How to Delete Mi Account on Xiaomi if it is Linked to a Device

A linked Mi Account on Xiaomi smartphones is not just a profile to synchronize data, but a full protection of the device from unauthorized access. However, there are situations when deleting such an account becomes necessary: selling the phone, resetting the password, switching to another brand or service bugs. The problem is that simply delete the associated account through settings will not work, the system requires proof of ownership.

Many users experience errors like “Device tied to Mi Account” or “Confirm possession” especially after resetting to factory settings. In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to delete a tied Mi Account on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO in 2026, from official methods to workarounds for complex cases. It’s important to understand that the procedure differs depending on the version of MIUI, device model, and even the region of purchase.

If you plan to sell or transfer a smartphone, deleting your Mi Account without detachment from the device can result in a lockdown for the new owner, so all steps need to be done in strict sequence, given the nuances of your model.

Why can’t you just delete your Mi Account through your settings?

Unlike a Google account, which can be deleted in two clicks, the Mi Account is integrated into Xiaomi’s security system, which is designed to combat theft: even after a reset, the device will remain tied to the last account, and the new owner will not be able to activate it without the old profile data.

The main reasons why standard removal does not work:

• 🔒 Find Device: If the function is active, the system blocks deletion without confirmation.
• 🔄 Recent reset: After a factory reset, the system can block account changes for 72 hours.

What’s more, if you’re trying to delete an account from a phone that has Mi Data Protection enabled (in the Settings menu). → Mi Account → Security, the system will require a password from the Mi Account and SMS-Without this data, it's legally impossible to circumvent the protection.

⚠️ Note: If you bought a used Xiaomi smartphone with a previous owner’s account tied, the only legal way to unlock it is to contact the seller.

Method 1: Delete your Mi Account through your phone settings (official method)

This is the easiest and safest way to do this, but it only works if:

• 📱 You have access to the phone and password from your Mi Account.
• 🔓 Find Device is disabled (check in Settings) → Mi Account → Find Device).
• 🌐 Device connected to the Internet (required to confirm).

Step-by-step:

1. Open the Settings. → Mi Account (or Mi Account).
2. Slip on your avatar or email at the top of the screen.
3. Select Account Management → Security.
4. Scroll down and click Delete Account.
5. Enter the password from the Mi Account and confirm via SMS (if requested).
6. Confirm the deletion - the phone will restart.

Once rebooted, the account will be detached from the device, but profile data (cloud, purchases, achievements) will be stored on Xiaomi servers. To delete them completely, you need to go to account.xiaomi.com from your computer.

Method 2: Remove from Xiaomi (if your phone is blocked)

If you cannot log in to your phone settings (for example, after a reset or lock), you can delete your Mi Account via the web interface.

• 🔐 You remember your account login/password, but your phone doesn’t respond to the input.
• 📦 The device was reset but remained tied to the account.
• 🌍 You use global firmware (for Chinese versions, the method may not work).

Instructions:

1. Go to account.xiaomi.com from a computer or other phone.
2. Sign in to your Mi Account.
3. In the menu, select Devices.
4. Find your smartphone in the list and click Delete (or Unbind).
5. Confirm the action via SMS or email.

After that, the account binding to the device will be removed, and you can:

• 📱 Log into your phone without asking for your old account details.
• 🔄 Sell or transfer the device to another user.
• 🆕 Create a new Mi Account on this phone.

⚠️ Note: If your phone is not displayed on the site’s device list, it may mean that: The device is tied to another account (for example, after purchasing a used one). MIUI Xiaomi servers are temporarily unavailable (check through) VPN).

Method 3: Fastboot Reset (for advanced users)

If standard methods fail and the phone is locked on the activation screen to require you to enter your Mi Account details, you can try unlocking via Fastboot mode, which is suitable for models with an unlocked bootloader and requires a computer.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with drivers installed ADB/Fastboot.
• 📱 Cable USB Type-C (original, stable connection).
• 🔧 Mi Flash Unlock Tool (official utility from Xiaomi).
• 🔑 Mi Account to which the phone is tied (to unlock the bootloader).

