Smartphone owners Xiaomi i Redmi often face the need to change their primary email address. This may be due to the loss of access to the old mailbox, the desire to use a corporate address, or simply a transition to a more convenient service. The procedure seems simple, but in practice, users often get confused in the menu MIUI or HyperOS.
It is important to immediately distinguish between concepts: there can be several types of email accounts on a device. There is a system one, which is the key to all services, and there are third-party email clients for working with other mailboxes. In this guide, we will look in detail at how to safely delete the old address and link a new one. Google account, which is the key to all services, and there are third-party email clients for working with other mailboxes. In this guide, we will look in detail at how to safely delete your old address and link a new one.
Incorrect execution of actions when working with system accounts can lead to blocking of the device by the function FRP (Factory Reset Protection). Therefore, we strongly advise you to carefully read each step of the instructions before clicking the delete buttons. We will consider all the nuances for current firmware versions.
Preparing to change your account
Before you start manipulating the settings, you need to make sure that you have access to the new email address. You'll need your password, and possibly access to a backup phone number or recovery mailbox if the system asks for identity verification.
Back up your important data. Although simply changing the account in the settings does not delete personal files (photos, contacts), when resetting the settings or errors occur, there is a risk of losing information. Use cloud storage Google Drive or built-in service Mi Cloud.
Make sure the device is connected to a stable network Wi-Fi. The process of synchronizing and verifying new credentials requires a constant connection to the servers. mobile data may be unstable, which will lead to an authorization error.
- 📧 Write down the new login and password in a safe place.
- 📸 Take screenshots of important settings or contact lists.
- 🔋 Charge your smartphone to at least 50% before starting procedures.
☑️ Ready to change account
Deleting an old Google account
To add a new email, you often need to first unlink the old one, especially if you want to make it the main one for synchronization. Go to the menu Settings your Redmi. Scroll down the list to the section Accounts and synchronization.
In the list that opens you will see all linked services. Find the logo Google and click on it. You will see a list of all Gmail addresses that are currently active on the device. Select the one you plan to delete.
Press the button More (three dots in the corner) or immediately the button Delete account. The system will issue a warning that all data associated with this address (contacts, messages, browser history) will be deleted from the phone. The data in the cloud will be saved.
⚠️ Attention: If FRP protection is enabled on your phone, after deleting the account and rebooting, the device will require you to enter the password for the last deleted Google account. Make sure you remember it before deleting it!
Confirm the action by entering your screen unlock pattern or PIN. The removal process takes a few seconds. After this, the old address will disappear from the synchronization list.
What is FRP protection?
Factory Reset Protection is an Android security mechanism. If you reset your phone to factory settings or delete your main account, the first time you set it up, the phone will require you to enter the password for the last Google account that was on the device. This protects the phone from use in case of theft.
Adding a new email address
After clearing the list, you can start adding a new mailbox. Return to section Settings → Accounts and synchronization. At the bottom of the screen, click the button Add account.
Select the account type in the menu that appears. For full operation of the smartphone and installation of applications from the store Play Market you need to select a logo Google. If you just need email for correspondence (for example, Yandex or Mail.ru), you can select the appropriate item, but it will not become a system one.
Enter the new email address and click Next. The system will redirect you to the Google login page. Enter your password. If two-factor authentication is enabled, confirm login via notification on another device or enter the code from SMS.
| Account type | What is it used for | Is it required |
|---|---|---|
| Play Market, Contacts, Synchronization | Yes, for OS operation | |
| MIUI (Mi Account) | Device search, Mi Cloud, Themes | Recommended |
| Exchange/Corporate | Work email, calendar company | No, if necessary |
| POP3/IMAP (Yandex, Mail) | Only reading and sending letters | No |
After successful login, the system will offer to configure synchronization settings. You can choose what data to download to your phone: contacts, calendar, documents, or just mail. It is recommended to leave all items active for a complete reservation.
If you add corporate email through the Gmail application, use the "Add another address" mode within the application itself, and not in the general phone settings. This will make it easier to separate personal and work correspondence.
Setting up synchronization and settings
When a new account is added, it is important to correctly configure the frequency of updates. Go to the settings of the specific added account. Here you will see a list of services: Contacts, Documents, Drive, Gmail and others.
Make sure that the switch Account synchronization is active. If it is turned off, new emails will not arrive automatically; you will have to go into the application and update the feed manually. This is inconvenient and increases battery consumption.
To save traffic, you can set up synchronization only via Wi-Fi. However, for mission-critical work emails, it's best to leave mobile data turned on. In the Notification settings section inside the mail application, check whether sounds and vibration are turned on.
- 🔄 Check if the "Contacts" item is checked so that the numbers are not lost.
- 📅 Synchronize "Google Calendar" so that reminders are displayed in widgets.
- ☁️ Turn on "Google Photos" if you want to automatically upload pictures to the cloud.
Properly setting up synchronization ensures that if you lose or replace your phone, all your contacts and notes will be restored instantly after entering a new password.
Changing the Mi Account binding
In addition to Google, on smartphones Redmi is critically important Mi Account. It is responsible for the Find My Device function, bootloader locking and access to the Xiaomi cloud. Often users want to change it too, linking it to a new mail.
Go to Settings → Mi Account. If you're already logged in, click on your avatar or profile name. Select item Account Security. Here you can change the associated phone number and email address.
Click on the current e-mail and select Change. The system will send a verification code to your old address or phone number. After entering the code, you can enter a new e-mail. You will also receive a letter confirming the binding.
⚠️ Attention: When changing your Mi Account, purchased themes or cloud data may stop working if they were saved in the old profile. They cannot be transferred automatically.
MIUI security interface may change depending on the firmware version. In new HyperOS updates, the path may look like Profile → Account details → Email. Always look for a section related to security or personal data.
Solving common problems and errors
When changing email, users often encounter the error “Could not log into your account.” Most often this is due to the fact that Google suspects suspicious activity due to a change in IP address or device. Try logging into your email via a browser on your computer to confirm that your account is not blocked.
Another common problem is contacts desyncing. If after changing your mail the old numbers disappeared, do not panic. Go to the site contacts.google.com from your computer. There is a “Undo Changes” function, which allows you to restore contacts on any date within the last 30 days.
If the phone requires a password for the old account after a reset (FRP Lock), and you don’t remember it, you can officially restore access only through the Google account recovery form. Third-party bypass methods often require flashing and may be unsafe.
Settings → Passwords and security → Privacy → Special permissions → Access to notificationsSometimes mail does not arrive due to power saving settings. The system MIUI aggressively “kills” background processes. Go to the battery settings, find the Gmail application (or your email client) and set the operating mode to “Unlimited”.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Will my photos and contacts be deleted when I change Google mail?
No, if you simply delete the account in the settings, the data is deleted only from devices, but remain in the cloud of the old account. However, if you perform a full reset of the phone (Wipe Data) before selling it, the local data will disappear. Always check the synchronization before deleting.
Is it possible to have two Google accounts on one Redmi?
Yes, Android allows you to add an unlimited number of Google accounts. You can switch between them in the Play Market store and in the Gmail application, receiving notifications from both mailboxes simultaneously.
What should I do if I forgot my Mi Account password?
You need to go to i.mi.com and click “Forgot your password”. Restoration is possible through the linked phone number or backup email. Without access to them, it is extremely difficult to restore your account due to Xiaomi's security policy.
How to completely delete an old account so that the phone “forgets” about it?
It is enough to delete it through the menu Settings → Accounts → Delete. After this, reboot your device. If the phone has not been reset to factory settings, there will be no traces of the account in the system.