Changing your Google account on Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphones can be required in various situations: when buying a used device, transferring a gadget to another user or simply sharing personal and work data. Android operating system is deeply integrated with the services of the search giant, so the right exit from the old profile and logging into the new is critical for the stable operation of the device.
Failure to perform the procedure can lead to activation of FRP (Factory Reset Protection), which will lock the device after resetting, requiring a password from the previous account. To avoid problems with access to the system and synchronization of contacts, you need to clearly follow the algorithm of actions provided by the MIUI or HyperOS shell. In this article, we will discuss all the nuances of profile management.
Xiaomi’s account management process has its own features that are different from stock Android. Mi Account and Google Account settings are intertwined, and it’s important not to confuse them when logging in. Understanding the difference between these services will help you avoid accidentally linking your device to someone else’s cloud storage or losing important data.
Preparing for account change and checking data
Before you start deleting your old profile, make sure all important data is saved. Android sync is in the background, but sometimes contacts, notes or calendar may not have time to update in the cloud. It is recommended to manually open the Contacts app and check if the sync icon is displayed there or the latest update time.
Two-factor authentication is also worth looking at: If you plan to use a new phone number or device to obtain confirmation codes, make sure you have access to backup codes or alternative login methods, especially if the old account was the primary one to restore access to other services.
⚠️ Note: Before deleting your account, make sure you know the password from it.If you just delete your profile without logging out, the system may require it the next time you try to log in or after you reset, which will result in a lock.
An important step is to check subscriptions. Google Play Pass, YouTube Premium or third-party apps with auto-update via Google Play can be tied to the current payment method. Untie cards or move subscriptions to avoid double-debiting or losing access to purchased content after a user change.
☑️ Preparing for account change
How to delete an old Google account from Xiaomi
The procedure for deleting the profile in the MIUI and HyperOS shells is standardized, but the paths to the menu may vary slightly depending on the Android version. First, go to the main menu of the device settings. Usually the icon is a gear located on the home screen or in the notification curtain.
In the menu that opens, look for a section that might be called Accounts and Sync, Users and Accounts, or simply Accounts. In some versions of firmware, this item is hidden inside the Advanced Settings menu. Look for the Google logo in the list of connected services.
Click on the email address you want to delete, the profile management menu will open, and you will be interested in the Delete Account or Sign Out button, and the system will alert you that all data associated with that profile (emails, contacts, calendar events) will be deleted from the device.
What happens to the data after deleting the account?
Confirm the action by entering the pattern lock, PIN-A code or fingerprint, if biometric protection is installed, is a security measure to prevent the deletion of profiles by attackers in the event of a phone theft, and once confirmed, the device will clean up the local data associated with that user.
Adding a new Google profile and setting up sync
After successfully deleting your old profile, you can start adding a new one. In the same Accounts menu, click Add Account (often marked with plus +).
The system will redirect you to the login page. Enter the email address and password of the new account. If two-factor protection is enabled, you will need to confirm the login via a notification on another device or enter a code from SMS. Be careful when entering data, as several incorrect attempts can temporarily block the ability to log in.
Once you have successfully logged in, Android will offer you to configure sync options, so you can choose which data to download to your phone: contacts, calendar, Keep notes, or Chrome data, and disabling unnecessary items will save traffic and space in internal memory.
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When you add a new account, the system may suggest that you restore data from a backup of your old device, and if you change the owner of your phone, refuse to restore it so you don’t download other people’s apps and settings.
It's important to check which account is the default for downloading apps from the Play Market. The default is the new one, but if you have multiple profiles, you can change this in the app store settings, which allows you to conveniently switch between work and personal programs.
The difference between Mi Account and Google Account on Xiaomi
Xiaomi users often confuse Mi Account with Google profile. These are two different authorization systems. Mi Account is needed for the operation of Xiaomi branded services: Mi Cloud clouds, Find Device search, themes for design and synchronization of system settings.
Google’s Play Market account is responsible for Gmail, maps, YouTube and synchronizing contacts in the Google ecosystem, while deleting one does not affect the other, but Google profiles are needed to make a full smartphone experience in most regions.
Below is a table that helps you understand the functional differences and responsibilities of each account type:
| Function | Mi Account | Google Account |
|---|---|---|
| App store | GetApps (Mi Store) | Google Play |
| Cloud storage | Mi Cloud (5GB free) | Google Drive (15GB free) |
| Searching device | Find the device (Mi Cloud) | Find My Device (Google) |
| Synchronization of contacts | Optionally. | Basic method |
| Locking on discharge | Mi Account Lock | FRP (Google Lock) |
It is recommended to have both accounts but clearly separate their purpose, for example, use Mi Account only for system functions of the phone, and Google for all personal data and applications, which will make it easier to migrate to another phone in the future, as Google's ecosystem is more versatile for Android.
Solving FRP protection and locking issues
FRP (Factory Reset Protection) is a security mechanism that is activated if you reset your settings to factory (Wipe Data) without first deleting your Google account. Once turned on, the phone will require you to enter a password from the last synchronized profile.
If you bought a used phone and you see a requirement to enter the previous owner's account when you set up, it means that the seller did not log out of his profile before resetting. The only legal way to unlock the device is to contact the seller and ask him to enter data or remove the device from the list of trusted in the security settings of his account remotely.
⚠️ Attention: Bypass FRP through third-party programs or service codes is a security breach and can lead to complete inoperability of the device.
Sometimes users themselves encounter a problem by forgetting the password from the account they just entered immediately after a reset, in which case try to restore access via your computer by clicking on the “Forgot your password?” link on the Google login page. The recovery process can take up to 24 hours, during which time the login from the phone will be restricted.
To prevent problems, always log out via the settings menu before selling or transferring your phone. Simply tap Reset into the receptacles or through volume buttons when you have the binding enabled is a guaranteed way to get a blocked brick.
Set up several profiles and guest mode
Xiaomi’s Android operating system allows you to create multiple user profiles, which is convenient if you use the phone from different family members or if you need to clearly separate your workspace and personal space without constantly re-logging.
To add a profile, go to Settings → Advanced Settings → Multiple Users (the path may vary depending on the version of MIUI) and create a “Guest” for temporary use or a full-fledged “User” with its own set of apps and accounts.
Each profile has an isolated space. apps installed in one profile are not visible in another unless they are system-based.This also means that each new user will need a separate authorization on Google Play if you want to download apps.
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Guest mode is ideal for transferring your phone to your kids or friends, as it doesn’t give you access to your photos, messages, or your primary Google account.
Switching between profiles is done through a notification curtain or lock menu, faster than permanently deleting and adding accounts to the main system, but it is worth remembering that the active background processes of all profiles can consume more RAM and battery power.