Where is Mi Account on Xiaomi: All the ways to find and manage an account

Have you bought a Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphone, but can’t find where your Mi Account is stored? or suddenly encountered a login request when resetting? This article will help you understand where your account physically and software lives in the Xiaomi ecosystem, how to check, link or untie it from the device. We will look at all possible storage locations – from visible menus to hidden system files, and also explain why sometimes the account “disappears” after updates or resets.

It’s important to understand that Mi Account is not just a record in your phone’s settings, but a central node that links your device to Xiaomi servers. It’s responsible for synchronizing data, blocking when lost, accessing the Mi Cloud cloud, and even some of the features of a smart home. So its “location” can be divided into three levels: user interface (where you see the login), system files (where the authorization token is stored), and Xiaomi servers (where your profile lies).

1.Where to look for Mi Account in smartphone settings

The most obvious way to find your account is through the standard settings menu, and the path may vary slightly depending on the version. MIUI (from MIUI 12 to MIUI 15) and device models (Xiaomi) 13T, Redmi Note 12, POCO F5 And so on, but the general logic is still there:

1. Open “Settings” (the gear icon on the home screen or in the application menu).
2. Scroll up to the Accounts and Sync block (older versions of the Accounts block).
3. Click on “Mi Account” – your email or phone number linked to the device will be displayed here.

If you are not logged in, the system will prompt you to sign in or create a new account. Please note: on some firmware (for example, global MIUI EU), the item may be called Xiaomi Account instead of Mi Account - these are the same.

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If the Accounts menu does not have Mi Account, check the Memory section» → «Backup. There may be a button "Login to Mi Cloud».

In the same section, you can:

• 🔄 Synchronize data (contacts, notes, photos from Mi Cloud).
• 🔒 Manage security (two-factor authentication, login history).
• 📱 View tied devices (smartphones, smartwatches, routers).
• 🚪 Signing out of your account (but be careful – this may block some features!).

2. Hidden system files: where is the Mi Account token stored

Even if you log out through your settings, the user’s “trace” will remain in the system files, which is because Xiaomi saves the authorization token for quick login and operation of background services, which are in protected memory areas and are not available without root rights, but can be detected through special utilities or ADB.

Main storage routes:

• 📁 /data/system/users/0/accounts.db — Android Account Database (requires root).
• 📁 /data/data/com.xiaomi.account/ — Mi Account Service folder.
• 📁 /data/misc/apexdata/com.android.credentialmanager/ — Account data storage (on new versions) MIUI).

Important: Deleting or changing these files manually can cause a system crash or lock your device! If you need to completely clear your account (for example, before selling your phone), use the official method - unlock through Find Device or reset in Fastboot mode.

3.Mi Account in the Cloud: How to Check the Linking on Xiaomi Servers

Your Mi Account doesn't exist only on your phone, but the main copy is stored on Xiaomi's servers, which means you can manage it even without access to the device.

1. Go to account.xiaomi.com (official Mi Account portal).
2. Sign in under your login (email or phone number).
3. In the Devices section, you will see all the connected gadgets, including their models and online/offline status.

You can do this here.

• 🔍 View activity history (entries, password changes).
• 🛡️ Set up two-factor authentication (SMS The Google Authenticator App).
• 🚫 Delete the device from your account (useful when selling your phone).
• 📧 Change the main email or linked number.

If you don't remember if your phone is linked to an account, check it through Find Device (i.mi.com).If the device is displayed on the map, it's linked to your Mi Account.

4.How to find Mi Account through Recovery Modes

Sometimes access to settings is blocked (for example, after a reset or if the phone is stolen), in such cases, you can try to find information about the account through recovery modes:

Method 1. Fastboot mode

• Turn off the phone.
• Press the Power button + Volume down before the Fastboot logo appears.
• Connect the device to your PC and type in the command: fastboot oem device-info If the answer has the line Device unlocked: false, then the phone is tied to Mi Account.

Method 2. Recovery Mode

• Press the Power button + Volume up before downloading Recovery.
• Choose Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.
• If the system requests a username and password from Mi Account, the account is active.

Exit from Mi Account in the settings|Remove the device from the list on account.xiaomi.com|Make reset to factory settings|Check the status of the lock via Fastboot-->

⚠️ Note: If you bought a used phone with a previous owner's Mi Account tied, you can only unlock it through the official Xiaomi service (a check or a sales contract is required.

5.Why Mi Accounts "disappear" and how to restore them

Users often experience a situation where an account suddenly disappears from settings.

If your account is missing after a firmware update, try:

1. Disable and enable synchronization again in Settings → Accounts → Mi Account.
2. Clear the cache of the Mi Account Service application (Settings → Applications → Application Management → System → Mi Account).
3. Reset network settings (Settings) → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings).

⚠️ Note: If you have removed system applications through ADB or root (for example, com.xiaomi.account), this could lead to loss of communication with the servers of Xiaomi.

6.How to check if your phone is tied to your Mi Account before you buy

Before buying a used Xiaomi smartphone, be sure to check it for reference to the Mi Account.

Method 1. Through settings

• Ask the seller to go to Settings → About Phone → All settings → Mi Account status.
• If you have an email or number, the phone is tied.

Method 2. Through Fastboot

• Connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode.
• Run the command: fastboot getvar anti If the answer is anti: 3, the device is unlocked and not tied to the account. If anti: 1 or anti: 2, the lock is active.

Method 3. Through IMEI

• Find out the phone's IMEI (type *#06#).
• Check it out at i.mi.com (check device status section).

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If the seller refuses to check the binding to the Mi Account, this is a reason to doubt the integrity of the transaction.

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Mi Accounts are often accompanied by common errors that lead to device locks or data loss.

• 🔄 Resetting settings without detachment of the account → The phone will require the username of the previous owner.
• 📱 Removing system applications (e.g. Mi Cloud) → synchronization.
• 🔒 Use of informal firmware → The risk of losing communication with Xiaomi servers.
• 📧 Change of email without confirmation → Account lockdown for 24 hours.

To avoid problems:

1. Always log out of your Mi Account before you reset or sell your phone.
2. Do not install custom firmware (like LineageOS) unless you are ready to lose access to the cloud.
3. Check your activity regularly at account.xiaomi.com.

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If you forget your Mi Account password, restore it via your linked email or phone number.Do not use third-party services to "hack" - this is a scam, and Xiaomi can lock your device permanently.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions