Modern Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones are equipped with a powerful Mi Account security system, which is designed to protect the owner’s data in the event of theft or loss of the device. However, there is often a situation when you need to untie the phone from the account: before selling a gadget, when buying a used device with a locked screen or simply changing the main email address. Ignoring this step can lead to the fact that after resetting the settings to the factory (Hard Reset), the device will require the password of the previous owner, turning into a “brick”.
The unbundling process depends on whether you have physical access to the settings menu and know the current password. If you are the legitimate owner, the procedure takes a few minutes through the standard menu. In situations where access is lost, a more sophisticated approach will be required, including contacting support or using specialized tools. It is important to understand the difference between simply leaving your account and completely removing the device's association on the manufacturer's servers.
In this article, we will discuss all legal detachment methods in detail, explain the operation of activation blocking and answer frequent questions. Data security is a priority for Xiaomi, so the company has implemented strict protection measures that can not be circumvented by simple reprogramming. We will look at standard ways to solve the problem that ensure the performance of the smartphone in the future without the risk of violation of warranty obligations.
Staff method of detachment through smartphone settings
The easiest and most reliable way to untie the device is to perform this operation directly through the interface of the MIUI or HyperOS operating system. This method is suitable if the phone turns on, the screen responds to touch, and you know the password from your Mi Account. Before starting the procedure, make sure that the device is connected to a stable Wi-Fi network or mobile Internet, since the server needs to receive a signal to remove the binding in real time.
To start, open the Security app or go to the basic system settings. Find the account section. The path may vary slightly depending on the firmware version, but the logic remains the same: you need to find an active account and initiate an exit procedure. The system can request identity verification through password or SMS code if two-factor authorization is enabled.
⚠️ Note: If you just click the "Off" button without access to the Internet, the phone may not have time to send a command to the server, as a result, after the data reset, the activation block will still appear.
After successfully logging out of your account in the menu, it is recommended to reset immediately to make sure that the system is clean, which is especially important if you plan to transfer the device to another user. Deleting the account from the settings breaks the link between the unique device identifier (IMEI) and your account in the Xiaomi cloud database.
- 📱 Go to Settings. → Mi Account (or “Accounts and Synchronization»).
- 🔓 Click on the “Exit” button and enter the password for confirmation.
- 🗑️ Select the option “Delete data from the device” if it is offered when you exit.
- 🔄 After exit, perform a full reset through Settings → The phone. → Resetting settings.
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Deleting your account through the settings menu is the only way to guarantee that you will remove the activation lock without contacting the service center.
Removing binding via i.mi.com web interface
If the phone is lost, broken, or unavailable, but you have access to an account, you can untie the device remotely through the company's official web service.This method is effective for cleaning the list of trusted devices and removing the binding from the server, allowing the new owner to activate the smartphone without problems, which will require a computer or any other smartphone with Internet access.
Go to the official Xiaomi cloud service website. You need to log in using the same log and password that was listed on the tied phone. The site interface can be in English or Chinese, but the basic features are easily recognizable by the icons. Once logged in, find the device management section, which is often designated as Devices or a smartphone icon.
In the list, you'll see all the gadgets ever connected to your account. Find the right model (like the Redmi Note 10 or Xiaomi Mi 11) by name or IMEI. Next to the device should be a delete button or a shopping cart icon. By clicking on it, you'll send a command to the server that this device is no longer associated with your profile.
- 💻 Open your browser and go to the address https://i.mi.com/.
- 🔑 Enter the login and password from your Mi Account.
- 📱 Select the “Find Device” or “Devices” section in the profile menu.
- ❌ Click on the delete icon next to your smartphone name.
Once these steps are done, the server binding should disappear. However, if the phone was offline at the time of deletion, the changes will apply when it first connects to the network. If the device is already reset to the factory settings and is on the activation screen, deletion through the site may take some time to update the server cache.
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If i.mi.com is not open, try changing the site. IP-address or use incognito mode in the browser, as some providers sometimes have problems downloading scripts.
The procedure for unbundling when buying a used device
Buying a smartphone with your hands always carries risks, especially if the previous owner did not untie the device from his account. If you purchased a phone, and when turned on it requires a password from someone else's Mi Account, it is almost impossible to return it to working condition without the participation of the seller.
The ideal scenario is to contact the seller and ask them to remotely remove the device from the trusted list through the site, as described in the previous section, only need Internet access, no physical presence of the phone is required. If the seller is going to meet, ask them to send a screenshot of the blank list of devices or confirmation of deletion.
⚠️ Warning: Never buy Xiaomi with a locked activation screen (“Mi Account Lock”) if the seller claims that “just forgot the password.” 99% of the time these are stolen devices and you can’t legally unlock them.
In some cases, vendors offer to “unlock” the phone for a fee using third-party services, which is risky, since such methods often rely on a temporary bypass of protection that flies away after flashing or updating the system, the only reliable way is to completely remove the device from the first owner’s account using official methods.
Resetting password and restoring access to the account
A common problem is that the owner wants to untie the phone but does not remember the password from the account. In this case, you should not panic or try to guess the combination, since multiple failed attempts can temporarily block the ability to sign in. Xiaomi has a standard procedure for restoring access, which allows you to reset forgotten data and regain control of the account.
Go to the password recovery page on the official website, you need to enter the email address or phone number that was linked to the account, if you changed your phone number or email, try to remember the old data, because it may have stayed in the system, the recovery process can take from a few minutes to 24 hours depending on the verification method.
If you have access to your linked email, the recovery code will come in instantaneously. If you use your phone number, the SMS will also come quickly, but there may be delays from carriers. Once you receive the code, you can set a new password and untie the device through the settings, logging in with the new data.
- 🌐 Go to the page. https://account.xiaomi.com/pass/serviceLogin.
- 📧 Enter the email or phone number specified during registration.
- 🔢 Get a confirmation code and enter it in the field on the site.
- 🔑 Set a new password and save the changes.
What to do if the number and mail are lost?
Official appeal to Xiaomi support service
When standard methods fail (forgot password, no access to mail, purchased a used phone with an active account of the former owner), the only legal thing is to contact an authorized service center or support service. This is the only way to unblock Mi Account Lock if you are the legitimate owner, but can not confirm it digitally.
To be successful, you will need to prove ownership of the device, the main document being the original check or invoice, which clearly shows the device's serial number (IMEI) and purchase date, and without this document, service centers will typically refuse to unlock the device because they cannot guarantee that the phone was not stolen.
The process is, you write a statement of support or bring the device to the service, engineers check the IMEI in the database, check it against documents and, if it is positive, send a request to the server for forced detachment, after which the phone can be safely reflashed or reset to factory settings.
| Method of confirmation | Efficiency | Documents required | Time limit for implementation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Check/Office | 100% | Original check, passport | 1-3 days |
| Phone box. | Low. | Box with IMEI, passport | Not accepted |
| Screenshot of the purchase | Medium | Screenshot from the online store | At the discretion of the service |
| Guarantee pass | Tall. | Filled stamped ticket | 1-5 days |
It is important to understand that the service can be paid if the device is out of warranty or the case is not recognized as warranty, but the cost of the service is not comparable to the price of a new device, and cooperation with an official service is a guarantee that after unlocking all the functions of the phone, including banking applications and NFC, will work correctly.
☑️ Documents for the service center
Technical nuances and frequently asked questions
There are many myths surrounding Xiaomi’s unblocking, and users often confuse screen locking, bootloader locking, and account locking, and it’s important to distinguish between these concepts: unlocking a bootloader is for custom firmware installation and is not directly related to Mi Account, although it does require an account to request it, and activation locking is tightly tied to the hardware of the phone.
There is a perception that flashing your phone to the global version from China or installing custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience) removes the locking of the account. This is a misconception. The binding check is at the bootloader and basic software level, so changing the software will not help if the device is listed on the “blacklist” of Xiaomi servers by IMEI.
Also worth mentioning are the risks of using paid Internet unlocking services, many of which require prepayment and account access, which can lead to identity theft. The only guaranteed way to unplug without a password is to have original purchase documents and contact an authorized center. Any other methods are temporary crutches or fraud.