How to untie your Xiaomi account if you forget your password and login

When Xiaomi’s smartphone is locked due to forgotten credentials, it’s one of the most stressful for users.Mi Account’s security system is designed to protect the device from theft as much as possible, making it impossible to simply reset your settings without authorization. If you forget your username and password, the phone turns into a brick immediately after you try to reflash it or make a complete reset.

In this article, we will discuss all the legal and technically sound ways to solve the problem, learn how to restore access via email, how to use IMEI for official unlocking and what to do if none of the standard methods work, the main thing is not to panic and act consistently so as not to aggravate the situation by locking on the hardware.

Before you start taking action, you need to clearly understand what kind of lock you are facing. Often users confuse a Google account and a Xiaomi account, although the algorithms for circumventing them are radically different, and in this article we focus exclusively on the Chinese manufacturer’s ecosystem and its authorization servers.

Why is the Mi Account blocked?

The lock mechanism, known as Activation Lock, is activated automatically when you turn on Find Device, a built-in security that links a unique device ID to your profile on the company's servers. Even after you have fully formatted your memory, the smartphone will request login data when it first connects to the Internet.

The main purpose of this system is to make the stolen phone useless for the attacker, without the original credentials, the new owner will not even be able to activate the device, but often the owners who change their SIM card or simply have not used the gadget for a long time and have forgotten the registration data are the victims of this protection.

⚠️ Warning: Trying to bypass the lock by flashing modified versions of the software (Global to China or vice versa) without prior detachment often leads to the error "Device is locked" and requires unlocking the bootloader, which is impossible without access to the account.

There are several scenarios that require an urgent undoing, most often selling a device, passing it to relatives or recovering from a forgotten password. It is important to understand that server-side binding is stored not only in the memory of the phone, but also in the cloud database, so local manipulation of system files rarely produces long-term results.

Official method of recovery through the site

The most reliable and secure method is to restore access through the official portal, if you have access to a phone number or email that was linked to a profile, the process will take no more than 10 minutes, you need to go to the account management page and select the recovery option.

The system will offer several options for verifying your identity, which can be a code from an SMS, a backup email, or an answer to a secret question if you have installed one, and after successful identification, you will be asked to set a new password that immediately deactivates the lock on all connected devices.

• 📱 Go to the official i.mi.com website or account.xiaomi.com from your computer.
• 🔑 Click on the link “Forgot password?” under the login form.
• 📧 Enter the identifier you know: phone number, email or ID account.
• ✅ Follow the instructions on the screen to receive the confirmation code.

If you change your phone number and you don't have access to your old SIM card, the process becomes complicated, in which case the system can request additional data to confirm your account ownership, sometimes you need to download a passport scan or provide checks for the purchase of devices previously linked to this profile.

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If you have changed your phone number but haven’t updated your profile, try logging in via a linked email. Often users forget that they have access to the email they signed up for.

Using IMEI to unbundle through support

In cases where it is not possible to restore access through standard means, the only legal way is to contact technical support with proof of purchase, which takes time, but guarantees 100% results without risking damage to the smartphone software.

You'll need to find the original package from the device or the warranty card that lists the IMEI (unique code of the device) and the date of purchase, which must match the information in the system, and without a check or a box from the store, the chances of success are dramatically reduced, because support must make sure that the device is not stolen.

The process is as follows: you create a request in the service center or through the feedback form on the site, attach a photo of the box with a visible IMEI and a check. After checking by moderators (usually from 3 to 10 days), a letter with a link or instructions to remove the binding comes.

It should be noted that this method only works for officially purchased devices, where the phone was imported under a grey import scheme or bought from hand without documents, support may refuse service, in which case you can rely only on memory or assistance from the previous owner.

Comparison of Unlocking Methods

The choice of strategy depends on the resources available to you: time, documents and access to contact information. Below is a table that will help you determine the best way to solve the problem in your situation.

As you can see from the table, the official password recovery path is the preferred one, it requires no special knowledge and preserves the integrity of the system. Using third-party utilities often carries the risk of disrupting communication modules or cameras.

Contacting an authorized service center can be a compromise: specialists have access to internal databases and can perform the detachment procedure for a fee if you prove possession of the device in person, even without a check (for example, through facial recognition or a fingerprint if the phone is partially functional).

Alternatives and workarounds

There are technical ways to bypass the activation screen, but they are temporary or have serious limitations, such as exploiting vulnerabilities in older versions of Android or specific versions of MIUI.

One common method is to try activation via Recovery using third-party launchers or tools like ADB. However, on current models with an updated security patch, this is almost impossible without an unlocked bootloader.

• 🛠 Use of the DNS-Spoofing to redirect activation requests (works extremely rarely).
• 📲 Application of special testing cables (requires expensive equipment).
• 💻 Scripts to delete system lock files (requires Root rights).

⚠️ Attention: Downloading "magic" unlock programs from questionable sites often leads to the computer being infected with styler viruses that steal passwords from your real accounts!

If the phone is hand-held and locked, the only honest way is to contact the seller. Ask them to remotely untie the device via the site. They don't need the phone itself, they just need access to the Internet and their account. On the list of devices, they have to select yours and click Remove.

Preventing Access Problems in the Future

To avoid a repeat of the situation, it's important to properly set up an account immediately after you buy a smartphone.Two-factor authentication and backup email binding are basic measures that take a minute but save hours of nerves in the future.

Write your username and password in a safe place: a paper notebook or password manager. Don't rely on memory, especially if you use complex character combinations. Also regularly check the relevance of your phone number in your profile settings, especially after changing the operator.

Before selling or transferring your device, make sure to follow the correct exit procedure. Don't just reset with buttons, but first go to Settings → Mi Account → Sign out. Only after that the device is untied from the server, and the new owner will not face activation problems.

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The correct exit from the account before resetting is the only guarantee that the phone will not be blocked from the new owner.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)