How to completely delete Xiaomi account with Redmi 3s: 5 proven ways

Xiaomi Redmi 3s, released in 2016, is still a popular budget smartphone among users who value reliability and simplicity. However, over time, many people face the need to delete their associated Mi Account - whether before selling the device, due to a forgotten password or synchronization failures. Unlike modern models, Redmi 3s runs on the basis of MIUI 8/9 (Android 6.0), which imposes special features on the process of deleting the profile.

In this article, you will find current ways to delete a Xiaomi account with Redmi 3s in mind, including bypassing locking when login data is lost. We will examine official methods through settings, forced reset, and alternative solutions for cases where standard options do not work. Importantly, devices with MIUI older than 2018 may require additional bootloader unlock if the account was tied to a hardware ID.

Why can’t you just delete your account through your settings?

Redmi 3s (as with other Xiaomi smartphones until 2019) has a device-based account-to-device (Mi Cloud Lock) system, which means that even after logging out via Settings → Accounts → Mi-account, the data remains in the system and can block access after a reset to factory settings.

• 🔒 Hardware binding: Account associated with a unique device identifier (IMEI or SN), Requires confirmation upon re-activation.
• 📱 An outdated version MIUI: On the Redmi. 3s No function "Delete account" in its current form (appeared in the MIUI 10+).
• 🔄 Sync with Mi Cloud: Even after local deletion, data can be restored when connected to the Internet.
• 🔑 Protection against theft: Xiaomi blocks devices with a tied account when resetting, if you do not confirm the rights of the owner.

If you tried to delete your account through Settings → Sync → Mi Account → Delete your account and you received an error such as “Can’t delete your account” or “Password required”, this means that the device is still tied to Mi Cloud.

Method 1: Delete your account through settings (official method)

This is the easiest option, but it only works if:

• 📌 Remember the username and password from the Mi-account.
• 📶 The device is connected to the Internet (required for synchronization).
• 🔄 On the smartphone, the “Device Search” mode is not activated (can block deletion).

Step-by-step:

1. Open Settings → Accounts (or Sync in older versions of MIUI).
2. Choose a Mi Account → tap the icon ⋮ (three points) in upper right corner.
3. Tap "Delete Account" (in MIUI 8 this item may be called "Exit").
4. Confirm the action by entering the password from the account.
5. Reset the device.

If after these actions, when you try to log in to a new account, a message appears "This device is linked to another account", then the binding at the Mi Cloud level is not removed.

⚠️ Attention: On Redmi 3s s MIUI 8 After deleting your account, you may lose access to certain features, such as Themes or Cloud Storage. This is normal – the functions will recover after you link a new profile.

Method 2: Reset to factory settings with lock bypass

If you don’t remember the login details or the device is locked after reset, you can try to bypass the link via Recovery Mode.This method is suitable for Redmi 3s with the bootloader unlocked or if the device doesn’t ask for a password after reset.

Instructions:

1. Turn off your smartphone.
2. Press the Volume Up + Power buttons at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select Wipe & Reset → Wipe All Data (use volume buttons for navigation and power button for confirmation).
4. After reset, select Reboot → Reboot to System.

If you see a screen after reset asking you to enter a password from your old account, it means that the device is still tied to the Mi Cloud, in which case you will either need to enter the correct data or use methods with the help of the user. EDL-firmware.

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If the device asks to confirm the owner’s rights after the reset, but you do not remember the password, try to restore access through account.xiaomi.com. Sometimes this allows you to unlock Redmi 3s without additional manipulation.

Method 3: Delete your account via the Mi Cloud site (remotely)

If you have access to an email or phone number linked to a Mi Account, you can try to remove the device from the list remotely, which works even if the smartphone is locked or lost.

Step-by-step:

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in.
2. In the Devices section, find your Redmi 3s (it can be displayed as "land" - the model's encoded name).
3. Click on three dots next to the device and select "Delete Device".
4. Confirm the action via SMS or email.
5. Wait 5-10 minutes and restart your smartphone.

If the device does not appear in the list or the Remove button is inactive, this may mean:

• 🔌 The device has not connected to the Internet for more than 30 days (data is not synchronized).
• 🔒 Account blocked for suspicious activity.
• 📵 On the Redmi. 3s Disabled function "Find device" in the settings.

⚠️ Note: Remote removal via Mi Cloud does not always work on devices older than 2018 due to firmware features.If the lock remains after this procedure, use EDL-regime.

Method 4: Removal of the binding through EDL-mode (for advanced)

EDL-Emergency Download Mode is a service boot mode that allows you to flash the device around standard restrictions. 3s It's activated by short-circuiting the contacts on the board or using a special cable, which deletes all data, including the binding to the Mi Account, but requires an unlocked bootloader and firmware skills.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Windows computer (for Mi Flash Tool).
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original or supported) EDL).
• 📦 Fastboot firmware ROM for Redmi 3s (land-based).
• 🔧 Mi Flash Tool (download from official website).

Instructions:

1. Download and install the Mi Flash Tool.
2. Unpack the archive with firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters.
3. Turn off Redmi 3s and connect it to the PC by holding the Volume Up + Volume Down buttons (to activate EDL).
4. In the Mi Flash Tool, click Select and specify the path to the firmware folder.
5. Select the "Clean All" mode and press Flash.
6. Wait for the process to be completed (5-10 minutes).

Once the firmware is in place, the device will be completely clean, without being tied to the old account.

• 🔴 The warranty on the device will be cancelled.
• 🔄 Firmware errors may occur if the wrong file is selected (e.g., firmware for Redmi 3 Pro instead of Redmi). 3s).
• 📵 After the procedure, you may need to reactivate through the Mi-account, but without blocking.

Method 5: Fastboot Firmware (alternative to EDL)

If EDL-The mode is not available or you don't want to risk short circuit, you can use Fastboot.This method also requires an unlocked bootloader, but is more secure for beginners.

Step-by-step:

1. Download Fastboot ROM for Redmi 3s (codenamed land) from xiaomifirmwareupdater.com.
2. Unpack the archive in a folder. C:\fastboot_rom\.
3. Install ADB and Fastboot drivers (you can use Minimal ADB and Fastboot).
4. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to log into Fastboot Mode.
5. Connect the device to the PC and open the command line in the firmware folder.
6. Enter the command to check the connection: fastboot devices must display the serial number of the device.
7. Start the firmware with the command: fastboot flash all (or flash_all.bat, If there is such a file in the archive).

Once the firmware is complete, the device will automatically restart, which removes all data, including the Mi Account, but retains the ability to re-activate without locking.

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Fastboot is the most reliable way to remove the binding to the Redmi 3s account, but requires prior unlocking of the bootloader. Without this step, the device will not allow you to install custom firmware.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

When you delete your Redmi 3s account, users often face typical problems, and let’s look at the most common ones and how to fix them:

If none of the methods worked, it is possible that your Redmi 3s has a hardware lock activated (for example, after a theft or loss), in which case you can officially unlock the device only through Xiaomi Support, providing proof of purchase (check, box with IMEI).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions