How to completely untie Xiaomi from Mi Account before sale: instructions with a security guarantee

Why you can’t sell Xiaomi with a tied Mi Account

Selling a Xiaomi smartphone without decoupling from the Mi Account is one of the most common mistakes that can turn into problems for both the seller and the buyer, because the Mi Account is integrated into the system at the firmware level and links the device to your personal data, from backups to the Find Device function. If you do not remove the binding, the new owner can face locking after resetting the so-called Mi Cloud Lock.

Moreover, even if a customer can use the phone, you risk your privacy, and you can remotely track the location of the device, access synchronized data (contacts, notes, photos in the Mi Cloud), or even block the gadget if it falls into the hands of fraudsters, so untying the Mi Account is a must-have for Xiaomi, regardless of the model (Redmi, POCO, Mi) and the version of MIUI.

In this article, you will find step-by-step instructions for all scenarios, from the standard deletion of an account to unlocking a device with a locked bootloader, and we will also break down typical errors and explain how to check that the phone is truly “clean” before transferring to a new owner.

Preparation for the release: what to do before the reset

Before you start deleting your Mi Account, follow a few critical steps that can lead to data loss or even locking your device after a reset.

• 📱 Back up. Use the settings. → The phone. → Backup or third-party tools like Titanium Backup (requires root). Especially important to save: Contacts (export to the Internet) VCF) Photos and videos (check folder) DCIM and Pictures) Messages (SMS/MMS through SMS Backup & Restore Logins and passwords (if you use Mi Browser or Notes)
• 🔒 Delete all accounts. In addition to Mi Account, untie: Google (in Settings) → Accounts) Social networks (Facebook, VK, Telegram) Banking applications and wallets (Sberbank, Tinkoff, PayPal)
• 📡 Turn off security features: Find Device (in Settings) → Mi Account → Find Device) Two-factor authentication (2FA) for Mi Account Blocking SIM-map (PIN/PUK)
• 🔄 Check the status of the bootloader. If it is locked, you may need to log in after the reset. You can find out the status through the command: fastboot oem device-info Search for Device unlocked: false - this means that the bootloader is blocked.

⚠️ Note: If you sell Xiaomi with Unlocked bootloader, the new owner will be able to flash custom firmware without your consent, which may result in a loss of warranty or malware installation. We recommend locking the bootloader back through the Mi Unlock Tool (if possible for your model).

Method 1: Standardly delete Mi Account through settings

This is the easiest method that works on most Xiaomi devices with the current version of MIUI (12-14).

• 📱 You have access to the phone and password from Mi Account.
• 🔓 The bootloader is not locked after reset (check in Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI).
• 📶 The phone is connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile data).

Instructions:

1. Open the Settings. → Accounts. → Mi Account.
2. Click on your profile (at the top of the screen) and select Delete Account.
3. Enter the password from Mi Account and confirm the deletion.
4. Reset the device.
5. Perform reset to factory settings: Settings → Additional → Restore and Reset → Reset settings.

Once the phone is restarted, it will suggest you set it up as new. Don't sign in to Mi Account!

• Skip the authorization step (click Skip or Set up later).
• Check what in Settings → About Phone → Mi Account Status is displayed Not Connected.

Removed Mi Account through settings|Find Device is disabled|Backup created|Google and social media are untied|Uploader status checked-->

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro) POCO F3) After reset, you may be asked to enter a password from your old Mi Account, which means that the account has not been completely deleted).

Method 2: Delete Mi Account via Fastboot (if the standard method doesn’t work)

If the phone requires login to the old account after the reset, Mi Cloud Lock is still active, which often happens on devices with a locked bootloader or after the MIUI update, in which case deleting the account through Fastboot mode will help.

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Computer with drivers installed ADB/Fastboot (You can download it on the official Android website).
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 📄 File. mi_account_remove.zip (You can download it on the forums 4PDA or XDA Developers).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off your phone and press the Power button + Volume down to log into the Fastboot.
2. Connect the device to your PC and check the connection with the command: fastboot devices must display the serial number of the phone.
3. Uncivilize. mi_account_remove.zip into a folder with platform-tools.
4. Launch the file. remove_mi_account.bat (For Windows) or execute manual commands: fastboot erase frp fastboot erase config fastboot reboot
5. After the reboot, reset via Recovery (Power button + Volume up → Wipe Data).

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If the fastboot erase frp error appears after the command FAILED (remote: 'Not allowed in Lock State'), then the bootloader is locked. In this case, you will have to use Method 3 (official unlock).

Method 3: Officially unlock through the Mi Unlock Tool (for locked devices)

If previous methods did not work, and the phone after reset requires you to enter a password from the old account, then the protection of Mi Cloud Lock works, in this case, the only legal way is official unlocking through the Mi Unlock Tool utility.

The process takes up to 720 hours (30 days) and requires:

• 📧 Access to email linked to Mi Account.
• 📱 Phone from MIUI Not older than 2 years old (for new models).
• 🔗 Internet connection on phone and PC.

Instructions:

1. Download Mi Unlock Tool from the official website.
2. Sign in to the program under the same Mi Account as on the phone.
3. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode (as in Method 2).
4. Press Unlock and wait for confirmation (up to 720 hours may be required).
5. After unlocking, reset through Recovery.

⚠️ Note: Starting in 2023, Xiaomi has tightened its unlock policy. for some models (e.g. Redmi Note 12 or Xiaomi) 13T) You may need to submit a support request with a photo of the box and the check, without which unlocking will not be possible.

How to check that Xiaomi is completely detached from the Mi Account

Before handing the phone over to the customer, make sure it is truly "clean." Here are 5 ways to check:

1. Check through settings: Go to Settings → Accounts. Make sure there is no Mi Account on the list. Check Settings → About Phone → Mi Account Status – must be Unconnected.
2. Test reset: Reset via Settings → Restore and Reset. After reboot, skip all the settings steps. If the phone doesn't require a password from your old account, it's okay.
3. Checking through ADB (for advanced users): adb shell dumpsys account The output should not be a line with com.xiaomi.account.
4. IMEI Check: Type *#06# and write down the IMEI. Check it on IMEI.info – the status must be Clean (not blacklisted).
5. Check through Find Device: Go to i.mi.com from your old account. Make sure the phone doesn't show up in the list of devices.

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If the phone has passed all 5 checks, you can sell it, otherwise there is a high risk of locking the new owner or leaking your data.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced users sometimes make mistakes when untiing Mi Accounts, and here are the most common ones and ways to prevent them:

• 🔄 Reset without deleting your account: Many simply run Wipe Data in Recovery without deleting Mi Account through settings.This leads to Mi Cloud Lock.Solution: Always delete your account in Settings first → Mi Account, and then do the reset.
• 📵 Ignoring bootloader status: If the bootloader is locked, deleting the account via Fastboot may not work.Solution: Check status with the fastboot oem device-info command and unlock the bootloader if necessary.
• 🔒 Undisabled Find Device: Even after deleting your account, the device search function may remain active.Solution: Disable Find Device manually before deleting your account.
• 📡 Poor Internet connection: If the Internet is lost when you delete your account or unblock it, the process can be interrupted. Solution: Use a stable connection (better Wi-Fi).
• ⏳ Failure to comply with waiting times: When unlocked via the Mi Unlock Tool, some users interrupt the process until 720 hours have elapsed.Solution: Be patient - it is impossible to speed up the process.

⚠️ Note: If you sell Xiaomi with custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), the new owner may face issues when upgrading.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions