How to completely untie the Xiaomi smartphone from the account before selling: secure algorithm 2026

Why can't you just reset the settings?

Selling a Xiaomi smartphone without first decoupling from a Mi Account is one of the most common user mistakes. Many people think that it is enough to reset to factory settings through the menu, but this does not remove the binding of the device to the owner's profile in the Xiaomi system, as a result, the new buyer may face a request for a username / password on the first turn on, and you may face claims about a "stolen" phone.

The fact is that Xiaomi uses the Find Device mechanism (similar to Apple's Find iPhone), which links the hardware to the account. Even after resetting in the Settings menu → About the phone → Resetting, the device's identifiers remain in the Mi Cloud database. This is anti-theft protection, but it also creates problems when you sell them honestly.

Moreover, since 2021, Xiaomi has tightened its security policy: when you try to activate a dropped phone without detachment from the account, the system can lock the device for 72 hours or even require confirmation from the previous owner, so the detachment procedure must be performed strictly before handing the gadget to the buyer.

Preparation for the unbundling: what to do in advance

Before you start deleting your account, follow a few critical steps that can lead to loss of access to data or even locking your phone.

• 🔄 Sync data: Move contacts, photos and files to another medium. Once the account is unloaded, access to Mi Cloud will be closed, and local data will be deleted when reset.
• 📱 Check it out. IMEI: Write down unique device identifiers (type *#06#) and they will be used to verify ownership if the buyer wants to restore access.
• 🔐 Check your account: Try to log in to Mi Account on another device. If you lose access (forgot your password, old phone number is tied), restore it before the procedure begins.
• 📶 Turn off Find Device: Go to Settings → Mi Account → Find Device and deactivate the feature.This will prevent automatic locking after resetting.

⚠️ Note: If the phone was bought from hand and is already tied to someone else's account, you can not untie it without the data of the previous owner.

Method 1: Standard uncoupling through phone settings

This is the most reliable and recommended method if you have access to the phone and password from Mi Account. The manual is suitable for all modern models of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO on MIUI 12-14.

1. Open Settings and go to Accounts and Sync (or Mi Account depending on the firmware version).
2. Tap your Mi Account profile (usually an email or phone number is displayed).
3. Scroll down and select Delete Account. The system will request a password to confirm.
4. After entering the password, click Confirm. The device will be unconnected from the account, but the data on it will be stored.
5. Return to Settings → About Phone → Reset and complete a full reset (select Erase All Data).

Important: Once you delete your account, the phone may request a re-entered password to verify ownership, and that's OK, enter it again.

Make sure that Find Device is disabled

Synchronize important data

Record the IMEI of the device

Delete your Mi Account through settings

Perform reset to factory settings-->

Method 2: Unleash the Mi Account website (if the phone is unavailable)

If your phone is lost, broken, or you have already handed it over to the customer but forgot to unplug your account, you can do it remotely through the official Xiaomi website.

• 📌 You have access to email/phone number associated with the account.
• 🔗 Phone connected to the Internet (to synchronize changes).
• 🛡️ Two-factor authentication is disabled or you have backup codes.

Instructions:

1. Go to account.xiaomi.com and log in.
2. In the Devices section, find your phone and click on it.
3. Select the option to Remove Device.
4. Confirm the action via email or SMS (depending on your account settings).

⚠️ Warning: Remote site unbundling may not work if the phone hasn't connected to the Internet for a long time, in which case you'll have to wait for the new owner to activate the device, or seek evidence of sale for support.

Method 3: Forced Fastboot reset (for advanced users)

If standard methods do not work (for example, forgotten password from the account, and recovery is impossible), the last option is to unlock the bootloader and reset via Fastboot mode. POCO, requires:

• 💻 Computer with drivers installed ADB/Fastboot.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 🔓 Permissions to unlock the bootloader (you need to link the account to the device in advance!).

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install Google’s Platform Tools.
2. Turn off your phone and press the Power button + Volume down to log into the Fastboot.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and type in the command line: fastboot oem edl If the command doesn’t work, try: fastboot oem unlock
4. Once unlocked, complete the reset: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot

Warning: This method erases all data without recovery and can result in the device locking if the bootloader has not been officially unlocked through the Mi Unlock Tool.

💡

If your phone is not recognized in Fastboot, try using another phone. USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0) or disable driver signatures in Windows via gpedit.msc (for power users).

What to do after the detachment: check before selling

Even if you successfully delete your account and reset your settings, the customer needs to do a final check before handing over the phone, which will take 5-10 minutes, but will save you from potential problems in the future.

If problems are detected during the verification phase (e.g., the phone requires a password from an old account), do not pass it on to the buyer.

💡

Even after a successful detachment, save your phone’s sales check and IMEI for 3-6 months, and it’s your insurance against disputes with a customer or device locking by mistake.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Many users face problems when uncoupling Xiaomi due to ignorance of the nuances of the MIUI system. Here are the most common errors and ways to prevent them:

• 🚫 Reset without deleting your account: Leads to locking your phone the first time you turn on.Solution: Always delete your account first through Settings → Mi Account.
• 🔒 Mi Account password: You can't untie your phone without it. Solution: Restore access through the recovery form (you'll need a tied one). email/phone).
• 📵 No internet when resetting: The phone may not sync deletion of your account.Solution: Connect to Wi-Fi or mobile network before resetting.
• 🔄 Use of informal firmware: On custom ROM (For example, LineageOS) Find Device may not work properly. Solution: Return to stock before selling. MIUI.

Pay special attention to Xiaomi models with a locked bootloader (for example, Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO X3 Pro), on which forced reset via Fastboot without official unlocking will lead to a “brick” (complete inoperability), in which case the only way out is to contact the service center with documents.

Another trap is regional restrictions: If the phone was bought in China (the local version), and you're trying to untie it through a global account, the system can emit an error, so you can link the device to a Chinese Mi Account (it needs a phone number of +86) or use the Mi Unlock Tool.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions