How to change your account on Xiaomi devices: phones, tablets and TV

Changing your account on Xiaomi devices is a procedure that every user will face sooner or later. Whether it’s selling a phone, switching to another Mi Account or having to delete old data, it’s important to do it correctly so as not to face lockdown or loss of functionality. Unlike other brands, Xiaomi rigidly ties devices to an account, and improper actions can lead to activation of the Mi Cloud Lock protection, a mechanism that makes the gadget useless without the data of the previous owner.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to change your account on smartphones (Redmi, POCO, Mi), tablets (Xiaomi Pad) and TVs (Mi TV). Particular attention will be paid to the nuances: what to do if you forget your password, how to bypass two-factor authentication, and why, after resetting to factory settings through Recovery, the device may require you to enter data from your old account.

Preparing for a change of account: what to do in advance

Before you start deleting or replacing your Mi Account, follow a few critical steps to avoid data loss and problems with activating your new profile.

First, back up all your important data. Even if you plan to transfer your device to another person, save your contacts, photos and documents to an external drive or to the cloud (like Google Drive). Please note that after you delete your Xiaomi account, all the data synchronized with the Mi Cloud (notes, call records, settings) will be irretrievably lost.

• 📱 For smartphones: Use the built-in backup function in Settings → About Phone → Backup.
• 🖥️ For Mi TV: copy the list of installed apps and screen settings (they can be photographed).
• 🔐 For all devices: Make sure you have access to the email and phone number associated with your current account – these will be needed to confirm the actions.

Second, untie the device from Xiaomi services. This is especially important if you sell or transfer a gadget. Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Device Management and remove the current device from the list. If you do not, the new owner may encounter errors when trying to log in to your account.

⚠️ Warning: If you delete an account from a phone that has Find Device enabled, pre-disable it in Settings → Security → Find the device. Otherwise, after a reset, the device may be locked as stolen.

Ways to change your account on Xiaomi smartphones

On Xiaomi mobile devices, there are three main ways to change your account: through system settings, through factory resets, and through Recovery Mode. Each method has its pros and cons, as well as pitfalls, which are worth knowing about in advance.

Method 1: Delete your account through settings (recommended)

This is the safest and easiest way, but it is only available if you remember the data of your current account. The instructions are suitable for all modern Xiaomi smartphones based on MIUI 12-14:

1. Open Settings → Xiaomi account.
2. Slip on the profile avatar at the top of the screen.
3. Select Account Management → Delete the account.
4. Confirm the action with a password or fingerprint.
5. Enter the password from Mi Account (if requested) and wait until the process is completed.

Once you delete your account, your device will automatically log out of all Xiaomi services, and you can now add a new profile or transfer your phone to another user, and note that some models (such as the Redmi Note 10 Pro) may require a reboot after you delete your account.

Method 2: Resetting to factory settings

If you don't remember your old account or your device was purchased by hand, you can do a complete reset, but this method risks activating Mi Cloud Lock, a lock that requires you to enter the previous owner's data.

• 🔄 Method A (via settings): Settings → About phone → Reset settings → Erase all data.
• 🔧 Method B (via Recovery): Turn off your phone, press Volume Up + Power, select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.

⚠️ Warning: If a device requests the old account information after a reset, it means that the previous owner did not untie it from the Mi Cloud, in which case official proof of ownership will be required through Xiaomi support.

Disable Find the device

Delete SIM-memory-card

Charge your phone at least 50%

Save the IMEI (in case of blocking)

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Method 3: Using tools to bypass locking (for experienced)

If a device is locked because of a link to someone else’s account, you can try special tools like Mi Account Unlock Tool or EDL Mode, but these methods require technical skills and can lead to loss of warranty or device breakdown.

To use EDL Mode you will need:

• 💻 Computer with Qualcomm drivers installed.
• 🔌 USB-TypeC cable (original).
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool and firmware for your model.

The process involves putting the phone into Emergency Download Mode (closing contacts on the board or via the adb reboot edl command), after which the clean version MIUI is flashed. This method is only suitable for devices on Qualcomm processors (for example, Redmi Note 9 Pro, POCO X3). Mediatek will require other tools such as the SP Flash Tool.

How to Change Your Account on Mi TV

Xiaomi TVs have a different account change routine than mobile devices, and there’s no binding to Mi Cloud Lock, but there are nuances to syncing settings and shopping on the Mi TV Store.

Step 1: Delete your current account

To remove your profile from Mi TV, follow the following steps:

1. Open Settings → Account and Security → Xiaomi Account
2. Select Delete Account.
3. Confirm the action with the remote (you may need to enter PIN- TV code).

After deletion, all personal data (browsing history, saved Wi-Fi passwords) will be erased, but applications installed through the Mi TV Store will remain, but they will need to be re-authorized to update them.

Step 2: Adding a new account

To link the new profile:

1. In the same Xiaomi Account section, select Login.
2. Enter the email or phone number associated with the new Mi Account.
3. Confirm the login with a password and code from SMS (if two-factor authentication is enabled).

If the TV is not connected to the Internet, authorization will not be possible. Make sure that the Mi TV is connected to the network via Wi-Fi or Ethernet.

Features for different Mi TV models

On TVs older than 2019 (e.g. Mi TV 4A), the interface may be different, and in such cases, the path to account settings is: Settings → Accounts → Xiaomi. Some models require a reboot after changing your account, or features like Mi Home may not work.

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If you change your account to Mi TV Apps (such as Netflix or YouTube) have stopped working, try resetting their data to Settings → Annexes → Application management → [Select the application] → Clear the data.

What to do if you forget your Mi Account password

Forgotten passwords are one of the most common problems when changing an account. Fortunately, Xiaomi provides several ways to restore access, but each of them has limitations.

Method 1: Recovery via email or phone

If an email or phone number is linked to your account, use the standard procedure:

1. On the Mi Account login screen, click Forgot your password.
2. Choose the recovery method: Email or Phone.
3. Enter the confirmation code sent to the mail or SMS.
4. Create a new password and save it.

If you don't remember the email you have attached, try using Find your account by phone number. On the recovery page, select Another login method and specify the number that was used when you signed up.

Method 2: Recovery through Support

If standard methods don’t work (e.g., lost access to both email and phone), contact Xiaomi for support.

1. Go to account.xiaomi.com.
2. Select Help → Account Recovery.
3. Fill out the form by specifying: IMEI device (you can find it in Settings → About Phone → All specs or on the box). Serial number (on the box or under the battery, if removable). Proof of ownership (check, photo box with IMEI).

Please note that the request may take 3 to 7 days to process, and support may require a passport photo to verify identity.

⚠️ Warning: If the device was purchased by hand and the previous owner did not delete his account, recovery through support is impossible, in which case the only way out is to contact the seller for login data or use tools like EDL Mode (see section above).

How to avoid blocking your device after changing your account

The main problem when changing your account to Xiaomi is the risk of activating Mi Cloud Lock. This is protection against theft, but it often works when you legally resell your devices.

• 🔓 Always delete your account through your settings before you reset or sell.
• 📋 Save the purchase documents (check, box with IMEI) – they will be needed to unlock through support.
• 🔄 Do not use Recovery reset unless you are sure that the device is untied from the Mi Cloud.
• 🛡️ Turn off Find Device before any manipulation of your account.

If the device is already locked, check if the bypass through the test mode (for some models) helps.

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Volume up + Volume down + Nutrition at the same time.
3. From the Fastboot menu, select Recovery.
4. In Recovery, find the Wipe & Reset → Mi Assistant.

This method doesn't work on all devices and can lead to data loss. Use it only as a last resort.

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The only legal way to unlock a device with a Mi Cloud Lock is to contact Xiaomi with proof of purchase. All other methods (including EDL) can result in a loss of warranty or breakdown.

Change of account on other Xiaomi devices (bracelets, watches, routers)

In addition to smartphones and TVs, Xiaomi releases smart watches (Mi Watch), fitness bracelets (Mi Band) and routers (Mi Router), the procedure for changing an account on them has its own characteristics.

Smart watches and bracelets (Mi Band, Mi Watch)

On wearables, Xiaomi’s account is linked to Mi Fitness or Zepp, to change your profile:

1. Open the Mi Fitness app on your smartphone.
2. Go to Profile → Settings → Devices.
3. Select your device and press Untie.
4. Confirm the action.

After that, the watch or bracelet can be linked to another account, and note that all activity data (steps, pulse) will be deleted from the device, but stored in the Mi Fitness cloud under the old account.

Mi Router routers

On Xiaomi routers, the account is used for remote management through the Mi Wi-Fi app.

1. Connect to the router network.
2. Open your browser and type 192.168.31.1 (or miwifi.com).
3. Sign in under your current account.
4. Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Untie.

Once uncoupled, the router can be linked to a new account via the same web menu or mobile app. If you forget your router password, reset to factory settings using the Reset button on the back (hold 10 seconds).

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When you change your account on Xiaomi devices, users often make mistakes that lead to data being blocked or lost, and here are the most common ones and ways to prevent them:

• 🚫 Reset without deleting your account: If you don't delete your Mi Account through your settings before resetting, your device will be locked.Solution: always delete your account first, then reset your settings.
• 🔌 Use of non-original cable for EDL: Cheap cables may not support EDL mode, causing firmware to interrupt. Solution: use the original Xiaomi cable.
• 📧 Incorrect email recovery: If you're not providing the email that's linked to your account, you can't restore your password. Solution: check all possible addresses, including backup addresses.
• 🔄 Interrupting the reset process: If you turn off the phone during the reset, it can damage the firmware.Solution: Make sure the battery is at least 50%, and don't interrupt the process.

Another common problem is the error “Device is linked to another account” when trying to log into a new profile, which means that the previous owner did not untie the gadget from his Mi Account. In this case, contact the seller or contact Xiaomi with proof of purchase.

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If app notifications stop coming after you change your account, check your sync settings in Settings → Notifications → Notification settings. They may have been reset.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions