You found a Xiaomi smartphone, but when you turned on you found a lock Mi Account? This situation is familiar to many - the device requires you to enter the username and password of the previous owner, without which access to functions is limited. On the one hand, this protection protects user data from outsiders, on the other - creates problems for honest buyers of used equipment or those who accidentally became the owner of a lost gadget.
Unlocking Mi Accounts is not an easy process. Xiaomi deliberately complicates it to prevent theft and unauthorized access. In this article, we will examine all possible ways, from official to alternative, assess their legality, risks and chances of success. It is important to understand that not all methods are safe, and some can permanently disable the device. Before you act, check whether the phone is blacklisted on IMEI - this will save you time and nerves.
If you bought a phone with your hands and the seller didn't untie your account, or you found a device on the street, the algorithms are different. We'll look at both scenarios, and we'll also explain why some folk ways (like firmware through EDL) stopped working after 2021. Prepare yourself: the process can take anywhere from hours to weeks, depending on the model, the version of MIUI, and the status of the account.
Why Xiaomi is blocking devices with Mi Account
Mi Account is not just a way to synchronize data, it is a complete protection against theft. Unlike Google Account on other Android devices, locking here is tied to a hardware identifier (IMEI), which makes it almost impenetrable.
- 🔒 According to Xiaomi statistics, the number of stolen smartphones decreased by 40% after the introduction of an account link to the Internet IMEI 2018.
- 📱 Used market control: The company encourages customers to purchase new devices, making it difficult to resell old ones.
- 🛡️ Data protection: Even after a Hard Reset, the phone remains linked to the previous owner’s account.
- 🌍 Compliance with the law: In some countries (e.g. India, Indonesia) linking an account to a IMEI mandatory under local law.
Since 2020, Xiaomi has tightened its policy: unlocking not only requires a password from an account, but also confirmation via SMS or email attached to it, which means that even if you know the username / password of the previous owner, you can not unlock the device without access to his email or phone.
⚠️ Note: If the phone was stolen and you are trying to unlock it, it qualifies as illegal interference with the operation of the communication means (Article 272 of the Criminal Code). IMEI 5 minutes).
How to check if Xiaomi found stolen
Before you try to unlock Mi Account, make sure that your phone is not listed in the stolen database, which will save you from legal problems and waste of time.
- Xiaomi official service: Go to i.mi.com, enter IMEI (you can find it through the *#06# set or on the sticker under the battery) and check the status of the device.
- International databases: Services such as IMEI.info or 📊 You have already checked the found Xiaomi IMEI?Yes, clean. Yes, stolen. Not yet. I don't know how to do that.