How to activate Xiaomi phone in Mi Account after a complete data reset: detailed guide

Resetting a Xiaomi smartphone to factory settings is standard procedure when selling a device, fixing system crashes or preparing for firmware. However, after such a reset, many users face a Mi Account Lock, which requires re-entering your Mi Account account. If you forget your password, lose access to your linked phone number or email, the process can turn into a real headache.

In this article, we will discuss all the ways to activate Xiaomi after a reset, from the standard login procedure to bypassing the lock in case of emergency, you will learn how to restore access to Mi Account, what to do when server errors, and why some models (Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO X3 Pro) require additional actions. We will also look at the unique nuances for devices with a chip MediaTek and Qualcomm Snapdragon, which affect the unlocking process.

Why Xiaomi requires activation via Mi Account after reset

The Mi Account Lock lock is a theft protection measure introduced by Xiaomi in 2016, where, after a Factory Reset, the phone requests the account data that was tied to the device before the reset, and it works even if:

• 📱 You reset the settings through Settings → Additionally. → Recovery and discharge;
• 🔧 Used Fastboot or Recovery mode to reset;
• 💻 Switched the phone through the Mi Flash Tool (in some cases).

The lock works on all models, starting with Redmi 3 and Mi 5, as well as on devices under the brands. POCO Black Shark, with the exception of smartphones for the Chinese market (China) ROM), where a WeChat link can be used instead of a Mi Account or QQ.

It is important to understand that locking is not a bug, but a regular security feature, but it often causes problems for:

• 🛒 Buyers of used phones where the previous owner did not untidy the account;
• 🔄 Users who have forgotten their Mi Account information;
• 📦 Owners of devices with firmware from third-party developers (Custom) ROM).

Preparing for activation: what to do before resetting

If you’re planning to reset your Xiaomi phone, follow these steps ahead of time to avoid problems:

Make sure you remember. email/Phone and password from Mi Account|

Untie the device from the account in Settings → Mi Account → Devices|

Save a backup of data through Settings → System system → Backup|

Get out. SIM-card and memory card (if any)|

Charge your phone at least 50 times%-->

If your phone is already dropped and you can't log in to Mi Account, move to the next section, but if you're selling or transferring a device, you should:

1. Go to Settings. → Mi Account → Security and remove the device from the list;
2. Perform reset through Settings → Additionally. → Recovery and discharge → Erase all data;
3. After rebooting, do not connect to Wi-Fi/Mobile network before transferring the phone to the new owner.

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If you are selling a phone, ask the buyer to enter your Mi Account details with you, which will confirm that the lock is lifted.

Xiaomi’s standard activation via Mi Account: step-by-step instructions

If after resetting the phone requires the entry of Mi Account data and you remember the username / password, follow this instruction:

1. Select the language on the welcome screen (usually English and Chinese are available).
2. Connect to Wi-Fi or mobile. Without the Internet, activation is impossible.
3. Enter the lock screen: 📧 Email or phone number linked to Mi Account; 🔑 Password from the account.

Google Authenticator

Wait until activation is complete (it can take up to 5 minutes).

On some models (Redmi Note 9 Pro, POCO F3) And when you input the data, you might get a message saying, "This device has been reset. Wait 72 hours." This is the standard security delay -- wait the specified time and try again.

Recovery of Mi Account: If you forget your password or email

If you do not remember the details for the Mi Account login, use the official recovery procedure:

1. Go to the password recovery site.
2. Enter the email or phone number associated with the account.
3. Choose a Recovery Method: 📧 By email (link to reset password); 📞 Po Po Po SMS (proof-of-concept); 🔐 By backup email (if configured).

Create a new password and confirm the changes.

If you do not have access to your email/phone:

• 🆔 Try to remember the backup email (indicated at registration);
• 📄 Check out old emails from Xiaomi (theme: Welcome to Mi Account");
• 📱 If your account is linked to another Xiaomi device, log in and update your details.

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If you changed your phone number in Mi Account but did not confirm it, restore it through the SMS It's not possible. Use email in this case.

For accounts registered before 2018, you may need to contact Xiaomi to provide:

• 📝 Passport data (for identification);
• 📱 IMEI locked-up;
• 📅 Account registration dates (can be found through profile).

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi support may refuse to restore an account if the device was purchased in a “gray” way (not through official distributors).

Bypassing the blocking of Mi Account: risks and working methods

If standard activation is not possible (for example, the phone is bought by hand and the previous owner did not untie the account), you can try to bypass the lock.

• ⚠️ It could violate the guarantee;
• ⚠️ Some methods require unlocking the bootloader (Bootloader);
• ⚠️ On new models (Xiaomi) 12/13 series, Redmi Note 11/12) Circumvention is often impossible without an official unlocker.

Let’s look at three methods (from the safest to the most risky):

Method 1: Official unlocker (for older models)

Suitable for devices up to 2020 (Redmi Note 8 Pro, Mi 9, etc.)

1. Download the Mi Unlock Tool;
2. Request permission to unlock the bootloader (can take up to 720 hours)
3. Connect the phone in Fastboot mode and unlock;
4. Swipe your device through the Mi Flash Tool and disable account verification.

Method 2: Through EDL-mode (for Qualcomm)

It works on smartphones with Snapdragon processors (POCO F1, Redmi K20 Pro? Demands:

• 🔧 Rations. EDL-Cable or use of Deep Flash Cable;
• 💻 Mi Flash Pro and Fastboot Firmware Utilities;
• 🔑 Authorized Xiaomi account for downloading firmware.

Method 3: Through exploits (for MediaTek)

For devices on MediaTek (Redmi) 9A, POCO M3) Sometimes, utilities like this help. MTK Bypass or MCT Tool, though:

• 🛠️ Requires a phone disassembly to close contacts Test Point;
• 🔄 Risk of “bricking” (turning into a “brick”) in case of an error;
• 📛 On the new firmware (MIUI 13/14) Exploits often don’t work.

⚠️ Note: Using unofficial bypass techniques can lead to a ban on a Mi Account if a device has been stolen. Xiaomi tracks such actions and can block IMEI phone.

Features of activation on different models Xiaomi

The activation process may vary depending on the model, processor and regional firmware, and the following are key nuances for popular devices:

For devices with Chinese firmware (China) ROM) may be required:

• 🌏 Change region to Global with Mi Flash Tool;
• 📱 Linking to a WeChat account or QQ Mi Account instead;
• 🔧 Use of special firmware versions (e.g. xiaomi.eu).

On phones with an unlocked bootloader, Mi Account locking is sometimes done by Custom Recovery firmware (for example, by default, TWRP) It's not working on all models, it's technically skillful.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

When activating Xiaomi after reset, users experience typical errors. Here's how to fix them:

Error: "This device has been dropped. Wait X hours."

This delay comes after several failed entry attempts.

• ⏳ Wait for the specified time (usually 24-72 hours);
• 📡 Change. IP-address (for example, connect to another Wi-Fi network or use mobile internet);
• 🔄 Restart the phone and try again.

Error: "Server is not available. Try again later."

The problem is on the side of Xiaomi or your Internet connection.

• 🌐 Does the site account.xiaomi.com work;
• 📶 Turn it off. VPN Proxies (they can block access to Xiaomi servers);
• 🔄 Restart your router or change the network.

Error: "Device not found in account"

So the phone was tied to another Mi Account.

• 📞 Contact the previous owner and ask to untie the device;
• 🔧 Use of circumvention methods (section 5);
• 📄 Provide a purchase check in support of Xiaomi for unlocking.

Mistake: "The wrong region"

This occurs if the firmware of the phone does not match the region of the account.

• 🌍 Please Global. ROM via Mi Flash Tool;
• 📱 Or create a new Mi Account with a region corresponding to the firmware (e.g. China for Chinese devices).

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If the phone was purchased in China, but sewn on Global ROM, The lock may be triggered due to inconsistency IMEI In this case, only the firmware of the original China will help. ROM.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions