How to change your Xiaomi account in your phone: full instructions with nuances

Why changing your account can be a problem

Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO are all integrated with the Mi Account ecosystem — you can't use branded services, sync data, or install global updates without it. But what if you sell a phone, buy a used device with someone else's account, or just want to change your associated profile? The process is not as simple as it seems: the system actively resists deleting an account without a password, and incorrect actions can lead to a device lock (so-called "brick").

In this article, we will look at all the legal ways to change your Mi Account, from standard deletion through settings to bypassing security in case of loss of access, and pay special attention to the nuances that are not written in the official instructions: for example, why after a factory reset, the phone may require you to enter your old account data, or how to properly prepare the device before selling, so that the new owner does not encounter problems.

If a phone is stolen or bought from hands without unlocking from the previous owner, none of the methods described will work – Xiaomi locks such devices at the server level, in which case it remains only to contact the proof of purchase for support.

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

Before you delete or change your Mi Account, follow the steps to avoid data loss or blocking:

• 📱 Back up. Use the settings. → The phone. → Backup or third-party utilities like Mi PC Suite. Especially important to save: Contacts (if not synced with Google) Photos and videos (including hidden folders) DCIM/.thumbnails) Messages and call logs Wi-Fi settings and passwords
• 🔑 Make sure you know the password from your current Mi Account.Without it, you can't delete it (except in cases of a Fastboot reset, but it's risky).
• 📧 Check the emails linked to the account, and it will receive a confirmation code when deleted.
• 🔄 Untie the device from the services: Find Device (Settings) → Memory and device → Find Device) Mi Cloud (turn off sync in Settings) → Accounts. → Mi Cloud Remove your phone from the list of trusted devices in your Mi Account

If you are selling a phone, make sure to reset your account completely through Settings → Additional → Reset. But remember, after a reset, the new owner may encounter a request for the old account data if the device was tied to the Mi Cloud less than 72 hours ago.

Method 1: Standardly delete Mi Account through settings

This is the safest method, but it only works if:

• 🔓 You know the password from your current account.
• 📶 The phone has Internet access (Wi-Fi or mobile network).
• 📱 Device not locked after failed password attempts.

Instructions:

1. Open the Settings. → Accounts. → Mi Account.
2. Slip the profile icon at the top of the screen.
3. Select Account Management (or Account Settings in new MIUI versions).
4. Scroll down and click Delete Account.
5. Enter the password and confirm the deletion via SMS or email.
6. Wait 24-72 hours, during which time the phone will remain tied to the account (protection against theft).

Data backup | Disable Find Device | Password check from Mi Account| Device uncoupling in your personal account on Xiaomi | Internet connection check-->

Important! After deleting your account, some functions will stop working:

⚠️ Note: If you immediately link a new account after deleting your account, the system can lock the device for 30 days. This is fraud protection. To avoid blocking, wait 24 hours before adding a new profile.

Method 2: Reset via Fastboot (if you forget your password)

If you don’t remember your Mi Account data, but your phone is unlocked (no pattern lock)/PIN-You can try resetting the anchor via Fastboot mode, which doesn't work on all models and requires you to do so:

• 🖥️ Computer with drivers installed ADB/Fastboot.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📥 Mi Flash Unlock (official or modified).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone. Press Volume down + Power to enter the Fastboot.
2. Connect the device to a PC. In the command line, check device detection: fastboot devices must display the serial number of the phone.
3. Download Mi Unlock Tool (official) or an alternative utility like XiaomiTool V2.
4. Open the utility, log in under any Mi-account (even not your own).
5. Follow the instructions of the program. Some models will require you to enter an unlock code (you can get it on the official website, but only to unlock the bootloader, not to reset the account!).

⚠️ Risks of the method:

• 🚨 On new models (Xiaomi) 12/13, Redmi Note 11/12) This method often fails due to the enhanced anti-Rollback protection.
• 🔧 Wrong actions can lead to total loss. IMEI or locking network modules.
• 📵 After a Fastboot reset, the phone may require you to enter your old account data when you first turn on.

Method 3: Bypassing the account through EDL-mode (for advanced)

EDL (Emergency Download Mode) is a firmware emergency mode that allows you to overwrite system partitions, including account data, and works even on locked phones, but requires:

• 🔧 soldering equipment or special equipment EDL-cable (for new models).
• 💻 Mi Flash Pro or QFilm.
• 📄 Firmware file in.tgz or.mbn format for your model.
• 🔑 Authorized Xiaomi Developer Account (for new devices).

Instructions:

1. Download the firmware for your model from the Xiaomi Firmware Updater website.
2. Connect your phone to your PC in mode EDL: For older models: press the volume up + Loudness down + For new ones: use it. EDL-cable or close contacts on the board (disassembly is required!).

Mi Flash Pro

Flash

Wait until the process is complete (10-20 minutes) and the phone will restart with a clean system.

⚠️ Attention: Firmware through EDL erases all data, including IMEI After the procedure, you may need to restore the serial number. IMEI via the engineering menu (#4636##) or programs like SN Writer Tool. On models with a Snapdragon processor (for example, Xiaomi) 11T Pro, POCO F4) after EDL Anti-Rollback protection often works, and the phone turns into a brick".

💡

Before you run through EDL, be sure to check the version of your model's Anti-Rollback. If you're running an older version of MIUI than the one you installed, the phone locks forever. You can find out the version on the engineering menu or through the fastboot getvar anti command.

Method 4: Official Unlocking Through Xiaomi Support

If the phone is purchased by hand and the previous owner has not deleted the account, and you can not contact him, you just need to contact Xiaomi.

• 📄 Check or contract of sale (with indication) IMEI phone).
• 📧 Email linked to your Mi Account (if any).
• 📞 Phone number listed in profile.
• 🔍 IMEI Devices (you can find out via *#06# or on the box).

Procedure:

1. Go to the support page: mi.com/global/support.
2. Choose Mi Account. → Unlock Device.
3. Fill out the form by attaching scans of documents.
4. Wait for a response (usually 3-7 days).
5. If the request is approved, follow the instructions from the support (you may need to visit the service center).

⚠️ Important nuances:

• 🌍 Support only works with devices purchased in official stores, and for grey phones (brought from China), the chances of unlocking are minimal.
• 💰 In some regions (for example, India, Europe) unlocking is paid – up to 50$.
• ⏳ If the phone is listed as stolen, support will refuse to unlock even if there is a check.

💡

Officially unlocking through support is the only legal way to delete someone else’s Mi Account without a password. All other methods (including EDL and Fastboot) can result in a loss of warranty or device breakdown.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When you change your Mi Account, you often have some common problems, and let's look at the most common ones.

Another common mistake is to link a new account immediately after deleting the old one, which Xiaomi considers suspicious activity and can lock the device for 30 days to avoid being blocked:

1. Delete the old account.
2. Wait 24 hours (don’t turn off your phone!)
3. Only then add a new profile.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions