Xiaomi smartphone owners often face the need to manage their account, especially when selling a device or transferring it to another user. Untieing a Mi Account is a critical step without which the new owner will not be able to fully use the gadget. MIUI security system tightly links the device to a cloud profile, which protects data from theft, but creates difficulties when changing ownership.
Ignoring this step leads to what is known as “activation locking,” where the phone turns into a brick after resetting. In this article, we will detail all the legal binding methods, from standard methods through the menu to actions in case of loss of access to the password. Xiaomi has provided several scenarios, and choosing the right one depends on your current situation.
Before you take action, you need to make sure that your Internet connection is stable and that you have access to the email you signed up for, which are basic requirements that can be interrupted at the most inopportune time, and then we'll look at algorithms that can help you delete your account safely and without losing any important data.
Why you need to unbundle your Mi Account before selling
The main reason to unplug is the Find Device feature, which is a server-level security system that prevents the phone from being activated after a full reset if it is listed as a specific user.
If you sell a smartphone without following the unblocking procedure, the customer will encounter a lock screen immediately after the first download, they will not be able to set up Wi-Fi, install applications or even log in until they enter your username and password, which creates a very unpleasant situation and jeopardizes your reputation as a seller.
- 🔒 Data protection: prevents unauthorized access to your cloud backups, photos, and contacts stored on Mi Cloud.
- 📱 Full functionality: allows the new owner to use all features of the smartphone without restrictions.
- 🔄 Ensures the device is treated as new, without legacy synchronization conflicts.
⚠️ Note: Even if you just reset the settings through the menu, the server binding will remain. Delete the account should be done through the "Get out" or "Delete account" button in the settings.
Also, while the device is tied to your profile, it can receive notifications, sync new photos or location if the phone is online. IMID-Device code and your digital profile, guaranteeing complete privacy.
Standard procedure for detachment through smartphone settings
The easiest and most correct way to link is to use the smartphone’s built-in menu, which requires you to remember your account password and have access to your device, and the algorithm is the same for most versions of the MIUI shell, from older versions to the latest HyperOS.
To start, open the Security app or go directly to your system settings. Find the account section. Depending on the firmware version, it can be called "Mi Account," "Accounts and Sync," or just display your email at the top of the settings menu.
☑️ Checklist before unbundling
Once you log into the profile management menu, scroll to the bottom of the page, and you'll find a red or prominent "Get out" or "Delete account" button, and the security system will ask you to confirm the action by entering a password, which is a mandatory measure to prevent malicious users from deleting the profile in the event of a phone theft.
| Action. | Description of the process | Data required |
|---|---|---|
| Entrance to the menu | Settings → Mi Account | No. |
| Initiation of exit | Pressing the "Exit" button | No. |
| Authentication | Entering a password from the account | Password. |
| Confirmation | Consent to delete data from the device | No. |
Once the password is successfully entered, the device will contact the server, check the credentials and delete the binding, and you will see a notification of successful exit, and now the smartphone is ready to be reset or transferred to the new owner, since it is no longer listed in your profile.
Deletion of account through the official website
If you don’t have physical access to the phone but need to untie the device (e.g., the phone is broken but on and connected to the network, or you sell it remotely), you can use the web version of the service.
Go to the official i.mi.com website and log in to your Mi Account. After you log in to the cloud service, find the Find Device section. From your gadget list, select the one you want to unplug.
The control menu of the selected device usually includes options to block, sound or delete data. However, to fully unblock, you often need to go to the account security settings on account.xiaomi.com. In the Devices section, find the desired smartphone and click Remove.
⚠️ Attention: Deleting the device via the web interface may not remove the activation lock instantly if the phone did not log on after the command.Server sync can take up to 24 hours.
This method is especially useful when you want to link an old device that is no longer in use, but is listed in the profile. The web interface allows you to manage trusted devices and session-s, providing control over access to your data.
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Tip: After removing the device through the site, be sure to change the password from the Mi Account to exclude the possibility of re-authorization from this gadget if it falls into the wrong hands.
What to do if you forget the password from your Mi Account
The situation where the user wants to untie the account but does not remember the password is one of the most common. Without a password, the standard procedure for logging out through the settings is impossible, in which case the only legal one is to restore access.
You need to go to the password recovery page on Xiaomi’s website, and the system will offer several ways to verify your identity: through a linked phone number, a backup email, or answers to security questions (if they were set up in advance).
- 📲 Po Po Po SMS: The code will come to the number specified during registration.
- 📧 Email: Reset link will come to the backup.
- ❓ Checklists: Relevant for old accounts created a few years ago.
If none of the methods are available (number lost, mail is not available), the procedure becomes more complicated. You will have to contact Xiaomi support with proof of account ownership. This may take time, but this is the only safe way to regain access.
Attempts to use third-party software to “hack” or bypass verification often result in a complete lock of the device by IMEI. Xiaomi constantly improves the security algorithms, making illegal methods useless and dangerous for the user.
What if the phone number is no longer valid?
Resetting settings and the problem of blocking activation
Many users mistakenly believe that a simple Wipe Data/Factory Reset is enough to clear the phone from the account, a dangerous misconception that after resetting and rebooting, the phone will request a password from the Mi Account that was synced earlier.
This is known as Activation Lock, which activates automatically if you don't log out before reset, locks you at the bootloader level and keeps you from going beyond the welcome screen without authorization.
If you buy a used phone and you encounter a lockdown, the only way out is to contact the previous owner, and no firmware or service codes can circumvent this protection legally, since the check is done on the server side every time you connect to the Internet.
| Type of discharge | Do I need a password before resetting? | Post-discharge locking |
|---|---|---|
| Through the menu (with exit) | Yes. | No. |
| Through Recovery (Hard Reset) | No. | Yes (entry required) |
| Through Fastboot. | No. | Yes (entry required) |
To avoid problems, always use the "Get Out" option before any formatting. If the phone is already reset and locked and you are the owner, try to restore the password through the site as described in the previous section.
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Resetting settings without first exiting the Mi Account guarantees the appearance of an activation lock, which cannot be removed without a password.