How to change user to Xiaomi: all the ways to MIUI 14/15

Changing users on Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO devices can be necessary in different situations: when selling a phone, transferring it to relatives or after buying a used gadget with a tied account. The process is complicated by the fact that MIUI is closely integrated with the Mi Account ecosystem, and improper actions can lead to locking the device. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways of changing the user, from standard exit from the profile to bypassing the protection through Fastboot for locked devices.

Many users confuse the terms “change user” and “delete Mi Account”. The first involves switching between profiles (if Multiplayer is enabled), and the second involves completely removing the Mi Account binding with possible loss of data. We will consider both options, and also explain how to avoid common errors that Xiaomi can lock a device for 72 hours after 5 failed password attempts.

If you have purchased the phone with your hands and the previous owner has not deleted your account, do not rush to reset the settings! In some cases, this leads to activation of the Mi Cloud protection, after which unlocking is possible only through the official Xiaomi service with the provision of a purchase check.

First, determine what task you are facing:

1. Standard exit from the Mi Account (if you know the password)

The easiest way is to log out of your current profile through settings, if you have access to a password, which is suitable for MIUI 12-15 and does not require a data reset.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Mi Account (or Mi Account in older versions).
2. Slip on the profile avatar at the top of the screen.
3. Choose to Log Out (or Account Management → Exit).
4. Confirm the action by entering the password from Mi Account.

Once you're out, you'll have to sign in to another account or create a new one, and if your phone wasn't tied to the Mi Cloud, you can use it without restrictions.

⚠️ Note: If the phone requires the previous owner to log in after logging out, the device is tied to Mi Cloud protection, in which case a full reset will be required (see Section 3).

2. Multiplayer mode: how to switch between profiles

Multiplayer is available on most Xiaomi devices with MIUI 10 and later, and allows you to create up to 3 additional profiles with separate settings, apps and data. This is convenient if the phone is used by several people (for example, family members), but is not suitable for selling the device – the main Mi Account remains tied.

How to set the mode:

1. Go to Settings → System → Multiplayer mode.
2. Click Add User.
3. Follow the instructions on the screen (you will need to set up a new profile for a new phone).

To switch between profiles, pull down the notification bar and tap the user icon in the top right corner.

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If multiplayer mode is not displayed in the settings, check if it is hidden through Settings → Additional → Special features → Developer Mode → Enable multiplayer mode (developer mode activation is required).

⚠️ Note: In multiplayer mode, you can’t delete the main Mi Account – only additional profiles.

3. Full reset (Hard Reset) to delete the account

If you don't remember the Mi Account password or you bought a phone with someone else's binding, the only official way to change the user is to perform Hard Reset. However, after a reset, the device may require you to enter the previous owner's data due to the protection of the Mi Cloud. To avoid blocking, follow the algorithm:

Step-by-step:

1. Save important data (photos, contacts, messages) to an external medium or to the cloud.
2. Turn off the phone.
3. Press the Power button + Volume up at the same time until the Mi logo appears (Recovery mode).
4. With volume buttons, select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data and confirm the choice with the power button.
5. Once the phone is reset, it will reboot, and if you request Mi Account data, it means that the protection is activated.

If the phone is locked after resetting:

• 📱 Ask the previous owner to enter your data (if possible).
• 🔧 Contact Xiaomi Support with a check for your purchase.
• 🛠️ Use informal bypass methods (see section 5), but be aware of the risks!

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Resetting settings via Recovery does not remove the Mi Cloud protection! if the phone was tied to an account, after Hard Reset, you will need to enter the data of the previous owner.

4. Delete Mi Account through settings (no reset)

If you have access to your phone and you remember your password, you can delete the Mi Account binding without completely resetting it, which saves data but requires an internet connection.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Mi Account → Account Security
2. Select Delete Account (or Untie Device in new MIUI versions).
3. Enter the password from the account and confirm SMS-code (if two-factor authentication is enabled).
4. Wait 24-72 hours – the device will be untied from the profile.

After deleting the account:

• 🔄 The phone will automatically come out of the Mi Cloud.
• 📱 You can log in to a new account or use your device without being tied.
• ⚠️ Some features (such as Find Device) will be unavailable.

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If the Delete Account button is inactive, check if the Device Protection option is enabled in the security settings. Turn it off before deleting it.

5. bypassing Mi Cloud protection: unofficial methods (at your own risk)

If the phone is locked after being reset and you can't contact the previous owner, there are informal ways to bypass the protection.We don't recommend using them unless absolutely necessary, as this can:

• 🚫 Breaking the guarantee.
• 🔐 Bring to lockdown IMEI.
• 📵 Cause problems with updates MIUI.

Among the common methods:

1. Through Fastboot: Requires an unlocked bootloader and PC with Xiaomi drivers installed.
2. With help. EDL-The following is suitable for some Redmi models and POCO, It requires an authorized developer account.
3. Use of third-party utilities (for example, Mi Flash Tool or Xiaomi Tool V2).

Example of the command to unlock via Fastboot (power users only!):

fastboot oem unlock


fastboot flashing unlock




fastboot oem edl

⚠️ Attention: Unofficial methods can lead to permanent locking of the device if performed incorrectly. EDL It often makes the phone unfit for recovery even in a service center.

6. Features of changing the user on different models Xiaomi

The process of changing an account may vary depending on the model and version of MIUI, and the following are the key differences for popular devices:

For Android One devices (such as Mi A3), the user change process is identical to pure Android – just log out of your Google account or reset your settings via Recovery.

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

When you change users to Xiaomi, many people make critical mistakes that lead to locking the device.

Error 1: Reset your settings without decoupling from Mi Cloud.

• 🔹 Consequences: The phone requires data from the previous owner.
• 🔹 Solution: Before resetting, delete your account through Settings → Mi Account → Delete the account.

Mistake 2: Five failed attempts to enter a password.

• 🔹 Consequences: Locking the device for 72 hours.
• 🔹 Solution: Use the “Forgot Password?” feature on the login screen or wait until unlocked.

Error 3: Buying a phone with a tied Mi Account without a check.

• 🔹 Consequences: Unlockable through service center.
• 🔹 Solution: Before buying, check the status of the device through Settings → The phone. → Mi Cloud status.

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Always check the status of Mi Cloud before buying a used Xiaomi phone! If the settings say "Device protected", ask the seller to untie the account or check.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions