Why leaving a Mi Account on Redmi can be difficult
Xiaomi Redmi smartphones are closely integrated with the Mi Account ecosystem โ without this account, you can not use branded services like Mi Cloud, Mi Home or contact sync. However, when you need to log out โ whether before selling a phone, changing profile or eliminating errors โ users often face non-obvious nuances. Unlike a Google account, where the exit is performed in two clicks, Xiaomi adds additional verification steps, especially if the device is tied to Find Device.
Another common problem is a forgotten password or lack of access to the associated phone/email number. In such cases, standard access through the settings becomes impossible, and alternative methods are required. In addition, after a hard reset, many Redmi users experience a Mi Account Lock that requires the previous owner to enter data, and this article covers all scenarios from the base exit to bypassing locks, with the latest MIUI 14/15 updates.
Method 1: Standard output through phone settings
The easiest and most recommended method is to exit via the settings menu, which is suitable if you remember the Mi Account password and the phone is not locked. The instructions are relevant for all Redmi models (including the Note 12 Pro+, Redmi 10C, POCO X5, etc.) on MIUI 12-15.
Open the Settings app (cog icon) and follow the steps:
- Go to Accounts and Sync (or Mi Accounts in older versions).
- Slip on your Xiaomi profile at the top of the screen.
- Scroll down and select Exit (or Delete Account).
- Enter the password from Mi Account and confirm the action.
After that, the phone will break the connection with the account, but the data in the Mi Cloud will remain. If you plan to sell the device, perform a factory reset (more on this below).
Make sure your contacts sync is turned off | Download backup photos from Mi Cloud| Remember your account password (required to log in again) | Untie your phone from Mi Home (if used)
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โ ๏ธ Warning: If the Find Device feature is enabled on your phone, it will automatically shut down after logging out, which means you wonโt be able to remotely locate or lock the device if you lose it.
Method 2: Sign out via Xiaomi website (if phone is not available)
If a Redmi smartphone is lost, broken or locked, but you have access to your computer, you can log out of Mi Account via the official website.This method is also useful if you want to remove the device from the trusted list before selling.
Follow the instructions:
- Go to the Mi Account page and log in.
- In the Devices section, find your Redmi in the list.
- Press three points (โฎ) Next to the device and select Exit.
- Confirm the action by entering a password.
This way, it won't reset the phone, but it will break the connection to the account, so if you're selling the device, the customer will still need to do a hard reset.
What if the device is not listed?
Method 3: Exit after resetting settings (if you forgot the password)
When a user performs a hard reset (via Recovery Mode or Fastboot) but forgets to log out of Mi Account, the activation locks, and the message appears on the screen: "This device is tied to Mi Account. Enter the password to unlock." There are several ways to solve the problem.
Option 1: Password recovery
- ๐ Go to the password recovery page.
- ๐ง Enter the email or phone number associated with your account.
- ๐ฑ Confirm the code from SMS or letters and set a new password.
- ๐ Return to the lock screen on Redmi and enter the updated data.
Option 2: Bypassing the lock through the service centre
If you donโt remember your email/phone number or your account has been deleted, you can only officially unlock Redmi through Xiaomi Service Center.
- ๐ Check or box IMEI telephone (proof of purchase).
- ๐ Passport of the owner.
- โณ Expectation 3-7 days (depending on the load of the service).
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If you buy a used Redmi, always check if the phone is removed from the Mi Account. ask the seller to reset the settings in front of you and make sure that after the reboot, the lock screen with a request for a password does not appear.
Method 4: Exiting through Recovery Mode (for advanced users)
This method is suitable if the phone is working, but you canโt log in to settings (for example, due to a MIUI failure).It requires access to Recovery Mode and wonโt work on locked devices with Mi Account Lock.
Instructions:
- Turn off Redmi by holding the power button.
- Press Volume Up + Power before the Mi logo appears.
- In the Recovery menu, select Wipe & Reset (use volume buttons for navigation, power for confirmation).
- Select Wipe All Data (this will delete all data, including accounts!).
- After resetting, the phone will restart in clean condition.
โ ๏ธ Note: This method will delete all data from internal memory, including photos, messages and applications. If the phone was enabled sync with Mi Cloud, some of the data can be restored after re-entry.
Standard (through settings)|Through Xiaomi's website|After resetting the settings|Through Recovery Mode|I don't know, I need help.-->
Method 5: Delete your account via ADB (for tech-savvy people)
If standard methods don't work and the phone is unlocked (no Mi Account Lock), you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires a computer and basic command line knowledge.
Step-by-step:
- Download and install Platform Tools (includes adb).
- On the phone, activate Developer Mode (7 times tap the MIUI version in Settings โ About the phone).
- Enable USB debugging in Settings โ Additional โ For developers.
- Connect Redmi to your PC and execute in the terminal: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.xiaomi.account
- Reboot the phone.
This command removes the Mi Account app, which is equivalent to logging out of your account, but after a reboot, errors may occur in the operation of Xiaomiโs branded services (such as Mi Cloud or Themes).
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Use ADB only if other methods are not available. Incorrect commands can cause the system to crash.
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even when following the instructions, Redmi users face typical problems, and here are the most common ones and ways to solve them:
| Mistake. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| "Impossible to log out of account" | The phone is linked to a Find Device or corporate account | Turn off Find Device in security settings or contact IT-department |
| After reset, requires a password from the old account | The device was not removed from the Mi Account before the reset | Restore your password through Xiaomiโs website or contact the service center |
| "Server not available" when exiting | Problems with the Internet connection or servers Xiaomi | Check your network connection, restart your phone, or try again later. |
| ADB does not see the device | Drivers not installed or USB debugging enabled | Install Xiaomi USB Driver drivers and check developer settings |
If none of the methods worked, you may have custom firmware installed on your Redmi (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience) that conflicts with Xiaomi services. MIUI via Fastboot.