Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face the need to untie their profile from the device, which may be necessary when selling a gadget, transferring it to another user or buying a used device with a blocked profile. Mi Account is not just an account, but a key element of the ecosystem that ensures data synchronization and cloud services.
The unblocking procedure depends on whether you have access to your phone's settings and know your password. If the device is locked by Find Device, the process will become more complicated and require the use of special recovery methods. In this article, we will discuss all the legal ways to solve the problem, from standard exit through settings to reset via the engineering menu.
Ignoring the unblocking procedure before resetting can result in a complete lockdown of the smartphone.The security system will perceive the activation of the device by a new user as an attempt to steal, unless the old profile is previously deleted.
Why you should unplug your account before selling
Many users underestimate the importance of the unbundling procedure, believing that a simple Hard Reset is enough, but the MIUI's protection mechanism is designed so that when a cleaned phone is turned on, it requests the password from the last Mi Account used, without which the new owner will not be able to fully use the gadget.
In addition, your personal photos, contacts and notes can remain in the cloud storage. If you do not perform the correct exit procedure, the data can be accidentally synchronized to the new buyer's device or, conversely, be lost without the possibility of recovery. Deleting an account breaks the connection between the device and the server, making the data inaccessible for synchronization.
⚠️ Note: If you sell your phone without undetaching your account, the customer will not be able to log in to your profile or reset settings.
Also worth mentioning is the Device Search feature, which means that while the profile is active on the device, you can theoretically track its location, but once sold, it's an invasion of the privacy of the new owner, and a complete cleanup ensures digital hygiene and the security of your personal data.
Standard way of decoupling through MIUI settings
The safest and most appropriate method is to use the regular smartphone menu, which is suitable if you know the password and have access to the desktop. First, open the Settings app and find the Accounts and Sync section (or just Mi Account at the top of the menu).
Inside the section, you need to find the log out or delete your account button, and the system will alert you that all profile data will be deleted from that device, which is a normal security response, and after confirmation, the system will ask you to enter a password to verify the identity of the owner.
☑️ Checklist before reset
After successfully entering the password, the device will unplug the server. Now you can safely reset to factory settings through the Advanced Settings menu → Reset. The smartphone will reboot already clean, without being tied to your profile.
- 🔑 Open the Settings. → Mi Account.
- 🗑️ Click the "Exit" button at the bottom of the screen.
- 📝 Enter the password from the account.
- ✅ Wait for a report of successful removal.
Using the Recovery Menu for a Full Reset
If standard output is not possible or requires deep cleaning, Recovery mode is used. This is a low-level menu that allows you to control the system bypassing the main Android interface. To get there, you need to turn off the smartphone and pinch the key combination Volume up + Power before the logo appears.
In the Recovery menu, you can navigate with volume buttons, and you can choose with a power button (on older models) or a touch of the screen. You need Wipe Data. Here, it's important not to confuse the options: select Wipe All Data for full cleanup. Confirm the action by selecting Confirm.
What is Factory Reset Protection?
The process will take a few minutes. Once completed, the phone will automatically reboot. Unless you have previously deleted your account through the settings (as described in the previous section), at the initial setup stage, the system will require you to enter the password from the Mi Account that was on the phone before the reset.
- 📵 Turn off the smartphone completely.
- 🔘 Hold the Loud up. + Nutrition.
- 🔄 Choose Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.
- ⏳ Wait for the process to end and reboot.
Removal via Mi Cloud official website
If your phone is lost, sold without prior decoupling, or simply far away, you can use the web version of the service. Go to the official i.mi.com website and log in under your login. In the cloud interface, find the Find Device section.
In your list of gadgets, select the one to clean. Among the actions available is the Erase button, which will send a signal to the device (if it is connected to the Internet) to completely reset and uncouple, a powerful tool that works even when the screen is locked.
| Action. | Requirements | The result |
|---|---|---|
| Exit in settings | Access to the menu, password | Safe uncoupling |
| Reset via Recovery | Physical access | Data cleanup, but FRP protection remains |
| Erase through the site | Internet on the phone | Full reset and uncoupling |
It’s important to understand that after remote erasure, the phone will reset to factory settings. If you’re planning to sell the device, this method is ideal, as it’s guaranteed to remove your profile from Xiaomi servers, allowing the new owner to activate the gadget.
What to do if you forget the password from your Mi Account
The forgotten password situation is one of the most difficult: If you reset your phone and it requires a password when turned on that you don't remember, standard methods won't help. You need to restore access to your account before you try to untie the device.
Go to account.xiaomi.com and click on Forgot Password, you will need access to your linked phone number or backup email, and if the SIM card number that your account was registered to is lost, the recovery process may take time and require you to contact the purchase checks in support.
⚠️ Warning: Don't try to guess passwords repeatedly. Security may temporarily block login, which will delay the process of restoring access.
Once you've successfully reset your password through the site, go back to your phone. If it's connected to Wi-Fi, enter a new password. If you don't have access to the network, use the access point from another phone so that the device can contact the verification server.
Bypass activation lock (Mi Account Lock)
In cases where it is impossible to restore the password (for example, when buying a used phone from an unscrupulous seller), the user faces an activation lock. Officially, Xiaomi does not provide tools to remove this lock without the owner's password, as this is a measure of protection against theft.
There are informal methods such as using utilities for PCs (e.g. Mi Unlock Tool combined with certain scripts) or flashing through EDL Mode (Emergency Download Mode). However, these methods require technical knowledge, special cable and are often paid services in service centers.
💡
When buying used Xiaomi, always ask the seller to exit your Mi Account and reset your settings. This will save you from problems with blocking activation.
Trying to unlock someone else's device without the owner's consent is illegal. If you're the rightful owner but you've lost access, the only reliable way is to submit your purchase documents to an authorized service center to unblock the server level.
- 🛑 Official path: Recovery of password through email/sms.
- 🛠️ Service path: provision of a check in the SC Xiaomi.
- ⚠️ Risky path: paid unlock services (do not guarantee the result).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Will the account be reset if you just take it out? SIM-map?
Can I untie my account without the internet?
What happens if you sell a phone with a linked account?
How do I know if my phone is linked to someone else’s account?
💡
The main rule of security is to always delete your Mi Account through your settings before you perform Hard Reset or sell your device, which will save you and your new owner time and nerves.