Changing your Mi Account on a Xiaomi Redmi 5 smartphone is often a necessity when buying a device from hand, handing it over to relatives, or simply wanting to share personal data. The procedure seems simple, but the MIUI ecosystem has strict security protocols, ignoring which can lead to a complete lockdown of the device.
Owners of budget-friendly but robust models like the Redmi 5 face the same authorization requirements as users of flagships. Find Device tightly ties the device to a specific identifier. If you just log out and enter new data without performing a pre-cleanup, the smartphone can request a password from the previous account at the next reboot or reset.
This guide describes in detail the algorithm for safe profile change, and we will look at standard methods through the settings menu, two-factor authentication, and actions in the event of loss of access to old data, and it is important to follow the sequence of operations so that you do not turn your work phone into a “brick” blocked by the activation server.
Preparation of the device and checking the current binding
Before you start any manipulation, you need to diagnose the current state of the system. Go to the settings menu and find the Mi Account or Accounts and Sync section. This shows what ID is currently active on the device. If you got your phone from a previous owner and you see someone else's email address or phone number, this is the first signal to action.
Make sure you have access to the Internet. Xiaomi authorization servers require a stable connection to function properly. It is best to use a Wi-Fi network, as mobile internet can be unstable when encryption keys are transferred. Also check the battery level – it should be at least 40-50% so that a sudden shutdown does not interrupt the critical unlocking process.
☑️ Redmi 5 Preparation for Account Change
Back up your important data. Changing your account often requires a complete reset, which will delete all user files. Sync contacts and photos with the cloud or copy them to your computer. This is especially true for the Redmi 5 model, which may have limited internal memory.
⚠️ Warning: If you don't know the password for the current Mi Account installed on your phone, the standard exit procedure won't work.
The procedure for leaving the old Mi Account
A regular exit from a profile is the cleanest way to change the owner. To do this, go to Settings → Mi Account. At the bottom of the screen or in the option menu (three dots or gear), you need to find the “Login” or “Delete account” button. Pressing this button initiates the process of verifying the rights.
The system will request a password or confirmation code sent to the associated phone number, which is an anti-theft security mechanism, without input of correct data, you can not unplug the device, after successful authorization, the data is synchronized, and the phone is disconnected from the cloud service.
In some versions of the firmware MIUI Redmi 5 may require re-confirmation through the SMS. Make sure that SIM-the card to which the account is registered is active and is on the phone or other device at hand. SIM-The card is lost, the procedure will have to be carried out through the restoration of access to the official website.
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If your phone requests a password and you don’t remember it, try to restore access via i.mi.com from your computer using the “Forgot Password” feature.
After a successful exit, the welcome screen will change, suggesting you sign in to a new account or skip this step. At this stage, the old profile is completely disconnected from local settings, however, the residue of data can be stored in the application cache.
Untie the device through the web interface
If access to the phone is restricted or menus are blocked, you can use remote management. Xiaomi Cloud allows you to manage your associated devices via a browser. Go to https://i.mi.com/ and log in to your current account.
In the cloud service interface, select Find the device or Manage the devices. In the list, find your Redmi 5. This feature allows you to remove the device from the trusted list, which breaks the link between the hardware of the smartphone and the server-level account.
| Action. | Where it's done | Requires a password. | The result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exit to the menu | Phone settings | Yes. | Local exit |
| Removal from the list | I.mi.com | Yes. | Server junction |
| Button reset | Recovery Mode | No (but you need a password after) | Complete data cleanup |
Using a web interface is especially useful when you need to untie a device that is physically in another person’s possession, but you are the account holder. Once removed from the list on the site, when you connect Redmi 5 to the network, it will no longer receive commands from the old profile.
What if the device is not listed?
Resetting and activating a new profile
To transfer the phone to a new user or to ensure that all traces of an old account are deleted, a full reset is required.This will return Redmi 5 to factory status. Go to Settings → About Phone → Reset and select “Erase all data”.
Once you reboot, you start the initial setup process, and when you connect to Wi-Fi, you can request authorization again, and you need to enter your new Mi Account, and it takes a couple of minutes to create a new ID for free.
When you enter new data, enable two-factor authentication. This will significantly improve the security of your profile. Specify your current phone number and backup email. For the Xiaomi Redmi 5, this is critical, since the model no longer receives security updates, and account protection becomes a major barrier for attackers.
Once a new profile is successfully activated, the phone will start loading settings. Don't rush to restore a backup from your old account if the goal was in full cleanup. Better set up sync again to avoid duplicate contact and file conflicts.
Solving problems with activation blocking
The most difficult situation is when, after resetting, the phone requires a password from an account that was previously linked and no access to it. This is the job of the Find Device function. If the phone was tied, the server remembers its unique identifier (IMEI/Serial).
In this case, standard methods of bypassing do not work. The only legal way is to prove ownership of the device in an authorized Xiaomi service center, you will need to provide checks for the purchase, a box with a matching IMEI and passport information, the employee of the center will remove the lock through special software.
⚠️ Warning: Attempts to flash or use third-party software to bypass Mi Account lock may result in irreversible damage to the bootloader and loss of device warranty.
There is a myth that changing the region or firmware helps bypass the lock. On modern versions of MIUI, the binding is stored in a secure partition of memory that is not erased when flashing, so buying a used Xiaomi Redmi 5 without checking for the absence of someone else's account carries high risks.
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The Mi Account activation lock is a theft protection, and you can only remove it without the owner's password through a check service center.
Set up the security of a new account
After a successful change of ownership, you need to configure security. In the Security menu, activate the search for the device for the new profile, which will allow you to remotely block Redmi 5 or erase data in the event of a loss.
It is recommended to set an additional screen unlock password other than your account password. Use a pattern lock or 6-digit pin. Biometrics (fingerprint) on Redmi 5 work stably and add a level of convenience, but should not be the only method of protection.
Check your privacy settings. Turn off usage data transfers to Mi Cloud if you don't plan on using cloud features, which will save traffic and battery power, which is important for devices with the age of the battery.