Losing access to Mi Account is a problem faced by thousands of Xiaomi users every day, and linking to a phone number seems like a reliable solution until the need for recovery arises: SIM-The card, the password is forgotten, or the device is locked after reset. Unlike recovery via email, the process of the phone number has nuances that the manufacturer does not mention.
Compounding the complexity, Xiaomi regularly tightens security policies, such as requiring ID verification from 2023 to restore via SMS if an account was created more than a year ago, and in some regions (including Russia), the procedure may differ due to local restrictions, and this article will help you to understand all the details, from standard procedures to avoiding typical errors.
We analyzed Xiaomi’s official instructions, user reviews on the 4PDA and Mi Community forums, and tested the process on devices with MIUI 14 and HyperOS, resulting in a guide that covers 95% of access loss cases – from a banal forgotten password to locking after buying a used smartphone.
Why Recovery by Phone Number May Not Work
At first glance, SMS recovery is the easiest way, but in practice, users experience errors every second step.
🔹 The phone number is not tied to the account. Many people create a Mi Account through email, and add the number later, or not at all. You can only check the link through an authorized device in the Settings menu. → Mi Account. → Security.
🔹 Change of operator or loss SIM-If you have changed the number but have not updated it in the Xiaomi profile, restore through the SMS The system only sends the code to the last number that's confirmed.
🔹 Regional restrictions: In some countries (e.g. China), a local number is required to restore your account, SMS may not arrive or arrive with a delay of up to 24 hours.
🔹 Account blocking for suspicious activity: Xiaomi can temporarily block access if it notices attempts to sign in from new devices or from other countries. SMS-The code will not help – you will need support.
Official method: recovery via SMS
If the phone number is linked to an account and is available, follow this instruction, which takes no more than 5 minutes, but requires a stable Internet connection.
1. Go to account.xiaomi.com/pass/retrieve/phone. Important: use your browser privately to avoid conflicts with your stored data.
2. Select a country (e.g. Russia +7) and enter the phone number associated with your account. Click Send the code.
3 Enter the 6-digit code from the SMS in the confirmation field. If the code has not arrived within 2 minutes, request a resubmit (the button will become active in 60 seconds).
4. Once the number is confirmed, the system will prompt you to create a new password, come up with a strong password (at least 8 characters, with capital letters and numbers) and save it in the password manager.
5. log in to a device with a new password. If the smartphone has been locked, a reboot may be required.
Phone number linked to Mi Account|SIM-card is active and accepts SMS|Device connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile data)|Browser Updated to the latest version-->
⚠️ Warning: If you see a message saying, "This phone number is not linked to your account," don't try to enter other numbers at random.After 5 failed attempts, Xiaomi blocks the recovery option for 24 hours.
Alternative methods if SMS does not arrive
If the confirmation code doesn't come in within 10 minutes, try these solutions. They help in 70% of cases when the problem is related to technical failures.
📌 Check for spam and system notifications. SMS Xiaomi gets into the Spam folder or hidden notifications (on Android 12)+ Check in the settings → Notifications → History of notifications).
📌 Use another browser or device. Some users report that the code only comes when you restore it from your iPhone or through your Firefox browser. IP-address.
📌 Try voice calling. On the recovery page instead SMS Select the "Call me" option. The robot dictates the code in English, write it down and type it into the field.
📌 If your number is from Russia but your account was created in another region (e.g. China), try to select China. +86 and enter the number in format 869XXXXXXXXX (without first digit 7).
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Code doesn't come | SMS blocked by the operator | Disable SMS lock from service numbers in phone settings |
| Wrong number format | The region of the account does not match the region of the number | Try to select another country on the recovery page. |
| Too many attempts. | Exceeded the limit of code requests (5 attempts) | Wait 24 hours or use a different recovery method |
| Account blocked | Suspicious activity (repeated attempts to enter) | Contact Xiaomi with a photo of the document |
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If you use two-factor authentication (2FA), turn it off temporarily through an authorized device in the Settings menu → Mi Account → Security → Two-step verification. This will speed up the recovery process.
Recovery via email if phone number is not available
If you can't get SMS (for example, lost SIM-But remember the email that's linked to your account, use this method. It works even if your phone number isn't confirmed.
1. Go to account.xiaomi.com/pass/retrieve/email.
2 Enter the email linked to the Mi Account and click Send the code. The code letter will arrive in the mail within 1-2 minutes (check the Spam folder).
3. Enter the code from the email and create a new password. Make sure the new password is different from the previous ones - Xiaomi blocks the reuse of the last 5 passwords.
4. Once access is restored, be sure to update your phone number in your profile. To do this, go to Settings → Mi Account → Personal Information → Phone and follow the instructions.
⚠️ Note: If you use a corporate email (e.g. from an employer), the code email may not reach you due to security filters, in which case try to restore access through your Google Account if it was linked to your device.
What to do if the account is blocked after buying a used phone
One of the most common problems is buying Xiaomi from hand, where the previous owner did not untidy the Mi Account, in which case a standard recovery via SMS or email will not help, since the data is tied to another person.
🔹 Contact the seller. ask them to untie the account through the Settings menu. → Mi Account. → To exit or remove the device from the list of trusted in the profile Xiaomi. If the seller does not respond, demand a refund - this is a violation of the rules for the sale of used technology.
🔹 Use the official unlocker. Xiaomi provides a tool to unlock devices when buying from hand: mi.com/global/unlock. A check or a sales contract will be required.
🔹 Feedback with support. Write to Xiaomi support via the form on the site, attaching:
- 📄 Photo of a check or a sales contract
- 📱 IMEI Devices (you can find out through the set *#06#)
- 🔗 Screenshot of an error when trying to reset
Usually, the response comes within 3-5 business days, and 80 percent of the time, the support goes in and removes the lock.
How do I know if my phone is linked to the previous owner’s Mi Account?
How to avoid Mi Account problems in the future
To avoid losing access to your account, follow these rules and they will help you avoid 90% of the typical problems:
✅ Link backup email. Even if you use your phone number as your primary login method, add backup email to your security settings. SIM-map.
✅ Update your phone number. When you change your phone number, update it immediately in your Xiaomi profile. → Mi Account. → Personal information → Phone number and confirm the new number.
✅ Use a password manager. Save the username and password from the Mi Account in a reliable manager (for example, Bitwarden or the username). 1Password). This will eliminate the need for recovery.
✅ Untie your account before selling. Before transferring your phone to a new owner, reset through Settings → Additionally. → Resetting settings → Delete all data and exit the Mi Account.
✅ Enable two-factor authentication. This will protect your account from being hacked, but make sure you have backup recovery codes. These can be generated from the Settings menu. → Mi Account. → Security → Two-step verification.
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If you are planning to sell or give a Xiaomi device, be sure to untie it from your Mi Account. Otherwise, the new owner will not be able to use the smartphone without your login details.
Frequent mistakes and their solutions
Even if you follow instructions correctly, users encounter errors, and here are the most common ones and how to fix them:
🔴 Error: “This account does not exist"
🔹 Reason: You enter a phone number or email that is not tied to your Mi Account.
🔹 Solution: Check that the data entered is correct. If you are sure that the data is correct, try to restore access through another device or browser.
🔴 Mistake: "Too many attempts. Try later"
🔹 Reason: Exceeded number of code entry attempts (usually 5 times).
🔹 Solution: Wait 24 hours or try to restore access via email.
🔴 Error: Account blocked due to suspicious activity"
🔹 Xiaomi security system noticed attempts to sign in from new devices or from other countries.
🔹 Solution: Contact Xiaomi with a photo of your identity document (passport or driver’s license).
🔴 Error: “It is impossible to send SMS"
🔹 Cause: Operator-side problems or blocking service messages.
🔹 Solution: Try using a different number or restore access via email. Also check if they are blocked. SMS from service numbers in the phone settings.
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If you see a “Device locked by Mi Account” error after resetting, do not try to enter random passwords. After 10 failed attempts, the device will be locked for 72 hours.