Reset Google account on Xiaomi after Factory Reset

When a Xiaomi or Redmi smartphone resets completely, it requires you to enter your Google account details that were previously synced, it’s a standard security measure called FRP (Factory Reset Protection) to protect your device from theft. However, users often face the problem of selling, buying from hand or simply forgetting the password from your old account, making the phone a virtually useless brick.

It's important to understand that you can't get around this without doing something special, because it's a security vulnerability. However, there are legal ways to restore access if you're the owner, or technical flashing techniques that allow you to clear the memory of the device from old bindings. In this article, we'll look at all possible scenarios, from standard password recovery to more complex manipulation of system partitions.

Risks must be assessed before taking action: Incorrectly following the instructions for resetting system partitions can lead to loss of warranty or, in rare cases, software errors. Follow each step carefully, and do not interrupt the process if the device is in a critical phase of updating or resetting.

Why does an account request arise after a reset

Google FRP was introduced into Android operating system version 5.1 and higher, its main purpose is to prevent the use of the stolen smartphone after a forced reset via Recovery or a combination of buttons. If at least one Google account was added to the device and sync is enabled, the system remembers its unique identifier.

When you run Wipe Data/Factory Reset through the recovery menu, user data is deleted, but the hidden system partition leaves a record of the associated account. When you first start after the reset, the system checks the entered data against this record. If you enter a new account or try to skip this step, the device will be locked.

⚠️ Warning: If you bought a phone with your hands and it's locked by someone else's account, the only legal way to unlock it is to contact the previous owner.

There are several reasons why you might find yourself in this situation: Often users forget that an account has been added, or change the password from the mail before selling a phone without removing the device from the trusted list, and the problem is also relevant for those who buy used equipment and do not check its condition before the transaction.

Preparation for discharge and re-establishment

Before you start any manipulations, you need to make sure that you have all the necessary resources. For standard access restoration, you will need a stable Internet connection, preferably over Wi-Fi, since mobile Internet may not be activated until the setup is complete, and you will need a computer with network access to restore mail access if the password is lost.

If you plan to use software reset methods (e.g., via Mi Flash Tool or ADB), make sure that the PC has the appropriate USB Drivers for Xiaomi installed.The cable should be of quality, support data transfer, not just charging.The device should be charged at least 50-60% to avoid turning off at a critical moment.

It's important to decide in advance what method you're going to use, and if you remember the login and password, but the system doesn't see them, or if it's a synchronization error, the problem might be in the date and time or network settings, and if you don't need a deep reset, you just need to fix the network settings.

Standard Method: Restoring Access through Settings

The easiest and safest way to fix the problem is to recall or recover your account information. If you know your login but have forgotten your password, go to your computer or other smartphone, open your browser, and go to the Google account recovery page. Follow the instructions for verifying your identity through a backup email or phone number.

Once you have your password reset, it's important to wait 15 minutes to 24 hours before you try to enter data on the dropped phone, which is a Google security requirement that prevents you from automatically selecting passwords, and if you try to enter a new password immediately after a change, the system may give you an error "Error occurred" or "Could not log in."

Enter the data carefully, paying attention to the letter register and keyboard layout. The Xiaomi settings screen often has Russian layout turned on by default, whereas the password requires English. Switch between languages via the globe icon or space.

⚠️ Attention: After several failed password attempts, the account may be temporarily blocked.

If you log in successfully, the phone will download the profile, sync contacts and apps, and you'll get a fully functional device, which is a routine procedure that the manufacturer has in mind, and it doesn't pose any risk to the software.

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Tip: If you change your password, be sure to wait for an SMS or confirmation email to arrive on other devices before entering new data on a locked phone.

Using Fastboot Mode and Fastboot Flashing

If standard methods don't work or a phone is bought without account data, the only official way to clean up is to completely flash the device. For Xiaomi devices, this is done via Fastboot mode. This method completely erases all memory parts, including those where FRP information is stored, and records the clean system.

To do this, you will need the Mi Flash Tool utility and the official firmware for your specific model. It is important to download the firmware specifically for your region (Global, China, Russia) and the type of memory (eMMC/UFS). Incorrectly selected firmware can lead to the inoperability of communication modules.

The process is this: turn off your phone, press the volume button, and connect the cable to your PC. The screen will see a bunny in a hat-eared hat — this is Fastboot mode. In Mi Flash, select the path to the unpacked firmware and press the "Flash" button.

During the firmware process, the program window will display progress in the form of a green bar, it is strictly forbidden to turn off the cable or interrupt the process until the green "Success" label appears. Any interruption can lead to a "brick" device, after which only a service center with a programmer will help.

Resetting via Recovery Mode and data cleanup

Recovery mode on Xiaomi smartphones allows you to reset user data without connecting to your computer. However, it is worth noting that the standard reset via Recovery does not remove FRP protection. It only clears the /data partition, but the account record remains in the /persist or /frp partition.

However, logging into Recovery is necessary for diagnosis or preparation for other methods. To get there, turn off your phone and press the power and volume buttons at the same time. When the Mi logo appears, you can release the power button while you keep the volume.

In the Recovery menu, you can navigate with volume buttons, and you can choose with the power button. Select Wipe Data, then Wipe All Data, and confirm the action. Once you're done, select Reboot.

If the phone requires an account again after this procedure, then the FRP protection is active, in which case the Recovery menu will no longer help, and more complex methods will be required, such as unlocking the bootloader (if the Mi Account allows) or using specialized software to reset FRP, which often requires payment or technical skills.

⚠️ Attention: On new versions MIUI (12, 13, 14) and HyperOS logging into Recovery may require unlocking the screen if the phone has not been completely turned off, but simply rebooted.

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Recovery clears personal files, but does not remove the Google account binding (FRP).

Frequent mistakes and ways to solve them

When you unlock, you often encounter common problems, and one of the most common is the "Unconnected" or "Confirm Connection" error, which may be due to the wrong date, and if the phone runs out of battery or has a full discharge, the date may be lost in 2015 or 2016, and Google's security certificates do not work.

If possible, try connecting to the access point from another phone where the proxy is configured, or use special applications to change the date (if you can get to the desktop). DNS-servers at 8.8.8.8.

Another problem is blocking by IMEI or Mi Account. If the phone was lost and locked remotely by the owner through the Find Device service, then resetting the Google account will not help. The device will request a password from Mi Account, and you can only bypass this by submitting a purchase check to an authorized service center.

Users also confuse accounts. Multiple emails can be synchronized on the phone, the system will request the one that was the main or last added before the reset, and try to recall all the possible addresses you used on that device.