Why is changing your email to Xiaomi different than other Android smartphones?
Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO are all powered by MIUI, which overlays its features on standard Android features. Changing email here may require not only editing a Google account, but also setting up Xiaomiβs proprietary Mi Account ecosystem, which creates confusion: users often confuse changing email to Gmail with changing the username to Mi Account, although these are different processes.
In 2026, Xiaomi tightened security requirements: now to change the main email in Mi Account may require confirmation through the Internet. SMS or a backup address, and in some regions (e.g. the EU) because of GDPR The process is different from the Chinese version. MIUI. We will analyze all scenarios: from a basic change of mail in Gmail to a complete reconfiguration of Mi Account taking into account the latest updates.
Preparation: What to Know Before Changing Your Mail
Before you start, check out three key points:
- π± Version. MIUI: on older versions (below) MIUI 14) the menu interface may be different. You can find out the version at Settings β The phone.
- π Two-factor authentication: If it is enabled in Mi Account, you will need access to a backup email or phone number.
- π§ Mail type: You change your address in Gmail, Mi Account or a third-party app (e.g. Yandex Mail)?
MIUI 14.0.5+ adds a "Safe Mail Change" feature that blocks email change on devices with a bootloader unlocked. If you previously unlocked the bootloader to install custom firmware, first return the official MIUI via Fastboot.
Method 1: Change your email to your Mi Account (Main Xiaomi Account)
This method is suitable if you want to change the email associated with Mi Account β it is used to sync notes, backups, purchases from the Mi Store and unlock the device. The process takes up to 24 hours due to security checks.
- Open the Settings. β Xiaomi Account (or Mi Account in older versions).
- Slip on your avatar in the upper right corner β Account management.
- Select Personal Information β Email.
- Click Change and enter a new address. The system will send a confirmation email to the old and new mail.
- Confirm the change in the links in both letters.
β οΈ Note: If you are using the Chinese version MIUI (For example, on the Xiaomi 13 Pro for the domestic market, you may need to link a Chinese phone number to change your mail, in which case it is easier to create a new Mi Account with global firmware.
Data from the phone synced to the cloud|Backup of chats and contacts created|Access to old and new mail is saved|Phone number for SMS-hand-check-->
Method 2: Change mail to Gmail (for Google services)
If you only need to change your address for Gmail, Google Play, and other Google services, this method does not affect Mi Account. Importantly, on Xiaomi with MIUI without Google services (for example, on Chinese firmware), this method will not work β you will need to pre-install Google Play Services.
Instructions:
- Open the Gmail app or go to Settings β Accounts and Sync β Google.
- Select your account β Manage your Google account (browser will open).
- Go to the Personal Data tab β Contact information β Email.
- Click Change next to the main address. Google will suggest creating a pseudonym or replacing the email completely.
| Action. | Mi Account | Gmail |
|---|---|---|
| Impacts synchronization of Xiaomi Cloud | β Yes. | β No. |
| Requires confirmation by SMS | β Yes, for some regions) | β No. |
| Change the username in the Mi Store | β Yes. | β No. |
| Time of processing | Up to 24 hours. | Instantly. |
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If notifications from Xiaomi stop coming to Gmail after changing email (for example, about order delivery from Mi Store), check the Spam folder at the new address. add the @xiaomi.com domain to the whitelist.
Method 3: Replace mail in third-party applications (Yandex, Mail.ru, etc.)
Xiaomi can use third-party email clients, such as Yandex Mail or Mail.ru, which is often installed as an alternative to Gmail, to change the address in these applications:
- Open the mail app (e.g. Yandex).
- Go to your account settings (usually through the menu in the top left corner).
- Select Account Management β Personal data.
- Follow the instructions of the service to change email, for example, Yandex will need to confirm the change via SMS.
β οΈ Note: When you delete an old account from an email client on Xiaomi, all associated data in other applications will be automatically deleted (for example, authorization in Yandex.Maps or Mail.ru Cloud). Before changing, export important letters in.eml format.
Problems and mistakes when changing mail to Xiaomi
Even following the instructions, users are faced with common errors, and here are the most common ways to solve them:
- π« "Mi Account: Check if your account is linked to a device with an unlocked bootloader, and if the new address is already used in another Xiaomi ecosystem (e.g. Mi Home for smart devices).
- β³ "Changes will take effect in 24 hours": "It's a standard security delay. you can't speed up the process, but you can use old mail to log in during that time.
- π Cyclical Redirect at Confirmation: Clear the browser cache or try confirming the change through the Mi Account app instead of the web version.
What to do if no confirmation letter is received?
What to do after a successful mail change?
Changing your email is only half the battle, and to avoid problems with accessing Xiaomi and Google services, follow these steps:
- Update your data in Mi Cloud: Go to Settings β Xiaomi Account β Mi Cloud and check that backups are saved to a new address.
- Reconfigure notifications: In Settings β Notifications, find apps that sent emails to old mail (like Mi Fit or Mi Store) and update contacts.
- Check your tied devices: In Mi Account β Security, remove old devices you no longer use β this will reduce the risk of hacking.
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If you changed your Mi Account email but didnβt update it in the Mi Home app, smart devices (lamps, robot vacuum cleaners) may stop responding to commands.