Changing your primary account on your smartphone is a procedure that every Android device owner faces when buying a used gadget or wanting to separate work and personal data. Owners of the popular Xiaomi Redmi 9 model need to clearly understand the difference between a Google profile and a Mi Account, since MIUI has its own unique security and synchronization features. Incorrect deletion of profiles can lead to locking the device with FRP protection, which will require complex manipulations to restore access.
The process of replacing an account does not always go smoothly, especially if the previous owner has not untie their devices from cloud services. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to safely delete old data, add a new profile and avoid the common errors that are often encountered when working with the shell of MIUI 12 or 13.
Before you start taking action, make sure you have a stable Internet connection on hand via Wi-Fi or mobile network.It is also critical to know passwords from deleted accounts, as Xiaomi’s security system will definitely request confirmation before disconnecting from the server. Ignoring this requirement will result in the device remaining locked for the new user.
Differences between Google and Mi Account on Redmi 9
Many users mistakenly believe that it is enough to remove only one profile to completely clean the phone.In fact, the Xiaomi ecosystem has two independent authorization systems. Google Account is responsible for the operation of the Play Market store, synchronizing contacts, calendar and installing most third-party applications. Without this profile, the functionality of the smartphone is sharply limited, turning into a regular “caller”.
Mi Account, in turn, is a proprietary service of the manufacturer, which is deeply integrated into the MIUI shell. It is used to work on the Xiaomi Cloud, find a lost device through the Find Device function, and synchronize system settings and design themes. When you try to reset settings or reflash the phone, it is the presence of a tied Mi Account that can become an obstacle to login.
- 📱 Google: Necessary to download apps, games, maps and use the voice assistant.
- ☁️ Mi Account: needed for system backup, locking lost phone and branded services.
- 🔒 Security: Both accounts have independent two-factor authorization mechanisms.
It is important to understand that deleting one profile does not affect the other. You can change the owner of the Google profile, leaving the old Mi ID, or vice versa. However, to fully transfer the device to a new user, both profiles need to be cleared to avoid problems with blocking the activation.
Why can’t you just reset your settings without logging out of your accounts?
Preparation for changing the account
Before starting the procedure of replacing profiles, you need to perform a number of preparatory steps, which will avoid losing important data, such as photos, phone numbers and correspondence in messengers. First, back up all important files to an external medium or to a cloud storage that is not associated with the deleted account.
Make sure your Redmi 9 has a battery charge of at least 50-60%. The process of deleting accounts and then synchronizing new data can take a considerable time and require stable operation of the processor.
☑️ Checklist of preparation for changing the account
It is also recommended to disable the Find Device feature in both profiles before deleting them.This action removes the lock on the binding to the manufacturer's servers and search services. If you buy a used phone, ask the seller to do it in front of you or delete his data in your presence to make sure there are no hidden attachments.
How to Delete an Old Google Account
The procedure for deleting Google’s profile on the MIUI shell is done through the standard system settings menu, a standard method that ensures that authorization tokens are correctly deleted and local data associated with this profile is cleaned. Don’t just try to “exit” from your account, since Android does not have such a feature – the profile should be removed from the list of devices.
To start, open the Settings menu and scroll down to Accounts and Sync. In some versions of MIUI, this section may simply be called Users and Accounts. Click on it to see the full list of all authorized services, including Google, Xiaomi, WhatsApp, and others.
Search the Google logo and click on it. You'll see a list of all the Gmail mailboxes that you have attached. Select the address you want to delete. On the account screen that opens, look for the Delete Account button or the Three Dots button that will have the corresponding menu item.
⚠️ Attention: After pressing the delete button, the system will require proof of your identity, you will need to enter a pattern lock, pin code or fingerprint, which unlocks the screen of the smartphone.
Once confirmed, the system will contact Google's servers and remove the device from the trusted list. All the data synchronized with that profile (contacts, notes) will disappear from the phone's memory but remain in the cloud. If you plan to sell the phone, this step is enough to clean up Google's personal data.
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Deleting your Google account through settings is the only safe way to avoid blocking FRP when resetting to factory settings.
Delete and unbundle Mi Account
Deleting Xiaomi’s Mi Account is a more critical step, as it controls access to the hardware of the device at the firmware level. If you simply reset your phone without deleting your Mi Account, when you turn on the smartphone, you will require you to enter a password from this profile, otherwise you will not be able to use the device.
Go to Settings and select Mi Account, which is usually located at the top of the list or in the About Phone section. Log in to your profile if the system requires authorization. From the profile menu, find the Log out or Delete Acca!un button (depending on the translation version).
Xiaomi’s security system will ask for a password from Mi Account to confirm the operation, and this is done to protect against theft: even if an attacker gains access to an unlocked phone, he will not be able to untie it from the owner without a password. Enter the correct password and confirm the action.
- 🔑 Password: Deletion is impossible without it, restore access through the site mi.com, if you forgot.
- 📡 Internet: Active connection required to verify device status on server.
- 🔄 Synchronization: Wait for background synchronization to complete before deleting.
Once successfully removed, the phone will no longer be tied to your Mi ID. In the Find Device section, the status will change to Not Found or the device will disappear from the list, and you can safely reset your phone or transfer it to another person.
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If you forget your Mi Account password, don't try to guess it many times in a row.The account will be temporarily blocked.Use the retrieval function via your linked email or phone number on Xiaomi's official website.
Adding a new Google account
Once you clear your smartphone from your old profiles, you can start adding a new Google account, which is necessary for the device to work properly, install apps from the Play Market and use navigation, and the addition process is standard for all Android 10/11 devices that are installed on Redmi 9.
Open Settings and go to Accounts and Sync. Press Add Account (usually the + button or text at the bottom of the list). In the menu that appears, select the Google logo. If you already have Gmail, select Existing, if not Create New.
Enter your email address and password. The system will prompt you to accept Google's terms of service, and you may be asked to set up payment methods (add a card) or set up a voice assistant, which you can skip by clicking "Skip" and configure later.
| Parameter | Description | I'll be sure. |
|---|---|---|
| Mail address | Your email is on the domain @gmail.com | Yes. |
| Password. | Secret access code (minimum 8 characters) | Yes. |
| Two-factor protection | Confirmation via SMS or appendix | Recommended |
| Payment method | Bank card binding | No. |
Once the data is successfully entered, the initial synchronization will begin, and the phone will download contacts, calendar events, and a list of previously installed applications, which can take anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes depending on the amount of data and the speed of the Internet connection.
Synchronization and security settings
Once you add a new account, it’s important to set your sync settings correctly so you don’t waste traffic and keep your data safe. Android, by default, aims to sync all your data over a mobile network, which can be costly.
Go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google. Click on your new email. Here you will see a list of services: Contacts, Calendar, Drive, Photos, etc. Leave only the items you really need on your phone on.
Pay special attention to Google Photos, which, if you have a lot of photos, can quickly fill up space in the cloud, and you should set up up your photos only when you connect to Wi-Fi, or turn them off altogether if you store them locally.
Also check your security settings. Go to your Google account through your browser and make sure your Redmi 9 appears on the device list. If there are old, unfamiliar devices there, click on them and select "Get Out" to ensure that no one else has access to your email.
⚠️ Warning: Do not enable synchronization of passwords and autocomplete data if you are using a public computer or if other people can use the phone.