Xiaomi smartphones have long proven themselves as reliable devices with excellent value for money, and the Redmi 9 model has become a real hit because of its availability. However, users often face the need to untie the Mi Account before selling the gadget, transferring it to another family member or simply to completely clean the system of personal data. The process of deleting an account may seem simple, but in the MIUI ecosystem there are important nuances that can lead to the locking of the device.
In this article, we will look at all possible scenarios in detail, from regular log-out through settings to complex cases when your password is lost or your phone is locked. Deleting your account without first logging off your phoneβs menu will lead to FRP (Factory Reset Protection) activation, which will require you to enter your password when you first activate after a reset. Understanding these mechanisms will help you avoid unpleasant surprises and save access to the device.
We will look at not only standard procedures, but also methods of access recovery if you forget the login details. The security of your personal data is a priority, so it is important to clearly understand the difference between simply logging out of a profile and completely removing your device from the cloud.
Why you should delete your account before selling or resetting
The main reason you need to delete your Mi Account before selling or transferring a device is because of the Find Device security system, which links your smartphone to your unique identifier, and if the new owner tries to reset the settings to the factory settings, the phone will request a password from the previous owner, and without that password, the device will become a brick, unusable.
Deleting your account also ensures complete privacy, even if you plan to just give your phone to your child, synchronized contacts, photos in Mi Cloud, location history and payment data should not be available to outsiders.
There is a common misconception that a simple Factory Reset is enough to clear all traces. It's not. If an account has not been manually deleted through the settings menu before the reset, the system will consider it a theft and lock the device, so the order of action is critical.
Deleting your account through MIUI settings
The safest and most appropriate way to unplug the device is to use the built-in menu, which is suitable if you remember the password and have access to the desktop of your smartphone. Before starting the procedure, make sure that the device is connected to a stable Wi-Fi network or mobile Internet, as Xiaomi servers will need to confirm the operation.
To start, open the Settings app and scroll to the top, and you'll see the section with your name and avatar, which is the login to the account center, click on it to go to profile management, and you'll find the exit button that opens, which is usually at the bottom of the list or marked with the appropriate icon.
The system will request confirmation of the operation. You will be asked to save backups of the data on the server or delete them locally. Choose the option that matches your plans. After that, you will need to enter the password from the Mi Account to verify your identity. If the password is entered correctly, the device will uncouple.
βοΈ Checklist before deleting the account
Importantly, once you log out, some system features like Mi Pay, gallery sync, and device search will stop working, which is normal behavior, indicating that you've successfully completed the procedure, and the phone is now ready to be sold or transferred to another user.
What to do if you forget your Mi Account password
The user forgets their password is one of the most common situations. Fortunately, Xiaomi has built recovery mechanisms, and if you can't log in to the settings to delete your profile, try using the recovery function via your linked phone number or email first.
Go to the official i.mi.com website from any other device (computer or phone friend). In the login form, click on the link "Forgot your password?". The system will offer several options for verifying your identity: a code from SMS, an email or answer to a secret question, if it was set in advance.
- π± Reconstruction SMS: The fastest way is if the SIM card is still on your phone or you have access to a number.
- π§ Email confirmation: Suitable if the mailbox is active and you remember the password from it.
- β Secret question: used less often, as many users do not remember the answers they gave when registering.
After a successful password change, wait about 15-30 minutes. Servers need time to update security data. Only then try to enter a new password on your Redmi 9 to log out. Trying to enter immediately after the change can lead to a temporary lock for security reasons.
β οΈ Note: If you changed your password but canβt log out of your phone account due to a network error, try logging in via your browser on the same phone to update authorization tokens, and then try again to log out through your settings.
Delete your account via i.mi.com web interface
If you have limited access to your phone menu or want to remotely control your devices, you can use the web version of the service, which is especially useful if you have the phone on your hands, but you can't log in for some reason, even though the screen is unlocked. Go to i.mi.com and log in to your Mi Account.
In the cloud service interface, look for the Devices section, which will display a list of all gadgets associated with your profile, including Redmi 9. Select the desired device from the list. In the control menu that opens, the option "Delete device" or "Untie".
This command will force the connection between the server and the phone to be severed, but in order for this function to work, the phone itself must be connected to the Internet at the time the command is executed, and if the phone is turned off or in aeromode, the command will queue up and execute as soon as the device appears on the network.