Xiaomi smartphone owners will have to log out of their MIUI account sooner or later, whether before selling the device, transferring it to another user or simply changing their profile. However, the standard exit from Mi Account often raises questions about where to look for the right settings, why the system requires a password, and what to do if you forget the login data. This article will help you understand all the nuances of the process, including hidden MIUI functions and possible errors.
The procedure for leaving an account on Xiaomi is different from similar actions on other Android devices. It is important to consider the firmware version, the presence of associated services (for example, Find Device or Mi Cloud), as well as the status of the device (whether the bootloader is unlocked). Wrong actions can lead to locking the phone or loss of access to data.
Official way: exit through the MIUI settings
The easiest and most recommended method is to use built-in MIUI tools, which is suitable for most modern Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models with current firmware versions (starting with MIUI 12).
To log out:
- Open the Settings app (the gear icon on the home screen).
- Go to the Mi Account section (in some versions β Mi Account or Xiaomi Account).
- Click on the profile avatar at the top of the screen.
- In the menu that opens, select Log Out (or Account Management β Log Out).
- Confirm the action by entering the password from Mi Account.
After that, the device will be unprofiled, but some data (such as backups in the Mi Cloud) will remain in the cloud. If you plan to sell a smartphone, be sure to reset to factory settings β more about this in the next section.
β οΈ Note: If the device is enabled Find Device (phone search), logging out of the account may require additional confirmation via the device. SMS Make sure you have access to a linked number or mail.
What to do if you forget your Mi Account password
The situation when the user does not remember the login details to Mi Account is one of the most common. Fortunately, Xiaomi provides several ways to restore access, the main thing is not to try to find a password at random, because after 5 unsuccessful attempts, the account can be temporarily blocked.
Access can be restored in the following ways:
- π§ Through email: On the account login screen, select Forgot your password?, then specify the attached email.
- π± Through SMS: Similarly, select recovery by phone number. The confirmation code will come in the message.
- π By backup email: If the main mail is not available, the system may suggest entering a backup address (if it was specified during registration).
If none of these methods work, you will need to contact Xiaomiβs support team, which will require:
- IMEI devices (you can find out by typing *#06#),
- receipt or confirmation of purchase,
- Photo of the identity document.
β οΈ Note: Do not use third-party services to "hack" Mi Account - this violates the user agreement and may lead to the blocking of the profile.
What happens if you donβt log out before selling?
Signing out before selling: full instructions
If you are going to transfer or sell a Xiaomi smartphone, it is not enough to just log out of the Mi Account. You need to perform a complete reset to delete all personal data and untie the device from your profile. Otherwise, the new owner can access your photos, messages or even financial information (if passwords from banking applications were saved).
Step-by-step algorithm for preparing the phone for sale:
βοΈ Preparing Xiaomi for sale
To reset the settings:
- Go to Settings β About the phone β Reset settings.
- Select Erase All Data (or Reset to Factory Settings).
- Confirm the action by entering a pattern lock or PIN-code.
- Wait until the process is completed (usually 5-10 minutes).
Once reset, the phone will automatically reboot and prompt it to be configured as a new device, making sure there is no Mi Account login request on the welcome screen, which means all the anchors have been successfully removed.
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Remove before resetting SIM-card and memory card (if any) Formatting internal memory does not affect external drives, but it is better to be safe.
Alternative ways to exit Mi Account
In some cases, standard log-out is not possible β for example, if the phone is locked, or the system requires a password that you do not remember, then alternative methods can be used, but they require caution and can lead to data loss.
Method 1: Through Recovery Mode
This method is suitable for devices with unlocked bootloader. It allows you to reset settings without logging in, but does not guarantee uncoupling from Mi Account if the anti-theft function has been activated.
- Turn off the phone.
- Press the Power + Volume buttons up until the Mi logo appears.
- From the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data β Wipe All Data (manage by volume and power buttons).
- Confirm the action and wait for the completion.
Method 2: Fastboot (for advanced users)
If you have experience with ADB and Fastboot, you can try untie your account using the command:
fastboot oem clean_allHowever, this method does not work on all models and can lead to a device breakage. Use it only as a last resort and after you have created a backup.
| Method | Password required | Data resetting | The risk of blocking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard exit through settings | Yes. | No. | Low. |
| Reset via Recovery | No. | Yes. | Medium (possible link to the account) |
| Fastboot (oem clean_all) | No. | Yes. | High (brick risk) |
| Appeal for Xiaomi support | Yeah (documents) | No. | Absent. |
Frequent mistakes and their solutions
When you log out of Mi Account, users often encounter errors that prevent you from completing the process, and let's look at the most common problems and how to fix them.
Error 1: βI failed to log out of my accountβ
Reasons:
- π No Internet connection. Check the Wi-Fi or mobile connection.
- β³ Xiaomi servers are temporarily unavailable. Try again later.
- π Account is blocked. Restor access via email or SMS.
Error 2: "The device is tied to the account after the reset"
This happens if the Mi Account was not logged out before the reset.
- π± Enter your old account details (if you remember).
- π© Contact Xiaomi with proof of ownership of the device.
- π§ Use official service centers to unlock (paid).
Error 3: "Unknown server error"
Most often associated with regional restrictions.
- π‘ Change your region in your account settings (for example, India or Global).
- π Restart the phone and try again.
- π² Update the firmware to the latest version.
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If the phone requires a password from Mi Account after reset, it means that the Find Device function was activated. Without detachment from the account, you can not unlock the device - you will need support.
How to protect your account after you leave
Exiting your Mi Account is only half the battle, and to avoid unauthorized access to your profile in the future, you need to take additional security measures, especially if you're selling a phone and you don't want the new owner to be able to recover your data.
Checklist for account protection:
- π Change password: After logging out on your phone, immediately update the password in your Xiaomi account.
- π± Remove the device from the trusted list: In your account settings, find the Device Management section and remove the old phone.
- π Turn off sync: Deactivate backup in Mi Cloud if you donβt plan to use it on your new device.
- π‘οΈ Enable two-factor authentication: This will protect your account even if your password is compromised.
It is also recommended to check the active sessions in the account.
- Go to account.xiaomi.com.
- Go to Security. β Devices and activities.
- Close all suspicious sessions (e.g., from unknown locations).
β οΈ Note: If you used the same password for Mi Account and other services (e.g. email or social media), change it everywhere.
Features for different versions of MIUI
The interface and logic of Mi Account may vary depending on the firmware version, for example, in MIUI 14 the account menu was moved to the Passport section, and in older versions (for example, MIUI 10), the path to settings may have looked different.
MIUI 14/13 (2022β2026):
- Path: Settings β Passport β Xiaomi Account β Sign out.
- SMS/email confirmation is required if two-factor authentication is enabled.
- Support for biometric authentication (fingerprint/face) to confirm the output.
MIUI 12/11 (2019-2021):
- Path: Settings β Mi Account β Account Management β Sign out.
- In some regional firmware there is no option to exit without a password.
- After the reset, the βghostβ of the account could remain (re-entry was required for a full detachment).
MIUI 9 and older (until 2018):
- Path: Settings β Additional β Mi Account.
- There is no support for modern recovery methods (e.g., backup email).
- High risk of blocking in case of incorrect exit.
If you have an outdated version of MIUI, it is recommended to update the firmware to the latest stable build, which will not only make it easier to work with your account, but also improve the security of the device.
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To find out the version of MIUI, go to Settings β About Phone β MIUI version. If an update is available, the system will prompt you to install it.