When a lock message suddenly appears on a smartphone screen, it often takes the device owners by surprise, usually after resetting the settings to the factory or flashing the device, when the security system requires verification of the identity of the owner. The message "Account action is required" means that the device has activated the Find Device feature associated with your Mi ID.
This is not a system bug, but a special security mechanism designed to protect user data in the event of a gadget being stolen, and without entering the correct password from the account that was the last one on this phone, it will be impossible to access the interface and functions of the device, and understanding the nature of this lock is the first step to successfully eliminating it without losing warranty and data.
In this article, we will discuss in detail why this situation arises, what legal methods exist for restoring access and how to avoid problems in the future. We will look at both standard procedures through the site and more complex cases that require the intervention of service tools.
⚠️ Warning: Attempting to circumvent locks by illegal means on stolen devices is a criminal offence and is intended solely to restore access to personal equipment of legitimate owners.
Reasons for the Authorization Requirement
The main reason for the lock screen is the activated device search function. When you first log in to your profile on a Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphone, the default system suggests enabling theft protection. If you agree or miss this step, the binding is automatically done.
Locking works in several specific scenarios, most often users encounter a problem after performing Hard Reset through the Recovery menu, at which point the phone checks the protection status and, after finding an active Mi Account, requires its confirmation, and a requirement may arise after a failed attempt to flash or change the region.
Sometimes users forget that the login was done on another system layer or in a particular application, for example, authorization could only happen in a store or a cloud service, but the security system perceives this as a complete binding of the device.
- 🔒 Completed reset settings (Wipe Data) without prior detachment of the account.
- 🔄 Reflashing of the device with saving protection data.
- 📱 The device was bought with an active alien Mi ID.
- ⚙️ There was a failure in the work of system services Google or Mi Cloud.
It is important to understand the difference between a normal screen lock (PIN-The first one protects against accidental access to the menu, the second one blocks the device itself, turning it into a brick until the owner is verified.
Checking the blocking status and preparation
Before you start taking action, you need to make sure that the current status of the device and access to the account. If the phone is still on and you can get into the menu, check the settings section associated with the Mi Account. The path usually looks like: Settings → Mi Account.
If you're already off the menu and you're only seeing the lock screen, try to remember which phone number or email was used when you signed up. Often, users have multiple mailboxes, and you're logging in to the one that hasn't been used in a long time.
To successfully recover, you'll need a stable Internet connection, a device that has to be connected to Wi-Fi or a mobile network to send a request to Xiaomi servers and check the data entered. Without an Internet connection, there's no way to unlock the smartphone.
⚠️ Warning: Do not enter your password more than 10 times in a row incorrectly.Security may temporarily block the ability to enter data for hours or days.
Also, prepare an alternative device (computer or other smartphone) through which you can access the official account management site, which will allow you to simultaneously see the lock status and enter data on the locked phone.
Method 1: Reset password through the official website
The most reliable and secure method is to restore access through the web interface. To do this, go to i.mi.com or account.xiaomi.com from any other device. You will need to click on the link "Forgot your password?" in the login form.
The system will offer several ways to restore: through a linked phone number, backup email or security questions. If you have access to the SIM card to which the account is registered, the code will come in the form of an SMS. Enter it in the field on the site and set a new password.
☑️ Actions to reset password
Once you successfully change your password, go back to the locked phone, make sure it's connected to the Internet, and enter new data. In some cases, the system takes 15 minutes to 24 hours to sync the new password across all devices.
If the phone number is no longer available, try using a backup email. The process is similar: a link will come to the mail for reset.
Method 2: Untie the device through the settings menu
If you have physical access to your phone and you know the password but want to remove the link permanently (for example, before selling), you need to follow the right sequence of actions.
Go to Settings → Mi Account. At the bottom of the screen, look for the "Log Out" or "Delete Account" button. The system will alert you that the Find Device function will be disabled. Confirm the action by entering a password.
After that, it is recommended to perform a complete data reset to make sure that there are no cached authorization tokens left in the system, which ensures that the new owner of the device does not face the requirement to enter your password.
What to do if the “Off” button is inactive?
Pay special attention to deleting your Google account. Modern versions of Android (starting with 5.1) have FRP (Factory Reset Protection) protection. Delete your Google account along the Settings route → Accounts and Sync → Google by selecting the desired address and clicking Delete.
Complicated cases: bought from hands phone
The most problematic situation is when you bought a device with your hands and the previous owner did not untie your account, in which case the standard methods of password recovery will not help, since you do not have access to the phone number or mail of the seller.
The only correct solution is to contact the vendor, ask them to remotely remove the device from the trusted list, and you can do this through i.mi.com in the Find the Device section, which displays a list of all the gadgets associated with the profile.
| Situation | Action of the seller | The result |
|---|---|---|
| Seller's in touch. | Remove the device from the i.mi.com menu | The lock is removed after the reboot |
| The seller doesn't remember the password. | Restoring Access Through Support | Protracted process, requires documents |
| The seller ignores | Absent. | The phone remains locked. |
| Checks and box available. | Contacting the service center | Unlocking on a purchase check |
If the seller claims to have untie the phone but the lock is still there, ask them to take a screenshot of the blank list of devices in Mi Cloud.Sometimes users delete the account from the phone's settings but forget to delete it from the cloud list.
⚠️ Warning: Buying handsets without checking for a Mi Account is high risk. Never agree to "untie later," demand complete cleanup on site.
Use of service tools and treatment in the SC
In cases where it is impossible to restore access to the account (all data is lost, the seller has disappeared), you can contact an authorized service center, which is the only legal way to unlock the device without a password.
To perform the procedure, you will need to provide proof of purchase, which may be an original cashier's check, a sales contract or a warranty card with an inscribed ticket. IMEI-The check must show the serial number of the device or IMEI.
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Keep the box and electronic checks for at least 2-3 years, and if you lock your account or break your account, having a check will save you a lot of time and nerves.
The service center uses special utilities to reset the tether, which takes from a few minutes to a few days, depending on the download and the need to request data from the manufacturer's servers, and after the procedure, the phone will be cleaned completely as new.
There are also paid unlocking services, but they carry risks, often involving soldering of memory chips or exploiting vulnerabilities that could lead to unstable phone performance in the future.
Preventing blocking in the future
To never again experience an account action problem, you should follow simple digital hygiene rules: Always untie the device before selling or transferring it to another person.
Check the trusted device list in your Mi profile regularly. Remove old phones, tablets or TVs you no longer use, not only making your cloud services safer, but also making it faster.
- 📝 Write passwords from important accounts to a secure location or use a password manager.
- 📞 Please provide the current phone number when registering, which is always at hand.
- 🔄 Do not turn off the Find Device feature unless absolutely necessary if you are afraid of theft.
- 📦 Keep the packaging and documents from the equipment until the end of its service life.
Remember, account locking is not a bug, it’s a feature that protects your personal photos, emails and banking apps from prying eyes. Take your Xiaomi security seriously, and the system will respond with reliable protection.
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The main security is the current contact details in the profile and saving checks, which is your main trump card for any access problems.