How to delete Mi Account from Xiaomi phone if you don’t have access

Users often face a situation where they need to sell the device, hand it over to relatives or simply reset the settings, but logging in to the Mi Account is impossible due to the loss of a password or phone number. Xiaomi's security system (Find Device) locks the device after a reset, requiring authorization from the previous owner, making the phone virtually a useless brick. This is a security mechanism designed to protect personal data from theft, but in the hands of a bona fide owner it can become a serious obstacle.

There are several proven methods of bypassing this lock or completely removing the binding, each with its own limitations and requirements. It is important to understand that there is no universal unlock button, and the choice of method depends on the model of the smartphone, the version of the operating system and the availability of access to the SIM card. Some methods require a complete data reset, others allow you to save information, but require verification of identity.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to solve the problem, from official recovery methods to the technical details of working with activation servers. We will consider how to proceed if you forget your password, change your number or buy a used device with a “foreign” reference.

Official way to restore access via email

The safest and most appropriate way is to regain control of your account through a linked email, and if you have access to the mailbox you signed up for, it takes only a few minutes to deactivate, and you don't need special programs or superuser rights, just a stable Internet connection.

Go to the official i.mi.com website or Xiaomi account management page. In the login field, enter your phone number or email, and then click on the link "Forgot your password?" The system will offer several confirmation options, among which you need to choose to send the code to email. Once you enter the code, you can set a new password and log in to the device.

If the mail was the primary number and the number was lost, this is the only method that guarantees that all data will be saved after logging in. However, if two-factor authentication was configured to the old number, the system may require confirmation, which will complicate the task, in which case you will have to move to the procedure of a complete change of security data.

Discharge through a service center or support call

If self-recovery attempts fail, the option remains to contact an authorized Xiaomi service center, which requires ownership documents such as the original check, warranty card or box with the device. IMEI-Without these documents, the experts will refuse to carry out the procedure.

The service has access to special tools to untie the device from the activation servers at the hardware level, which is the most reliable way, since it eliminates the risk of re-locking or errors in the system, the procedure can be paid if the warranty case is not confirmed, but it is worth it to unlock the functionality.

⚠️ Warning: Never try to buy an “unblock” from unsavory sellers online who require you to send a photo of a check or account details.

When visiting the center, be sure to bring the device with you, as specialists will need to check its IMEI and serial number. The process can take from several hours to several days, depending on the workload of the wizards and the need to request data from the central server.

Method to disable Find Device via Settings (if available)

If you have the phone in your hands and you can unlock the screen but don’t remember the Mi Account password, try turning off the device search first. This action will break the device’s connection to the security server until the next reset. Go to Settings → Mi Account → Find the device and turn the switch to the Off position.

The system will require you to enter your account password to confirm your action. If you don't remember it, click "Forgot your password" right in this window. If your phone suggests sending a SMS to confirm it and you have a SIM card in your hand, the problem is solved. If the SIM card is lost, this path is closed, and a more complicated procedure will be required.

Once you successfully disable Find Device, you can safely perform a full Hard Reset, in which case the phone won’t request the old account when you turn on, because the link was removed beforehand, a critical step that many users ignore when they start resetting.

Instructions for deleting an account through Hard Reset

Hard Reset is a radical method that returns the phone to factory status by removing all user data, apps, and settings, and is only effective if Find Device has been pre-disabled, or if you plan to use methods to bypass activation (which is more complicated and not always secure).

Turn off the smartphone completely to perform the reset. Then press the button combination: usually Volume Up + Power. Hold them until the Mi logo or Recovery menu appears. Select the language (English) from the menu, then press Wipe Data → Wipe All Data → Confirm.

Once the process is complete, the phone will restart. If the protection function was active, you will see an activation screen that requires you to enter a password. If you previously disabled the protection through the settings (as described above), the phone will start as a new one, suggesting you choose a language and connect to Wi-Fi.

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Before performing Hard Reset, remove SIM-memory-card SD. This will help you avoid accidentally deleting important contacts or photos if they are not stored in the cloud.

Solving the problem when changing the phone number

A common situation is that the user changes the mobile operator number and the old one is no longer available, in which case standard SMS recovery is impossible, and the only way out is to use backup email or answers to check-in questions if they were configured during registration.

Go to id.mi.com and try to log in using email. If the system requires a code with SMS, look for the option “Other ways to confirm.” If the account was created a long time ago and the backup mail is not specified, the situation becomes complicated, in such cases, sometimes calling Xiaomi support with a passport scan and data on recent purchases in the Mi Store helps.

Remember that phone number binding is a key security element. Without access to a number or mail, it is almost impossible to restore an account officially, so always update your contact information in your profile immediately after you change your SIM card.

Buying a used phone: how to check and what to do

When you buy a smartphone with your hands, you run the risk of buying a device that's tied to the previous owner's account, and even if the seller does a reset, the first time you turn on the phone, you'll need to enter its password, which is called activation locking.

To avoid problems, when you meet a seller, ask them to log out of the Mi Account completely in the phone settings before transferring money. Path: Settings → Mi Account → Sign out. Only then you can do a reset. If the seller says that “it will go away” or “I will unlock the house myself” is an alarm.

⚠️ Warning: Buying a phone with Find Device activated without checking logout is equivalent to buying stolen phone.

If you have already bought a phone and cannot contact the seller, you cannot legally unlock it. Bypassing locks through firmware or using third-party software (Bypass) is often temporary and can lead to unstable phone operation.

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The only guaranteed way to remove Mi Account without a password is to log in to the account and remove the device from the list of trusted ones, or an official reset in the service with a check.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)