How to completely untie the Xiaomi phone from the Mi Account: official and alternative methods

Why Xiaomi is linking devices to a Mi Account and when it becomes a problem

Xiaomi’s Mi-account-based smartphone is a standard practice for the manufacturer to enhance the security of user data. Find Device is automatically activated when you first log in to your account, creating a digital “link” between your phone and your profile, which protects the gadget from unauthorized access in the event of theft or loss, but often becomes a headache for owners who decide to sell, gift or dump the device.

The problems begin when a user forgets the Mi Account password, buys a used phone with someone else's tether, or faces a Mi Cloud Lock activation lock after resetting. Unlike a Google account that can be bypassed through access restoration, Xiaomi uses hardware binding at the firmware level, making unlocking without original data almost impossible by legal methods, especially for Redmi Note 10/11, POCO X3/X4 and Xiaomi 12/13 flagships, where protection is enhanced.

In this article, we will look at all the current ways of decoupling from official (proof of ownership) to technical bypasses for advanced users. It is important to understand that some methods may violate the terms of use of Xiaomi, so use them only for legitimate purposes.

Official method: unbundling through the Mi Account website

The most reliable and legal method is to remove the device from the list of associated gadgets in the personal account of Mi Account, which works if you have access to an account (login / password) and the phone is connected to the Internet.

1. Log in to account.xiaomi.com from a computer or other device.
2. Go to Device Management (Device Management in English).
3. Find your phone (by model or IMEI) in the list and click Remove Device.
4. Confirm the action via SMS or email (depending on the account security settings).

After that, the binding will be removed, and the phone can be safely reset to factory settings via Settings → About Phone → Reset. If the device does not appear in the list, try:

• 🔄 Update the page or log in via another browser (sometimes changing the user agent helps).
• 📶 Connect your phone to mobile internet (Wi-Fi can be blocked at the firmware level).
• ⏳ Wait 24-48 hours – sometimes data synchronization is delayed.

⚠️ Warning: If you sell a phone, don't delete it from your Mi Account beforehand - the new owner won't be able to activate the device. First, reset the phone, then remove it from the list.

Reset via Mi Unlock Tool: Forgotten passwords

If you have forgotten the Mi Account information, but you still have the phone, you can try the official Mi Unlock Tool, which only works for devices that have not been locked after reset (i.e. you haven't done Factory Reset yet).

1. Download Mi Unlock Tool from the official website (version for Windows).
2. Launch the utility and log in to your Mi Account (if the password is lost, restore it via email/SMS).
3. Connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (clip Volume Down + Power when the device is off).
4. In the utility, press Unlock and follow the instructions.The process can take up to 72 hours due to Xiaomi's validation.

Important nuances:

• 🔐 The utility requires the same Mi Account as the phone, and if the account is someone else's, the method won't work.
• ⏳ The unlock timer (72-720 hours) is reset with each new connection!
• 📱 On some models (Redmi) 9A/9C, POCO M3) pre-inclusion is required OEM Unlock in the Developer Settings.

Enable debugging over USB in the developer settings

Make sure that the MIUI version is not lower than 10.0

Connect the original USB-cable (no third-party!)

Disable antivirus on PC (can block the utility)

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If the utility is running a "Couldn't unlock" or "Device not supported" error, it means:

• The device is too new (e.g. Xiaomi 13T or Redmi Note 12 Pro+), and unlocking through the tool is temporarily blocked.
• The phone has custom firmware installed (requires to return stock MIUI).
• The account has suspicious activity (e.g., many login attempts).

Mi Cloud Lock Bypass: Risks and Alternatives

The most difficult situation is when the phone is locked after reset (Mi Cloud Lock) and requires the entry of the previous owner’s data, in which case the official methods will not help, and only alternative solutions remain.

• 🚫 Loss of warranty (if the device is under warranty).
• 🔄 Automatic locking. IMEI (on new models from 2022).
• 💸 Additional costs (for example, payment for service centers).

Let us consider the main methods of circumvention:

The most reliable (but expensive) way is to contact a Xiaomi authorized service center with proof of purchase, in some cases they can unblock on request, but it takes up to 30 days. EDL-authorization through special boxes (for example, UFi Box or EasyJTAG). The cost of the service varies from 1500 to 10 000 rubles depending on the model.

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi 13 Series, Redmi Note 12 Pro+ And the new hardware lock is connected to the security chip. EDL or firmware can lead to irreversible brick (converting into a brick").

Unbinding through the engineering menu: hidden codes Xiaomi

For some older models (Redmi 4X, Mi A1/A2, POCO F1), it is possible to reset tethers via engineering menus or hidden service codes.This method does not work on new devices (released after 2020), but can help owners of budget smartphones.

