How to untie Xiaomi phone from Mi Account: official and alternative methods

Linking a Xiaomi smartphone to a Mi Account is a standard procedure that opens up access to cloud services, data synchronization and additional MIUI features. However, many users face the need to untie the phone from the Mi Account when selling the device, transferring it to another person or after buying a used gadget. In some cases, this procedure turns into a real headache: the system requires a password from an old account, blocks access after resetting settings or issues errors when trying to delete.

In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to detach Mi Account from official methods through phone settings to bypassing locks with developer tools and third-party utilities. We’ll focus on the problems that arise after a hard reset when a phone requires authorization in an old account. You’ll also learn how to check if your Xiaomi is tied to the Mi Account, and what to do if the previous owner can’t provide data to unbundle.

Important: the procedure may vary depending on the phone model and MIUI version. For example, on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 with MIUI 14, the algorithm will be one, and on the Poco F3 with MIUI 13, the other.

Why can’t you just delete your Mi Account through your settings?

Many users try to untie their account through the Settings menu → Accounts → Mi Account, but they encounter errors, as Xiaomi has implemented several layers of protection:

• 🔒 Protection against theft: once the settings are reset, the phone requires authorization from the last associated account (Mi Cloud Lock), a measure against unauthorized use of stolen devices.
• 📱 Hardware binding ID: Even if you delete your account through your settings, some data will remain in the device’s memory and may cause problems the next time you sign in.
• 🔄 Cloud Sync: If your phone is synced, deleting your account locally doesn’t stop it on Xiaomi servers.

In addition, on devices with MIUI 12 and later, the rule is that you can only delete Mi Account when you are actively connected to the Internet. If the phone is not connected to the network, the delete option will not be available.

⚠️ Note: If you bought a used phone and the previous owner did not untie his Mi Account, an attempt to reset the settings can lead to locking the device with a requirement to enter a password from the old account).

How to untie Mi Account through phone settings

If you have access to a phone and you remember the Mi Account data, use this method.It is suitable for most Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco models on MIUI 11-14.

Step-by-step:

1. Open Settings and go to Accounts and Sync (on some firmwares, just Accounts).
2. Select Mi Account (may be called Xiaomi Account on the newer versions).
3. Click on the gear icon (⚙️) or the line Account management.
4. Scroll down and select Delete Account (or Exit if the deletion option is not available).
5. Confirm the action by entering the password from Mi Account.
6. After removing, restart the phone.

If you do not have the option to delete your account, try:

• 📶 Connect to mobile internet or Wi-Fi (a prerequisite for MIUI 12+).
• 🔄 Update the firmware to the latest version (sometimes bugs of the old version block the removal of the software).
• 📱 Restart the phone and try again.

Disable synchronization in Mi Cloud|Connect to a stable Internet|Know the password from the account|Make a backup copy of the data-->

Some models (such as Xiaomi Mi 11 or Redmi K50) may require re-authorization after deleting your account the next time you sign in to Xiaomi services.

How to unplug Mi Account after resetting (bypassing Mi Cloud Lock)

The most common problem is that the phone requires authorization to an old Mi Account after a hard reset, which happens if the previous owner didn't untie the account before selling, in which case the official way won't help, alternative methods will be needed.

Options for a solution:

1. Contact the previous owner: ask them to remove the device from the trusted list in their Mi Account via the web version of account.xiaomi.com (Device section).
2. Use developer tools: Some models can bypass the lock via ADB or Fastboot (more below).
3. Contact Xiaomi: If you have a check or a sales contract, you can try unlocking the device through an official request (the process can take up to 30 days).

To bypass the lock via ADB (operates on MIUI 10-12):

adb shell


content insert --uri content://settings/secure --bind name:s:user_setup_complete --bind value:s:1

This command simulates the completion of the initial setup, which sometimes allows you to skip the authorization screen, but on newer versions of MIUI, this method may not work.

⚠️ Note: Use of informal methods of circumventing a lock (e.g., through EDL-mode or third-party firmware) may result in loss of warranty or blocking IMEI. Use them only as a last resort and at your own risk.

Official support for Xiaomi|Relationship to the previous owner|ADB/Fastboot|The side of the utility (for example, Mi Flash)|I haven't had a problem yet.-->

Unleash Mi Account via the web version (if the phone is not available)

If you don't have access to your phone, but you remember the Mi Account data, you can delete your device from your account through your browser, which is useful if your phone is stolen or lost, and if you sold your device but forgot to untie it.

Instructions:

1. Go to account.xiaomi.com and log in.
2. Select Devices (or Find Device in English) from the menu.
3. Find the phone you want in the list and click Delete (or Remove).
4. Confirm the action via SMS or email.

After that, the device will be unplugged from the account, and the new owner will be able to go through the initial setup without locking.

• 🔄 If the phone was in Lost/Stolen mode, deleting from the account will not remove this lock - an additional support request will be required.
• 📱 Some models (e.g. Xiaomi Mi) 10T) After removal through the web version, you may need to reset settings.

Mi Account detachment methods comparison: which one to choose?

To make it easier for you to navigate, we have collected the key features of each method in the table:

On devices with MIUI 13+ and the Snapdragon processor bypasses the lock through EDL-The mode has become almost impossible without an authorized Xiaomi developer account. If your phone falls under this restriction, it is better to contact for support or look for alternative solutions (for example, flashing through Fastboot with an unlocked bootloader).

What happens if the previous owner does not respond?

So, when you buy a phone with your hands and the seller ignores the request to unplug the Mi Account, it's one of the hardest things you can do.

1. Try to restore access to your account: 📧 If you have an email or phone number linked to your account, try to restore your password through the Recovery Form. 🔢 The lock screen sometimes displays a portion of an email or phone (e.g., ivan***@gmail.com) — This can help in recovery.
2. Use the utilities to unlock: 🛠️ Programs like Mi Flash Unlock or Xiaomi Tool V2 They can help, but they require an unlocked bootloader and knowledge of Fastboot commands. ⚠️ Risk: Unofficial tools may contain malicious code, download them only from trusted sources (e.g., source code, XDA Developers).

Contact the service center.

• 🏢 Xiaomi’s official service centers can help for a fee (from 1000 to 3000 rubles) if you provide the purchase documents.
• 🔧 Unofficial workshops often offer unlocking for 500-1500 rubles, but there is no guarantee that they will not install malware.