Selling a Xiaomi smartphone requires the mandatory removal of the associated Mi Account — otherwise the new owner will face locking the device or restrictions in use. Even after resetting to factory settings, some models retain their binding to the account, which makes the phone useless for the buyer. In this article, we will discuss all current ways of detachment, including official and alternative methods, and also tell you how to check that the smartphone is completely clear of your data.
Xiaomi’s ecosystem features deep integration of services, from cloud storage to the Mi Cloud to Find Device function. If you don’t delete your account correctly, customers won’t be able to log in to your profile, activate some features, or even unlock the screen after a reset. We tested the instructions on Redmi Note 12 Pro+, POCO X5 Pro and Xiaomi 13T models — all of which work on MIUI 14/15 (released for 2026).
Why you can't just reset the settings
Many users mistakenly believe that hard reset via the recovery menu cleans the phone completely.
- 🔒 Mi Account remains tied to the device in the Xiaomi database (checked by the user). IMEI).
- 📱 On the activation screen appears a request to enter the login / password of the previous owner.
- ⚠️ Find Device, Mi Cloud and Sync features remain active for the old account.
- 🔄 Some models (e.g. Redmi) 10C or POCO M4 Pro) block access to network settings before data is entered by the previous owner.
It's called FRP-Factory Reset Protection works even if you pull it out. SIM-You can either turn off the Internet or you can't get in trouble, and the only way to avoid problems is to completely untie the device from your Mi Account before you reset.
⚠️ Note: If you have already reset your phone and forgot your account data, you can only restore access through the official Xiaomi service (you will need a purchase check or a check). IMEI). Self-attempts to bypass the lock often lead to a “brick” of the device.
Official method: deletion of the account through settings
The most reliable method is to untie your account directly from the smartphone menu, which works on all models with MIUI 12 and later, including Redmi, POCO and Xiaomi series 11/12/13/14.
Instructions:
- Open Settings → Accounts and Sync → Mi Account.
- Slip on your account (usually an email or phone number is displayed).
- Select Account Management → Delete the account.
- Enter the password from the Mi Account and confirm the deletion.
- Reboot your phone and reset through Settings → About Phone → Reset settings.
After this procedure, the device will be completely unconnected from your profile, and the buyer will be able to activate it under his account without restrictions.
Sync is disabled (Settings → Accounts → Mi Account → Sync)
Backup data created (Mi Cloud or locally)
The device is connected to Wi-Fi/mobile network
Password from Mi-account at hand
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Alternative methods of detachment (if the standard does not work)
Sometimes deleting your account through settings is not available, for example if:
- 🔐 You forgot your Mi Account password.
- 📵 Phone locked (not known pattern lock)/PIN).
- 🔄 Account Deletion feature is not in the menu (older versions) MIUI).
In such cases, one of the alternative ways will help:
1. Through Find Device (Remote Management)
If the Find Device feature is enabled on the phone, you can untie it via the web version of the service:
- Go to i.mi.com and log in.
- Select your smartphone in the list of devices.
- Click Remove the device and confirm the action.
- Reset your phone through Settings → Reset.
2. with ADB (for advanced users)
The method requires a computer and enabled debugging over USB, suitable for models on MIUI 11-14:
adb shell content insert --uri content://settings/secure --bind name:s:user_setup_complete --bind value:s:1
adb shell am start -n com.android.settings/.SettingsAfter completing the commands, go to the settings and delete the account in the standard way.
⚠️ Attention: Use ADB A locked phone may cause anti-Rollback protection to work on some models (e.g. Xiaomi 12 Pro.
Through phone settings
Using Find Device (i.mi.com)
ADB-team
I went to the service center.
I haven't sold Xiaomi yet.-->
How to check if your phone is completely untied
Before transferring the smartphone to the buyer, make sure that:
| Parameter | How to check | What should be. |
|---|---|---|
| Link to Mi Account | Go to Settings → About Phone → All settings → Mi Account status | Status: "Not tied" |
| FRP-locking | Do a reset and try to set up the phone as new | No request to enter an old account |
| Find Device | Go to i.mi.com and check the list of devices | Phone is not on the list |
| IMEI in the Xiaomi database | Send a support request to verify IMEI status | IMEI is not tied to an account |
If at least one of the items does not meet the norm, re-execute the detachment procedure. On the POCO F4 GT and Xiaomi 13 Ultra models, it sometimes takes up to 72 hours for the changes to appear in the Xiaomi system.
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Before selling, take a screenshot of the “Mi Account Status” screen marked “Not tied” – this will confirm to the buyer that the phone is clean.
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even experienced users make mistakes when uncoupling Xiaomi from an account.
- 🔄 Reset before deleting the account → lead FRP-Solution: always untie your account first, then reset.
- 📱 Use of informal firmware → Solution: Return stock before selling MIUI.
- 🔒 Forgotten password from Mi-account → Solution: Restore your password via account.xiaomi.com before resetting your phone.
- 📡 No Internet access when removing → Solution: Connect to Wi-Fi or mobile.
On Redmi Note 11 Pro+ and later, if the uncoupling is incorrect, anti-theft protection (Anti-Theft) can work, which locks the device for 72 hours, in which case only contacting the service center with documents on the phone will help.
What if the buyer complains of being blocked after the sale?
Unlocking on a locked phone (without access to the menu)
If the phone screen is locked (forgotten) PIN/pattern lock), and Mi-account is not untied, there are few options:
- Recovery of password via account.xiaomi.com (if email/phone is attached).
- Contact the service center with documents on the phone (check, warranty card).
- Use of Fastboot mode (only for power users, risk of "brick").
On Xiaomi 12S Ultra and POCO F5 models with MIUI 14+, the lock is only through the official service. Self-attempts using EDL or TestPoint lead to the loss of IMEI or complete inoperability of the device.
⚠️ Attention: Sites that offer “unlock Xiaomi in 5 minutes” without access to an account are often fraudulent.
Features of the detachment on different models Xiaomi
The procedure for deleting an account may vary depending on the series and version of MIUI:
| Series/Model | Features | Recommendations |
|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 8/9/10 | MIUI 11-12 does not have the option to delete your account from the menu | Use Find Device or ADB |
| POCO F3/F4/F5 | After reset, you need to enter a password from the Mi Account even if it is untied. | Before selling, reset TWO TWO with a reboot between them. |
| Xiaomi 11/12/13 | Supports deletion of account through settings, but can be blocked when changing the region | Uninstall your account in the same country where you bought your phone |
| Black Shark 4/5 | The gaming smartphones have a separate Black Shark account. | Delete both accounts: Mi and Black Shark |
On devices with MIUI for Russia (for example, Redmi 10 2022) after untiing the account can remain binding to the services of Yandex or Mail.ru. They also need to be manually deleted through Settings → Accounts.
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On models with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip (such as Xiaomi 13 Pro) after untidying the account, be sure to update the firmware to the latest version. This will prevent the new owner from activating the Anti-Rollback 4 protection.