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

Changing your Mi Account on Xiaomi Redmi Note smartphones is a procedure that every second owner of the brand faces. The reasons are different: selling a phone, losing access to mail, switching to a new account or buying a used device with someone else's connection. Unlike other manufacturers, Xiaomi rigidly integrates the account into the system, which creates difficulties when replacing it. Without the right actions, the phone can turn into a brick with Mi Cloud blocked and lost data.

In this article, we will discuss the current 2026 account change methods for all Redmi Note models (from Note 4 to Note 13), including bypassing locks when password is lost. We will examine the official methods through settings, forced reset with data storage, as well as the nuances of working with Fastboot and EDL for advanced users.

Why you can’t just delete your Mi Account through your settings

Many users try to change their account by going to Settings → Accounts → Mi Account and clicking “Delete.” On Redmi Note, this only works 30% of the time – and here’s why:

• 🔒 Protection against theft: Xiaomi links your account to a hardware identifier IMEI. Even after deleting through the menu, the system may require you to enter a password from the old account at the next turn on.
• 📱 Version. MIUI: On firmware older MIUI 12 Deleting an account often results in resetting settings.New versions (MIUI 14+) This feature is blocked if the device is tied to Find Device.
• 🔄 Data Sync: When you delete your account through your settings, you lose your Mi Cloud backups, including contacts, photos and notes, and you can’t restore them once you have a new account.

Another trap: if the phone was bought from hand and the previous owner did not untie it from his account, an attempt to delete it through the settings will activate the Mi Cloud lock. In this case, you can only unlock the device through the official Xiaomi service (cost - from 3 000 000 USD). ₽) or by complex manipulations in the EDL.

⚠️ Note: If you buy a Redmi Note used, be sure to check if it is untied from the seller's account. → The phone. → All parameters. → Mi Account status. If it's someone else's email, ask the seller to remove the link before you pay.

Official method: change your account through settings (if you know the password)

This is the safest method, but it only works if:

• 📧 You have access to the email and password of your current Mi Account.
• 📱 Phone is not locked through Find Device (check in Settings) → Mi Cloud → Find the device).
• 🔄 The device is not tied to a corporate account (e.g., via Xiaomi Enterprise).

Step-by-step:

1. Open Settings → Accounts and Sync → Mi Account.
2. Click on the account icon at the top of the screen, then select “Account Management”.
3. Scroll down and tap Exit (or Delete Account in newer versions of MIUI).
4. Enter the password from your current account and confirm the action.
5. After you exit, restart your phone and add a new account through Settings → Accounts → Add an account → Mi.

If the system requested a password after deleting it, it means that the account was linked to Find Device.

Go to the site [i.mi.com](https://i.mi.com) computer|Sign in to an old account|Go to the section "Find the device"|Click "Delete Device" next to your Redmi Note|Confirm the action SMS-code-->

If you can’t log in to your old account, go to reset methods (Section 4).

Resetting to factory settings: when it works and when it doesn't

Hard Reset is a universal way to delete an account, but with pitfalls. On the Redmi Note, it works differently depending on the MIUI version and blocking status:

How to do the reset correctly:

1. Through settings (if the phone is not locked): Go to Settings → About → Phone → Reset. Select “Erase all data” and confirm. Once the phone is restarted, the phone will prompt you to log in to your account. If you don’t know the password, try the methods in Section 5.
2. Using Recovery (if your phone is locked): Turn off the device. Close Volume Up + Power before the Mi logo appears. From the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (manage volume buttons, confirm power button). After reset, the phone may require you to enter a password from your old account. If this happens, use unlock methods (section 5).

⚠️ Note: On Redmi Note models 10/11/12 firmware MIUI 13+ Recovery reset does not remove the account binding if Find Device has been activated, in which case only full Fastboot flashing or EDL.

Unlocking Mi Account without password: 3 working methods

If you don't remember the data from your old account or if you bought a phone that's tied to you, there are a number of ways to get around the lock, and the effectiveness of these depends on the model and version of MIUI:

Method 1: via i.mi.com (unless your phone is blocked)

If the phone is connected to the Internet but asks for a password when changing your account:

1. Go to i.mi.com from your computer.
2. Sign in under your old account (if you do not know the password, restore it via email or SMS).
3. Go to Find the Device → Your Redmi Note.
4. Click “Delete Device” and confirm the action.
5. Restart the phone and the lock will be removed.

