Account is a single account that links all Xiaomi devices and services into one ecosystem, like an Apple ID for Apple or a Google Account for Android, but with unique features specific to Xiaomi.

Without this account, you will not be able to:

• 🔄 Sync contacts, notes, photos between Xiaomi devices.
• 📱 Use branded services: Mi Cloud, Mi Home (for smart home), Mi Fit (for fitness trackers).
• 🔒 Unlock the bootloader (bootloader) for installing custom firmware.
• 🛡️ Use the Find Device function (search for lost smartphone).
• 📦 Get software updates and access to branded themes in MIUI.

Mi Account is not required for basic smartphone operation – you can skip registration when you first turn on, but without it, many functions will not be available, and some devices (such as Xiaomi smart lamps) will not be able to connect to the network at all without being linked to a profile.

⚠️ Note: If you bought a Xiaomi smartphone with your hands and the previous owner did not delete your Mi Account, the device can be blocked through the Activation Lock function.This is a protection against theft, and you can unlock it only by knowing the username / password of the old owner or presenting a purchase check.

How to create a Mi Account: step-by-step instructions

There are several ways to register Mi Account: via your smartphone, website or Mi Community app, and we’ll look at the most reliable option – registration through the official website, as it works even if you don’t already have a Xiaomi device.

Instructions:

1. Go to the registration page: account.xiaomi.com.
2. Press Sign Up (Register).
3. Select your country (Russia or your current location).
4. Enter a valid email or phone number (we recommend email, as it is more difficult to lose).
5. Create a strong password (at least 8 characters, with numbers and letters).
6. Confirm registration through the code sent to email/phone.
7. Fill out the profile: name, date of birth (optional, but may be needed for restoration).

Once you register, you will be asked to link your phone number — make sure you do that. This is the only way to restore access if you forget your password or lose access to your email.

Is the phone number tied?

Is a backup email indicated?

Two-factor authentication is enabled (2FA)

Is the data synchronized with the Mi Cloud?-->

If you register an account directly on a Xiaomi smartphone, the path will be: Settings → Mi Account → Sign in / Sign up. The process is similar, but with an additional step of confirmation via SMS.

What is the difference between Mi Account and Xiaomi Account?

Many users confuse Mi Account and Xiaomi Account, thinking that they are different services. In fact, they are the same! Xiaomi is gradually moving to a single name Xiaomi Account, but in the interface of devices and documentation, the old name Mi Account is still found.

Here are the key points:

• 📛 Mi Account is an outdated name, but it can still be seen in older versions. MIUI (12th).
• 🆕 Xiaomi Account – the new official name, used in documentation since 2021.
• 🔗 Both terms refer to the same account with the same functions.
• 🌐 Login and password are suitable for both names.

If you see Sign in to Mi Account on your smartphone screen and Xiaomi Account on your website, don’t worry: it’s not a mistake, it’s just a transition period for the brand. All data (including purchases from the Mi Store and Mi Home settings) will be saved when you change the name.

Through email.

Through the phone number.

Through the fingerprint scanner (if supported)

I don't remember, saved automatically.-->

What data is synchronized with Mi Cloud

One of the main advantages of Mi Account is that it automatically syncs data through the Mi Cloud, which allows you to recover information even if you lose or break your smartphone.

By default, Mi Cloud provides 5 GB of free space, enough for backing up settings and some photos, but if you are actively shooting video in 4K, you will have to buy space (from 100 GB for ~300 rubles / year) or clean the cloud manually.

To manage sync, go to Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud.

• 🔄 Enable/disable synchronization for individual data types.
• 🗑️ Clean up unnecessary backups.
• 🔒 Protect the cloud with additional PIN-code.

⚠️ Warning: If you delete your Mi Account from your smartphone, all of the data from Mi Cloud will remain in the cloud, but will no longer sync. To completely erase the information, you need to go to i.mi.com and manually clear the storage.

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

Forgot your Mi Account password? Don't panic -- you can restore access in a number of ways, but their effectiveness depends on what you specified when you signed up.

Method 1. Through email

1. Go to the login page: account.xiaomi.com.
2. Click Forgot Password? (Forgot Password?)
3. Enter the email linked to the account.
4. Follow the instructions in the password reset letter.

Method 2. Through a telephone number

If the email is not available, but you have linked the phone to the registration:

1. On the recovery page, select the Via SMS option.
2. Enter the phone number associated with the account.
3. Confirm the new password through SMS-code.

Method 3. Through backup email

If the main email and phone are lost, but you provided a backup email when registering:

1. On the recovery page, select Other Ways.
2. Please provide a backup email and follow the instructions.

If none of these methods work (e.g., you don’t remember the email attached or the phone tied), you can only ask Xiaomi to support you with proof of ownership of the device (check, box with serial number).

How to delete Mi Account and what will happen to the data

If you have decided to part with the Xiaomi ecosystem or just want to delete an old account, do so correctly so as not to lose important data. note: deletion is irreversible - it will not be possible to restore the profile or data from the Mi Cloud after that.

Instructions for removal:

1. Go to account.xiaomi.com and log in to your profile.
2. Open your Personal Info → Delete Account.
3. Confirm your identity via email or SMS.
4. Read the consequences warning and click Delete.
5. Wait 7 days is a cooling period during which you can cancel the removal.

What happens after removal:

• 🚫 You will lose access to all Xiaomi services: Mi Cloud, Mi Home, Mi Fit.
• 📱 Devices linked to the account will no longer sync (but will work offline).
• 💰 Shopping in Mi Store (applications, themes) will become unavailable.
• 🔒 Find Device will be disabled – it will be impossible to find a lost smartphone.

⚠️ Warning: If you sell a Xiaomi smartphone, do not delete your Mi Account through the website! this will lock the device through Activation Lock. Instead, reset to factory settings directly on your phone: Settings → The phone. → Resetting settings.

Mi Account Security: How to Protect Data from Hacking

Mi accounts not only store your contacts and photos, but also your location (via Find Device), your purchase history, and sometimes even your bank card information (if you used Mi Pay).

Here are 5 mandatory steps for safety:

1. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA). Go to Account Settings → Security → Two-step verification and link an authenticator application (like Google Authenticator) or SMS.
2. Avoid simple combinations like 123456 or date of birth, and it is best to generate a password through a manager (like Bitwarden).
3. Check active sessions. In Security → Devices, see which gadgets are logged in. Delete unknowns.
4. Don’t use one password for multiple services. If your Xiaomi email is hacked, attackers can access other accounts.
5. Update your backup regularly, and make sure that the attached email and phone are up to date is the only way to restore access when hacked.

If you suspect that your account has been compromised (for example, you receive login notifications from unknown devices), immediately:

1. Change your password through the recovery page.
2. Untie all unknown devices in the security settings.
3. Check your Mi Cloud activity history for suspicious changes.

💡

If you often sell or buy used Xiaomi devices, create a separate Mi Account specifically for this purpose, so you avoid the risk of blocking the main profile due to frequent device changes.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions About Mi Account