How to completely delete Mi Account with Xiaomi Redmi 8: 5 proven ways

Xiaomi Redmi 8 is still a popular budget smartphone, but many users face the problem of a tied Mi Account. Delete it is not as easy as it seems: the system requires a password confirmation, and when reset to factory settings, This device is locked. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to delete an account - from official to technical bypasses.

It's important to understand that deleting your Mi Account and untying your device are different processes. In the first case, you delete your account from your phone, in the second case, you break the connection between your device and Xiaomi servers. We'll look at both options, including methods for cases where you forgot your password or bought a used phone with a tied account.

All instructions are checked on Redmi 8 with MIUI 12/13/14 firmware (including global and Chinese versions).If your phone is locked after a failed deletion attempt, there is a section at the end of the article with unlock solutions.

1.Official method: delete Mi Account through settings

The easiest method is if you remember your account password and your phone is not locked, which is good for Redmi 8 on any version of MIUI, but requires an internet connection.

Instructions:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Accounts and synchronization → 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).

Once deleted, the phone will automatically untie from your account, but your sync data (contacts, notes, photos) will be lost. If you plan to sell the device, we recommend you back up beforehand through Settings → Additional → Backup.

⚠️ Note: Some firmware may have a device-based link in Xiaomi’s database after deleting your account. To reset it completely, do a hard reset (see Section 3).

2. Delete Mi Account without password (if you know the login)

If you remember an email or a phone number associated with your account but you forgot your password, you can use access recovery, which only works if you have access to email or SMS.

Step-by-step:

1. Go to account.xiaomi.com from any device.
2. Click Forgot Password? and enter email/phone number.
3. Confirm the recovery via a code from SMS or email.
4. Create a new password and save it to your password manager (like Google Password Manager).
5. Return to the phone and repeat the official deletion (Section 1).

If you don't have access to your email or number, try alternative methods from the following sections. Also check the Spam folder in your mail - sometimes emails from Xiaomi get there.

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If Xiaomi requires an old password to restore your password, try entering any character set 3-4 times in a row. Sometimes the system resets the request and offers alternative confirmation methods.

3. reset to factory settings (Hard Reset)

Hard reset is a universal way to delete all data from your phone, including your Mi Account. However, on Redmi 8, this device is locked when you reset it, if the account was linked to the device, this method is only suitable if:

• 🔓 You know the password from your Mi Account (to unlock your phone after a reset).
• 📦 You sell your phone and you want to erase all your data.
• 🔄 You have a global firmware installed (on the Chinese versions, resetting may not help).

How to make a Hard Reset:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power Button + Volume up for 10-15 seconds at the same time until the Mi logo appears.
3. In the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (manage by volume buttons, confirm by power button).
4. After the reset, the phone will reboot and require data input from the Mi Account (if it was tied).

⚠️ Attention: Redmi 8 with firmware MIUI 12.5+ After 3 failed attempts to enter a password, the phone can lock for 72 hours, in which case only flashing through Fastboot will help.

4. Delete Mi Account via ADB (for advanced users)

If the official methods don’t work, you can try to delete your account via Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This requires a computer and basic command line knowledge. 8 on MIUI 11-14.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS.
• 🔌 USB-cable (original or quality).
• 🛠️ Installed drivers Xiaomi and ADB Tools.
• ⚙️ Included debugging by USB phone-on.

Instructions:

1. Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and press 7 times in a row.
2. Activate USB Debugging in Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Connect the phone to your computer and confirm your trust in the device.
4. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (Linux/macOS) and type:

adb shell


pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.xiaomi.account




rm -rf /data/system/mi_account*




reboot

After rebooting the Mi Account, you will be deleted, but you may still have traces in your system files. For complete cleaning, do Hard Reset (Section 3).

5. bypassing the blocking of Mi Account after reset (for used phones)

If you bought a Redmi 8 handheld and it requires data entry from your previous Mi Account, the official methods won’t help.

Method 1: Contact the previous owner

The most reliable way is to ask the seller to remove the device from his Xiaomi account.

1. Go to i.mi.com.
2. Go to Devices → Find Redmi 8.
3. Press Remove the device.

Method 2: Use the Xiaomi Service Center

If you can’t contact the seller, contact the authorized service center Xiaomi with a check about the purchase. They can unlock the phone after checking the documents.

Method 3: Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fast Fastboot Fast Fastboot Fast Fastboot Fastboot Fast Fastboot Fast Fastboot Fast Fastboot Fast Fast Fastboot Fastboot Fast

For power users, there is an option to flash the phone through Fastboot and remove all locks.

• 🖥️ Computer with Mi Flash Tool installed.
• 📁 Official firmware for Redmi 8 (download from the official website).
• 🔧 Unlocked bootloader (if the phone is new, you will need to wait) 7-15 days).

Step-by-step instructions for firmware:

Download Mi Flash Tool from the official website

Install Xiaomi drivers on PC

Download the firmware for Redmi 8 (select the correct version!)

Unpack firmware in a folder without Cyrillic symbols

Disable the antivirus (can block the process)

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Once the firmware is in place, the phone will look like new, but all data will be deleted, a method that guarantees that the Mi Account will be deleted, but requires technical skills.

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Fastboot flashing is the only reliable way to delete a Mi Account from a used Redmi 8 if you do not have access to the data of the previous owner.

6. Alternative methods (at your own risk)

There are many “magic” ways to delete your Mi Account online, from using the Mi Account Remover Tool to changing build.prop. We don’t recommend them for several reasons:

• 🚫 Brick Risk: Mischanging system files can turn a phone into a brick".
• 🕵️ Viruses: Many "removal utilities" contain malware.
• 🔒 Blocking Xiaomi: the company can ban IMEI devices for attempting to circumvent protection.

If you do decide to experiment, here are the safest options:

Method 1: Removal via TWRP

Install custom TWRP recavators and use it to delete the Mi Account files:

File address:


/data/system/mi_account.xml




/data/data/com.xiaomi.account/

Method 2: Use of the EDL-regime

For phones on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 439 processor (like the Redmi 8) there is the ability to flash the phone into the phone. EDL-Mode via QFil or Mi Flash Pro. This method requires special cable and command knowledge.

⚠️ Warning: Before using alternative methods, make sure to back up IMEI (through MTK Engineering Mode or ChimeraTool? otherwise, the phone may lose network after firmware.

FAQ: Frequent questions about deleting a Mi Account with Redmi 8