How to completely disable Mi Account on Xiaomi smartphones: 5 proven ways

Linking a device to a Mi Account is standard practice for all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones. This feature provides additional data protection, synchronization of settings and access to branded services. However, there are situations when a user needs to disable a Mi Account: when selling a phone, transferring it to another person or if the device is blocked due to a forgotten password. In this article, we will analyze all current ways to delete an account, including official and alternative methods, and also consider typical errors and their solutions.

It is important to understand that simply deleting an account through settings does not always result in a complete disconnection of the binding. For example, after resetting to factory settings on some models (Xiaomi 12T, Redmi Note 11 Pro+), a request to enter data from the former Mi Account is part of the Mi Cloud Activation Lock protection system.

Why you can’t just delete your Mi Account through your settings

Many users mistakenly believe that it is enough to go to Settings → Accounts → Mi Account and click “Delete”. In practice, this method only works in two cases:

• 📱 The device is not tied to the Mi Cloud Activation Lock (relevant to older models until 2019).
• 🔓 You remember the password from the account and can confirm the deletion through SMS email.

On modern smartphones (Xiaomi 13, POCO F5, Redmi K60), even after deleting an account through the menu, the binding is stored in the hardware module (eMMC/UF), which means that after a reset, the system will require the data of the previous owner to be entered, such protection is introduced to combat device theft, but creates problems with legal sale.

Another trap: if you delete your account but don't turn off Find Device, your phone will remain locked for a new user, a common reason for contacting service centers.

Method 1: Officially delete via settings (if you know the password)

The easiest and safest method is to delete your account directly from the phone menu, which is suitable if:

• 🔑 You remember the password from the Mi Account.
• 📶 The device has Internet access (Wi-Fi or mobile network).
• 📱 Phone not locked after reset.

Step-by-step:

1. Open Settings → Accounts and Sync (or Mi Account depending on the version of MIUI).
2. Choose a Mi Account → press the gear icon (⚙️) top-right.
3. Tap Delete the account.
4. Enter the password from the account and confirm the deletion via SMS or email.
5. Reset the device.

After that, the Mi Cloud binding will be removed and the phone can be safely dropped or transferred to another user.However, models with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip (such as the Xiaomi 13 Ultra) may require additional confirmation through the Mi Unlock Tool app.

Method 2: Delete via Mi Cloud website (if phone is lost)

If you don't have access to your phone, but you remember the Mi Account data, you can delete the link remotely through the official Xiaomi website.

• 📱 Phone stolen or lost.
• 🔄 You sold your device but forgot to unplug your account.
• 🔧 Reset Activation Lock lock for new owner.

Instructions:

1. Go to account.xiaomi.com and log in.
2. In the Devices section, find your phone and click Delete (or Untie).
3. Confirm the action via SMS or email.
4. Wait 24 hours, the system will remove the binding completely.

Important: Once unblocked, the phone will automatically unlock, but all data on it will be erased the next time you connect to the Internet. If you want to save files, first back up via Mi Cloud or Google Drive.

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If your device is not displayed on the site, check if your phone is connected to the Internet. Sometimes you need to enable geolocation to display correctly in the list.

Method 3: Unlocking through Mi Unlock Tool (for locked phones)

If, after resetting, the phone requires you to enter your old Mi Account data and you don't know it, the official way to unlock it is to use the Mi Unlock Tool utility.

• 🔗 Your account was linked to your phone less than 30 days ago (otherwise you will need to wait).
• 📡 The device is connected to the Internet.
• 🖥️ You have a Windows computer and the original USB-cable.

Step-by-step:

1. Download the Mi Unlock Tool from the official website en.miui.com/unlock.
2. Launch the utility and log in under the same Mi Account that is linked to the phone.
3. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to enter Fastboot mode.
4. Connect the device to the PC and wait until the program determines it.
5. Press Unlock and confirm unlocking.

The process can take anywhere from 10 minutes to several hours, depending on the phone model and firmware version, and new devices (Xiaomi 14, POCO X6 Pro) require 72 to 168 hours of waiting after the first account is attached.

Method 4: Reset via Recovery and EDL modes (for advanced users)

If the official methods didn’t work, you can try hardware reset via special modes, which is suitable for advanced users, as it requires work with firmware and risks “bricking” the device if you make an error.

There are two options:

For reset via Recovery Mode:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Volume Up + Power until the Mi logo appears.
3. Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (Change Volume Buttons).
4. Confirm the reset and wait for the reset.

EDL Mode requires a Deep Flash Cable and firmware for your model, a method recommended only in extreme cases, as improper actions can bring the phone down.

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Recovery Mode resets do not delete Mi Account completely, it only clears user data.

Method 5: Contact Xiaomi Service Center (Guarantee Cases)

If all independent attempts to unlock failed, you can contact an authorized service center.

• 📄 You have a check or a warranty card on your phone.
• 🔐 The device is locked after buying from hands and the seller is not responding.
• 🛠️ Phone warranty, and you're afraid of losing it by self-intervention.

What will be required to unlock:

1. Passport or other document confirming the identity.
2. Check or purchase agreement (if the phone was not purchased new).
3. Box from the device (on some models check the serial number).

The cost of the service varies from 500 to 3000 rubles depending on the model and the reason for the lock, and in some cases (for example, if you are a thief), you may need to contact the police to confirm legal ownership.

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Before you visit the service center, take screenshots of all documents (check, correspondence with the seller) and save them in the cloud, which will speed up the verification process.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When trying to disable Mi Accounts, users often face typical problems, and consider the most common ones and how to solve them:

⚠️ Note: If you see a message saying, "This device is tied to Mi Account. Enter password" after reset, it means that Activation Lock is active. In this case, the usual deletion of the account through settings will not help - you need one of the methods described in Method 3 or Method 5.

Frequent errors:

• 🔄 "Unable to delete account: no internet connection" → Check your network settings or connect to another Wi-Fi point.
• ⏳ "Wait 72 hours before unlocking" → This is the standard restriction for new accounts.
• 🔑 "Wrong password" → Try to restore access through the Mi Cloud site or contact support.
• 📱 "The device does not support unlocking" → Some models (Xiaomi Mix Fold 2) require special software from the manufacturer.

If you buy a phone with your hands, always check Activation Lock status through the Settings menu → About Phone → Lock status. If it says “Device secure,” ask the seller to untie your account with you.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Mi Account