Deleting Mi accounts with Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro is a challenge that users face when selling a device, resetting to factory settings, or after buying a used phone with a tied profile. Despite its apparent simplicity, the process can be complicated by the lack of a password, blocked mail access or Xiaomi server errors. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to delete an account, including official methods and workarounds for difficult situations.
The Redmi 8 Pro (codenamed begonia) is a model that was released in 2019 and runs on MIUI versions 10–13, which means that some current methods (such as removal via Find Device) may not work due to outdated firmware, and we have taken into account all the nuances and prepared instructions adapted to this model.
Important: If you plan to sell or transfer your phone, deleting your Mi Account is mandatory, otherwise the new owner will not be able to use the device because of the link to your profile, and even after resetting via Recovery, the account will remain active, and the phone will require you to enter your username / password at the first setting.
1. Delete Mi Account through phone settings (official method)
The easiest and safest method is to delete your account directly from the Redmi 8 Pro menu if you have access to your phone and remember your password, which is suitable for users who want to untie their profile before selling or resetting.
Instructions:
- 📱 Open the Settings app (cog icon on the home screen).
- 👤 Go to the Mi Account (usually at the top of the menu).
- ⚙️ Slip on the cog icon in the upper right corner → Choose Exit.
- 🔄 After leaving the account, return to Settings → Mi Account and select Delete Account.
- 🔐 Enter the password from the account and confirm the deletion.
Once you do this, the phone will break the link to your Xiaomi profile, and you can link a new account or sell the device without the risk of being blocked. Note: this method only works if the phone is not locked and you have access to the mail/phone for confirmation.
☑️ Preparing for deletion of Mi Account
⚠️ Note: If you plan to reset your phone to factory settings after deleting your account, do so before transferring the device to a new owner, otherwise they may encounter an activation error due to residual data in the system.
2. Delete Mi Account after reset (if phone is blocked)
This is even more complicated if you bought a Redmi 8 Pro with your hands and the previous owner didn't delete your Mi Account, in which case, after resetting via Recovery, the phone will require you to enter a login and password from your old profile, and you can solve the problem in several ways, but they all require proof of ownership.
Official way:
- 📧 Contact the previous owner and ask them to delete their account remotely via account.xiaomi.com (Devices section).
- 📄 If it is impossible to contact the seller, prepare documents confirming the purchase (check, contract, correspondence), and contact Xiaomi with a request to unlock the device.
Unofficial methods (use at your own risk):
- 🔧 Fastboot Reset: Requires an unlocked bootloader and skills to work with ADB. Details in section 4.
- 🛠️ Custom Recovery firmware: allows you to bypass account verification, but cancels the warranty and can lead to a “brick” of the device.
| Method | Conditions required | Risks. | Implementation time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appeal to the previous owner | Contact with the seller | No. | 1-3 days |
| Official request to Xiaomi | Check/purchase documents | Refusal in the absence of evidence | 5-14 days |
| Reset via Fastboot | Unlocked bootloader, PC | Data loss, possible "brick" | 30-60 minutes |
| Custom Recovery firmware | Experience with TWRP, PC | Loss of warranty, unstable work | 1-2 hours |
⚠️ Note: Using informal methods may lead to blocking IMEI If a phone is stolen, it cannot be legally unlocked - even after firmware is installed, it can be remotely locked.
3. Delete Mi Account with PC (via Mi Unlock Tool)
If the phone is locked but you have access to your Mi Account (for example, you forgot your password but remember your login), you can use the official Mi Unlock Tool utility. This method is suitable for unlocking the bootloader and then deleting the account through a reset.
Step-by-step:
- Download Mi Unlock Tool from the official website and install it on PC.
- Launch the utility and log in to your Mi Account (the same one that is linked to your phone).
- Turn off the Redmi 8 Pro and put it into Fastboot mode: Press Power + Volume Down for 10 seconds.
- Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable (use the original cord!).
- In Mi Unlock Tool, press Unlock and wait for the process to complete (usually takes 5-10 minutes).
Once you unlock the bootloader, you can flash custom Recovery (like TWRP) and delete your Mi Account through it by editing system files, but this is only suitable for advanced users - firmware errors can make the phone inoperable.
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If the Mi Unlock Tool gives you a "Couldn't unlock" error, try tying it. SIM-Xiaomi card and wait 72 hours is a security requirement for new devices.
4. bypassing the blocking of Mi Account without a password (alternative methods)
If you don’t remember the Mi Account and can’t contact the previous owner, radical methods remain, and they are only suitable for phones that are legally purchased (not stolen!), because otherwise the risk of blocking the IMEI increases.
Method 1: Resetting through EDL-Mode (Qualcomm 9008)
The Redmi 8 Pro is built on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 655 chipset, which allows you to use EDL mode for firmware.
- 🖥️ Windows PC and Qualcomm Drivers.
- 📂 Firmware for Redmi 8 Pro (version) begonia_global).
- 🔧 Mi Flash Tool or QFil.
Algorithm:
- Turn off the phone and connect it to the PC, holding Power + Volume Up (should be defined as Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008).
- Start the Mi Flash Tool, select the firmware and press Flash.
- After firmware, the phone will restart without being tied to the Mi Account.
What is it? EDL-regime?
Method 2: Using Vulnerabilities MIUI
Older versions of MIUI (up to 12.5) had loopholes to bypass the lock via:
- 📡 Activation of developer mode: sometimes allowed to reset settings without password.
- 🔄 Recovery through Google Account: If your phone has a Google Account linked, you can try resetting your password through Find My Device.
On the Redmi 8 Pro with MIUI 13 and later, these methods do not work – Xiaomi closed the vulnerabilities in 2022.
5. Frequent errors in deleting Mi Account and their solutions
Even when you follow instructions, users encounter errors, and let's look at the most common problems and how to fix them.
| Mistake. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Couldn't verify device (in Mi Unlock Tool) | Account not linked to phone or new phone (less than 72 hours) | Wait 3 days or tie it up. SIM-card-to-account |
| This device is locked (after reset) | Account not deleted before reset | Use it. EDL-Mode or call in support of Xiaomi |
| Network error when you log in to your Mi Account | Problems with Xiaomi servers or blocking VPN | Check the internet, turn off VPN, try it later |
| Phone is not defined in Fastboot | Lack of drivers or faulty cable | Install Mi Phone Manager drivers, use the original cable |
If you see a message saying “This device is associated with a Xiaomi account” after a reset, it means that the account was not untied correctly, in which case only a complete flashing through EDL or an official contact with Xiaomi with proof of purchase will help.
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If the phone was purchased on AliExpress or in an unofficial store, the chances of unlocking through Xiaomi support are minimal - priority is given to devices with a warranty from authorized sellers.
6.How to check if Mi Account with Redmi 8 Pro is deleted
After performing any manipulations with the account, you need to make sure that it is really unconnected from the device, and you can check this in several ways:
- 🔍 Through Settings: Go to Settings → Mi Account. If the section is empty or offers to log in, the account is deleted.
- 📱 Through reset: perform reset to factory settings (Settings) → The phone. → If after rebooting the phone does not require login / password, it is fine.
- 🌐 Through Xiaomi: log into your account at account.xiaomi.com and check the list of devices. Redmi 8 Pro should not be displayed there.
If the phone still requests Mi Account data after the reset, the link remains, in which case repeat the deletion procedure or use alternative methods (for example, firmware via EDL).
⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI Even after deleting the account, the settings may still have a record of it in the Google section. → Security.This doesn't mean your account is active -- just clear the Mi Account app cache.
7 What to do if nothing helps: extreme measures
If all of these methods fail, radical solutions remain, suitable only for power users and can result in a loss of warranty or device failure.
Option 1: Firmware via SP Flash Tool (for Mediatek)
Although Redmi 8 Pro runs on Qualcomm, some users have successfully used the SP Flash Tool to firmware modified images.
- Download auth-file for Redmi 8 Pro (available on forums like XDA Developers).
- Connect your phone in BROM mode (similar to EDL for Mediatek).
- Swipe the full MIUI image with deleted account data.
Option 2: Replacement of motherboard
If the phone is critical and unlocking is impossible, you can replace the motherboard with a new one (with a different IMEI), which is expensive (from 3,000 to 8,000 rubles), but guaranteed to solve the problem.
Option 3: Sale as is
If unlocking is too difficult, you can sell the phone as a “locked Mi Account” on sites like Avito or Yula, and the price will be lower by 30-50%, but there will be buyers willing to unlock on their own.
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Before selling a locked phone, honestly state the reason for the lock in the description, and hiding this information can lead to a return of the product or negative reviews.