Why deleting Mi Account on Xiaomi Mi5 can be a problem
The Xiaomi Mi5, launched in 2016, is still popular with users due to its balanced features and custom firmware support. However, its key feature – its binding to the Mi Account ecosystem – often turns into a headache. If you buy a used device, forget your password or encounter lockdown after resetting, standard login methods may not work. Xiaomi has tightly integrated protection: without an account confirmation, the phone turns into a brick with limited functionality.
Compounding the problem, the Mi5 is one of the first models to use the Mi Cloud Lock, which means that even after a Recovery reset, the system will require the previous owner to enter the username and password. In this article, we will look at all the current ways to delete the Mi Account in 2026, including bypassing the lock through the engineering menu, Fastboot and EDL mode – taking into account the specifics of this model.
Method 1: Delete Mi Account through settings (if the phone is unlocked)
The easiest way is to untie your account directly from the smartphone menu, which is fine if you have access to the device, you remember the Mi Account password, and the phone is not locked after the reset, and important, this method will not work if the Mi5 has firmware older than MIUI 10 installed, in which case the deletion point may not be available.
Instructions:
- 📱 Open the Settings. → Accounts. → Mi Account.
- 🔑 Enter your account password (if you request it).
- 🗑️ Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Delete Account.
- ✅ Confirm the action through SMS or email (if two-factor authentication is enabled).
After deleting, restart your phone. If you plan to sell the device, be sure to reset to factory settings via Settings → Additional → Restore and Reset. This will clear all data, including the Mi Cloud cache.
☑️ Preparing for deletion of Mi Account
Method 2: Reset via Recovery Mode (if you forget your password but your phone is not locked)
If you don’t remember the Mi Account password, but the phone doesn’t require confirmation after turning on, you can try resetting your account via Recovery Mode.This method doesn’t guarantee 100% deletion – after a reboot, a login request may appear again. However, in 30% of cases (according to the 4PDA and XDA Developers forums), the lock is removed, especially if the account was previously undetached but the cache has not cleared.
Step-by-step:
- Turn off the Xiaomi Mi5.
- Press Volume Up + Power at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
- In the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (control – volume buttons, confirmation – power button).
- After reset, go to Reboot → Reboot to System.
⚠️ Attention: On some firmware Mi5 (for example, MIUI 9 Global) after such reset, the error "This device is locked" appears. EDL.
What if the phone asks for an old Mi Account after a reset?
Method 3: Bypassing a lock through ADB (for power users)
The Android Debug Bridge (ADB) method is fine if the phone is debugging on USB, but login is blocked. This is rare, but if you've previously activated Developer Options, there's a chance. It works on MIUI 8-11 firmware.
What you need:
- 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB and Fastboot.
- 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
- 📄 File. mi_account_remover.zip (can be found 4PDA).
Instructions:
adb shell
su
mount -o rw,remount /system
rm /data/system/mi_account.xml
rebootIf the su command doesn't work, then there's no root rights on the phone, in which case, try an alternative script:
adb shell am start -n com.android.settings/.MiAccountSettings
adb shell input text "your password" # if you know the password
adb shell input keyevent 66⚠️ Attention: Use ADB It can cause soft-brick if you type in the wrong commands. Create a backup with adb backup before experimenting.
Method 4: Delete Mi Accounts via Fastboot (without losing IMEI)
One reliable way is to run your phone through Fastboot and remove the persist partition, which stores account binding information. This method is suitable for the Xiaomi Mi5 on any firmware, but requires an unlocked bootloader. If the bootloader is locked, first unlock it through the official Mi Unlock Tool (you will need to link to another Mi Account!).
Files required:
- 📁 Fastboot firmware ROM for Mi5 (For example, Global Stable).
- 🛠️ MiFlash utility (download from the official website).
- 🔧 Script for deleting the account (optional).
Step-by-step:
- Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to log into Fastboot Mode.
- Connect the Mi5 to your PC and check for device detection by the command: fastboot devices
- Launch MiFlash, select the firmware folder and press Refresh.
- At the bottom of the utility, select Clean All (this will delete all data, including your Mi Account).
- Press Flash and wait until it is completed (5-10 minutes).
| MIUI version | Chance of deleting an account | Risk of losing IMEI |
|---|---|---|
| MIUI 7–8 | 90% | Low. |
| MIUI 9–10 | 70% | Medium (if not using Clean All) |
| MIUI 11+ | 50% | High (requires a patch to persist) |
💡
If the phone is not networked after Fastboot, check IMEI with #06#. If zeros are displayed instead of the number, restore IMEI via the engineering menu (#4636##*) or the SN Writer Tool utility (NVRAM backup is required).
Method 5: EDL mode (for locked phones)
If the Xiaomi Mi5 is completely locked (requests Mi Account when turned on and does not respond to other methods), the last option is the firmware through Emergency Download Mode (EDL), which allows you to reflash the phone at a low level, bypassing all locks.
- 🔌 Authorized cable EDL (Or homemade with the closure of contacts Test Point).
- 💻 MiFlash or QFil (for Qualcomm-based firmware).
- 📄 Firmware in.mbn or.elf format for Mi5 (gemini).
How to log into EDL:
- Turn off the phone.
- Close Test Point (on the Mi5 board, these are contacts next to the battery, see the diagram on 4PDA).
⚠️ Attention: Firmware through EDL erases all data without the possibility of recovery, including NVRAM (IMEI, MAC-Manual restoration may be required after the procedure IMEI And calibrate the sensors. Mi5 With Snapdragon 820 processor, there is also a risk of “bricking” when using incorrect firmware.
💡
EDL mode is the only way to delete Mi Account with Xiaomi Mi5 if the phone is locked at the bootloader level. However, it requires technical skills and risks turning the device into a brick if you make a mistake.
What to do if nothing works: alternative solutions
If all of these methods have not worked, consider the following options:
- 📧 Appeal in support of Xiaomi: Providing proof of purchase (check, contract), you can request unlocking through the official channel.
- 🔧 Service centers: Many workshops offer deletion of Mi Account for 500-1500 rubles (2026). IMEI.
- 🛒 Buying an unlock code: Online marketplaces like eBay or AliExpress sell unlock codes Mi5 (price ~$5–$10. Risk of fraud is high - check the seller's reviews.
- 🔄 Install custom firmware: LineageOS or Pixel Experience-based firmware bypasses checking your Mi Account, but requires an unlocked bootloader.
If you decide to sell the Mi5 with a tied account, honestly warn the buyer about the lock - it will save time for both. The average price for a blocked Mi5 in 2026 is 1,500-2,500 rubles (versus 3,000-4,500 rubles for an unlocked one).