When Xiaomi is blocked by the requirement to enter account details after a reset, it often takes owners by surprise: This is not a system bug, but an important security feature called Find Device, which is designed to protect the device in the event of a theft. However, if you forgot your password or bought a used gadget with a “tied”, access to the system becomes impossible without additional actions.
There are several proven ways to unplug Xiaomi from the cloud service, depending on whether you remember your email password, whether you have access to your phone number, and which version of MIUI is installed, and in some cases, you will need to use special codes or even flash the device.
Below we will discuss all the current solutions to the problem, from simple actions through the browser to more complex manipulations, the main thing is to act consistently and not miss important steps so as not to permanently block the mobile device.
Why does a Mi Account request arise after a reset
The device-to-Mi Account linking mechanism is activated automatically when you first log in, which allows you to use phone search, backup and data synchronization functions. If a user performs Hard Reset via a Recovery menu or button combination, the security system perceives this as a potentially dangerous action.
Once rebooted, the smartphone accesses Xiaomi servers and requires proof of ownership. Without the correct username and password, the device will remain locked during the activation phase, so that attackers cannot use stolen gadgets after resetting.
It's important to understand that you can't just bypass this screen without removing the server-side anchor, and trying to guess the password multiple times can lead to a temporary lock on your account, so the first thing you should do is try to restore access legally.
⚠️ Note: If you bought your phone with your hands and it is blocked by someone else’s account, the only legal way to unlock it is to communicate with the previous owner to untie the device through their account.
Method 1: Recovering passwords through the official website
The easiest and most reliable way to unplug Xiaomi is to restore access to your account. If you have access to a linked phone number or email, the procedure will take a few minutes. You will need any computer or other smartphone with Internet access.
Go to the official i.mi.com website or account management page account.xiaomi.com. Enter your login (phone number or email) and click on the link "Forgot your password?". The system will offer several options for verifying your identity, which you have previously set up.
After successfully resetting your password and logging into your account on the site, the link on your phone is often updated automatically when you connect to Wi-Fi. If this does not happen, you may need to reset your settings again, but already knowing the new password.
- 📱 Use the attached phone number to receive SMS-confirmation.
- 📧 Check the backup mail if the number is not available, there will be a link for resetting.
- 🆔 Answer the check questions if you set them up when registering.
☑️ Pre-reconstruction checks
Method 2: Use Unlock Code (Unlock Code)
If you can't recover your password through the site, you can try the unlock code generation method, which is suitable for those cases where you remember your login, but you can't log in to your account in the standard way, you'll need a PC and a stable Internet connection.
Go to the locked phone settings menu (if you have access) or use your computer to log in to your Mi Cloud account. In the security or device management section, find the option “Unlock bootloader” or “Receive Code.”
The resulting code will need to be entered in the appropriate field on the lock screen or use a specialized utility on the PC. Please note that this method does not work on all versions of the firmware and requires preliminary preparation.
adb shell am start -n com.miui.securitycenter/com.miui.securitycenter.password.ForgotPasswordActivityIn some cases, the command above can open the password recovery menu if a specific version of MIUI is installed and USB debugging is enabled.
Comparison of Unlocking Methods
To make it easier for you to choose the right option, we have prepared a comparison table that will help you assess the risks and conditions for each method.
| Method | Conditions required | Difficulty | Risk of data loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Password recovery | Access to Email or Phone | Low. | No. |
| Unlocking code | Access to a PC account | Medium | High-pitched |
| Flip-flashing | Unlocked loader | Tall. | Complete. |
| Service centre | Checks, documents, box. | Low. | Depends on the method. |
What is Mi Cloud and how does it relate to locking?
Method 3: Flashing and unlocking the bootloader
A radical method to untie Xiaomi from the Mi Account is to completely flash the device with the unlocked bootloader, which requires technical knowledge and is ready for the fact that all data will be irretrievably lost.
To start, you need to unlock the bootloader using the official Mi Unlock Tool utility. This requires submitting an application through the Mi Account and waiting for 3 to 7 days. Without the unlocked bootloader, you will not be able to install custom firmware or a global version instead of the Chinese one.
Once the bootloader is unlocked, a clean firmware (Global ROM) is installed on the device, in which the old account can be reset, but if the device has been flagged as stolen in a global database, even firmware reflashing may not help.
⚠️ Warning: Unlocking the bootloader and flashing the firmware will void the manufacturer's warranty. Incorrect actions can turn the smartphone into a brick that cannot be restored.
The firmware process takes 15 to 40 minutes, depending on the speed of the Internet and the phone model. USB-cable and a serviceable port in your computer to avoid communication interruption at a critical moment.
💡
Always back up important data before any manipulation of the system, even if the phone seems locked. Sometimes you can access files through ADB mode if it was turned on earlier.
Contacting the Service Center and Support
If none of the software methods worked, it remains to turn to professionals.Official service centers Xiaomi have equipment to reprogram the memory of the device, but they require proof of ownership.
You need to provide the original purchase check, warranty card and box from the device, and without these documents, the service will refuse to unlock, as this violates the company's security policy.
Private workshops may offer software-based lock-free services, but their actions are often in the grey area, and using such services carries the risk of unstable phone performance in the future.
The cost of services depends on the phone model and the complexity of locking, and in some cases it is cheaper and safer to sell the device for parts and buy a new one than to pay for complex repairs to the software part.
💡
Having a check and box is the only guaranteed way to unlock your phone in the service without a password.
Preventing blocking in the future
To never again face the problem of how to untie Xiaomi from your account, it is worth following simple digital hygiene rules: First of all, always remember or write down passwords from the main accounts.
Use password managers or write data to a secure location, and don’t buy used equipment without first checking for the absence of other people’s accounts and locks.
Check the active device list regularly in your Mi Account security settings. If you see an unfamiliar device, delete it immediately and change your password.
- 🔐 Enable two-factor authorization for additional protection.
- 📝 Keep your device purchase check electronically forever.
- 🔄 Before selling your phone, be sure to log out of your account and make a reset.
⚠️ Warning: Buying a phone with your hands without checking for a Mi Account lock is a lottery.The seller can remotely lock the device at any time, even after transferring money.