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install the Mi Unlock Tool.
2. Turn off your phone and press the Power button + Volume Down to log into the Fastboot.
3. Connect your phone to your computer and start the Mi Unlock Tool.
4. Sign in with the same Mi Account as you do on your phone.
5. Follow the instructions of the program to unlock the bootloader (can take up to 72 hours).
6. After unlocking, swipe your phone through the Mi Flash Tool with the Clean All tick.

This method completely erases all data and removes the account binding, but has risks:

• ⚠️ Possible brick (turning the phone into a “brick”) in case of firmware errors.
• ⏳ The process of unlocking the bootloader can take up to 3 days (limited by Xiaomi).
• 🔒 On some models (for example, Redmi Note 12 with a MIUI (14) additional confirmation is required through SMS.

Method 4: Bypassing the binding through EDL-regime (extreme case)

If all the previous methods didn't work, there's EDL (Emergency Download Mode) mode, which is a service mode that allows you to flash the phone at a low level, bypassing all locks, but it has serious downsides:

How it works:

1. The phone is transferred to EDL mode through a special combination or testpoint (on the board).
2. Through the program Mi Flash Pro or QFil stitched clean firmware with the removal of all data.
3. After firmware, the phone becomes “clean”, without being tied to the account.

Where can I do this?

• 🏢 Official Xiaomi Service Center (check or purchase confirmation required).

⚠️ Attention: Firmware through EDL Without official access, it can lead to a blockage. IMEI (In 2026, Xiaomi tightened its control over such operations, so it is better to contact authorized centers.

What to do if your Mi Account is linked to someone else’s phone?

Situation: you bought a used Xiaomi smartphone and the previous owner didn't untie his Mi Account. Now the phone requires you to enter a login / password when activated.

1. Contact the seller:

2. Call for support for Xiaomi:

• 📄 Prepare documents: check, contract of sale, photo of the box with the serial number.
• 🌐 Fill out the form at support.xiaomi.com or chat.
• ⏳ Term of consideration - from 3 to 14 days.

3. check the legality of the device:

• 🔍 Enter. IMEI phone number on imei.info - if the status is "lost / stolen", return the phone to the seller.
• 🚨 If the phone is blacklisted, it is impossible to unlock it even through the phone. EDL.

In 2026, Xiaomi tightened its policy on used devices, which now requires video confirmation (passport and phone recording) to unlock, due to the rise in fraud in the sale of locked smartphones.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When deleting a Mi Account, users often face typical problems, and here are the most common ways to solve them:

Error: "The device is linked to the Mi Account"

• 🔹 Reason: The account was not untied before the reset.
• 🔹 Solution: Use the Mi Unlock Tool or contact support with proof of ownership.

Error: "Can't delete your account. Repeat later."

• 🔹 Reason: Xiaomi servers are overloaded or account blocked.
• 🔹 Solution: Try in 24 hours or change region to VPN (for example, Hong Kong).

Error: "This device does not support unlocking"

• 🔹 Reason: Chinese firmware installed (MIUI China).
• 🔹 Solution: Make a global version MIUI via Fastboot.

Error: "Error Code 10008"

• 🔹 Reason: Account is linked to another device (e.g. after cloning) IMEI).
• 🔹 Solution: Contact support with a photo box and check.

Mistake: "Too many attempts to enter"

• 🔹 Blocking after 5 unsuccessful attempts.
• 🔹 Solution: Wait 24 hours or reset the meter via Fastboot (fastboot oem unlock command).

💡

If you are selling a phone, be sure to reset to factory settings after deleting your Mi Account. Go to Settings → About Phone → Reset and select Delete All Data to ensure that the new owner does not face lockdown.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

💡

If you buy a used Xiaomi smartphone, be sure to check whether the account is untied Mi. Ask the seller to show the Settings section → Mi Account or the list of devices on the Xiaomi site. Without this, the risk of getting a “brick” after reset is extremely high.