Why leaving your Mi Account can be a problem
Xiaomi’s ecosystem is closely integrated with Mi Account, which is not possible to use cloud storage, data synchronization, or even some smart home features. However, there are situations when you need to urgently log out when you sell a device, change owner, or suspect a hack. Here users face the first difficulty: on some Xiaomi models (especially with MIUI 12 and later), the standard logout in the settings can be blocked if the device is tied to the account through the Find Device feature.
The second problem is a forgotten password, and if you don't remember the login data, the system won't allow you to exit or reset your settings without confirmation, and in these cases you have to use workarounds, including retrieving access via email or even calling for support. Finally, on devices with MIUI Global and MIUI China, the process can be different, often confusing inexperienced users.
In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to exit Mi Account, including official methods and solutions for locked devices, and pay special attention to the nuances for different versions of MIUI and device types, from Redmi smartphones to Mi Band smartwatches.
Official way: exit through the phone settings
The easiest method is to use the standard settings menu, which is suitable for most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices with current MIUI versions (10 to 14).
Instructions:
- 📱 Open the Settings app (cog icon).
- 👤 Scroll down and select Xiaomi Account (or Mi Account in older versions).
- 🔄 Click on the profile avatar at the top of the screen.
- 🚪 At the bottom of the screen, tap Out (or Delete account on some models).
- 🔐 Enter the password from Mi Account to confirm.
If the exit button is inactive or not, it means that the device has enabled the "Find device" function, in which case, first turn it off:
- Go to Settings → Memory → Find the device.
- Turn off the slider (you will need to enter the Mi Account password).
- Return to the account and try again.
Disable the "Find device" function.
Connect to a stable Wi-Fi
Know the password from Mi Account
Backup of important data
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Exit from Mi Account on a locked device
If your smartphone is locked (for example, after resetting or buying a used phone with a linked account), the standard method will not work, and in such cases there are two ways: restore access to the account or bypass the lock through Fastboot mode.
Try to restore the password first:
- 🌐 Go to account.xiaomi.com from another device.
- 🔍 Click Forgot Password? and select the recovery method (email or phone).
- 📧 Follow the instructions in the letter or SMS password-reset.
If recovery is not possible (for example, the previous owner does not respond), unlocking via Fastboot is left, which requires a computer and Mi Flash Unlock:
- Download Mi Unlock Tool from the official website.
- Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to log in to Fastboot.
- Connect the device to your PC and start Mi Flash Unlock.
- Sign in to your Mi Account (important: account must be over 72 hours!)
- Follow the instructions of the program to unlock.
What to do if the Mi Unlock Tool doesn’t work?
⚠️ Attention: Unlocking through Fastboot resets all data on the device! If the phone had important files, their recovery after this procedure is impossible.
Features of the output for different devices Xiaomi
The process of exiting Mi Account may vary depending on the type of device, and below are key nuances for the popular gadgets of the Xiaomi ecosystem.
| Type of device | The way out | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO smartphones | Through Settings → Xiaomi Account | Disable Find Device. MIUI 14+ may require SMS confirmation. |
| Tablets Xiaomi Pad | Like smartphones. | On some models, the exit button is hidden in Settings → Additional → Accounts. |
| Smart watch Mi Band | Through the Mi Fitness app | You need to untie the clock in the Profile section → My devices. |
| Xiaomi laptops | Through Settings → Accounts | The exit is possible only when connected to the Internet. |
| Mi TVs | Through Settings → Account and Security | Some models require input PIN-TV-code. |
For smart devices (lamps, robot vacuum cleaners, routers), exit from Mi Account is carried out through the Mi Home application:
- 🏠 Open Mi Home and go to the Profile section → Account settings.
- 🔄 Click Device Management and select the gadget you need to untie.
- 🗑️ Remove the device and confirm the action.
Smartphone
Tablet
Smart watches
Laptop
Television
Smart home (lamps, vacuum cleaners, etc.)
Other
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Frequent mistakes and their solution
When you try to leave Mi Account, users often encounter errors, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.
Error: "I couldn't log out. Try it later."
- 🔌 Check your internet connection (better to use Wi-Fi).
- ⏳ Wait 5-10 minutes and try again.
- 🔄 Reset the device.
- 📱 Update. MIUI last-minute.
Error: “Account is linked to device”
This means that the "Find device" function is enabled, and turn it off as described in the first section.
- 📧 Try to restore access to Mi Account via email.
- 📞 Contact the previous owner (if the device is used).
- 🔧 Use the Mi Unlock Tool (to unlock bootloader).
Mistake: "Too many attempts. Try in 24 hours."
This lock comes after several failed attempts to enter a password.
- ⏳ Wait for the specified time (usually 24 hours).
- 🔄 Change the way you connect to the Internet (for example, from mobile data to Wi-Fi).
- 📍 Try logging out from another device (e.g., via account.xiaomi.com).
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How to remove Mi Account from your device completely
Signing out does not delete your device data, but if you want to completely erase all traces of your Mi Account (for example, before selling your phone), follow these steps:
- Sign out of your account through settings (as described above).
- Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
- Choose Delete all data and confirm the action.
- After the reboot, the device will prompt you to configure it as new – don’t sign in to Mi Account at this stage!
For smart devices (such as Mi Band or Mi Robot Vacuum), the full account deletion is done through a factory reset:
- 🤖 For a robot vacuum cleaner: press the power button for 10 seconds.
- ⌚ For smartwatches: in the Mi Fitness app, select Settings Reset.
⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi devices (especially those released after 2022) may still be linked to the Mi Account via a hardware ID after a reset, in which case the new owner will not be able to activate the phone without the previous account data. To avoid this, use the Delete Account function in the pre-reset settings.
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Alternative methods: bypassing the lock without a password
If you forget your Mi Account password and can't recover it, there are still informal ways to bypass the lock, which are suitable for power users and require technical skills. Use them at your own risk!
Method 1: Resetting with Recovery Mode
On some Xiaomi models (such as the Redmi Note 8 Pro or POCO X3), you can reset your settings via Restore mode:
- Turn off the phone.
- Press Volume Up + Power to Enter Recovery.
- Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (control – volume buttons, confirmation – power button).
- After resetting, the phone will reboot without being tied to the Mi Account.
Method 2: Use of the ADB-team
For devices with unlocked bootloader, you can delete Mi Account via ADB:
adb shell
su
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.xiaomi.account
pm clear com.xiaomi.accountThis method does not work on all models and requires root rights.
Method 3: Firmware through Fastboot
The last option is to flash the device with clean firmware through the Mi Flash Tool:
- Download the official firmware for your model from the MIUI Download website.
- Unpack the archive and launch the Mi Flash Tool.
- Connect your phone in Fastboot mode and flash the device with the Clean All option.
⚠️ Warning: Unofficial methods of bypassing a lock may result in loss of warranty, blocking IMEI Xiaomi is actively fighting against such methods, so their effectiveness is not guaranteed.