How to change your Google account on Xiaomi Redmi smartphone: instructions with pictures and problem solving

Changing a Google account on Xiaomi Redmi smartphones is a procedure that everyone faces when selling a device, transferring it to another person or simply switching to a new profile. However, many people make critical mistakes, from losing access to purchases on Google Play to locking their phone through FRP (Factory Reset Protection). In this article, we will discuss not only the basic steps to delete and add an account, but also the nuances that Xiaomi does not advertise – such as how to bypass the check when resets or why a new account may not sync with services.

The feature of Redmi devices (including the Note 12 Pro, Redmi 10C, POCO X5, and others) is that they are closely integrated with Xiaomi’s MIUI services, which means that simply changing your Google account can affect how Mi Cloud, Mi Account, and even access some of the camera or gallery features, so it’s important to follow an algorithm that takes into account all of these connections. Below you’ll find step-by-step instructions for different scenarios, from manually deleting a profile to restoring access after a reset.

Why you can’t just delete your Google account through your settings

Many users try to change their Google account by simply deleting it from the Settings → Accounts menu, but this method doesn’t always work – and here’s why:

  • 🔒 FRP-lock: If you delete a Google account without turning off the protection, after resetting the phone will require you to enter the old profile.This is a security measure against theft, but it often interferes with the legitimate owners.
  • 📱 Connection with MIUI: On Xiaomi Redmi, Google account is tied to system services, and its deletion can cause malfunctions in Google Play Services, which will cause errors in applications.
  • 🔄 Data synchronization: Contacts, calendars and notes can be stored in both Google and Mi Cloud. Deleting your profile without backing up will result in loss of information.

Moreover, on some Redmi models (e.g. Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G), Find My Device stops working after you delete your Google account — even if you add a new profile, due to hardware-based device ID (IMEI) binding to your first account.

⚠️ Note: If you plan to sell or transfer a smartphone, delete your Google account only after you disconnect. FRP and perform a complete reset via the Settings menu → The phone. → Resetting. Otherwise, the new owner will not be able to activate the device.

Preparing for account change: backup and disabling FRP

Before you delete an old Google account, you need to follow two key steps: save important data and disable Factory Reset Protection (FRP), which can lead to loss of information or lock your phone.

1. Data backup

On Xiaomi Redmi, data can be stored in three locations:

  • 📁 Local storage: Photos, videos and documents in folders DCIM, Downloads.
  • ☁️ Google Account: Contacts, calendars, notes, call history.
  • 🔵 Mi Cloud: Backups of applications, SMS, setup.

To avoid losing anything:

  1. Go to Settings → Google → Backup and enable synchronization for all the necessary data.
  2. Open Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Local Backup (for MIUI 14 and later).
  3. Copy files from internal memory to a computer or external drive.

Copy photos and videos from DCIM folder

Export contacts to the VCF file

Sync notes with Google Keep

Save SMS via Mi Cloud or third-party apps

Write down Wi-Fi passwords (in Settings → Wi-Fi → Save Networks)

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2. Disabling FRP (Dump Protection)

FRP is activated automatically if you add a Google account to your phone and have a screen lock (PIN, pattern lock or Fingerprint) enabled to disable it:

  1. Go to Settings → Accounts → Google.
  2. Select your account and click Delete account.
  3. Confirm the action by entering the password from Xiaomi (if requested).
  4. Reboot the phone.

After that, the FRP will be deactivated and you can add a new Google account without the risk of being blocked. However, note that on some MIUI firmware (especially on Redmi for the global market), the FRP remains active until the settings are completely reset.

Yeah, after the reset.

No, but I've heard about this problem.

I don't know what that is.

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Next Next post: How to Delete an Old Google Account

Deleting a Google account on Xiaomi Redmi depends on the MIUI version and the phone model, and here is a universal algorithm that works on most devices (from Redmi 9A to Redmi Note 13 Pro+).

Method 1: Through the settings menu (main method)

  1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
  2. Go to Accounts and Sync (or Passwords and Accounts in MIUI 14).
  3. Click on Google.
  4. Select the account you want to delete.
  5. In the upper right corner, press three dots (⋮) and select Delete Account.
  6. Confirm the action by entering PIN-phone-code.