Method 2: Fastboot Reset (for advanced)

This method is suitable for Redmi Note 8/9/10/11 and requires a computer with ADB/Fastboot drivers installed.

⚠️ Method risks: incorrect actions can lead to blocking the bootloader (then only the service center will help). MIUI 14 This method works 60% of the time.

Method 3: EDL bypass (for tech-savvy)

EDL (Emergency Download Mode) is a mode for firmware to bypass all locks, even if:

• 🔐 Phone locked through Find Device.
• 📵 Not included or got stuck on the Mi logo.
• 🔧 bootloader locked (OEM Lock).

This will require:

• USB Type-C cable (original, undamaged)
• Mi Flash Pro or QFil.
• Firmware for your model (download at [xiaomifirmware.com](https://xiaomifirmware.com)).
• Authorized Xiaomi account to unlock EDL (You can buy on forums for 500-1000 ₽).

💡

Before you run through EDL, be sure to check the firmware version on Xiaomi's website. Installing the wrong version can damage the IMEI module (the phone will lose network).

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Most of the problems when changing your account to Redmi Note are due to ignorance of the system’s nuances, and here are the most common errors and solutions:

• 🔄 Recovery reset does not delete your account: Reason: on new versions MIUI Reset does not remove the binding to Mi Cloud. Solution: use Fastboot or EDL.
• 📧 No password recovery email: Reason: mail is tied to a phone number that is no longer available. Solution: try to restore access through [account.xiaomi.com](https://account.xiaomi.com) indicatively IMEI phone.
• 🔒 After the firmware is done, the phone asks for the old account: Reason: the firmware was installed on top of the old one (Save User Data option in Mi Flash). Solution: Reply the firmware with full formatting (clean all).
• 📱 Phone does not turn on after reset: Reason: damaged partition persist (often on Redmi Note) 8/9 Solution: run the phone through the wrong reset. EDL tick-tick.

⚠️ Note: On Redmi Note models 12/13 With a Snapdragon processor, trying to flash unofficial firmware through Fastboot can lead to a lock IMEI. This will cause the phone to lose its network forever (repair costs are not enough). 5 000–8 000 ₽).

Change your account on a blocked Redmi Note (if the phone is not turned on)

If the device is locked on the Mi Account password entry screen and does not respond to a reset, there are two options:

Option 1: Officially unlock through Xiaomi

The most legal, but long and expensive way:

1. Take a picture of your phone's IMEI (printed on the box or under the battery).
2. Contact [Xiaomi support](https://www.mi.com/global/support/) with proof of purchase (check, purchase agreement).
3. Pay for unlocking (cost 3,000 to 6,000) ₽ model-wise).
4. Wait 3-7 days (sometimes longer) and you will be given an unblocking instruction.

Cons: Long, expensive, not always working (if the phone is listed as stolen).

Option 2: Firmware through EDL with authorization

It's a fast, but technically challenging method.

• Computer with Windows 10/11.
• USB Type-C cable (preferably original)
• Authorized account for EDL (You can rent on forums for 500-1000 ₽/day-day).
• Firmware for your model (download only from official sources!).

Step-by-step:

Install the Qualcomm driver HS-USB QDLoader 9008|Connect the phone in mode EDL (press buttons or close test points)|Start Mi Flash Pro and log in|Select a firmware with the clean all option|Press Flash and wait until it is completed (10-15 minutes)-->

If done correctly, the phone will turn on as new, without being tied to your account. ⚠️ Risk: if you make a firmware error, you can damage the module IMEI or NVRAM (Your phone will lose your network or Wi-Fi).

How to check if your account has been deleted

After changing your account, make sure that the old Mi Account is completely untied from the device.

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → All settings → Mi Account status.
2. Check that your email is in the “Account” bar, not the old one.
3. Open i.mi.com and sign in under your new account.
4. Go to Find the Device section – your Redmi Note should show up there.
5. Make sure that in Settings → Mi Cloud there is no synchronization with other people’s data.

If the phone still asks for the password from the old account when you reboot, it means that the link has not been deleted.

• Repeat the reset via Fastboot with full formatting.
• Or, run the device through EDL (if you have access to an authorized account).

💡

Even after a successful account change, the old owner can remotely lock the phone through Find Device, if he hasn't deleted it from his account.Always check the anchor status on i.mi.com!

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions