Xiaomiβs Mi Cloud service is not only a convenient tool for backing up data, but also a serious obstacle when selling or transferring a smartphone. Many users face a problem: after resetting the phone requires you to enter data from your previous Mi Cloud account, blocking access to the system, this situation is especially relevant when buying used devices where the former owner forgot to untie the profile or did not specifically delete it.
In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to reset the Mi Cloud β from official methods through settings to bypassing the lock using technical tricks. You will learn how to delete an account without a password, what to do if the phone requires confirmation after hard reset, and how to avoid common errors. POCO base MIUI 12-14.
Important: the reset procedure may vary depending on the firmware version and device model. Some methods require technical skills or special equipment. If you are not sure about your actions, you should contact the Xiaomi service center.
Why does the phone require Mi Cloud data after a reset?
The Mi Cloud Lock system (also known as FRP Lock β Factory Reset Protection) was implemented by Xiaomi to protect user data from theft. After a hard reset, the device requests the username and password of the last associated account, this happens for three main reasons:
- π Protection against theft β if the phone is stolen, the thief will not be able to use it without knowing the ownerβs data.
- π± Account binding β all backups, purchases and settings are synced with Mi Cloud.
- π Incorrect reset β if you delete the account not through the system settings, but simply format the device.
In practice, this means that even after a full reset via Recovery Mode, the phone can remain locked, especially on the Redmi Note 10/11/12, Xiaomi 12/13 and POCO F4/F5 models, where protection is most tightly implemented.
β οΈ Note: If you bought a used phone with a Mi Cloud tied and the seller did not provide the data to unlock, this is a reason to doubt the legality of the transaction).
Method 1: Officially delete your Mi Cloud account through settings
The easiest and safest method is to delete your account before resetting, which is guaranteed to unlock the device and allow the new owner to configure it without problems. MIUI 12-14:
- Open Settings β Xiaomi account.
- Slip on your profile at the top of the screen.
- Select Delete Account (Password may be required).
- Confirm the action β the phone will automatically break communication with the Mi Cloud.
- Now you can reset through Settings β About phone β Reset settings.
If you've already reset and your phone is locked, this method won't help. Go to the following.
βοΈ Preparing for Mi Cloud Removal
Method 2: Unlocking with Mi Unlock Tool (for locked phones)
If the phone requires Mi Cloud data after reset, you can try Xiaomi's official tool, the Mi Unlock Tool, which only works if you meet three conditions:
- π You have access to an email or phone number linked to your account.
- π The phone is connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network).
- β³ Since the last synchronization with Mi Cloud has passed no more than 30 days.
Instructions:
- On the locked screen, select Forgot your password? or No account?
- Enter the email/phone associated with the Mi Cloud.
- Confirm the action via SMS or a letter with a code.
- Follow the instructions of the unlock master.
If this method didnβt work, it could be that the account was deleted or blocked for violating Xiaomiβs rules, and alternative methods would be needed.
What if the Mi Unlock Tool canβt see the device?
Method 3: Bypassing Mi Cloud Lock via Fastboot (for advanced users)
This method requires a computer, USB-TypeC cable and basic knowledge of working with Fastboot.It is suitable for most Xiaomi models, except for new flagships with anti-Rollback protection (for example, Xiaomi 14 or Redmi K70).
You'll need:
- π» Windows computer 10/11.
- π Original. USB-cable (not cheap charging!).
- π¦ Archive with Mi Flash Tool and firmware for your model.
- π§ Quickboot Oem Open Command.
Step-by-step:
- Download the official firmware for your model (choose the Fastboot version).
- Unpack the archive into a folder without Cyrillic characters (e.g., C:\Xiaomi\ROM).
- Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to log into Fastboot Mode.
- Connect the device to your computer and start the Mi Flash Tool.
- Select a firmware folder and press Refresh β the program must detect the phone.
- Press Flash and wait for the process to complete (10-15 minutes).
β οΈ Attention: Continuous power is critical! If the process is interrupted, the phone can turn into a brick. Use a laptop with a charged battery or UPS.
Once flashed, all data will be erased, including the Mi Cloud lock, but on new models (released after 2023), this method may not work due to hardware protection.
Method 4: Using EDL Mode to bypass locking (risky method)
EDL Mode (Emergency Download Mode) is an emergency firmware mode that allows you to overwrite system partitions bypassing standard limitations, which works even on locked phones, but has two serious drawbacks:
- π¨ Risk of βbrickingβ β if the phone fails completely.
- π Authorized account required β new models require authorized EDL Accounts that are difficult to obtain legally.
If you are prepared for risk, follow the instructions:
- Download the QDLoader HS-USB Driver and install it on your PC.
- Connect the phone to the computer by clamping Volume up + Volume down + Power (on some models you need to close the test points on the board).
- The device manager should have a record of Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008.
- Use the Mi Flash Tool or QFil to firmware a special one EDL-File (you can find it on forums like this) XDA Developers).
β οΈ Warning: Starting with Redmi Note 11 and Xiaomi 12, for activation EDL Mode requires official access from Xiaomi, which is only available to service centers.Self-attempts can lead to permanent lockdown IMEI.
π‘
Before using EDL Mode, check if your model supports this mode. On some devices (for example, the POCO F4 GT) you need to disassemble the phone and close contacts on the motherboard to log into the EDL.
Method 5: Contact Xiaomi Service Center (Guaranteed Result)
If all previous methods have failed, the only reliable option is to contact the official Xiaomi service center, which is especially true for:
- π± Phones with Anti-Rollback protection (Xiaomi) 13/14, Redmi K60).
- π Devices where the lock Mi Cloud is associated with unpaid credit (in some countries, Xiaomi blocks phones when buying in installments).
- π οΈ Hardware malfunctions that prevent self-resetting.
What will be required to unlock:
| Document/data | What do you need? | Where to find it. |
|---|---|---|
| Check or sales contract | Confirmation of possession of the device | The previous owner or store |
| Passport | Identity | Personal documents |
| IMEI phone | Checking the status of the device in the Xiaomi database | On the box or under the battery (*#06#) |
| Account details of Mi Cloud | If the phone is not blacklisted, they can reset the tether. | The previous owner |
The cost of the service varies from 1000 to 3000 rubles depending on the model and the reason for the lock. In some cases (for example, if the phone is on credit), unlocking may not be possible without paying the debt.
π‘
Official service is the only legal way to unlock new Xiaomi models (2023 and later), and self-attempts to bypass protection can lead to irretrievable loss of functionality of the device.
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
When trying to reset Mi Cloud, users often encounter typical problems, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to solve them:
- π "Failed to delete account" - check the Internet connection and try again. If the error persists, it may be that Xiaomi servers are temporarily unavailable.
- π Phone is not defined in Fastboot β install Xiaomi drivers and try another one USB-cable (original!).
- π΅ After the firmware has no network, which means that IMEI You can recover it through Engineer Mode or service center.
- π "Device locked by administrator" - the phone is linked to a corporate account (for example, if bought by a company), unlocking is possible only through the administrator.
Another common problem is that you can reboot constantly after you reset, and it's because the firmware is incompatible.
- Download the stable (not beta!) version of MIUI for your model.
- Swipe your phone through Fastboot with full formatting (clean all).
- Do not restore data from a backup β this can return the lock.