How to change your Mi Account to Xiaomi Redmi Note 4: all working methods

Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 is a popular smartphone that is still in use today, despite the release of newer models. One of the frequent problems owners have is the need to change the associated Mi Account (for example, when buying a used device or transferring the phone to another user). Unlike modern Xiaomi devices, where the procedure is simplified, Redmi Note 4 can be difficult due to the outdated version of MIUI and security features.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to change your account, from standard deletion through settings to forced reset if your phone is locked, and pay special attention to the nuances that are characteristic of this model, such as working with Fastboot without unlocking the bootloader or bypassing checks after hard reset.

Why you can’t just delete your account through settings

On Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 with MIUI version below 12.5, standard account deletion via Settings → Accounts → Mi Account is often blocked by the system.

• 🔒 Anti-theft protection: Xiaomi ties the device to an account to make it harder to use stolen phones.On older versions MIUI This protection is more enforced.
• 📱 Lack of the option “Delete account”: in some firmware button is hidden or unavailable without a password.
• 🔄 Post-reset restrictions: Even if you perform a hard reset, the first time you turn on the phone will require you to enter the data of the old account.

In addition, Redmi Note 4 often has a problem with an inactive bootloader.If it is blocked, many methods of changing an account (for example, via Fastboot) become impossible without first unlocking, which adds complexity, especially if the phone is bought from hand and the previous owner did not provide data to unlock.

⚠️ Note: If the phone was purchased with a linked Mi Account and the previous owner did not delete it through the official website, then the only legal way to change is to contact him and ask him to unplug the device. IMEI after-failure.

Preparing for a change of account: what to do in advance

Before you start the procedure, follow the mandatory steps:

1. Save data: Changing your account can cause your phone to reset, copy photos, contacts and files to your computer or cloud.
2. Check out the MIUI version: go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version. The choice of method depends on this.
3. Find out the status of the bootloader: if it is blocked, you will need to unlock (the procedure takes up to 720 hours!).
4. Prepare tools: Some methods will require ADB, Fastboot, or specialized utilities like the Mi Flash Tool.

If your phone is locked (requires a password or old account information when you turn on), immediately go to the hard reset section. If you have access to the system, try standard methods first.

Method 1: Standard Account Deletion through Settings

This method works if:

• 📱 You have access to your phone (you know the unlock password).
• 🔓 Mi Account is not blocked (you remember the username / password).
• 📲 Version. MIUI 10+ (older delete buttons may not be available).

Instructions:

1. Open the Settings. → Accounts. → Mi Account.
2. Click on your profile icon in the top corner.
3. Select Account Management → Delete the account.
4. Enter the password from your Mi Account and confirm the deletion.
5. Reboot the phone.

If the Delete Account button is missing or inactive, try:

• 🔄 Update MIUI The latest version available for the Redmi Note 4.
• 📱 Reset your phone settings via Settings → Additionally. → Recovery and reset (but this does not guarantee removal of the binding!).

⚠️ Note: On some firmware, after deleting your account through settings, the phone may require re-entering the next time you turn on. MIUI 9-10, which is solved only by a complete reset.

Backup data | Check your Internet connection | Know the password from your Mi| Account Have access to your email/phone to confirm-->

Method 2: Delete your account through ADB (without resetting)

If the standard method doesn’t work, but you have access to your phone and USB debugging enabled, you can delete your account via ADB. This method is suitable for Redmi Note 4 with an unlocked bootloader or on custom firmware.

Instructions:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
3. Connect the phone to your computer and confirm the debugging permission.
4. Open the command prompt (CMD) in the ADB folder and execute the commands:

adb shell


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




pm clear com.xiaomi.account




reboot

After the reboot, the account will be deleted, but traces may remain in the system files. For complete cleaning, it is recommended to reset through Recovery.

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If the pm uninstall command is not working, try to disable protection first via adb shell settings put global. device_provisioned 1. This simulates the initial device setup.

Method 3: Hard Reset and bypass account verification

If the phone is locked or previous methods have failed, a complete reset remains, but Redmi Note 4 often requests the data entry of the old account (Mi Account Lock) after a reset.

Method 1: Fastboot (requires an unlocked bootloader)

If the bootloader is unlocked, do:

1. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to log into the Fastboot.
2. Connect to the PC and execute the command:

fastboot erase frp

This will remove FRP (Factory Reset Protection) protection and once reset, the phone will not require an old account.

Method 2: Recovery (for some versions of MIUI)

On some firmware MIUI 9-10 works bypass through Recovery:

1. Enter Recovery (click Volume Up + Nutrition).
2. Choose Wipe & Reset → Wipe All Data.
3. After resetting, connect to Wi-Fi when you first turn on, but do not enter your account details.
4. Go back and select Skip (if the option is available).

On the Redmi Note 4 with MIUI 8.5 and below, sometimes a region-change bypass works: when you first turn on, manually select a country other than China (for example, Russia), and try skipping the account binding.

⚠️ Note: Using informal bypass methods (e.g., via Mi Account Unlock Tool) may result in blocking IMEI Xiaomi is actively fighting against such tools, and their use is at your risk.

Method 4: Flashing through the Mi Flash Tool (extremely)

If all other methods do not work, you can completely reflash the phone with the official firmware through the Mi Flash Tool, which will delete all data, including the link to the account, but requires:

• 🔓 Unlocked loader.
• 💻 Computer with installed Xiaomi drivers.
• 📥 Official firmware for Redmi Note 4 (download on Xiaomi website).

Instructions:

1. Download and install the Mi Flash Tool.
2. Unpack the firmware in a folder without Cyrillic symbols.
3. Turn off your phone and log in to Fastboot (Loudness Down + Power).
4. Connect your phone to your PC and in the Mi Flash Tool, select a folder with firmware.
5. Press Refresh, then Flash (select Clean all).
6. Wait until the process is completed (5-10 minutes).

Once flashed, the phone will look like new, without being linked to an account, but this method is risky: if an error (such as a wrong firmware) occurs, the device can fail.

💡

Flashing through the Mi Flash Tool is the most radical, but also the most reliable way to delete an account, only use it if other methods have failed and you are confident in your actions.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When changing your account to Redmi Note 4, users often face typical problems:

Another common mistake is to try to use third-party utilities like Mi Account Remove Tool, which often contain viruses or don’t work on newer versions of MIUI. Xiaomi regularly updates the protection, so you can only trust official methods or proven instructions from the community (for example, from the 4PDA forum).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions