How to add or switch to another Google account on a Xiaomi smartphone: detailed guide 2026

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

Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphone owners often face a problem when trying to add a second Google account or switch between them. Unlike pure Android, the MIUI shell imposes additional restrictions, from hidden settings to forced binding to the first account, due to Xiaomi’s security policy, which is designed to protect user data from unauthorized access.

The main difficulty is that the system by default blocks the ability to completely delete the main Google account without resetting to factory settings. In addition, when you add a new profile, sync errors can appear, especially if the device is activated with Find My Device or enabled two-factor authentication. In this article, we will discuss all working ways to circumvent these restrictions, from standard methods to hidden MIUI functions that are not written about in the official documentation.

It is important to understand that the procedure differs depending on the firmware version. For example, in MIUI 14 the algorithm for adding an account changed compared to MIUI 12, and some models (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro or POCO F5) require pre-disabling Mi Cloud services, we took into account all these nuances and prepared universal instructions that will be suitable for most devices of the brand.

Method 1: Standardly add a second Google account through settings

This method is suitable for most modern Xiaomi smartphones on MIUI 12-14 and does not require superuser rights. It allows you to add an additional Google account in parallel with the main one, but does not always provide the opportunity to make it the main one.

To add a second profile:

1. Open the Settings app and go to Accounts and Sync (on some models – Passwords and Security → Accounts).
2. Click Add Account and select Google from the list.
3. Enter your new account (email and password) If two-factor authentication is enabled, confirm your login via SMS or Google Authenticator.
4. Accept the terms of use and set up synchronization options (contacts, calendar, mail, etc.).

Once added, a new account will appear in the list and you can switch between them in the Accounts menu. However, there is an important caveat: on some Xiaomi devices, the main Google account associated with Mi Cloud services cannot be deleted or replaced without a full reset. If you need to make a new account the main one, move to the next method.

Check the stability of the Internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile data)

Disable VPN (can block access to Google servers)

Make sure that the device has enough free space (minimum 500 MB)

Close all background apps, especially those associated with accounts (Gmail, YouTube, etc.)

-->

Method 2: Change your main Google account through a reset (without data loss)

If you need to make a different Google account your primary one, but the standard add-on doesn’t help, you can use a partial reset.This method works on most Xiaomi devices, including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 and Xiaomi 12T, but requires pre-preparedness.

Important: Do not perform a full reset (in the Recovery and Reset menu), as this will delete all data.

1. Back up important data via Settings → About Phone → Backup or manually copy files to your PC.
2. Go to Settings → Passwords and Security → Privacy → Resetting.
3. Select Reset Network, Applications, and Accounts (the name may vary depending on the version of MIUI).
4. After restarting the device at the first start, the system will offer to log into your Google account - specify the desired profile.

This method allows you to “reset” the account association without deleting user data (photos, videos, documents). However, some application settings (such as WhatsApp or Telegram) can be reset, and note that after this procedure you will need to reconfigure Mi Account if you used it.

💡

If the system requires you to reset your old Google account, it means that the device has activated FRP (Factory Reset Protection). To bypass it, unplug the old account in the Settings menu → Accounts → Google → Delete the account (if this option is available).

Method 3: Bypassing MIUI restrictions through developer modes (for advanced users)

If the first two fail, you can use the hidden MIUI features available through the developer mode, which is suitable for power users and requires caution, as incorrect actions can disrupt the system.

Instructions:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Click 7 times in a row on MIUI Version until the notification “You are a developer” appears.

Settings

For developers

USB debugging

ADB Tools

Google

adb shell pm clear com.google.android.gms

This command will reset the cache of Google Play services, which will allow you to add a new account without being tied to the old one.

Settings → Accounts

This is especially useful if the system blocks the addition of a new account due to the error “This device is already linked to another profile.” However, after performing the pm clear command, some settings of applications associated with Google (for example, YouTube or Google Pay) may reset.

Solving Common Mistakes When Changing Your Google Account to Xiaomi

When trying to add or change a Google account on Xiaomi smartphones, users often encounter typical errors. We have collected the most common problems and ways to solve them in a table:

If none of these methods worked, check if your device has Mi Cloud Sync activated. Sometimes it blocks changes to Google accounts. To disable it, go to Settings → Accounts → Mi Cloud and deactivate the Data Sync option.

Standard addition through settings

Resetting settings without data loss

Use of ADB and Developer Mode

None of the above, I just read the article.

-->

What to do if Xiaomi requires an old account after a reset (FRP bypass)

One of the most frustrating things is that when you reset your settings, the system requires you to enter your old Google account, even though you want to use a new one, and it's because of Factory Reset Protection (FRP), which links your device to the last profile you use, and it's harder to get around it on Xiaomi than on other Android devices, but it's possible.

Here is a step-by-step guide to bypassing FRP on MIUI:

1. On the Google account entry screen, click on the email input box and hold the text until the menu appears. Choose Help or More (name may vary).
2. In the browser that opens, go to https://accounts.google.com and try to log in to a new account. If a site is blocked, use shortened links (e.g. goo.gl).
3. If the browser does not open, go back to the input screen and click Forgot the password?. The system will redirect you to the recovery page where you can enter the new account details.
4. Once you have successfully logged in, restart your device. During the setup phase, skip the Google account binding (if the system allows).

On some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi 9A or POCO M3), this method may not work due to the strict limitations of MIUI, in which case the only reliable way is to contact the service center with proof of ownership of the device (check or box).

💡

Bypassing FRP on Xiaomi without proof of ownership of the device may violate warranty terms.If the phone is bought with hands, try contacting the previous owner and asking them to untie the account via Find My Device.

How to Avoid Problems When Changing Your Google Account to Xiaomi in the Future

To avoid further difficulties in adding or deleting Google accounts on Xiaomi devices, follow these guidelines:

• 🔄 Update your firmware regularly. MIUI Synchronization errors are often corrected. Check for updates in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 🔐 Disable Find My Device before reset.This will prevent blocking FRP. This can be done on the device management page.
• 📱 Use Mi Account to back up. Link your Mi Cloud profile to your Google account so that data syncs automatically.
• 🔗 Do not delete the main account without needing to.If you need to switch temporarily, add a second profile as an additional one (see Method 1).

It is also worth remembering that on some Xiaomi models (for example, Black Shark or Xiaomi Mix Fold), the algorithm for working with accounts may differ due to custom firmware. If you use unofficial software (for example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience), the procedure for changing an account is simplified, but you lose support for proprietary MIUI functions.

💡

If you switch between Google accounts frequently, install Island (root rights required) or Shelter, which allow you to create isolated profiles with different accounts without affecting the main system.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions About Changing Google Account to Xiaomi