If the Delete Account item is inactive or absent, this means that:

  • 🔐 The phone has administrative lock enabled (for example, through Find My Device).
  • 📱 The device is tied to corporate policy (if the phone was issued by the company).
  • 🔄 The account is the main one for some system applications (for example, Gmail or Google Play Store).

Method 2: Through resetting settings (if deletion is blocked)

If you can't delete your account in the standard way, you'll have to reset your settings completely, but before you do, you'll have to:

  1. Turn off FRP (as described above).
  2. Make sure you have backups of all the data.
  3. Remember or take a picture of your Mi Account settings (if you use Mi Cloud).

Next:

  1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
  2. Choose to erase all data.
  3. Enter. PIN-phone-code.
  4. Confirm the reset.

⚠️ Warning: Once reset, the phone will require resetting, including adding a new Google account. FRP, The system will request the data of the old account - and without them activation will be impossible.

What if your phone asks for an old Google account after a reset?
If you forgot to disable FRP and your phone is locked, there are several ways to solve: 1. Restore access to your old account (if you remember the username / password). 2. Use the official unlock tool from Xiaomi (requires proof of ownership). 3. Contact the service center with documents on the phone. Self-attempts to bypass FRP through “holes” in the firmware can lead to complete loss of data or blocking IMEI.

Adding a new Google account: nuances for Xiaomi Redmi

After deleting an old account or resetting settings, you need to add a new Google profile. On Xiaomi Redmi, this process has its own features related to MIUI:

  1. When you first turn on your phone after reset, select the language and region.
  2. Connect to Wi-Fi (required! without the Internet, you can not add an account).
  3. At the Google setup stage, select Add an account.
  4. Enter the new profile information (email and password).
  5. Accept the terms of use and set up synchronization.

If you add a Google account to your already configured phone:

  1. Go to Settings → Accounts and Synchronization.
  2. Click Add Add Account → Google.
  3. Follow the instructions on the screen.

Some Redmi models (such as the Redmi A2 or POCO M5) may be notified when you add a Google account that you need to update Google Play Services.

Problem with adding an accountPossible causeDecision
Cannot connect to Google serversIncorrect date/time settings or internet problemsCheck the date in Settings → Additional → Date and time. Enable Autodetermination.
The error is "This device is not certified".The phone has not passed Google certification (often on custom firmware)Install Google Play Services manually or flash the official firmware.
After adding an account, Google services do not workMIUI conflict or outdated version of Google Play ServicesUpdate all Google apps through the Play Store.
Phone asks to confirm ownershipFRP is activated, but the old account is deletedRestoring access to your old account or contacting the service center.

💡

If you add a Google account and you get a "Not Reliable Server Connection" error, try connecting to another Wi-Fi network or using mobile Internet, sometimes the problem is that the provider has blocked Google services.

How to avoid synchronization problems after changing your account

After changing your Google account to Xiaomi Redmi, users often find that:

  • 📞 Contacts are not synced with new accounts.
  • 📅 Calendar is empty despite the synchronization enabled.
  • 📎 Photos from Google Photos are not displayed in the gallery.
  • 🎮 Progress in games has dropped (if they were tied to an old account).

To avoid these problems:

  1. Check your sync settings: Go to Settings → Accounts → Google → your account. Make sure all the items you need (Contacts, Calendar, Google Photos) are enabled.
  2. Update Google apps: Open Play Store. Click on profile avatar → App and device management → Update everything.

Clear the cache.

  • Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
  • Find Contacts, Calendar, Google Play Services and clear the cache.

💡

On Xiaomi Redmi, contacts can be duplicated if they are saved in both Google and Mi Account. To avoid this, turn off contact sync in Mi Cloud (Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Contact Sync).

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

When you change your Google account to Xiaomi Redmi, users experience common mistakes, and let’s look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

1. "Device not certified" error

This problem occurs on phones with:

  • 📱 Unofficial firmware (custom) ROM).
  • 🔧 Rooted devices.
  • 🔄 Firmware for other regions (e.g. global firmware on the Chinese model).

Decisions:

  • 🔄 Install the official firmware through the Mi Flash Tool.
  • 📱 Register your device with Google Play Console (developer account required).
  • 🔧 Use the Magisk module to mask root rights (if the phone is rooted).