Why Deleting Mi Accounts with Redmi 5A Is Not as Easy as It Seems
If you decide to sell, give away, or simply reset your Xiaomi Redmi 5A to factory settings, you will eventually have to delete your Mi Account. At first glance, the procedure seems simple — you go into settings, click "Delete Account" and you're ready. But in practice, Redmi 5A owners face a lot of pitfalls: from requiring you to enter a password from your old account to completely locking the device after you reset.
Xiaomi has integrated Mi Cloud protection so deeply into the firmware that simply removing it from the menu often doesn’t work, especially for the 2017-2018 models that include the Redmi 5A. In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to delete Mi accounts in 2026, including official and alternative methods, and how to avoid locking the device after a reset.
Method 1: Standard removal through phone settings
The most obvious and safe method is to delete your account directly from the settings menu, which is suitable if you remember the username and password from your Mi Account, and the phone is not locked.
- Open Settings on your Redmi 5A (the gear icon on the home screen).
- Go to the Accounts section → Mi Account.
- Click on the profile icon in the upper right corner and select Account Management.
- Scroll down and tap on Delete account.
- Enter the password from your Mi Account and confirm the deletion.
If it goes well, the phone will automatically log out of your account, so you can tie a new one or sell the device without the risk of being blocked.
- 🔄 After deleting an account, some features (such as synchronizing notes or backing up) will stop working.
- 📱 If the phone is stolen, this method will not work – you will need official proof of ownership.
- ⚠️ Do not delete your account unless you are sure of your password – after unsuccessful attempts, your device may be locked for 24 hours.
Make a backup copy of important data|Make sure you remember the password from your Mi Account|Disable device search in Mi Cloud|Sign out of your account in apps (e.g. Mi Fit, Mi Home)-->
If you see a message that says, “You can’t delete your account due to active blocking,” it means that the device has enabled Find Device. To turn it off, go to Settings → Mi Account → Find Device and deactivate the option.
Method 2: Removal through reset to factory settings (Hard Reset)
If you don’t remember your Mi Account password or your phone is locked, you can try resetting Redmi. 5A However, there is a serious risk that after a reset, the device may require you to enter the old account information to activate it (FRP-This applies to all Xiaomi smartphones based on Android 5.1 and above, including Redmi. 5A.
To minimize the risks, follow this instruction:
- Turn off the phone.
- Press the Volume Up + Power buttons at the same time and hold them for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
- From the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.
- Confirm the action by selecting Confirm.
- After the reset is complete, press Reboot.
What if your phone needs an old Mi Account after resetting?
⚠️ Warning: Resetting to factory settings removes all data from your phone, including photos, contacts and apps. If you haven't backed up, it won't be possible to recover the information.
If you plan to sell a phone, it is best to unplug it from your Mi Account in advance through standard deletion (Method 1).
Method 3: Delete Mi Accounts via ADB (for Advanced Users)
If standard methods don’t work, you can try to delete your account via Android Debug Bridge (ADB).This method is suitable for users who have experience with the command line and are willing to take a chance. Redmi 5A must be unlocked for debugging over USB.
Here's the step-by-step instruction:
- Download and install ADB Tools on your computer.
- On the phone, turn on Developer Mode (go to Settings → About Phone and 7 times click on the MIUI version).
- Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and activate Debugging over USB.
- Get Redmi on board. 5A computer-to-computer USB-cable and in the command line (on PC) enter:
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.xiaomi.accountIf the command is successful, the Mi Account will be deleted from the device, but this method has several limitations:
| Problem. | Decision |
|---|---|
| Command not executed | Check if USB debugging is enabled and if ADB drivers are installed correctly. |
| Phone's not being determined. | Try another one. USB-cable or port. Sometimes it helps to reboot your PC. |
| After deletion, the account returns | This means that the Mi Account is synced through the cloud. Shut down the Internet before you execute the command. |
| ADB asks for permission on phone | Allow debugging on the Redmi 5A screen (a pop-up will appear). |
⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB If you are not sure about your actions, it is better to use official methods (Method 1 or 4).
Through phone settings|Reset to factory settings|ADB or other technical methods|Official request to Xiaomi|I haven't tried it yet.-->
Method 4: Officially request deletion of Mi Account via Xiaomi support
If you can’t delete your account yourself (for example, forget your password or your phone is blocked), you can contact Xiaomi’s official support, which is the most reliable method, but also the longest one – it can take from 3 to 14 days to process the request.
To submit a request, follow the following steps:
- Go to the Mi Account website and try to restore access to your account via email or phone number.
- If recovery fails, click Need Help? at the bottom of the entry page.
- Select Lost Account Access and fill out the form by specifying: IMEI of your Redmi 5A (you can find it by dialing *#06#), serial number (located under the battery or in the About Phone settings), passport data or other identity document.
Send a request and wait for support to respond. They usually send a password reset link or unlock instructions.
Important: Xiaomi can request proof of purchase of the device (check, warranty card) or a photo of the box with IMEI. If the phone was bought with hands, the chances of successful unlocking are reduced.
💡
If you sell a Redmi 5A, be sure to untie it from your Mi Account in advance.The buyer can request a refund if the device is locked after a reset.
Method 5: Factory Reset Protection (FRP) bypasses Redmi 5A
If Redmi 5A requires you to enter your old Mi Account after resetting, it means that FRP (Factory Reset Protection) protection has worked, and you can get around it in several ways, but they all require caution.
Method 1: Recovery and Fastboot modes
This is a good option if you have access to Recovery Mode:
- Turn off the phone.
- Press Volume Up + Power to enter Recovery.
- Select Connect with Mi Assistant (if you have one).
- Connect your phone to Wi-Fi and try to log in via your Mi Account from another device (like your computer) to unlock.
⚠️ Attention: Use of informal circumvention techniques FRP Xiaomi is actively fighting against such tools, so many of them stop working after firmware updates.
What do you do if nothing helps?
If none of the above methods worked, you have a few options:
- Contact the service center Xiaomi – they can unlock the device by documents (passport + check). The cost of the service varies from 500 to 2000 rubles.
- Using Redmi 5A without Mi Account – many features (calls, SMS, camera) will work, but cloud sync and some Xiaomi services will not be available.
If you decide to contact a service center, check in advance if they work with unlocking Mi accounts. Not all workshops take on such tasks because of the risk of blocking IMEI.
💡
The most reliable way to avoid Mi Account problems is to untie your phone before resetting. If you are planning to sell or transfer Redmi 5A, do so in advance through settings.