Sync video on Xiaomi devices is a useful feature for those who use multiple gadgets in the same ecosystem, allowing you to automatically transfer browsing history, bookmarks and even recommendations between Mi TV, Mi Box, smartphones on MIUI and other devices of the brand. However, not all users like when their views are tracked or when content suddenly appears on other screens. For example, a movie started on a phone can automatically open on the TV, interrupting the broadcast for other family members.
In this article, we will discuss how to completely disable video synchronization on all types of Xiaomi devices: from Mi TV Q1/Q2 and Mi TV A Pro to Mi Box S media consoles and smartphones on MIUI 12-14. Particular attention will be paid to hidden settings that the manufacturer does not advertise, as well as the consequences of disconnection (for example, the loss of personalized recommendations in Mi Video or Xiaomi TV+).
If you’re experiencing video spontaneously syncing between devices, or just want to improve privacy, this is for you. We’ll also look at how to turn off sync selectively (for example, for browsing history only or for recommendations only), and what to do if settings are reset after a firmware update.
Why Xiaomi is syncing video between devices
The video sync function in the Xiaomi ecosystem works through the Mi Account cloud service and built-in applications like Mi Video, Xiaomi TV+ or PatchWall (on TVs).
- 🔄 Continue viewing: the movie started on a smartphone can be quickly opened on the TV with the same time stamp.
- 📋 General browsing history: All devices see what videos you’ve watched, even if they’ve been running on another device.
- 🎬 Personalized recommendations: Algorithms analyze your preferences and offer content on all screens.
- 👨👩👧👦 Family Access: Family members with linked accounts can see shared bookmarks (if option enabled).
However, this function has a downside:
- 👁️ Privacy breach: If multiple devices are connected to your Mi Account, other users may see your browsing history.
- 📱 Uncomfortable automatic actions: for example, the TV can turn on the video you started watching on the phone in transport.
- 🔋 Additional battery load: background synchronization consumes smartphone charge and traffic.
By default, sync is enabled on all Xiaomi devices connected to one account, and you can turn it off globally (for all services), or selectively – for example, only for Mi Video or only for browsing history.
How to turn off video sync on Mi TVs (all models)
On Xiaomi TVs (Q1, Q2, A Pro, P1, etc.), video synchronization is controlled through the account settings and the Xiaomi TV+ application (or PatchWall in older models).
Method 1: Disconnecting with Mi Account
This method completely disables synchronization for all services related to video (history, bookmarks, recommendations):
- Open Settings (cog in the upper right corner of the main screen).
- Go to Accounts and Security → Mi Account.
- Choose your profile (if there are several).
- Press Data Sync.
- Find the Video or Mi Video section and move the slider to the off position.
- Confirm the action if necessary.
After that, the TV will stop sending and receiving viewing data, but some recommendations may still be generated locally (based on the history on the device itself).
Method 2: Disconnection in the Xiaomi TV+ app
If you want to keep sync for other services (such as notes or calendar) but remove it for video only, do the following:
- Launch the Xiaomi TV+ app (or PatchWall on older models).
- Go to Profile → Settings (the pinion icon next to the avatar).
- Select Data Synchronization.
- Turn off the options: 📺 Viewing history 🔖 Bookmarks 🎥 Recommendations
Save the changes.
On some models (e.g. Mi TV Q1 2023), these settings may be in Settings → Applications → Xiaomi TV+ → Permissions.
Mi Account settings are open|Checked section "Data synchronization"|Options for video in Xiaomi are disabled TV+|Reset the TV (recommended)-->
Method 3: Reset recommendations (if synchronization is not turned off)
If after disabling sync recommendations continue to duplicate or browsing history is not cleared, try resetting the app cache:
- Go to Settings → Applications → All applications.
- Find Xiaomi TV+ (or PatchWall) and select it.
- Click Clear the cache and Clear the data.
- Restart the TV (Settings → About TV → Reboot).
⚠️ Note: the application data reset will delete all local bookmarks and browsing history on this device. Cloud data (if sync was enabled earlier) can be restored after re-entering the account.
Disable synchronization on Mi Box and other media consoles
On Xiaomi media consoles (Mi Box S, Mi Box 4, Mi TV Stick), the process is similar to televisions, but there are nuances due to differences in the Android TV interface. Here sync is managed through Google Account and Mi Account at the same time.
Step 1: Disconnect with Mi Account
The algorithm is similar to televisions:
- Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
- Go to the Accounts → Mi Account.
- Select Data Synchronization.
- Turn off options related to video: 📽️ Mi Video 📡 Xiaomi TV+ (if)
Step 2: Turn off sync via Google (for YouTube and Google TV)
If you use YouTube or Google TV, these apps can sync your history independently of your Mi Account.
- Go to Settings → Accounts → Google.
- Choose your account.
- Click Account Sync.
- Turn it off: 🎥 YouTube 📺 Google TV (if)
On the Mi Box S, it is also recommended to turn off automatic YouTube login:
- Open the YouTube app.
- Go to Settings → History and Privacy.
- Turn off browsing history synchronization and search synchronization.
💡
If the recommendations in Google TV or YouTube are still duplicated after you disable sync, try removing your Google account from the console and adding it again, but without sync.
How to turn off video sync on Xiaomi smartphones (MIUI)
On Xiaomi smartphones (Redmi, Poco, Mi series), video synchronization works through the Mi Video app and the Mi Cloud service, which can be turned off in several ways, from global shutdown to selective control.
Method 1: Through Mi Account Settings
This will disable sync for all devices associated with the account:
- Open the Settings. → Mi Account.
- Go to Mi Cloud.
- Find the data synchronization section.
- Turn off the Mi Video option (or Video in the Russian version).
- Confirm the action.
On some versions of MIUI (e.g. MIUI 13 for global firmware), this item may be referred to as Multimedia or Media Data.
Method 2: In the Mi Video app itself
If you want to keep sync for other data (contacts, notes), but remove it for video only:
- Open the Mi Video app.
- Slip on the profile avatar in the upper right corner.
- Select Settings → Synchronization.
- Turn it off: 📹 Viewing history 🔖 Bookmarks 📊 Personalized recommendations
On MIUI 14, the path may differ: Profile → Settings → Cloud → Synchronization of video.
Method 3: Limiting background activity
If sync continues to work despite the shutdowns in the settings, limit the background activity of the application:
- Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Find Mi Video and tap it.
- Choose the Battery. → Limit background activity.
- Also turn off AutoRun and Secondary Start.
⚠️ Attention: Restricting background activity can cause the application to load longer and not update content in the background.However, this completely blocks unauthorized synchronization.
What to do if settings are reset after the MIUI update?
Table: Comparison of methods of disabling synchronization on different devices
| The device | Method of disconnection | What's off? | Reset is needed | Restored after update |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mi TV (all models) | Through the Mi Account. → Synchronization of data | History, bookmarks, recommendations | No. | Sometimes. |
| Mi TV | Through settings Xiaomi TV+ | Just history and bookmarks. | No. | Rarely. |
| Mi Box S | Through Mi Account and Google Account | Sync with Mi Video and YouTube | Yes. | Often |
| Smartphone (MIUI) | Through the Mi Cloud → Synchronization of data | All media data | No. | After major updates |
| Smartphone (MIUI) | Through the Mi Video settings | Only history and recommendations | No. | Rarely. |
What to do if the synchronization is not turned off?
If you’ve completed all the steps, but the video is still synced between devices, try the following solutions:
- 🔄 Rebooting the device: sometimes changes only take effect after a reboot.
- 📱 Remove and Re-Install the App: Remove Mi Video or Xiaomi TV+. Clear cache and data through Settings → Apps. Install the app again from the Mi App Store or Google Play.
Resetting the application settings
Settings → Applications → Mi Video → Storage → Clear dataDisconnecting cloud services
- Go to Settings. → Mi Account → Mi Cloud.
- Turn off data synchronization completely.
- Log out of your account and log in again (without synchronization).
If the problem persists, it may be related to a particular firmware version.
- Check for updates (Settings → About TV / phone → System Update).
- Contact Xiaomi via official chat or forum, specifying the device model and software version.
💡
Autoplay often works via Miracast or Google Cast. If disabling settings doesn’t help, try disabling those features entirely in Settings → Communication and Network → Wi-Fi Transfer (on TVs) or Settings → Connected devices → Miracast (on smartphones).