Transferring a Xiaomi or Redmi smartphone to another person is not just a physical transfer of the device from hand to hand, but a complex process of digital hygiene. In the ecosystem Android and proprietary shell MIUI (or new HyperOS) accounts are linked to hardware identifiers, cloud storage and security services. Simply logging out of one profile and logging into another without prior preparation can result in the device being locked by the anti-theft feature or the loss of critical data from the previous owner.
The procedure for changing ownership requires the complete removal of the first user's digital footprint. This applies not only to contacts and photos, but also to linking to services Google Play i Mi Cloud. If you ignore the correct sequence of actions, the new owner will be faced with an activation screen that requires a password for the old account, which will render the phone a useless piece of plastic and glass. In this article, we will analyze a detailed algorithm of actions that guarantees a clean transfer of the device.
It is important to understand the difference between simply changing the user in the settings and completely retraining the device for the new owner. The system Android supports multi-user mode, but is not suitable for transferring ownership of a Redmi phone. A radical approach is required, including unlinking cloud services and a full reset to factory settings. This is the only way to ensure the confidentiality of the data of the old owner and freedom of action for the new one.
Preparing the device and backing up data
Before starting any manipulations with accounts, it is necessary to save all valuable information. The process of changing an account will inevitably entail the complete deletion of user data. First, make sure that all important files such as photos, videos and documents are downloaded to your external storage or computer. Using built-in backup tools Xiaomi can be convenient, but it is better to use neutral media to transfer the device.
Particular attention should be paid to contacts and messages. Often, users unknowingly synchronize the phone book exclusively with their account Google or Mi Account. If you simply delete your account without first exporting it, your contacts may disappear forever. It is recommended to check the synchronization settings in the menu Settings → Accounts and synchronization and forcefully update the data before uploading it to a file format .vcf.
Don't forget about application data. Messengers, banking applications and games store chat history and progress locally or in their clouds. For messengers like WhatsApp or Telegram you need to create a local backup of chats. Banking apps will require you to re-link your device to the new account, so make sure you have access to a phone number to receive SMS codes confirmation.
⚠️ Attention: Before creating a backup, check the available space on your cloud storage or SD card. Lack of space can lead to the creation of a broken archive file that cannot be restored.
☑️ Preparing for a change of owner
Unlinking the Mi Cloud account and Xiaomi services
The most critical stage is the correct exit from the ecosystem Xiaomi. Proprietary protection Find Device (Search for device) strictly binds the smartphone to a specific Mi Account. If you perform a factory reset without logging out of your account first, Activation Lock will be triggered. The new owner will not be able to set up the phone until he enters the username and password of the previous owner, which is a serious problem when selling or giving as a gift.
To safely disconnect, go to the menu Settings → Mi Account. At the bottom of the screen you will see a “Sign Out” button. Click on it. The system will require you to enter your account password or confirmation code sent to the linked phone number. This is done so that an attacker cannot simply unlink someone else’s account from a stolen device. After successful authentication, the phone will disconnect from the servers Mi Cloud.
During the logout process, the system will ask you to choose what to do with local data synchronized with the cloud. Since we are preparing the phone for another person, we should select the option to erase data from the device. This will clear the gallery, notes and voice recordings that were downloaded from the cloud, preventing them from accidentally reaching a new user. Make sure that the “Delete data from device” switch is active before confirming the action.
If you have forgotten your Mi Account password, recover it through the official website i.mi.com before attempting to log out. Resetting your password via email or SMS will take a few minutes, but will save you from blocking your phone.
After logging out, check the protection status. In the Settings → Passwords and security → Find Device section, the function should be inactive or require re-authorization. If the indicator is green and indicates that the protection is enabled, it means that the exit did not occur correctly. Repeat the procedure, making sure that you have a stable Internet connection, since the unlinking command is sent to the manufacturer’s servers.
Deleting a Google profile and clearing synchronization
Account Google is the foundation of the operating system Android. It controls access to the application store, mail, calendar and the function FRP (Factory Reset Protection). Similar to the situation with the Mi Account, having an active Google profile after resetting the settings will lock the device with a verification screen. Therefore, deleting the profile is a mandatory step before transferring the phone.
Go to the section Settings → Accounts and synchronization → Google. You will see a list of linked mailboxes. Select the primary account that is used by the owner. Click on the “More” button (three dots in the corner) or hold your finger on the account name to bring up the context menu. Select "Delete account". The system will warn you that all associated data, including contacts and calendar events, will be deleted from the phone.
Confirm deletion. If you have multiple Google profiles configured on your device (for example, personal and work), you need to delete each of them in turn. Leaving even one secondary account can lead to the fact that when turning on for the first time, a new user will see a prompt to log into an existing profile, which will violate the concept of a “clean” device. Complete clearing of the list of accounts guarantees the neutrality of the system.
| Data type | Where is stored | Risk of loss | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contact | Google / Mi Cloud | High | Export v.vcf |
| Photo/Video | Gallery / Google Photos | Average | Copy to PC |
| Passwords | Manager passwords | Critical | Export or remember |
| Application licenses | Google Play | Low | Binding to a new email |
⚠️ Attention: Removing your Google account from your device does not remove the account itself from the Internet. Your emails and files on Google Drive will remain safe and will be accessible from any other device by entering your login and password.
Performing a full reset to factory settings
After all cloud bindings are broken, you need to erase all residual information from the internal memory of the device. Even after deleting accounts, cached data, application logs, and files in hidden directories may remain on the system. The only reliable way to clean your phone is the Factory Reset (Factory reset) function. This operation will return the Redmi software to a state identical to the moment of purchase in the store.
Go to the menu Settings → About phone → Reset settings. A warning will appear on the screen indicating that all data will be destroyed. The system may prompt you to enter a pattern, PIN, or screen unlock password set by the current owner. This is a safety measure to prevent accidental or unauthorized release. Enter the confirmation code.
Click the “Reset settings” or “Delete all data” button. The phone will warn you again, indicating the approximate time of the process (usually from 5 to 15 minutes). Confirm the action. The device will reboot and the Redmi or MIlogo will appear on the screen, accompanied by a progress indicator. At this moment, the user memory partition is formatted and system parameters are reset to default.
Format process:1. Stopping all user services
2. Cleaning the /data partition
3. Clearing the /cache partition
4. Re-creating the file system
5. First boot of the system
It is important not to interrupt the phone's power supply during the reset. Although modern power controllers are quite reliable, a sudden power outage during the formatting stage can damage the partition table, which will lead to the need to reflash the device via a computer. Leave the phone on charge or make sure that the battery level is at least 30-40% before starting the procedure.
What to do if the phone requires a password after resetting?
If after resetting the phone asks for a password for Mi Account or Google, it means that you did not complete the step of correctly logging out of your profile before resetting. In this case, you need to remember your login information. Without them, it is almost impossible to unlock the device in a legal way, since this is protection against theft.
Initial setup for the new owner
After the reset is complete, the phone will boot into the initial setup mode (Welcome Screen). Interface language, connecting to Wi-Fi and checking for updates are the first steps that the new owner must take. At this stage, the device is absolutely “clean” and does not contain any information about the previous user. This is the ideal moment to register a new account.
The new user will be asked to log into an existing account Google or create a new one. This is a mandatory requirement for the app store to work. Play Market. The system will also prompt you to log in Mi Account. Unlike the previous owner, the new user is recommended to immediately create an account in order to activate the device search and cloud synchronization functions for their personal data.
During the setup process, the system may offer to restore data from a backup copy. If the new owner has previously used the phone Androidhe can choose to restore contacts and settings from his Google cloud. However, restoring data from the owner's backup copy is strictly not recommended, as this may recover deleted files or settings conflicts. Select the “Set up as a new device” option if the goal is complete isolation from the previous owner. old Owner is strongly discouraged as it may bring back deleted files or settings conflicts. Select the “Set up as a new device” option if the goal is complete isolation from the previous owner.
Correct sequence: Exit Mi Account → Exit Google Account → Reset settings. Violation of this order leads to blocking of the device with FRP protection.
Frequent problems and methods for solving them
Despite the clarity of the instructions, users often encounter technical nuances that can slow down the process of transferring the device. One of the common problems is a network error when trying to log out of your account. If the servers Xiaomi or Google are temporarily unavailable, the phone will not be able to verify the unlink command. In this case, you should wait a few hours or try switching from Wi-Fi to mobile data.
Another situation is a forgotten lock screen password. If you plan to reset through the settings menu, the system will definitely ask for the current PIN code. If it is forgotten, the only way out is to reset it through the Recoverymode. To do this, you need to turn off the phone and hold down the key combination Volume Up + Power. In the recovery menu, select Wipe Data. However, remember that this method does not cancel FRP protection, and you will still need to log into your accounts after turning it on.
Sometimes after setting up a new account, old data “ghost” appears in synchronized applications. This happens if a new user accidentally entered the login of the old owner in some service, for example, in YouTube or Chrome. Carefully check which services you are logging into. Browsers and email clients often offer to save a password - refuse this if the device is not exclusively your own.
⚠️ Attention: The menu interface and item names may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI (12, 13, 14) or HyperOS. The logic of the actions remains unchanged, but the location of the buttons can be adapted to the design of the new shell.
Questions and answers (FAQ)
Is it possible to change the account without resetting the settings?
Technically, you can delete the old Google account and Mi Account and add a new one to the settings menu without doing a full reset. However, this is not recommended when transferring the phone to another person. Your photos, application cache, browser history and logins from social networks will remain in memory. For complete privacy and cleanliness of the system, a reset is required.
What is FRP and why does it lock the phone?
FRP (Factory Reset Protection) is an Android security feature. If you reset your phone to factory settings without first logging out of your Google account, the system will require you to enter the password for the last synchronized account when you turn it on. This is protection against theft so that a thief cannot simply erase the data and use the phone.
Will the operating system be deleted when changing the account?
No, the operating system Android and shell MIUI/HyperOS will remain intact. A factory reset only affects the user section of memory, deleting apps, photos, contacts and settings. The firmware version will remain the same that was installed before the reset, unless you performed a special update.
What if the phone was purchased secondhand and blocked by someone else's account?
If you bought a phone, and it requires a password from the previous owner's account, you need to contact the seller. Only he can enter his data or remotely remove the device from the list of trusted ones in his Mi Account or Google account. Without this data, it is extremely difficult to legally unlock your phone.
Do you need to remove the SIM card before resetting?
This is not necessary, but it is advisable. Removing the SIM card will prevent accidental SMS or calls from being sent during the setup process, and will also eliminate confusion with verification codes that may be sent to your number during the new owner testing process. It is better to hand over the phone without a SIM so that the new owner inserts his own.