How to completely remove an old Xiaomi account from your phone: 5 ways to work

Why Deleting a Xiaomi Account Is Not As Easy as It Seems

The Mi Account is deeply integrated into the ecosystem of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO. It connects not only cloud backups, but also the functionality of the device, from unlocking the bootloader to syncing notes in Mi Cloud. However, when the phone moves to a new owner or you decide to change your account, standard deletion through settings is often not enough.

The problem is that even after logging out of the Settings → Accounts menu, Mi Account data remains tied to the hardware device identifier (IMEI), which means that when resetting to factory settings, the phone may require the username/password of the previous owner, the so-called Mi Cloud lock, which is especially true for devices on MIUI 12 and later, where security policies have been tightened.

In this article, we will discuss all the current methods of deletion, from official (via settings and Xiaomi website) to technical (using Mi Unlock Tool and workarounds for locked devices). Importantly, some methods require proof of ownership, so if you bought the phone “by hand”, first check with the seller whether the account is untied.

Method 1: Standard removal through phone settings

The easiest method is to delete the account directly from the device menu, which is suitable if:

• 🔹 Remember the username and password from Mi Account
• 🔹 Phone not locked after reset (no request to enter data from previous account)
• 🔹 The device is connected to the Internet (required for synchronization)

Instructions:

1. Open the Settings. → Accounts. → Mi Account.
2. Tapping the account icon (or the words "Account Management").
3. Select the exit, then confirm the action.
4. Return to Mi Account and click Delete Account (may be called Delete Data).
5. Enter the password for confirmation.

Backup your data in Mi Cloud| Disable device search (Find Device)|Remember your login/password in case of recovery |Make sure your phone is not in Lost/Stolen mode-->

⚠️ Note: After deleting your account through settings, some features may stop working, such as Mi Pay, sync Mi Fit and access to purchases in Mi Video. Xiaomi Home settings will also reset if they were linked to this account.

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If your phone has stopped updating over the air after deleting your account, check Settings → About Phone → System Update. Sometimes you need to re-authorize to download firmware.

Method 2: Delete your account through Xiaomi website

If your phone is lost, stolen, or you have already sold it but forgot to unplug your account, you can do it remotely through the official website.

• 🔹 You have access to email/phone linked to Mi Account
• 🔹 Device connected to the Internet (to synchronize changes)
• 🔹 Account not blocked for suspicious activity

Step-by-step:

1. Go to account.xiaomi.com and log in.
2. In the Devices section, find the phone you need (by model or IMEI).
3. Click on three dots next to the device and select Remove the device.
4. Confirm the action via SMS or email.

⚠️ Note: If you delete your account through the site and your phone is off or off at this point, the changes will only apply after you connect to the network. In some cases, it may take a hard reset to block Mi Cloud.

Never changed.|1 time 2-3 years|When buying a new phone|Frequently (once in six months)|I remember.-->

Method 3: Completely delete Mi Account (erase from Xiaomi)

If you want to not just untie your account from your phone, but delete it from Xiaomi’s system forever, use the full erasure feature.

• 🔹 You no longer use Xiaomi services (for example, switch to another brand)
• 🔹 Your account has been hacked and you want to create a new one.
• 🔹 You sell all Xiaomi devices and want to clear your data

Instructions:

1. Log in to account.xiaomi.com.
2. Go to Account Settings → Delete the account.
3. Select the reason for the removal and confirm via email/SMS.
4. Wait 30 days is the waiting period during which the account can be restored.
5. After 30 days, the account will be permanently deleted.

⚠️ Note: If you delete an account that is linked to Xiaomi Mi Band or other fitness tracker, all health statistics (steps, pulse, sleep) will be lost.

Method 4: Unlocking through Mi Unlock Tool (for tech savvy)

If the phone is locked after a reset (requires you to enter the data of the previous account), and you can not contact the former owner, you will have to use Mi Unlock Tool, the official utility from Xiaomi, to unlock the bootloader.

• 🔹 You have access to a Windows computer.
• 🔹 The phone can be switched to Fastboot mode
• 🔹 The account to which the phone is linked is not blocked.

Step-by-step:

1. Download Mi Unlock Tool from the official website.
2. Install Xiaomi drivers for your model (e.g. MiFlash).
3. Turn off your phone and press the Power button + Volume down to log into the Fastboot.
4. Connect your phone to your PC and start the Mi Unlock Tool.
5. Sign in with the same account that you are linked to the phone.
6. Follow the instructions of the program to unlock.

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fastboot oem unlock

⚠️ Note: Using the Mi Unlock Tool resets all data on the phone.In addition, Xiaomi can block the ability to unlock for 7-30 days if you try to do it too often (for example, for one account once a month).

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Mi Unlock Tool is the only official way to get around Mi Cloud lock, but it requires proof of ownership of the account. If the phone is bought handheld, this method will not work without the data of the previous owner.

Method 5: Bypassing Mi Cloud lock (for power users)

If all official methods fail (e.g., the phone is locked and you can’t contact the previous owner), there are still informal ways of bypassing, which are risky and can lead to a device breakdown or loss of warranty, but sometimes this is the only way out.

Among the common methods:

• 🔧 EDL-Emergency Download Mode – Firmware through a special cable and MiFlash.
• 🔧 Dumping through TWRP — Installation of custom recovery and formatting of the data section.
• 🔧 Use of exploits – for older models (e.g. Redmi Note 4 on the MIUI 9).

⚠️ Note: Bypassing locking methods often require:

• 🛠️ soldering iron for connection to EDL-Port (on new models) port closed)
• 💻 Knowledge of working with ADB and Fastboot
• 🔓 Authorized Xiaomi Developer Account (for some firmware)

Detailed instructions for specific models can be found on the 4PDA or XDA Developers forums, but remember: unofficial firmware may contain malicious code or disrupt the NFC/camera module.

What do you do if nothing helps?

If you’ve exhausted all the options, but your phone still requires your old account details, there are two options:

1. Contact Xiaomi Support Service: 📧 Write to support.@xiaomi.com Proof of purchase (check, contract of sale). 📞 Call the Russian Call Center: 8 800 555-05-65 (for Russia).
2. Selling your phone as a “locked” phone": 💰 On Avito or Yula, such devices are bought for 30-50% of the market price. 🔧 Some service centers offer unblocking services (cost: 1-3 thousand rubles).

⚠️ Note: If you bought a phone with your hands and the seller refuses to untie the account, you have the right to return the money through the court (Article 475 of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation - "Disadvantages of the goods:

• 📄 Contract of sale (or correspondence with the seller)
• 📱 Check for purchase (if the phone is new)
• 📸 Photo / video of the screen lock with the requirement to enter account data

FAQ: Frequent questions about deleting Xiaomi account