How to change your account in the Play Store on Xiaomi Android smartphones: all ways

Why it’s hard to change your Google account on Xiaomi and what to do about it

Changing a Google account in the Play Store on Xiaomi smartphones (including Redmi, POCO and Mi) often turns into a headache for users. Unlike “pure” Android, MIUI firmware imposes additional restrictions: the system can block the deletion of the main account, require password confirmation even for secondary profiles, and sometimes completely “forget” associated accounts after updates. The reason lies in the deep integration of Google services with the Xiaomi branded shell – especially if the device was bought in China or embroidered on a global version with errors.

Another trap: many users confuse changing an account in the Play Store itself (where purchases and apps are displayed) and changing Google’s main profile at the system level. These processes are related, but not identical. For example, you can add a new account in your phone settings, but the Play Store will still use the old one for downloads until you perform additional steps. In this article, we will discuss all the working methods, including bypassing the typical errors of DF-DFERH-01 or RH-01, which occur when you try to change your account.

Before proceeding to the instructions, check:

• 📱 Version MIUI: path of adjustment → The phone. → Version. MIUI. Older versions (below 12.5) may require additional steps.
• 🔒 bootloader lock status: If the phone is purchased in China, you may need to unlock through the Mi Unlock Tool.
• 🌐 Mi Account Region: Mi Account Settings must match Google Region (otherwise, synchronization errors will occur).

Method 1: Regular account change via MIUI settings

This is the most secure method that works on most Xiaomi devices with global firmware.Suitable if you want to add a new Google account or make it the main one without deleting the old one.

Steps:

1. Open Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google.
2. Click Add Account and follow the authorization instructions.
3. After adding, go to the Play Store, tap the avatar in the upper right corner and select the desired profile from the list.

If the new account is not displayed in the Play Store:

• 🔄 Reboot the phone.
• 📦 Clear Play Market's cache: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Google Play Store → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 🔧 Check if sync is enabled for new account: Settings → Accounts. → Google → [your account] → Synchronization.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro) POCO X3 Pro) after adding a new Play account, the Store can continue to use the old one for payment. → Google → Managing a Google Account → Payments and subscriptions and set up your preferred payment method for your new profile.

Make a backup copy of data (contacts, photos, notes)

Record passwords from both Google accounts

Check your internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile data)

Make sure there is enough space on your phone (minimum 500MB)

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Method 2: Delete your old Google account (unless your phone is locked)

If you need to delete your old account completely and leave only a new one, follow this instruction.Please note: this method may not work on devices with a locked bootloader or those tied to Mi Account (especially on Chinese versions of Xiaomi).

Step-by-step:

1. Go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google.
2. Select the account you want to delete and tap Delete the account.
3. Confirm the action with a password or pattern lock.
4. Reboot the phone.
5. After the reboot, add a new Google account through Settings → Accounts → Add an account.

If the Delete Account button is inactive or absent:

• 🔐 Make sure your phone has disabled Device Protection (path: Settings) → Google → Security → Device protection).
• 📵 Check if your account is linked to corporate policy (for example, if your phone is issued by your employer).
• 🔧 Try resetting the Google Play Services app settings: Settings → Annexes → All applications → Google Play Services → Warehouse → Drop it.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 14 and newer after deleting Google account may work protection FRP (Factory Reset Protection: If you forget your remote account information, your phone will require it the next time you reset your settings. To avoid blocking, turn off your account before you delete it. FRP: Settings → Accounts. → Google → [your account] → Remove device protection.

Redmi (Series Note, A, K)

POCO (F, X, M)

Mi (11, 12, 13 series)

Black Shark

Another brand-->

Method 3: Resetting (if other methods don’t work)

If neither adding a new account nor deleting an old one helps, the radical method is to reset the settings to factory settings, which will delete all data from the phone, including apps, photos and settings, but is guaranteed to reset the link to the Google account. Xiaomi devices with a locked bootloader after reset may require re-authorization in Mi Account, without it the phone will not activate.

How to do the reset correctly:

1. Back up important data (contacts, photos, messages) through Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset → Local Backup.
2. Make sure you know the username and password from Mi Account (if the phone is tied to it).
3. Go to Settings → About Phone → Resetting → Erase all data.
4. After the reboot, go through the initial setup by skipping the step with adding a Google account.
5. Then manually add the account you want through Settings → Accounts → Add an account.

What to do if your phone requires an old Google account after resetting:

• 🔓 If you remember your old account details, enter them and add a new profile.
• 🔧 If you don't remember, try to get around FRP via Mi Flash Tool (requires PC and unlocked bootloader).
• 📞 Contact Xiaomi with proof of purchase (check, box) to unlock the device.

Method 4: Use multiple accounts in the Play Store

If you do not need to delete your old account, but simply need to switch between profiles in the Play Store (for example, for work and personal use), use the built-in MIUI function.

How to add and manage multiple accounts:

1. Open the Play Store and tap the avatar in the upper right corner.
2. Select Manage Google Accounts → Add another account.
3. Sign in under a new profile.
4. You can now switch between accounts directly in the Play Store without leaving the app.

Limitations of the method:

• 💳 Payments will be debited from the account you currently select. To change the payment method, go to Profile → Payments and subscriptions.
• 📥 The apps you installed remain attached to the account you downloaded them from, and you have to delete them and re-install them to update them under a different profile.
• 🔒 Some apps (such as Google Play Games) may not make progress when you change your account.

💡

If you need to temporarily hide apps installed under another account, open Play Store → Profile → App and Device Management → Installed. Here you can filter apps by account and hide unnecessary ones.

Solving errors when changing your Google account to Xiaomi

When trying to change your Play Store account to Xiaomi, users often encounter errors. Let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

If the error persists:

• 🔄 Restart your phone in Safe Mode (click the power button) → "Safe Mode and try to change your account again.
• 📡 Check if antivirus or firewall blocks access to Google servers.
• 🔧 Update Google Play Services and Play Store to the latest version via APKMirror.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI (especially Chinese error DF-DFERH-01 This may be due to a regional setting conflict, and to resolve it, change the region of your Mi Account to the same one as your Google account: Open Settings → Mi Account → Personal Data. Click Region and select the country corresponding to your Google account. Save changes and restart your phone.

Additional Safety Advice

Changing your Google account to Xiaomi can affect the security of your data.

What to do before changing your account:

• 🔐 Untie your bank cards from your old Google account in Settings → Google → Account management → Payments and subscriptions.
• 📱 Delete authorization data for critical applications (banks, instant messengers, mail).
• 🔄 Backup your passwords from Google Smart Lock (if you have used them).

What to do after changing your account:

• 🛡️ Enable two-factor authentication for a new Google account.
• 🔍 Check the permissions of applications in Settings → Annexes → Permissions – some programs may have accessed an old account.
• 📧 Set up automatic sync for your new account (contacts, calendar, notes).

💡

Never give your primary Google account to third parties — even if you’re selling a phone. Instead, do a factory reset and make sure the device isn’t tied to your Mi Account.

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing your Play Store account to Xiaomi