How to change your account on Xiaomi Redmi 6: all ways 2026

Changing Xiaomi account on the Redmi 6 smartphone is a challenge that users face when selling a device, transferring it to relatives or after buying a used phone. The features of MIUI firmware make this process less obvious than on Android: the system is closely integrated with Mi Account services, and improper actions can lead to locking the device. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to change an account, from standard deletion through settings to bypassing protection in case of data loss.

The Redmi 6 (codenamed cereus) was released in 2018, but is still in use today due to its low price and maintainability, but its firmware (even upgraded to MIUI 12) has limitations: for example, you can’t just delete your tied Mi Account if your phone has Find Device protection on, and we’ll show you how to get around these restrictions legally without resorting to questionable unlock services.

Important: If you purchased Redmi 6 handheld and the previous owner did not delete your account, you will need its help (logins / passwords) or a full reset via Fastboot. Without this, access to certain features (for example, Google Play or contact sync) will be limited.

1. Preparation for changing the account: what to do in advance

Before you start deleting or adding a new Mi Account, follow a few critical steps to avoid device lockdown or data loss.

First, check the associated services:

• 📱 Synchronize your contacts – export them to VCF-file via the Contacts app.
• 📷 Photos and videos – copy them to your PC or cloud (e.g. Google Photos).
• 🔑 Wi-Fi Passwords – Write them down or back them up through Settings → Wi-Fi → Additionally.
• 💳 Banking Apps – Remove or Reconfigure them after changing your account.

Second, disable Find Device protection, which is the only way to legally delete Mi Account without resetting. Go to Settings → Mi Account → Find Device and deactivate the feature. If the option is inactive, then the phone is not tied to the account (or you are not logged in).

⚠️ Note: If you delete your account before selling, be sure to reset to factory settings (Settings) → Additionally. → Otherwise, the new owner will be able to recover your data via Mi Cloud.

2. Standard method: deletion of the account through settings

If you have access to your current Mi Account (you know the username and password), the easiest way is to delete it right in the phone's menu.This method works on Redmi 6 with any version of MIUI (9 to 14).

Instructions:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to the Accounts section → Mi Account.
3. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Delete Account.
4. Enter the password from your current account for confirmation.
5. Confirm the deletion - the phone will restart.

Once rebooted, the device will be completely unconnected from the old profile, you can add a new account or transfer the phone to another user, and if the Delete account option is inactive, then the Find Device function is not disabled (see section 1).

Find Device protection disabled|Backup of important data is made|Phone connected to Wi-Fi|I know the password from the current Mi Account.-->

⚠️ Note: On some firmware (for example, MIUI 9 Global) after deleting the account, it may be necessary to link the new one within 24 hours, otherwise the phone will be locked with the requirement to enter the old profile data.

3. If the password is forgotten: reset via recovery

A situation where you don't remember the data from the attached Mi Account, but the phone is unlocked, solved through a password reset, and you don't have to reset your phone to factory settings, just use the official recovery procedure.

Steps:

• 📱 Go to Settings. → Accounts. → Mi Account.
• 🔄 Click Forgot Your Password? (or Restore Your Account).
• 📧 Select the recovery method: by email or phone number (should be linked to the account).
• 📩 Enter the confirmation code received in SMS letter.
• 🔑 Create a new password and log in again.

If you don’t have access to the email/phone linked to your account, the only legal way to do so is to seek Xiaomi support with proof of ownership of the device (checks, IMEI box).

4.Adding a new account after deleting the old one

After successful deletion of Mi Account, you can link a new profile, which is mandatory if you plan to use Xiaomi services (cloud, themes, app store).

Step-by-step:

1. Open Settings → Accounts → Add an account → Mi Account.
2. Choose to create an account (if you do not already have one) or Sign in (if you have one).
3. Fill in the data: email or phone number, password, country.
4. Confirm registration via SMS or email.
5. Accept the terms of use of Xiaomi services.

After authorization, enable data synchronization (contacts, notes, photos) in the Mi Cloud menu.Please note: Redmi 6 with MIUI 10-11 may not have an SMS backup option – use third-party applications (for example, SMS Backup & Restore).

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If you add an account that says "Server is not available", try changing your phone's settings to India or Russia, which sometimes solves problems connecting to Xiaomi servers.

5.Extreme measures: Fastboot reset (if nothing helps)

If the phone is locked on the previous owner's account and you can't contact him, all that remains is a full reset via Fastboot mode. This method deletes all data, including Mi Account, but requires unlocking the bootloader. On Redmi 6, the procedure looks like this:

Tools required:

• 🖥️ Windows computer (or Linux with fastboot installed).
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original, undamaged).
• 📦 Firmware archive for Redmi 6 (select the Fastboot version).
• 🛠️ Mi Unlock Tool (official, from Xiaomi).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone. Press Volume down + Power to enter the Fastboot.
2. Connect the device to a PC. Android Bootloader Interface should appear in the Device Manager.
3. Start the Mi Unlock Tool, log in to your Mi Account (yes, you need another account!).
4. Follow the instructions of the program to unlock the bootloader (it may take 72-168 hours to wait).
5. Once unlocked, swipe your phone through the Mi Flash Tool with the clean all option option option.

⚠️ Warning: Unlocking the bootloader erases all data, including IMEI (If you don't back up, some of the firmware may lose the network after the procedure, you'll need to restore it. IMEI via Engineer Mode.

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Resetting via Fastboot is the only legal way to delete someone else's Mi Account without a password, but it requires unlocking the bootloader.On Redmi 6, this procedure takes up to 7 days due to Xiaomi restrictions.

6. Frequent errors and their solutions

When you change your account to Redmi 6, you'll find common problems, and we've collected some of the most common errors and ways to fix them:

If Google services (such as Play Market) stop working after changing your account, follow these steps:

• 🔄 Go to Settings. → Annexes → All applications.
• 🔍 Find Google Play Services and Google Play Market.
• 🗑️ Clear cache and data for both applications.
• 📥 Restart your phone and wait for automatic service updates.

7. Alternative methods (for experienced users)

If the standard methods didn’t work, you can try to bypass the restrictions through ADB or editing system files, which require root rights and are only suitable for firmware based on Android 8.1 Oreo (on Redmi 6 it is MIUI 9-10).

Method 1: Delete your account through ADB

adb shell


pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.xiaomi.account

This command removes the Mi Account app for the current user, but does not guarantee full detachment from Xiaomi servers.

Method 2: File editing mi_account.xml

1. Get root access (for example, through Magisk).
2. Open the file. /data/system/users/0/mi_account.xml text-edit.
3. Delete the lines with your account data or replace them with empty values.
4. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Attention: Incorrect editing of system files can lead to bootloop. ADB and root are better at using standard methods.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions