How to untie Xiaomi from Mi Account: all working ways in 2026

Xiaomi’s Mi Account decoupling can be needed in a variety of situations: when selling a smartphone, after buying a used gadget with a tied account, or if you just want to change your profile in the ecosystem. However, the procedure is not always simple — especially if the device is locked and the data from the old account is lost. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways of decoupling, including official methods through settings, bypassing locking using ADB, and the nuances of working with different models of Redmi, POCO and Mi.

It is important to understand that since 2021, Xiaomi has tightened security policies, and some old methods (for example, reset via Fastboot without authorization) have stopped working on new firmware. We will focus on methods that are confirmed by users in 2026, and indicate which ones are suitable for devices with a blocked bootloader (BL Lock).

Why can't you just reset the settings?

Many users mistakenly think that it is enough to perform a hard reset through Recovery Mode to remove the binding to Mi Account. In practice, this only works in one case: if the device is not locked and you know the password from the account. In all other scenarios, after reset, you will be greeted by an activation screen requiring you to enter the username and password of the previous owner.

Xiaomi uses Factory Reset Protection (FRP), similar to that on Android devices from other brands, which links the device to a Google and/or Mi Account to prevent theft and unauthorized use, and on devices with MIUI 12 and later, FRP is so deeply integrated that it is almost impossible to get around it without special tools.

⚠️ Note: If you bought a used Xiaomi smartphone with a tied account and the seller did not untie it in advance, the only legal way to unlock it is to contact him for login data. EDL or paid services may violate the terms of use of Xiaomi and result in loss of warranty.

Method 1: Uncoupling through settings (if you know the password)

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

• 🔓 You have access to the password from the Mi Account;
• 📱 The device is on and not locked;
• 🔄 You do not plan to sell the gadget immediately after the detachment (it is recommended to perform a reset after deleting the account).

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Accounts and Sync → Mi Account.
2. Click on your profile, then select “Delete Account”.
3. Enter the password for confirmation.
4. Confirm the deletion – the device will be untied from the account.

After that, you can reset to factory settings via Settings → About Phone → Reset, which ensures that the new owner does not encounter lockdown when first setup.

Backup Data |Remember/Save Password from Mi Account |Deactivate Two-Factor Authentication (if enabled) |Get out of Google account (optional)

-->

Method 2: Delete your account through the Mi Cloud website

If you don’t have physical access to the device, but you remember the login details, you can untie the gadget remotely via the official Mi Cloud service.This method works for all devices associated with your account, including smartphones, Mi Band smartwatches and even Xiaomi routers.

Step-by-step:

1. Go to the Mi Account website and log in.
2. In the Devices section, find the right gadget in the list.
3. Click on three dots next to the device and select Remove.
4. Confirm the action via SMS or email (if two-factor authentication is enabled).

Once removed, the device will disappear from the list, but the device itself will remain tethered until the next entry to the Mi Account or reset settings.

• 🔄 Resetting through Recovery Mode;
• 📱 Or log into your account on your device and delete it manually (as in Method 1).

⚠️ Note: If you remove the device from the Mi Cloud but don't reset the device itself, the new owner won't be able to activate it without your data.

Method 3: Bypassing the lock through ADB (for unlocked bootloader)

If your device is locked on the activation screen (Mi Account verify), but you have unlocked Bootloader, you can try to delete the account through ADB (Android Debug Bridge), this method works on MIUI 11-14 firmware, but requires preliminary preparation.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB and Xiaomi drivers;
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original);
• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (if not, see Method 5).

Instructions:

1. Connect the device to your PC and open the Command Prompt in the folder with ADB.
2. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices If the device is displayed, go further.
3. Launch the ADB: Adb shell shell shell
4. Delete your account files (commands alternately): pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.xiaomi.account rm -rf /data/system/users/0/accounts.db
5. Reboot the device: reboot

Once you reboot, the Mi Account lock should disappear. If not, try repeating the steps or checking if the bootloader is unlocked.

💡

Before using ADB, make sure that the device is debugging over USB (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times) → Additional → For developers → USB debugging).

Method 4: Reset via Fastboot (for some models)

On devices older than MIUI 12.5 (released before 2021), Fastboot sometimes triggers a reset without an account binding, a method that doesn’t work on newer models (Redmi Note 11, POCO X4 and later) because of bootloader lock, but can help owners of Redmi Note 8/9, Mi 9 and other older gadgets.

Procedure:

1. Turn off the device and press Volume Down + Power to log into Fastboot Mode.
2. Connect your smartphone to your PC and check for detection: fastboot devices
3. Run the full reset command: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase frp fastboot reboot

If the lock is still locked after the restart, then this method does not work on your model, in which case you will have to use Method 3 (ADB) or Method 5 (unlock the bootloader).

Method 5: Unlock the bootloader (for new devices)

Starting with MIUI 12.5, Xiaomi blocks most methods of bypassing Mi Account without unlocked bootloader (BL Unlock).If your device is released after 2021, this step is mandatory for use with ADB or Fastboot.

How to unlock Bootloader:

1. Apply for unlocking through the official Mi Unlock website (you will need to link your account to your device).
2. Download the Mi Unlock Tool and log in.
3. Connect the device in Fastboot mode and follow the program instructions.
4. Once unlocked, repeat the steps from Method 3 (ADB).

Important: unlocking the bootloader resets all data and can cancel the warranty.In addition, on some models (for example, Redmi Note 12), Xiaomi has introduced additional protection – now you need to wait 168 hours (7 days) after linking an account to the device before unlocking BL.

Redmi Note 10/11/12|POCO X3/X4/X5|Mi 11/12/13| Other model |I don't know

-->

Method 6: Calling for Xiaomi Support (Official Method)

If all other methods did not work or you do not want to risk data, you can try to contact official support Xiaomi.

• 📄 You have documents confirming the purchase of the device;
• 🔐 You forgot your password, but remember the email or phone number associated with your account;
• 🛒 You have purchased a used device and the seller is ready to provide proof of ownership transfer.

How to apply:

1. Go to the support page: Mi Support.
2. Select the section "Mi Account" (Mi Account).
3. Fill out the form by specifying: IMEI device (you can find on the box or via *#06#); Serial number; Proof of ownership (check, purchase agreement).

Wait for a response (usually 3-7 days).

Cupport may request additional data, such as a photo of a box with a serial number or a screenshot of a check, and if all documents are in order, they will send an unblocking instruction or reset the account remotely.

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi’s official support rarely helps if the device was purchased with undocumented hands.In such cases, they are redirected to the previous owner.If the seller does not respond, the only way out is to use informal methods (but this violates the warranty terms).

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When trying to untie Xiaomi from Mi Account, users often face typical problems, including the most common ones and ways to solve them:

Another common mistake is trying to use utilities like the Mi Flash Tool to run the device without unlocking the bootloader, which leads to a brick, and if you're not sure what you're doing, you'd better see a specialist.

💡

Before any manipulation of Mi Account, be sure to back up your data.Even an official reset via settings can result in loss of photos, contacts and messages if sync with Mi Cloud is disabled.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions