Changing your smartphone is always an exciting process, especially when you move to a new Xiaomi model or a device from another brand. However, before you put an old gadget in a long drawer or, more likely, sell it, you need to perform a critical procedure - untying all associated accounts. In the Android ecosystem, and in particular in the shell MIUI, the centerpiece is a Google account that syncs contacts, photos, location history and purchases in the Play Market.
Simply removing an application or leaving the browser is not enough, because the system binding remains active at the firmware level. If you just reset to the factory settings without first leaving the profile, the FRP (Factory Reset Protection) mechanism will work, which means that the new owner of the device will not be able to activate the phone without entering your password, which will turn the smartphone into a useless piece of plastic. So understanding the process of leaving the account is not only a matter of convenience, but also a matter of digital security of your personal data.
Owners of older Xiaomi models, such as the Redmi Note 3, 4, 5 or Mi A1, often face interface nuances that differ from modern versions of Android. The menu may be called differently, and some items may be hidden in the depth of system settings. In this article, we will discuss in detail all ways to untie the profile, look at manual methods and automated scripts, and pay special attention to situations where the password is lost or access to the phone is partially limited.
Preparing the device for untiing the account
Before you start manipulating system settings, you need to make sure that the device is ready for the procedure. Old Xiaomi smartphones can run slowly due to accumulated debris or overcrowded memory, which sometimes leads to freezes at the most inopportune moment. It is recommended to pre-charge the battery to at least 50-60% so that the process of synchronization and exit from the system is not interrupted due to discharge.
It is also important to check the status of the Internet connection. Since logging out of a Google account is a network operation, the phone needs to send a request to the corporation's servers to confirm the change of status of the device. Make sure that Wi-Fi is stable or mobile Internet is fast enough. If you plan to sell the phone, remember to back up all the important data, since full exit is often accompanied by cleaning local data.
- 📱 Check the battery level and connect the charger if the indicator shows less than 40%.
- 📡 Make sure you have a stable connection to the Internet via Wi-Fi or mobile data.
- 💾 Backup your contacts and photos if they are not synced to the cloud.
Two-factor authentication is a special consideration. If your account is protected, when you log out of an unfamiliar device or after a reset, the system may request confirmation via SMS or an authenticator application, make sure that the SIM card associated with the account is active and on the phone, or you have access to recovery codes.
The classic way to exit through phone settings
The most reliable and correct method of decoupling is to use the regular menu of operating system settings, which ensures that Google servers receive a signal that the device is no longer trusted and stop synchronizing data. On older versions of MIUI (based on Android 6, 7, 8), the path to settings may be slightly different, but the logic remains the same.
You need to open the settings menu and find the account section, depending on the firmware version, it can be called Accounts, Users and Accounts, or Sync. Inside this section, you'll see a list of all the services that your smartphone is linked to. Find the Google logo and click on it. Here you'll see a list of the email boxes you're attached to.
Select the email address you want. In the account management menu that opens, find the Delete Account or Sign Out button. The system will alert you that all data associated with that profile (contacts, mail, calendar) will be deleted from the device. This is normal, because the goal is a complete cleanup. Confirm the action by entering a password if the system requires authorization to confirm the operation.
⚠️ Note: After deleting your account from settings, the data stops syncing. If you plan to keep your phone but just change user, make sure you have a copy of your contacts.
It is important to understand the difference between simply logging out of Google services and deleting an account from the system. In the context of preparing for the sale or transfer of a device, we need to remove it from the list of trusted devices. On older Xiaomi, there is sometimes a bug where the account remains in cache after deleting. To avoid this, it is recommended to restart the device after the procedure.
What to do if the “Delete” button is inactive?
If the delete button is grey or missing, it is possible that the device has activated administrator rights for this account. → Security → Device administrators and uncheck Google, then try to delete your account again.> If access to the phone’s settings menu is limited, the interface is not working properly, or you simply prefer to manage security from your computer, you can use the web version of Google Account Management. This method is effective because the command to exit is sent directly from the server, avoiding possible interface glitches. MIUI. To do this, go from any device (computer, tablet or other phone) to the Google account management page. You will need to log in under the same login that you need to unplug from the old Xiaomi». There you will find the "Your Devices" block, which displays a list of all the equipment that was recently included in your profile. 5s). Clicking on the device will open detailed information, including the date of the last login and IP-Address: Press the "Get Out" or "Turn Out" button, and the system can ask you to confirm the action with a password, and then the phone, if it's connected to the Internet, should automatically unsynchronize. Action Where the result is performed Necessary Internet on the phone Delete in the settings of the phone menu Local removal + Request to the server Desirable End of session Google Site (PC/Other phone) Forced exit from the device Be sure to change password Google Site Logging all devices Be sure This method is especially useful if the phone is blocked by any software, but the screen is turned on and there is access However, it is worth remembering that if the phone is in offline mode (no SIM-The command from the server will be executed only after its next connection to the global network. What to do if you forget the password from the account The situation when the owner of the old Xiaomi does not remember the password from the linked Google account is one of the most common. This often happens with devices that have been lying idle for a long time or have been bought from hand without a full check. In this case, standard log-in is not possible because the system will require authorization. The first and most legal step is to try to restore access. Go to the Google login page from any other device and click "Forgot your password?". The system will offer several recovery options: sending the code to a backup email, SMS If you have access to at least one of these ways, you can reset your password and then log out of your phone account, and if you don't have access to your phone number or backup email, it becomes more complicated. Owners of older devices sometimes get a reset via Recovery mode, but on current Android versions (starting with 5.1 and up) this will result in a lockdown. FRP. The phone will require you to enter the same Google account that was synced before the reset. Without a password, it will be impossible to activate the device. ⚠️ Warning: Using third-party programs to “hack” or bypass FRP (Bypass may be insecure. Such methods often require root rights, which violates the warranty (if it is still relevant) and can lead to the leakage of personal data. There are specialized service centers and utilities that can help reset the peg, but they are usually paid and require connecting the phone to your computer via a computer. USB-cable and use of special drivers ADB. For the average user, the safest path is to restore access through Google's official procedure. FRP-Many users, wanting to quickly clean the phone, immediately make Hard Reset (reset to factory settings), bypassing the procedure of logging out. On old Xiaomi, this action triggers the Factory Reset Protection mechanism. Once you reboot, the phone will require you to enter the Google account login and password that was last synchronized. It's a security mechanism against theft. If you steal the phone and dump it, you won't be able to use it. But if you're an honest owner who forgot to log out, it becomes a problem. If you reset the phone and see the welcome screen that requires you to enter the account, you have two ways: remember the data or try to bypass the lock. FRP on older versions of MIUI (versions 9, 10, 11) is often possible through vulnerabilities in the browser or through activation of the MiTackBack, but the only one of the new account with the security hole on the account closed, so it always says that the new one is out of the account. 💡Hard Reset without first logging out of Google accounts results in device lock (FRP), If you're planning to sell your phone, make sure to check if your account is untied, and after resetting and setting up the first one (if you didn't log out correctly), the phone may ask for the password again. Checking the cleanliness of the device is a sign of good tone when selling equipment.Mi Cloud (Mi Account) Account Clearing Xiaomi smartphone owners often forget about the second important profile, Mi Account. This is an internal brand account that also has its own protection against theft. Even if you logged out of Google but stayed in Mi Account, when you reset your phone, you'll need to enter a password from your Mi profile. → Mi Account. At the bottom of the screen, there's a log out button. After exiting, it is also recommended to go to the i.mi.com website from your computer and remove the device from the list of trusted people in the “Find the device” section. Ignoring this move will result in the new owner not being able to fully use Xiaomi’s cloud services, themes, or unlock the phone altogether if Find Device’s Double Check (Google) protection works. + Mi Account – the key to successful transfer of the device. 🔐 Open the Mi Account settings in the phone menu. 🗑️ Click the “Exit” button and confirm the deletion of data from the device. 💻 Check the device list on i.mi.com and remove the old phone from there. Some users prefer not to log out, but simply delete the account. In the case of Mi Account, this is also possible, but the procedure of deleting the profile will permanently deprive you of access to all purchased themes and cloud data. Exit – a safer and more reversible operation. 💡Tip: After logging out of all accounts and before selling, turn on your phone, make sure it's back on the welcome screen (select language), and only then turn it off. This will show the buyer that the phone is clean. Frequently asked questions (FAQ) Can you sell a phone without leaving your Google account? Technically, you can sell it, but you can't use it. Once you turn it on or reset it, you lock it. FRP, And the device will ask for your password, and you'll be constantly notified of login attempts on other people's devices, and the customer will be left with a brick. Will my WhatsApp messages be erased when you log out? By itself, logging out of a Google account does not delete the WhatsApp database, as it is stored locally or in Google Drive. However, if you subsequently reset your local data, including your correspondence history, will be destroyed. Make sure to back up the chats inside WhatsApp itself before any manipulations. What if the phone says, "Can't delete your account"? Most often, it's a problem with your Internet connection or Google servers. Check the network. If the network is stable, try to delete the account via the web interface (end the session) or temporarily change the password from Google email, which can "refresh" authorization tokens and allow you to remove the device from the list. SIM-- The card before you leave your account, SIM-You don't have to delete the card, and in fact, having a SIM card can be useful for getting a card. SMS-confirmation codes if Google’s security system decides to double-check your identity during the logout process.