Why it is important to leave your Mi Account correctly
Signing out of a Xiaomi account on a smartphone is a procedure that many users do not often perform, but it is critical in several cases: first, if you sell or transfer the phone to another person. The wrong exit can leave your personal data (photos, messages, billing information) available to the new owner. Second, when resetting your settings through Recovery, the device may require you to enter a login and password from the associated Mi Account, even if you have not used it for a long time.
MIUI (especially in versions 12-14) is so deeply integrated with Xiaomi services that the account affects cloud storage, contact sync, Mi Home access, and even some system functions. For example, without logging out, you can’t turn off Find Device, which will make the phone vulnerable to remote management. In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to exit, from the standard through settings to forced deletion when you lose your password.
We'll focus on the common mistakes that users make when they try to log out, for example, many people just delete the Mi Account app through the app menu, but that doesn't solve the problem: the account stays tied to the device at the system level. Others try to reset the phone to the factory settings without untidying the account beforehand, and then they encounter a Mi Cloud Lock, a theft protection mechanism that requires the previous owner to enter data.
Method 1: Standard output via MIUI settings
This is the easiest and most recommended method if you have access to your phone and remember the password from your Mi Account.The instructions are suitable for all modern Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones based on MIUI 12/13/14, including the Xiaomi 13/14 series, Redmi Note 12/13 and POCO F5/X5 models.
To log out:
- Open the Settings app (the gear icon on the home screen).
- Scroll down and select Accounts and Sync (in some versions of MIUI, it may be called Mi Account or Accounts).
- Slip on the Mi Account line (usually it is at the top of the list).
- In the menu that opens, click on three dots (⋮) in the upper right corner and select Get out.
- Confirm the action by entering the password from the account (if requested).
After that, the phone will automatically delete all sync data (contacts, notes, call history) from the device, but it will remain in the Mi Cloud. If you plan to sell the phone, we recommend you also disable the Find Device feature in the same menu - otherwise the new owner will not be able to link your account.
Save important data from Mi Cloud to your computer|Disable the synchronization of contacts and photos|Remove Bank Cards from Mi Pay|Unlock the device from Mi Home (if used)-->
Method 2: Exit via the security menu (for MIUI 14 and later)
In the latest versions of MIUI 14 (and partly in MIUI 13), Xiaomi has moved some of its account settings to the Security section, which is designed to further protect against unauthorized access. If your phone doesn't have a Mi Account in the main settings menu, try the following algorithm:
Go to: Settings → PapaSSWORD & SECURITY → Mi Account (or Xiaomi Account).
Here you will see the same options as the standard method, but with additional security options.
- 🔒 Change your account password directly on your phone (confirmation will be required). SMS email).
- 📱 Remove the device from the trusted list (useful if the phone has been lost or stolen).
- 🔄 Disable two-factor authentication (if it interferes with the output).
Please note that this section also includes the option to delete your account, but it completely erases your profile from Xiaomi, including access to Mi Cloud, Mi Home and other services, and only use it if you are sure you will no longer use the company’s services.
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If your phone requests a password but you have forgotten it, try to restore access via account.xiaomi.com (use the "Forgot Password?" function).
Method 3: Forced Account Deletion Without Password
Situations where a user has forgotten the password from a Mi Account but needs to log out urgently (for example, before selling a phone) are common. Unfortunately, Xiaomi does not provide an official way to circumvent this protection, this is a measure against device theft.
Option A: Through the "Forgot Password" function?
If the phone is connected to the Internet:
- In the Mi Account menu, click Out.
- On the password entry screen, select Forgot your password.
- The system will redirect you to the recovery web page, enter the linked email or phone number.
- Confirm your identity through SMS-code.
- Create a new password and complete the logout.
Option B: Through resetting settings (with the risk of blocking)
If you can't recover your password, you can still reset your password through Recovery Mode, but this method can block Mi Cloud Lock if you haven't untied your account in advance.
- Turn off the phone.
- Press the Power button + Volume up at the same time until the Mi logo appears.
- From the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (manage by volume and power buttons).
- Confirm the reset.
After the reboot, the phone may require input from the Mi Account, in which case:
- 📌 If the phone was not stolen, contact Xiaomi with proof of purchase (check, box with the phone). IMEI).
- 🛒 If you bought a used phone with a linked account, ask the seller to remove the device from your Mi Cloud profile.
What to do if the phone is locked after resetting?
Method 4: Delete your account through the Mi Cloud website
Few people know, but you can control the attached devices not only from the phone, but also through the Mi Cloud web interface, which is convenient if the phone is lost, stolen or not turned on.
- Go to i.mi.com and log in to your Mi Account.
- In the Devices section, find your phone (it will show up with a model like the Redmi Note 12 Pro+).
- Press three points (⋮) Next to the device and select Remove the device.
- Confirm the action by entering a password.
After that, the phone will be detached from the account, but the account itself will remain active.This method does not delete data from the device - you will need to reset the settings to completely clean up. Also note that some functions (for example, Find the device) can remain active for up to 72 hours after deleting.
| Output method | Password required | Deletes data from the phone | Suitable for sale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard exit through settings | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No (only synchronized) | ✅ Yes (when you turn off "Find the device") |
| Through the security menu | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. |
| Password recovery | ❌ Not (if there is access) email/SMS) | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. |
| Reset via Recovery | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes (full clean-up) | ❌ No (risk of blocking) |
| Remove from Mi Cloud | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No. | ⚠️ Partially (reset required) |
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even experienced users sometimes make mistakes when leaving a Mi Account, which leads to problems with the phone.
⚠️ Note: If you sell a phone but you haven't disabled Find a Device, the new owner won't be able to link their account.
Error 1: Remove the Mi Account app instead of logging out.
Many users think that it is enough to delete the Mi Account application through the App menu, but this is not the case. The account remains tied at the system level. To completely untie it, you need to use one of the methods described above.
Error 2: Reset your phone without logging out.
If you run Wipe Data in Recovery without untidying your Mi Account, after you reboot, the phone will require you to enter the username and password of the previous owner, called Mi Cloud Lock, anti-theft protection, and it is solved only through Xiaomi support or unofficial firmware.
Error 3: Ignoring two-factor authentication.
If your account has 2FA (two-factor authentication) enabled, you may need to log in from an SMS or an authenticator application, and check in advance which confirmation method is linked to avoid being blocked.
First time | Only before sale | Regularly (once a month) | Never left-->
Additional settings after leaving the account
Signing out of your Mi Account is only the first step, especially if you are preparing your phone for sale or transfer.To completely clear your device of personal data and avoid problems with the new owner, follow the following steps:
- 🧹 Clean internal memory: Delete all personal files (photos, videos, documents) manually or through the Settings menu → Warehouse → Cleanup.
- 📱 Reset to factory settings: Go to Settings → The phone. → Reset settings and select Erase all data.
- 🔌 Disable all accounts: Check Accounts and Sync and delete the associated profiles of Google, Facebook, Twitter and other services.
- 🔒 Mi Home Disconnection: If the phone was used to control smart devices, remove it from the Mi Home app so the new owner doesn't get access to your smart appliances.
We also recommend checking the battery status before selling, and to do this, type in the Phone app code ##4636## and select Battery Information. If the wear level is above 30%, honestly warn the buyer - this will affect the price.
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Before selling your phone, make sure to reset your settings before you exit your Mi Account, which minimizes the risk of blocking Mi Cloud Lock.