Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones often notice an option associated with synchronizing calls in their account settings or in the notifications of the system application Phone. Many users ignore this item, believing that it only concerns contact backup, but the functionality of this technology is much broader and deeper. Call synchronization is a mechanism that allows you to save your call history in the cloud storage, ensuring that they are available on other devices or after resets.
Understanding how this works is critical for those who value their privacy or want to save precious space in the cloud. With MIUI and its global version of HyperOS, multiple services can be responsible for this process: their own Mi Account account and standard Google services. The difference between them is significant, and confusion in settings can lead to the fact that the necessary data is not stored, or, conversely, unnecessary information will be duplicated.
In this article, we will look at what’s behind this feature, how it differs from simple contact synchronization, and why it sometimes needs to be forced off, where the call logs are stored, how they affect the operation of the smartphone, and what nuances should be considered when changing devices to a new one.
The essence of the call synchronization function
Call synchronization means the automatic process of transferring data about made and received calls to a remote storage. Unlike local storage, where the call log resides exclusively in the internal memory of your Xiaomi, cloud copy allows you to restore the chronology of communication even if you lose your gadget. The call log contains not only phone numbers, but also the time of the start of the call, its duration, the type of call (incoming, outgoing, missed) and, in some cases, a record of the conversation, if the appropriate option is turned on.
It's important to understand the difference between synchronizing contacts and synchronizing call history. Contacts are a directory of names and numbers that you create manually or import. Call history is the dynamic log of your activity. If you delete a contact from a phone book, a log record of a call to that person can be saved if it's already been synchronized. Call synchronization doesn't copy the audio recordings of conversations themselves to the Mi Cloud by default, it only stores the metadata (logs) of calls.
The main purpose of this feature is to ensure the continuity of the user experience. When you buy a new Xiaomi smartphone, just log in to your account, and the list of recent calls will automatically be loaded onto the device, which eliminates the need to manually search for numbers in SMS or paper notebooks if you often change gadgets or use multiple phones at the same time.
Differences between Mi Cloud and Google Account
Users often face overlapping features, as two different providers can sync in the Android ecosystem and MIUI/HyperOS shell. Google Account has historically been the primary service for Android devices. It syncs contacts and, depending on the Android version and phone model, can save a call history to Google Drive. This is convenient if you plan to switch to a smartphone from another brand in the future, running on pure Android.
On the other hand, Mi Cloud is a proprietary cloud from the developers of your shell. It is integrated deeper into the system and often works faster on Xiaomi devices. Synchronization with Mi Account allows you to recover data even on button phones with cloud support or through the i.mi.com web interface. However, binding to one manufacturer can be a disadvantage when switching to iPhone or Samsung.
The key difference is system priorities: If both services are enabled, there may be conflict or duplicate log entries after recovery, for example, you may see two identical missed calls from the same number, and to avoid chaos, it is recommended that you choose one primary service for storing call logs.
Below is a comparison table that helps you decide on the choice of synchronization service:
| Parameter | Mi Cloud (Mi Account) | Google Account | Local storage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compatibility | Best with Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco | Universal for all Android | Only the current device |
| Volume free | 5GB (total) | 15 GB (total with Gmail and Photos) | Depends on the phone's memory. |
| Recovery | When you turn on your phone or through the website | When logging into a Google account | Impossible after discharge |
| Confidentiality | Servers in China/Europe | Google servers around the world | The data is only you. |
Where to find sync settings on Xiaomi
To manage your data transfer to the cloud, you need to know the exact path in the settings menu. MIUI may vary slightly depending on the version, but the logic remains the same. To check the sync status through your Xiaomi account, go to Settings → Mi Account (Mi Account) → Mi Cloud. Here you will see a list of applications and data that can be saved.
In this section, look for Calls or Call History. The switch next to it activates or disables automatic log loading. If you are interested in Google syncing, the path will be different: Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google. Select your primary inbox and make sure Contacts and Call Data (or similar) is active.
☑️ Checking the synchronization settings
You also have to look at the phone app itself. Click on three dots in the corner of the screen, select Settings, then Import and Export Contacts or Backup, and there may be additional settings to where new call records are stored -- on the phone. SIM-card, phone memory or immediately in the cloud.
How to turn off call synchronization
Disabling sync may be necessary for a variety of reasons: to save traffic, concerns regarding privacy, or simply to free up space in the cloud, which is filled with logs of thousands of calls. To turn off via Mi Cloud, do the following: open settings, go to Mi Account, select Mi Cloud and find the Calls switch.
⚠️ Warning: Once sync is disabled, new calls will no longer be saved in the cloud. If you lose your phone or reset to factory settings, it will be impossible to restore your call history.
To stop data transfer via Google, go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google. Click on your email address. In the list that opens, look for Contacts and Call Data (sometimes called Contact Sync with a Call Subitem) and uncheck the box. The system will ask for confirmation of action - agree with it.
There's also a way to completely disable sync for all apps at once, but this is a radical measure that will stop saving photos, notes and voice recordings. This is not recommended if you're only targeting call logs. It's better to act point-by-point, through the settings of specific accounts.
Problems and errors in synchronization
Despite the fact that the processes are fine, Xiaomi users are constantly faced with errors. One of the most common problems is endless synchronization, when the cloud icon spins for hours and the data is not updated. This is often associated with unstable Internet connection or overcrowded storage. Clearing the cache of the service "Mi Cloud" or "Google Play Services" can help solve the problem.