How to change your account on Xiaomi Redmi 5: all the ways

Why changing your account to Redmi 5 requires a special approach

Xiaomi Redmi 5, released in 2017, is powered by Xiaomi’s MIUI, a proprietary shell that is closely integrated with the Mi Account ecosystem. Unlike today’s smartphones, where changing a profile often means leaving an account, there are two key factors that complicate the process on this device: First, binding to a Mi Account affects not only cloud services, but also the functionality of the phone: without authorization, calls, SMS, or even access to settings after a reset. Second, Redmi 5 does not support the latest version of MIUI, so some methods that are relevant to new models will not work here.

Changing your account can be a different matter, whether you bought a used phone, want to give it to a relative, or just decided to create a new profile, but on Redmi 5, Mi Account is still attached even after you reset to the factory settings, unless you do additional things. This is anti-theft protection, but it also creates problems for legitimate users. In this article, we will look at all the working ways, from standard logging out to bypassing the lock if you do not remember the old account.

Method 1: Standard account change through settings

If you have access to your current Mi Account profile and your phone is not locked, it's the easiest and most secure method, it doesn't require a data reset and it saves all your device settings. Important: check before you start that your phone is connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network), otherwise the system won't let you log out.

Instructions:

• 📱 Open the Settings app (cog icon on the home screen).
• 👤 Go to the Accounts section → Mi Account.
• 🔄 Click on the profile avatar at the top of the screen, then select Exit.
• 🔐 Enter the password from your current account to confirm.
• 🆕 Once you log in, the system will prompt you to log in to or create a new account. Select Log in and follow the prompts.

If the exit button is inactive or absent, this may mean that:

• 🚫 The phone is linked to the account via Find Device (the function "Find the device" is used").
• 🔒 Device locked after failed password attempts.
• 📶 No Internet connection (MIUI requires a server check before exiting).

⚠️ Note: If you log out of your account but don’t add a new one, some features MIUI For example, it will not synchronize the history of calls, notes or health data (if you used Xiaomi services), and may block access to purchases in the Mi Store.

Method 2: Reset to factory settings with account deletion

This is a good method if you don't remember your old account or if you bought your phone from hand and are already linked to someone else's profile. However, a reset doesn't always remove the Mi Account attachment, depending on the MIUI version and the previous owner's settings. On Redmi 5 with firmware older than MIUI 10, you'll likely need to enter your old account details for activation after the reset.

Step-by-step:

1. Back up important data (photos, contacts, messages) as it will be deleted.
2. Go to Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset.
3. Select Reset, then Delete all data.
4. Confirm the action by entering a pattern lock or PIN-code (if installed).
5. Wait for the reboot (it can take 5-10 minutes).

After discharge:

• 🔄 If the phone has requested old account details, try the methods of bypassing the lock (section below).
• 🆕 If there is no lock, select Skip (if possible) or create a new account when you first enable it. MI.

Method 3: Bypassing Mi Account lock after reset

If Redmi 5 requires you to enter your old account information after a reset and you cannot contact the previous owner, there are technical methods of bypassing, which vary depending on the version of MIUI and the type of locking. Importantly, these methods may violate Xiaomi’s user agreement and are used at your own risk.

Two methods are relevant for Redmi 5:

Method A: Fastboot Mode (for MIUI 9-10)

• 🖥️ Install it on a PC. ADB and Fastboot.
• 📱 Turn off the phone, then press the volume down. + Meals to enter the Fastboot.
• 🔌 Connect your phone to your PC and execute in the command line: fastboot oem unlock fastboot flashing unlock
• 🔄 If the lock is still in place, try the command: fastboot erase frp.

Method B: Through the test menu (for MIUI 8 and below)

• 📞 Enter the code ##3646633# (Engineer Mode).
• 🔧 Go to Connectivity → CDMA.
• 📝 In the field MDN Type 12345678 and press Write.
• 🔄 Restart the phone. After that, the lock may disappear.

💡

If fastboot commands don’t work, try updating your firmware first through Xiaomi’s official website. Sometimes the new version of MIUI resets your account automatically.

⚠️ Note: Using fastboot oem unlock or fastboot erase frp commands can lead to loss of IMEI or disrupt the communication module on Redmi 5. Before executing, back up the nvram partition with the command: adb backup -f nvram.backup -apk -obb -shared -all -system You can restore it through fastboot restore.

Method 4: Change your account through official Xiaomi support

If the technical methods seem complicated or risky, you can turn to Xiaomi for support, which is legal, but requires proof of ownership of the device, which is suitable if you bought a Redmi 5 with your hands and the previous owner did not untidy the account.

What will be required:

• 📄 Check or contract of sale (with indication) IMEI phone).
• 📋 IMEI Devices (you can find out via *#06#).
• 📧 The email address linked to your new account MI.

Instructions:

1. Go to support.xiaomi.com.
2. Select the Mi Account section → Removal of device binding.
3. Fill out the form by attaching scans of documents.
4. Wait for the answer (usually 3-7 days) and the link will be removed after confirmation.

💡

Officially unlocking through Xiaomi support is the only legal way to delete someone else’s Mi Account without a password, but it only works if you have documents on your phone.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When changing to Redmi 5, users often face typical preventable problems:

1. Error: “I was unable to log out of the account" 🔹 Reason: No Internet connection or Xiaomi server is not available. 🔹 Solution: Switch to mobile internet or check your work VPN (Sometimes the locks in the region interfere with the exit).
2. After reset, the phone asks for an old account 🔹 Reason: Find Device enabled or phone linked to account via Mi Cloud. 🔹 Solution: Use the bypass methods from Section 3 or contact for support.
3. The fastboot erase frp team is not working. 🔹 Reason: On Redmi 5s MIUI 9 and below, the frp section may have another name (e.g. config). 🔹 Solution: Try fastboot erase config or fastboot erase persistent.

Another common mistake is resetting your account through Recovery without first disabling it, which results in a "soft" lock when the phone is running, but requires authorization every time you turn on. To avoid this, always try to log out first through the settings.

Security Tips After Changing Your Account

After successfully changing your account to Redmi 5, it is recommended to follow several steps to protect your device and data:

• 🔐 Set a pattern lock or PIN-code (in Settings) → This will prevent unauthorized access if the phone is lost.
• 📱 Disable unnecessary permissions for a new account MI (In Settings → Accounts. → Mi Account → Permissions management. For example, if you are not using Mi Cloud, turn off sync.
• 🔄 Update your firmware to the latest available version for Redmi 5 (via Settings) → The phone. → System updates.This closes down vulnerabilities that could have been exploited to bypass the lock.
• 🛡️ Install an antivirus (such as Avast or Bitdefender) and check for malware that may have been left over from the previous owner.

If you are selling or transferring Redmi 5 to another person, make sure to untie your device from your account. MI. It can be done:

1. Through phone settings (Mi Account → Devices section).
2. Or at account.xiaomi.com in the Device Management section.

💡

Before selling your phone, complete a reset and formatting of internal memory through Recovery, which will delete all data, including hidden files that may have been left behind after a standard reset. To do this, select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (not only Factory Reset) from the Recovery menu.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions