How to completely remove a person (Xiaomi account) from your phone: unlock after reset, bypass the binding and delete someone else’s profile

Have you bought Xiaomi off your hands, reset to factory settings, and when you turn on, the phone requires you to enter the previous owner's data? Or are you trying to sell your smartphone but you can't untie your old Mi Account? The problem of "locked" device after a reset is one of the most common among brand users. In 90% of cases, this is due to the Mi Cloud Lock feature, which ties the phone to a Xiaomi account even after a hard reset.

Here are 5 ways to remove someone else’s account from Xiaomi, including official methods (if you know the password) and workarounds (if there is no data). We will discuss the nuances for different models – from Redmi Note 10 to Xiaomi 13 Ultra, and explain why some “people’s” instructions from the Internet do not work after the updates of 2023-2026. IMEI loss of warranty.

Why does the phone require the previous owner's data after a reset

The Mi Cloud Lock (or Find Device in newer versions of MIUI) feature was introduced by Xiaomi to protect against theft.

• 🔒 When you first turn on the phone, it is tied to a Mi Account (email). + password).
• 📱 After resetting through Settings → Additionally. → Reset and Reset the device checks to see if Find Device has been disabled.
• ⚠️ If the function is active, the phone will be locked and will require you to enter the data of the last associated account.

This is not a bug, but a feature: Xiaomi is fighting thieves who drop stolen phones. But the problem is that even honest buyers of used devices face lockdown if the previous owner did not untie the account. Complicating matters is that since 2022, Xiaomi has tightened security policies – now SMS confirmation or even a passport scan can be required to unlock it (in some regions).

⚠️ Note: If you bought a phone with your hands and the seller did not provide the data from the Mi Account, this is a violation of Xiaomi rules. Under the terms of the license agreement, the owner must untie the device before selling.

Method 1: Officially delete your account (if you know your password)

The easiest and most secure method is to use the previous owner's data, and if you're selling the phone yourself, be sure to follow these steps before handing the device over to the customer.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Xiaomi account.
2. Click on the profile icon in the upper right corner → Exit.
3. Enter the password from the account and confirm the exit.
4. Return to Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset → Resetting.
5. Choose Delete all data and wait for the process to complete.

Once you reboot, the phone will suggest you create a new account or skip that step, and if you're selling a device, don't sign up, just hand it over to the customer.

Is Xiaomi account untied from the phone?|Is the "Find Device" feature disabled"|Is there a backup of important data?|Is the phone at least 50 times charged%-->

If you are a buyer and seller who provided your account details, but your phone still requires a password after reset, try:

• 📧 Log in to Mi-account from your computer and remove the device from the list of associated (Devices section) → Device management).
• 🔄 Repeat reset via Recovery Mode (clamb Volume Up). + Power with the phone turned off).

Method 2: Unlocking with Mi Unlock Tool (for advanced users)

If the official method does not work (for example, the seller does not remember the password, but the phone is not locked at the bootloader level), you can try Mi Unlock Tool, a tool from Xiaomi to unlock the bootloader. This method is suitable for Redmi, POCO and Xiaomi models based on Qualcomm processors (for example, Redmi Note 11 Pro +, Xiaomi 12T).

Important: the method requires a connection to a PC and does not work on all firmware. Since 2023, Xiaomi has tightened checks - now it may require binding to unlock. SIM-card-to-account.

Step-by-step:

1. Download Mi Unlock Tool from the official website.
2. Install Qualcomm drivers for your model (can be found on the 4PDA or XDA Developers forums).
3. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to log into Fastboot Mode.
4. Connect your phone to your PC and start the Mi Unlock Tool.
5. Sign in to your Mi Account (or use previous owner’s details if any).
6. Press Unlock and wait for the process to be completed (can take up to 72 hours due to Xiaomi checks).

⚠️ Note: After unlocking the bootloader, all data will be deleted from the phone and the warranty will be canceled.In addition, some banking applications (for example, Sberbank Online or Tinkoff) may stop working due to a violation of the integrity of the system.

Method 3: Bypassing the lock through EDL-mode (for technically savvy people)

If the phone is locked at Mi-account level and does not respond to a reset, the last chance is to run through EDL (Emergency Download Mode), which works even on locked devices, but requires:

• 💻 Windows computer 10/11.
• 🔌 Cable. USB Type-C (preferably original).
• 📥 Firmware for your model (you can download it on Xiaomi Firmware Updater).
• 🔧 Mi Flash Tool or QFil (for Qualcomm).

Algorithm of action:

1. Turn off the phone and plug it into the PC, holding Volume up + Volume down (to log into EDL). The screen will remain black - that's normal.
2. Open Device Manager on PC and check if the phone is identified as Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008.
3. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, select the downloaded firmware (.tgz format) and press Refresh.
4. The Device field should appear COM-Select it and press Flash.
5. Wait for the firmware to be completed (10-15 minutes) and the phone will reboot automatically.

Once firmware is in place, the phone will look like new, without being tied to a Mi Account, but there are risks:

💡

Before you run through EDL, check the phone model with the fastboot getvar product command in the terminal. Some devices (e.g. Redmi 9A) have different firmware versions for different regions (Global/EU/India).

Method 4: Calling for Xiaomi support (if the phone is warranty)

If the phone is purchased officially (through a store or operator) and also on warranty, you can try to contact the Xiaomi service center.

• 📄 Check or guarantee card.
• 🆔 Passport (for proof of identity).
• 📱 The phone itself (must be turned on at least up to the lock screen).

Procedure:

1. Find the nearest service center on Xiaomi’s website.
2. Make an appointment (in some cities, you can do it online).
3. Explain that the phone is locked after the reset and you cannot confirm the account.
4. Provide documents and wait for unlocking (can take 1 to 5 days).

Important: Xiaomi will not unlock handsets purchased without a check, and will refuse if:

• 🔧 The phone was unlocked via the Mi Unlock Tool.
• 📱 The device is blacklisted (stolen or lost).
• 🔄 The firmware has been changed (unofficial) ROM).

⚠️ Note: In 2026, Xiaomi began blocking devices that were unlocked by unofficial methods (for example, through the use of a device that was not unlocked by the user). EDL If you unlock your phone without turning on, you can only restore it through an authorized service, which costs 30-50% of the cost of a new device.

I'm only buying new ones.|I buy a used one, but check before paying.|I buy a used one without checking.|Selling my own b/w equipment.|I don't buy/sell-->

Method 5: Alternative methods (at your own risk)

If the official methods didn't work, you can find some gray methods of bypassing the blockage on the Internet, and we don't recommend using them, but to get the picture straight, we'll talk about the most common ones:

1. Online unblocking services

There are sites that offer to delete Mi-account for money (from 500 to 3000 rubles).

• 💰 You pay for the service and provide IMEI phone.
• 🔓 The service “untie” the device from the account on its servers.
• 📱 You perform a reset and the blockage disappears.

Risks:

• 🕵️ Fraud (Many services just take money and disappear).
• 🔒 Re-block after a few days (Xiaomi can roll back changes).
• 📵 Loss of communication (some services spoil the module) IMEI).

2. firmware through TestPoint

This is the last resort for MediaTek processor devices (e.g. Redmi 9C, POCO C31), and the idea is to manually close contacts on the board so that the phone enters firmware mode. You can look for instructions and diagrams on forums, but:

• ⚡ Risk of damage to the fee (if the wrong contacts are closed).
• 🔧 Requires a soldering iron and experience with electronics.
• 🚫 Guaranteed loss of guarantee.

💡

None of the alternative methods offer a 100% unlock guarantee, and with each MIUI update, Xiaomi closes the loopholes that the grey services used, and if the phone is important, it’s better to contact the official service or accept the lock.

What to do if nothing helps

If you’ve tried all the ways, but the phone still requires the previous owner’s data, you have three options:

1. Under the Consumer Protection Act, you can return the product within 14 days if it does not meet the declared characteristics (and a locked phone is just such a case).
2. Use the phone as a “brick.” Some models (such as the Xiaomi Pad 5) can be connected to the monitor via USB-C → HDMI and used as a media player or smart home device.
3. There's always a display, battery or motherboard buyer on Avito or Yula.

If you are a seller and can not remove your account from your phone, honestly warn the buyer about the blocking, otherwise they can file a complaint with Xiaomi, and your account will be blocked forever.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi