How to change your account on the Xiaomi Mi 8: all ways 2026

Changing Xiaomi’s account on the Mi 8 is a procedure that users experience when selling a device, transferring it to another person or simply switching to a new profile. Despite its apparent simplicity, the process can be complicated by binding to Mi Account, two-factor authentication or an outdated version of MIUI. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to change an account, from standard deletion through settings to forced reset if the phone is locked.

The Xiaomi Mi 8 (codenamed dipper) is that the model was released in 2018 and originally ran on MIUI 9/10, but today most devices are upgraded to MIUI 12-14 based on Android 10-12. This means that the interface and location of the settings may vary depending on the firmware version. We will take into account all the nuances, including bypassing locks through Fastboot if the standard methods do not work.

Preparing for a change of account: what to do in advance

Before you start changing your account, follow a few critical steps to avoid data loss or device lockdown.

• 📱 Create a backup. Use the built-in Backup app (Settings) → The phone. → Backups or third-party services like Google Drive, especially saving contacts, photos and messages.
• 🔐 Make sure you access your old account. If you don't remember the password from your Mi Account, restore it to account.xiaomi.com. Without it, it will be extremely difficult to reset the link.
• 📶 Check your Internet connection. Detachment will require a stable connection (Wi-Fi or mobile network) or the system may lock the device.
• 🔋 Charge your phone at least 50%. Interrupting the process due to battery discharge is fraught with software failures.

If you plan to transfer the phone to another user, be sure to perform a full reset after untidying the account. Otherwise, the new owner may face problems when activating.

⚠️ Attention: Xiaomi Mi 8 with MIUI 12+ When changing your account, Factory Reset Protection can be activated (FRP). If you do not untie Mi Account before reset, after the restart, the phone will require you to enter the old profile data.

Method 1: Standard Account Deletion through Settings

This is the easiest and safest method if you have access to your current Mi Account and your phone is not locked. MIUI 12-14:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to Accounts and Sync (or Mi Accounts in older versions).
3. Tap your Xiaomi profile (usually displayed at the top of the list).
4. Select Delete Account (may be called Exit or Untie Device).
5. Confirm the action by entering the password from Mi Account.
6. After deleting, reboot your phone and add a new account through the same settings section.

If the Delete Account button is inactive or absent, this may mean:

• 🔒 Reset protection is enabled on the device (FRP).
• 📱 The phone is linked to a corporate account (e.g. via Xiaomi Enterprise).
• 🔄 The device is in Device Search (similar to Find My Device from Google).

Check access to the email/phone linked to Mi Account|

Turn off the Device Search function in the security settings |

Make sure your phone is connected to the internet.|

Make a backup copy of important data-->

Method 2: Reset by Recovery Mode (if you forget your password)

If you don’t remember Mi Account data or your phone is locked after unsuccessful login attempts, you can try resetting the link via Recovery Mode, which doesn’t work on all versions of MIUI, but it often works on the Xiaomi Mi 8.

Warning: Recovery reset will remove all data from the device, including photos, apps, and settings.

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power + Volume buttons at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select the language (usually English or Chinese).
4. Go to Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (use volume buttons for navigation and power button for confirmation).
5. After reset, select Reboot → Reboot to System.

Once the reboot is complete, the phone will prompt you to log in to Mi Account, and if the reset is successful, you can skip this step or add a new account, but some firmware may still have an old profile binding, requiring additional Fastboot unlocking (more on that below).

⚠️ Attention: Xiaomi Mi 8 with MIUI 14 After resetting via Recovery, an error may appear "This device is locked." This means that the account has not been completely untied.

Method 3: Unlocking via Fastboot (for power users)

If standard methods don’t work and the phone requires you to enter your old Mi Account after reset, you can try removing the binding via Fastboot mode.This method requires a computer with ADB/Fastboot drivers installed and basic command line knowledge.

You'll need:

• 💻 Computer under control Windows/Linux.
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (preferably original).
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Unlock Tool (official program from Xiaomi).
• 🔑 Xiaomi account with permission to unlock (requires to link phone number).

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install Mi Unlock Tool from the official website.
2. Turn off the Xiaomi Mi 8 and put it in Fastboot mode: press Power + Volume down for 10 seconds.
3. Connect your phone to your computer via USB.
4. Launch the Mi Unlock Tool, log in to your Mi Account (should match the account associated with the phone).
5. Press Unlock and wait until the process is completed (usually takes 1-3 minutes).
6. Once unlocked, the phone will reboot and you can add a new account.

If the Mi Unlock Tool is running a "Couldn't unlock" or "Device not supported" error, it may mean:

• 🔄 The phone was not tied to the developer account (waiting required) 72-168 post-tether).
• 📱 The device is blocked by the operator (for example, if you bought on credit).
• 🔒 There's a custom firmware on the phone.

Method 4: Bypassing locking through EDL Mode (extreme case)

EDL Mode (Emergency Download Mode) is a firmware emergency mode that allows you to overwrite system partitions of a phone, including account data, which is used when other methods have failed, but it requires special equipment (EDL cable or Deep Flash Cable) and risks turning the phone into a brick if you make a mistake.

Warning: Using EDL Mode voids warranty and may result in loss of IMEI or other hardware problems.

Algorithm of action:

1. Download the firmware for Xiaomi Mi 8 (code dipper) from the official MIUI Downloads website.
2. Install the Qualcomm 9008 driver on your computer.
3. Connect your phone to your PC in mode EDL: 1. Turn off the device. 2. Press the buttons. <Nutrition> + <Volume up.> + <Turning down the volume> simultaneously. 3. Connect. USB-cable (to be determined as to how to "QHSUSB_BULK" device-manager).
4. Use the Mi Flash Tool to run your phone in clean all mode.
5. After firmware, the phone will boot without being tied to the account.

⚠️ Attention: Firmware through EDL Xiaomi Mi 8 s MIUI 13/14 You may need a Microsoft Authorized Account, but without it, Mi Flash will not be able to flash the device.

Table: Comparison of account change methods for Xiaomi Mi 8

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

When changing your account to Xiaomi Mi 8, users often face typical problems, and let’s look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

• 🔄 Mi Unlock Tool: The reason: the phone is not tied to the developer account or has not passed 72 One hour from the time of the binding. 3-7 Use another Xiaomi account that already has the right to unlock.
• 🔒 After a reset, the phone requires an old account: Reason: Find Device or Mi Cloud Sync function was not disabled. Solution: Try logging in to an old account and untie the device manually via i.mi.com.
• 📱 The phone does not turn on after the firmware is installed through EDL: Reason: Firmware is wrongly selected or the recording process is interrupted. Solution: Repeat firmware with the correct version MIUI dipper.

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → Optimization.

2. Run virus testing through the Security App.

3. Clear the cache in Settings → Memory. → Cleanup.-->

FAQ: Answers to popular questions

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On the Xiaomi Mi 8 with MIUI 14, the most reliable way to change your account is to use the official Mi Unlock Tool. Alternative methods (like EDL) are fraught with the risk of damaging the firmware and require technical skills.