How to Delete Xiaomi Cloud Account: 4 Proven Ways

Deleting a Xiaomi Cloud account (Mi Cloud) is a procedure that users face for various reasons, from the desire to sell the device to concerns about data privacy. However, many people do not know that simply deleting an account through the settings of a smartphone does not guarantee complete erasure of data from the company’s servers. Moreover, binding to Mi Account can block access to the device’s functions even after resetting to factory settings.

In this article, we will look at all the current ways to delete an account, from standard deletion through the web interface to forced unblocking through service mode, and pay special attention to the hidden consequences: what will happen to photos in the cloud, purchases from the Mi Store and access to Xiaomi smart home devices, and learn how to bypass account locks if you forget your password or device is stolen.

The instructions in this article are relevant for all Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO and Black Shark devices based on MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS. If your device runs on an older version of the firmware, some menu items may differ - in this case, use alternative methods from the section about the service mode.

Why to delete your Xiaomi Cloud account: 5 good reasons

Before we get to the instructions, we will understand when deleting Mi Account is really necessary and when you can do less radical measures. Many users mistakenly believe that it is enough to log out of the account in the settings — but this does not delete data from the servers and will not unlock the device for the new owner.

Here are the typical situations where a complete deletion of an account is justified:

• 📱 Selling or transferring a device: The new owner will not be able to use the smartphone without your account – many features (such as unlocking the bootloader) require authorization.
• 🔒 Data breach or hacking: If you suspect your account is compromised, it's better to delete it and create a new one than risk accessing cloud backups.
• 🌍 Xiaomi account is tied to the country of registration, and some services (such as Mi Pay) may not work when moving.
• 📦 Giving up the Xiaomi ecosystem: If you switch to another brand’s devices (like Samsung or iPhone), supporting an account makes no sense.
• 🛡️ Privacy: Xiaomi collects device usage data (including location and app activity) and can only be completely deleted by deleting your account.

However, there are hidden risks, such as when you delete your account, you lose:

• 📸 All photos and videos in Mi Cloud (unless backed up).
• 🎮 Progress in Mi Account-linked games (e.g. Black Shark Games).
• 💳 Mi Store purchase history and access to digital licenses.
• 🏠 Control of smart home devices (lamps, robot vacuum cleaners, cameras).

⚠️ Note: If you delete the account that your Mi Account lock is attached to (activated after a reset), it will be extremely difficult to unlock the device. In some cases, you will need to formally contact Xiaomi with proof of purchase.

Preparing for removal: what to do in advance

Before deleting your Xiaomi Cloud account, be sure to follow these steps to avoid data loss and device issues:

1. Download backup copies: 📁 Photos and videos: Go to the Gallery → Albums. → Mi Cloud and save files to your device or PC. 📄 Documents and Notes: Export data from Mi Notes and Mi Drive in.zip format. 🔄 Device settings: Create a local backup in Settings → The phone. → Backup.

Untie Smart Home Devices

Open the Mi Home app, go to Profile → Devices and remove all gadgets (lamps, sensors, vacuum cleaners). If you don't, the new owner won't be able to plug them in.

Check the tied services

Go to account.xiaomi.com, under Security → Linked Services, disable:

• 💳 Mi Pay (if a bank card is attached).
• 🎮 Game Center (Save Games).
• 📱 Find Device (phone search function).
• Make sure there are no active subscriptions: In the same section of the Services, check if there are any valid subscriptions to Mi Cloud+ or other services.

Unlike the web method, deletion via an app is instantaneous, with no waiting period.

• 📱 If the device has Mi Account lock enabled (for example, after a reset), this method will not work – unlocking will be required.
• 🔄 After deleting your account, your device will automatically log out of the Xiaomi ecosystem, and some features (such as Themes) will become unavailable.
• 🔒 If you have forgotten your password, use the recovery instructions.
• In Device Manager, check that the phone is identified as a Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 (or similarly for MediaTek).
• Download Mi Flash Unlock or XiaomiTool V2 and follow the instructions for deleting your account.

⚠️ Warning:

• Incorrect actions in EDL Mode can turn the device into a “brick” (unworkable state).
• Xiaomi can block the IMEI of a device if it detects an attempt to bypass the Mi Account.
• On newer devices (2021 and later), this method doesn’t work much because of improved protection.

Method 4: If you forget your password, restore or bypass

Mi Account passwords are one of the most common problems, and fortunately, there are several ways to restore them or bypass them.

Method 1: Recovery via email/SMS

1. On the lock screen, tap “Forgot your password?”
2. Select recovery via Email or SMS.
3. Enter the code from the letter or message.
4. Create a new password.

Method 2: Through official support

If you do not have access to email/SMS, but have a check to buy the device, you can contact Xiaomi in support:

1. Go to the support page.
2. Choose Mi Account. → Unlock Device.
3. Download the scan of the check (should be in the name of the account holder).
4. Wait for a response (usually 3-7 days).

Method 3: Fastboot bypass (for older devices)

On devices up to 2019 (e.g. Redmi Note 5, Mi 8) you can try resetting your Mi Account via Fastboot:

fastboot oem clean_frp

This command does not work on all models and may require an unlocked bootloader.

⚠️ Warning: If you bought a device with your hands and the previous owner didn't delete your account, the only legal way to unlock it is to contact them and ask them to delete their account through the website.

Consequences of deleting your account: what awaits you

Deleting Mi Account involves a number of changes that many users are unaware of, and this is what happens when you delete it:

The worst consequence is that you lock your device after you reset, and if you delete the account that your smartphone was attached to, the new owner will see a message:

"This device is tied to a Xiaomi account. Enter the password to unlock."

The only solution to this problem is:

• 📄 Providing purchase checks in support of Xiaomi.
• 🔧 Unofficial services (blockage risk) IMEI).
• 📱 If the device is old (until 2020), sometimes the firmware through Fastboot helps.

If you plan to sell a device, it's best not to delete your account in advance, but to do so after handing over the phone to the customer, so you can help unlock if something goes wrong.

Frequent questions and answers