How to change Xiaomi account on the Redmi phone: all the ways and nuances

Why users change their account to Xiaomi Redmi and what difficulties they face

Changing your Mi Account on Xiaomi Redmi smartphones is a procedure that every device owner will face sooner or later, and the reasons can be different: selling a phone, losing access to mail, wanting to switch to another email, or even trivial errors when you first sign in, but not everyone knows that changing your account incorrectly can lead to locking the device through the Find Device function or losing synchronized data.

Feature Redmi (unlike the "naked" Android-devices) - deep integration of Xiaomi services in the firmware MIUI. Mi Account is responsible not only for access to the cloud, but also for the work of Mi Pay, Mi Home, and on some models even for unlocking the bootloader. So a simple reassignment of mail through settings can turn into a "brick", if you do not take into account the nuances of factory unlock (FRP).

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to change your account, from standard deleting through the menu to bypassing the lock when you lose access, and also tell you how to avoid the typical errors that lead to data loss or locking your phone for 72 hours.

Preparing for a change in account: what to do beforehand

Before you delete your old Mi Account, follow the steps you need to take to avoid losing important data and getting blocked:

  • πŸ“± Back up. Use the built-in Settings tool. β†’ The phone. β†’ Backup or third-party utilities like Titanium Backup (requires root). Especially important to save: Contacts (if they are synced only to Mi Cloud) SMS and call history Wi-Fi settings and Bluetooth devices
  • πŸ”’ Turn off Find Device. Go to Settings. β†’ Xiaomi account β†’ Find Device and deactivate the function, otherwise, after deleting the account, the phone may be blocked.
  • πŸ“§ Check email access. Make sure you have access to the email linked to your current Mi Account, which you will need to confirm that you have deleted it.
  • πŸ”„ Update. MIUI. On older versions of firmware (below) MIUI 12) the process of changing an account may be different. β†’ Update of the PO.

⚠️ Warning: If you sell a phone, do not delete your account through Hard Reset before unbundling.

πŸ“Š Why you should change your account on Xiaomi Redmi?
Selling a phone.
Forgot my password from my old account.
I want to use another email.
Phone purchased from hands and tied to someone else's account
Other

Method 1: Standard Account Deletion through Settings

The easiest and safest method is to delete your account directly from the phone menu, which is suitable if:

  • πŸ”“ You have access to your current Mi Account (you know the password).
  • πŸ“Ά The phone is connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network).
  • πŸ”„ Find Device is disabled (see previous section).

Step-by-step:

  1. Open Settings β†’ Accounts and Synchronization.
  2. Choose Xiaomi Account (or Mi Account on older versions of MIUI).
  3. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Delete Account.
  4. Confirm the action with a password from the current account.
  5. Enter CAPTCHA (if it appears) and wait for SMS or email confirmation.
  6. After removing, restart the phone.

β˜‘οΈ Preparing for account deletion

Done: 0 / 5

If you plan to add a new account after deleting, do so immediately. On some Redmi models (for example, Note 10 Pro or Redmi 9T), if you do not have an associated account for a long time, you can use anti-theft protection, which requires confirmation through an old email.

Method 2: Reset settings with FRP bypass (if the password is forgotten)

If you can't remember the data from your old Mi Account, but your phone isn't locked, you can try resetting your settings through Restore mode, but this method doesn't work on all models and requires caution.

Important: Devices with MIUI 13/14 or later may require the entry of your old account data (Factory Reset Protection, FRP) if you don’t know your email/password, the phone will turn into a brick.

Instructions for Redmi models on MIUI 12 and below:

  1. Turn off the phone.
  2. Press the Power button + Volume up at the same time until the Mi logo appears.
  3. In the recovery menu, select Wipe Data β†’ Wipe All Data (manage volume buttons, confirm – power button).
  4. After the reset, the phone will restart. At the setup stage, skip the account binding (if the system allows).

⚠️ Attention: On the Redmi Note 11/12 And the newer method doesn't work, because you're going to need to log in to your old account after the reset. FRP You will need special software (for example, Mi Account Unlock Tool) and PC.

What if the phone requires an old account after a reset?
If you encounter an old Mi Account entry screen after a reset, try: 1. Connect to another Wi-Fi network (sometimes a network change helps). 2. Enter a random email and click "Forgot your password?" - the system may miss the check. 3. Use FRP bypass software (such as D&G Unlock Tool), but this requires skill and can void the warranty. If nothing helps, contact the Xiaomi service center with a proof of purchase (check or box).

Method 3: Change your account via Fastboot (for advanced users)

This method is suitable if the standard methods do not work and the phone is locked during the activation stage. ADB/Fastboot cable USB Type-C (for modern Redmis).

Warning: Failure to do so in Fastboot mode can cause you to lose your IMEI or build up your phone, and only use this method if you are confident in your actions.

Step-by-step:

  1. Download and install Google’s Platform Tools.
  2. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to log into the Fastboot.
  3. Connect your phone to your PC and in the command line (on behalf of the administrator) do: fastboot oem clean_frp For some models (Redmi Note) 8 Pro, Redmi K30) You may need a command: fastboot erase frp
  4. Reboot your phone with the command: fastboot reboot
  5. After the reboot, go through the initial setup and add a new account.
Model RedmiSupported teamNotes
Redmi Note 7/8/9fastboot erase frpIt works on MIUI 11-12. MIUI 13+ may require authorization.
Redmi 9/9A/9Cfastboot oem clean_frpSometimes a command is required to be re-entered.
Redmi Note 10/11fastboot erase persistentIt can reset the network settings. After the command, you need to reflash the phone.
Redmi K40/K50Not supportedAn official unlocker or service center is required.

πŸ’‘

If the fastboot oem team clean_frp If it doesn’t work, try fastboot oem unlock-go first and then repeat the cleanup. FRP. This works on some Redmi models with a locked bootloader.

How to add a new Xiaomi account after deleting the old one

Once an old account is successfully deleted, you need to link a new one, which is easier than deleting, but also has nuances:

  1. Open Settings β†’ Accounts and Sync β†’ Add an account.
  2. Select Xiaomi Account and click Create an Account (or Sign in if you already have an account).
  3. Fill in the data: πŸ“§ Email (you can use Gmail, Yandex or any other). πŸ” Password (minimum 8 characters, with a capital letter and a number). πŸ“± Phone number (optional but recommended for recovery).

Confirm your email via email or SMS.

Enable data synchronization (contacts, notes, photos) in your account settings.

If you are creating an account for the first time, pay attention to:

  • 🌍 The region of the account is determined by IP registration and impacts the services available (e.g. Mi Pay does not work in all countries).
  • πŸ”„ Two-factor authentication. Enable it in your account settings for added security.
  • πŸ“± Backup email. Provide a backup address in case of loss of access.

πŸ’‘

If you buy Redmi with your hands, make sure to check if your old account is untied. Ask the seller to delete it with you through Settings β†’ Xiaomi Account. If the phone is already reset and the account is not deleted, this is a reason to doubt the honesty of the seller.

Frequent mistakes and their solution

When changing your account to Xiaomi Redmi, users face typical problems, and consider the most common and ways to eliminate them:

Mistake.Reason.Decision
β€œIt is impossible to delete the account: the device is blocked”Find Device or an incorrect password is active.Turn off Find Device in your account settings and try again. If you forget your password, restore it via account.xiaomi.com.
This device is linked to another account.The phone is bought from hand and not untied from the old owner.Contact the seller and ask to delete the account through Settings. If the connection is lost, contact Xiaomi with a check.
"Too many attempts to enter. Repeat in 72 hours."Repeatedly incorrectly entered password.Wait 3 days or reset the try counter via Fastboot (fastboot erase frp command).
"I couldn't connect to the server."Problems with the Internet or Xiaomi servers.Check your network connection, try using mobile internet instead of Wi-Fi or vice versa, and if the problem is on the server side, wait a few hours.

If none of the methods worked and the phone is locked, there are two options:

  1. Official service center, if you have a check or a box from your phone, the technicians will be able to unlock the device.
  2. Informal services: There are paid FRP bypass services, but they involve risks (loss of warranty, viruses).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

Can I change my Xiaomi account without resetting my phone?
Yes, if you know the password from your current account. Go to Settings β†’ Accounts and Sync β†’ Xiaomi Account, click on three dots and select Delete Account.
What to do if you forget your Mi Account password and your phone is locked?
If the phone requires the entry of the old account data after the reset (FRP-try: Restore password through the Xiaomi site (you need access to email or phone number). FRP (For example, Mi Account Unlock Tool, but it requires skills to contact the service center with proof of purchase (check, box.
How to check if your Xiaomi account is untied before buying a phone with your hands?
Before you buy, follow the following steps: Ask the seller to go to Settings β†’ About Phone β†’ All settings β†’ Mi Account Status. If the account is tied, there will be an email. Make sure the Find Device feature is turned off (Settings β†’ Xiaomi Account β†’ Find Device). Ask the seller to delete the account with you (see the instructions in the β€œMethod 1” section). After deleting, reset (Settings β†’ Additional β†’ Resets) and make sure that the phone does not require you to enter an old account when setting up. If the seller refuses, this is a reason to doubt the cleanliness of the phone.
Can I use a Xiaomi Redmi phone without a Mi Account?
Technically yes, but with limitations: 🚫 Mi Cloud will not work (no synchronization of contacts, photos, notes). 🚫 No access to Mi Pay, Mi Home and other Xiaomi services. 🚫 On some models (Redmi Note 11 and later) without an account, the software update may be blocked. βœ… Basic functions are working: calls, SMS, Install applications from Play Market, camera. If you don’t need Xiaomi services, you can skip account binding when you first set up (click Skip or Later).
How to transfer data from your old Mi Account to a new one?
To transfer data (contacts, photos, notes) to a new account: Sync data from your old account: go to Settings β†’ Xiaomi Account β†’ Mi Cloud and enable sync for the desired categories. Export contacts to the VCF file: Contacts β†’ Settings β†’ Export / Import β†’ Export to your phone memory. Copy photos and files to your PC or external drive. Delete the old account and add a new one (see instructions above). Import contacts from the VCF file and upload photos back to your phone. Attention: Some data (for example, they can not be transferred to the Mi Home account)