Owners of Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 smartphone often face the need to untie your profile from the device before selling or after resetting. Mi Account ecosystem provides a high level of security, but can become an obstacle if you do not remember the login details. In this article, we will discuss in detail all legal ways to delete an account so that you can fully use the gadget.
The unblocking process can be required in a variety of situations, from changing phones to buying a used device with clean firmware. Redmi Note 5, released in 2018, is still in use, and locking issues are relevant for it. It is important to understand the difference between simply leaving a profile and completely removing a device from the trusted list.
Incorrect execution of actions can lead to locking of the device at the server level. We will consider the standard methods through system settings, as well as actions necessary if access to the phone is lost. MIUI has its own features that must be considered when working with accounts.
Why delete your Mi Account before resetting
Find Device is a powerful anti-theft tool. If you complete a Hard Reset without first logging out, the phone will ask for a password the first time it activates, a standard security procedure that can turn the Redmi Note 5 into a brick for a new owner.
Many users underestimate the importance of this step, believing that formatting internal memory will delete all data without a trace.However, binding to Xiaomi servers is stored in the cloud.Mi Account remains active until you explicitly remove the device from the list or log off the system in the correct way.
⚠️ Warning: If you bought a phone with your hands and it requires the previous owner's password to turn it on, it's almost impossible to bring the device back to life without it.
In addition, synchronizing contacts, photos and notes can lead to a leak of personal data, if you do not turn it off. Before selling or transferring a gadget to another person, you need to make sure that none of your personal information is left in memory or cloud storage, it is a question of digital hygiene and security.
Standard way to exit through settings
The easiest and most correct method of deleting a profile is available if you have physical access to an unlocked smartphone and remember the password. To begin, open the Settings app on your Redmi Note 5. At the top of the menu, you will see your profile and account name.
Click on the name bar to go to the detailed management menu, which displays all the information about the current session, including the connected devices and the cloud space, and you need to find the exit button, which is usually located at the bottom of the account settings list.
☑️ Checking before exit
The system can request confirmation of action by entering a password or code from SMS, which is random exit protection. Once you've successfully logged in, the phone will unplug the server, and the device search function will be deactivated. Now you can safely reset the data.
Some versions of MIUI may have slightly different visuals, but the logic remains the same. If the system says "fails to exit," check the Internet connection. A stable communication channel is required to send a command to the server about the change in the status of the device.
Removal via i.mi.com web interface
If you don't have a phone, but you have a computer, you can control your connected devices through your browser. Go to the official i.mi.com website and log in using your username and password from your Mi Account. This is convenient because you can manage all your gadgets at once.
Once you log in, find the device section, usually called "Find Device" or "Devices," and the list will show your Redmi Note 5 with the model and the latest activity date.
| Action. | Description of function | Risk of data loss |
|---|---|---|
| Sound. | Includes maximum signal volume | No. |
| Lockdown | Blocks the screen remotely | No. |
| Erase | Complete device data reset | High-pitched |
| Delete | Detachment of the device from the account | No. |
You'll need to select the option to delete the device. The system will warn you that the search function will stop working. Confirm the action. The web interface will send a command to the server, and the next time the phone connects to the Internet (if it's on), the binding will disappear.
This method is especially useful if you sold your phone and forgot to log out, and the buyer asks you to do it remotely, however, if the phone is already reset by the new owner, it may be more difficult to remove it from the list without access to the device itself, you will need proof of identity.
What to do if you forget your password
Password loss is one of the most common situations: Don't panic or look for questionable hacking software. The first step is to try to restore access through a formal procedure. Go to account.xiaomi.com and click "Forgot your password?"
You will be offered several recovery options, whether through a linked phone number, backup email, or security questions, and if you have access to at least one of these methods, you will be able to set a new password and log in to Redmi Note 5 in the standard method.
⚠️ Note: If you have changed your phone number and have not updated your profile, you will not be able to recover via SMS, in which case only an email or support message remains.
If none of the automatic methods work, you have to contact customer support, you have to prove that you own the account, which may take time, but it's the only legal way.
How to speed up the recovery of the account?
Remember that trying to find a password with a lot of automated requests can lead to a temporary lock of the account itself for security reasons.
The activation blockage problem (FRP)
Activation Blocking, known as FRP (Factory Reset Protection), works when, after a reset, the phone requires you to enter the last used Google or Mi Account. On Xiaomi, this is closely related to Mi Account. If you see a screen requiring you to enter a password that you do not remember, this is what you are faced with.
It is a fundamental security measure of Android. Any instructions that offer “easy bypass” through an engineering menu or special button combinations are most often not running on current versions of firmware or are temporary vulnerabilities that are quickly closed.
If you have your phone, but you don't remember the data, the only way is to restore access to your account through the site, as described above. If the phone is bought with your hands and locked, you need to contact the seller. Without their intervention, you can not legally unlock the Redmi Note 5.
There is a myth that flashing your phone solves the FRP problem. On modern devices with a security chip, this is not the case. The binding information is stored in a secure partition of memory that is not erased by conventional flashing. The Mi Cloud remembers the device even after a complete software change.
Clearing Data Before Selling
Once you have successfully untied your account and exited all services, you need to prepare your phone for transfer to the new owner. Simply deleting files through the file manager is not enough. You need to complete a factory reset. Go to Settings → Advanced Settings → Recovery and Reset.
Select "Reset" and the system will warn you that all data will be deleted. Make sure that the Redmi Note 5 battery is at least 50% so that the process does not stop at a critical stage. Press "Reset" and wait for the reboot.
💡
Take it out before selling. SIM-microSD card and memory card. Check if Find Device is enabled in the security settings right before turning off.
Once you reboot, the phone should greet you with a choice of language, like a new device out of the box. If it's connected to Wi-Fi right away and doesn't ask for passwords, you did the right thing. The device is ready to sell.
Remember to also revoke third-party apps if you used your phone to log in to important services. Although the reset removes tokens, additional checking of active sessions in your social media or email security settings will not be superfluous.