Try the following combinations:

• 📞 Enter the dial number: ##3646633## (engineering menu will open).
• 🔧 Go to Connectivity → Wi-Fi → Mi Account and select Remove Account.
• 🔢 Alternate code: #7378423# (Service Menu) → Service tests → Mi Account.

If the menu is open but there is no Remove Account option, then:

• The firmware of the phone is modified (installs custom ROM).
• The device is new, and Xiaomi has removed this feature from the engineering menu.
• Root access is required (but it is almost impossible to get it on a locked phone).

On Android One models (Mi A3, Mi A2 Lite) it is sometimes helpful to reset via Recovery Mode:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Volume Up + Power before the Mi logo appears.
3. Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (use volume buttons for navigation).
4. After a reboot, the phone may request Mi Account details, but sometimes the lock is reset.

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If the engineering menu doesn't open, try entering codes through the Phone app in Safe Mode. To do this, press the power button → Safe Mode → enter the code.

What to do if your phone is locked and bought from hand

Buying a used Xiaomi phone with a Mi Account is a common problem, and if the previous owner didn’t untie the device, you’ll have to:

1. Contact the seller and ask them to delete their phone from their Mi Account (via account.xiaomi.com).
2. If the connection is lost, try to restore access to the seller’s account (for example, through a linked email or phone number, if he left them).
3. Contact Xiaomi with a purchase check (if it is saved) and they can request the seller’s details and manually remove the lock.

If none of the options worked, only informal methods remain:

• 🛠️ Fastboot flashing (suitable for POCO X3, Redmi Note 9 Needs stock firmware for your model and Mi Flash Tool utility.
• 🔌 Use of the EDL-mode (only for experienced users with access to boxing).
• 💰 Paying for unblocking on specialized forums (for example, 4PDA or XDA-Developers. The cost is from 500 to 3000 rubles.

⚠️ Warning: When buying a Xiaomi phone with your hands, always check if it is untied from your Mi Account. Ask the seller: Do a reset with you. Show that after a reset, the phone does not require you to enter your account details. Provide a check or warranty card (to confirm ownership). How to avoid problems with Mi Account in the future To avoid being blocked Mi Account, follow the simple rules: 🔑 Use a strong password and link backup to your account email/phone. 📱 Untie the device before selling (first reset on your phone, then delete from your account). 🔄 Regularly update the firmware in new versions MIUI Sometimes there are vulnerabilities to bypass the lock. 📝 Keep your purchase documents (checks, warranty stamps), especially for flagship models. If you often sell or buy Xiaomi phones, set up a separate Mi Account for this purpose. This will make it easier to manage tied devices. Also useful to know: On global firmware phones (such as Redmi Note 11 Global), Mi Cloud Lock locks are less likely to work than on Chinese versions. EEA) Sometimes you can bypass the blocking through Google. FRP. Nana POCO-devices (e.g., devices, POCO X4 Pro) sometimes works reset via Recovery without linking to the account. 💡The only 100% legal way to unblock the device is to delete the device from the Mi Account through the official website. All other methods are associated with risks and may violate the terms of use of Xiaomi. FAQ: Frequent questions about the unbundling of Xiaomi from Mi Account Can I untie the phone without a password from Mi Account? Officially not. But if the phone is not locked after reset, you can try Mi Unlock Tool (if you remember the login) or contact the service center with proof of purchase. Unofficial methods will be required for locked devices (Mi Cloud Lock (EDL, How long does it take to unlock through the Mi Unlock Tool? 72 to 720 hours (up to 30 days) Xiaomi artificially delays the process to prevent theft. The timer is reset every time you connect the phone to the utility, so it's important not to interrupt the process. What if the phone requires an old Mi Account after the reset? This is Mi Cloud Lock. Options: Find the previous owner and ask him to untie the device. Contact Xiaomi with a check to buy. Use informal methods (EDL, Firmware reflashing is risky for new models. On phones older than 2020, sometimes the firmware through Fastboot helps with disabling account verification (you need skills to work with the user). ADB). Can I bypass the lock on Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi Note 12? On flagship models 2022–2026 years 13/14, Redmi Note 12, POCO F5) The only way around this is through an authorized service center (proof of purchase), by replacing the motherboard (very expensive), by informal methods (EDL, Firmware on these models leads to complete loss of functionality (brick). How to check if the phone is linked to the Mi Account before buying? Before buying a used Xiaomi phone: Ask the seller to reset (Settings) → After reset, check if the phone requires Mi Account data. Go to Settings → Accounts. → Mi Account – if there is a linked profile, ask the seller to delete it through the site. IMEI IMEI.info – if the phone is blacklisted, it could be blocked.