Changing an account in the Xiaomi ecosystem is not just a logout, but a complex process that affects data security and device binding. Users often face the need to change Mi Account when buying a gadget from their hands, selling their own smartphone or simply wanting to share personal and work data. Mistakes can lead to locking the device through Find Device, which will turn the phone into a brick.
Unlike a simple password change, a complete account replacement requires sequential deletion of old data and new ones. The MIUI security system and the new HyperOS tightly tie the device to a unique identifier. The new user's authorization is impossible without first detaching the old profile on the manufacturer's servers. This protects owners from theft, but creates difficulties when the owner is legally changed.
In this guide, we will take a look at all the steps of the procedure, from standard output to complex cases with forgotten passwords. You will learn how to properly prepare a smartphone, what data you must save and how to avoid common errors that lock the device. Attention to detail at every step ensures a successful change of ownership without loss of functionality.
Preparing the device before changing the account
Before any account manipulations begin, careful preparation is needed. Backup is the first and most important step. All contacts, photos, messages and app settings synchronized with the current Mi Cloud will be deleted or unavailable once unbundled. Make sure you have access to the phone number associated with your account to receive SMS-confirmation code.
The second critical point is to disable all security mechanisms that can lock a device after a reset, primarily the Find Device feature, which, if it is active, will require a password from your current account even after the memory is completely cleared, and it is also worth checking the status of your Google account, since some global firmware versions have similar FRP (Factory Reset Protection) protection mechanisms.
☑️ Preparing for account change
Be sure to check for active subscriptions or tied payment methods. Payment via Mi Pay or linked cards should be deleted in advance to avoid accidental write-offs or problems with accessing the new owner’s financial instruments. It is also recommended to disable two-factor authorization during the transition if you plan to use the same phone number for a new profile so that there are no conflicts when receiving codes.
Instructions: how to untie Mi Account by regular methods
The safest and most appropriate way to change your account is to use the regular system settings menu, which ensures that the device correctly informs Xiaomi servers of the change of ownership, and blocking Activation Lock will not work. First, open the Security app or go to the phone settings by finding the Mi Account section.
Inside the profile, you need to find the exit button. Depending on the version of MIUI, it can be called "Off" or displayed by the door icon. The system will warn you that sync will be stopped, and data stored only in the cloud will no longer appear on the device.
What to do if the exit button is inactive?
Once you've successfully entered the data, you'll be uncoupled. The screen will return to the main desktop or the initial setup menu. The device is now ready to register a new user. It's important to understand that just uninstall the application or clear the Mi Account data through the engineering menu is not safe, because it doesn't remove the lock on the server side.
Work with the function “Find the device” and locks
Find Device is the main obstacle to changing your account on used devices, and it's designed to protect against theft: if a phone is stolen and reset to factory settings, when you turn on, it will require you to enter the username and password from the account that was installed on it earlier, without which data you can not use the device.
If you buy a phone with your hands, be sure to check the status of this feature before transferring money. Ask the seller to go to the settings and make sure that the Find Device section is “Switched Off” or that the device is completely unrelated to its profile. Visually, this can be checked by starting the reset process: if after the reboot the phone does not request the old Wi-Fi or Mi Account password, then the unset was successful.
⚠️ Warning: Buying a phone from your hands without checking the Mi Account detachment carries high risks.You can get a device that turns into a useless piece of plastic after the first reset or firmware update. It is almost impossible to restore access without the participation of the previous owner.
In some cases, even after logging out of your account in the settings, server sync can take time. If you immediately connect your phone to the network and try to activate a new profile, the system can "remember" the old binding, it is recommended to wait 10-15 minutes after logging out of your account or restart the device before starting to register a new user.
Changing the region of the account: when and why it is necessary
Users often confuse changing an account with changing a region. The region in the phone settings determines the set of pre-installed applications, the operation of certain system functions (for example, recording calls with a notification or the registration topic), and the availability of certain Mi Store services. You can change the region without leaving your account by simply selecting another country in the settings menu.
However, if your goal is to access content that is only available in a particular country (such as specific topics or stickers), you may need to create a new Mi Account with the desired region when you sign up. When you change the region of your existing account, some data, such as the Mi Cloud cloud storage, may become unavailable or move to servers in a new region, which will lead to data loss.
| Parameter | Changing the region in settings | Registration of a new account | Full account reset |
|---|---|---|---|
| Data retention | Partial (depending on services) | No (new profile) | No (backup required) |
| Access to topics | Changes immediately. | New account region available | New account region available |
| Difficulty | Low. | Medium | Tall. |
| The risk of blocking | Absent. | Absent. | High (in case of errors) |
Cards added to Mi Pay for one region may not be supported in another, so it is often more appropriate to create a separate profile for using services from another country than to change the settings of the main one.
Creating and Setup a New Mi Account
Once the old profile is successfully deleted, a new one will be registered, requiring a mobile phone number or email address, and it is recommended to use a phone number, as this makes it easier to restore access in case of loss of password. Registration process is standard: data entry, receipt SMS-code and password setting.
When you create a new account, the system will suggest setting up privacy and sync settings. Carefully study each item. You can opt out of downloading promotional recommendations and sending usage data to Xiaomi if you value privacy. Also at this stage, Mi Cloud, a cloud storage that will reserve your contacts and photos, is configured.
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Use a complex and unique password for your Mi Account, because the device is attached to this profile, compromised gives the attacker full control over your phone, including the ability to remotely lock.
After signing up, remember to enable two-factor authentication. This will add a layer of protection, requiring you to enter code from an SMS or authenticator app when you sign in from new devices. For a Xiaomi smartphone, this is especially important, since the account is the key to managing the device. Make sure that an alternative email for recovery is also listed and confirmed.
Problem Solving: Forgotten Password and Others' Account
The most difficult situation is when you need to change your account, but the password from an old one is lost or the device is bought with an already active profile of someone else, the official solution is to restore access through i.mi.com. If you have access to the linked phone number or mail, you can reset the password and untie the device yourself.
If the phone is bought with hands and it is someone else’s account, and the seller does not get in touch, the situation is stalemate. Xiaomi official support will unlock the device only if there is an original purchase check and a box with the matching box. IMEI-Without these documents, the device will remain locked forever, because it is a protection against stolen gadgets.
⚠️ Attention: There are many services on the Internet that offer “unlock” for money, most of which are either scams or exploit vulnerabilities that are closed by security updates.
There is also the problem of grey phones being flashed from the Chinese version to the global one, often with a merchant or reseller account, which can get locked when connected to the Internet, and the only sure way to avoid this is to buy the devices from official dealers or check the lock status by IMEI before buying on specialized resources.
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The receipt and box are the only guarantor of restoring access to the device in case of loss of account data. Keep the documents for the equipment for at least a warranty period of + 1 year.