How to sync two Xiaomi smartphones: 5 proven ways

Synchronizing two Xiaomi smartphones is a challenge that users face when buying a new device, sharing data with loved ones or backing up. Unlike the iPhone, where the process is most automated via iCloud, the MIUI ecosystem offers several alternative paths, from cloud storage to Mi Cloud to direct transmission over Wi-Fi Direct or cable. But what way to choose if you want to transfer not only contacts, but also photos, messages or even app settings?

In this article, we’ll break down all the current synchronization methods between two Xiaomi smartphones, including Redmi and POCO, taking into account the features of MIUI 14/15. You’ll learn how to avoid data loss when switching between devices, what settings you should check before starting the process, and why it is sometimes easier to use third-party services like Google Account or Telegram.

1. Synchronization through Mi Cloud: pros and pitfalls

The Mi Cloud is the most obvious and versatile way to sync data between two Xiaomi smartphones, allowing you to transfer contacts, photos, calendar entries, notes and even some system settings. However, the method has limitations: free tariff provides only 5 GB of storage, and synchronization of applications (for example, SMS or Calls) works unstable on some models.

To start synchronization:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Mi Account → Mi Cloud on both devices.
• 🔄 Turn on switches opposite the data categories you want to sync (e.g. Contacts, Photos, Notes).
• 🔄 Click Sync and wait until the process is complete (can take up to 10 minutes with a large amount of data).
• ⚡ Repeat the steps on the second phone using the same Mi Account.

An important nuance: If you have previously used Google Account to sync contacts, MIUI can create duplicates. To avoid this, turn off contact sync in Settings → Google Accounts → Sync before you start.

⚠️ Note: If you delete data from one device (such as gallery photos), it will automatically be deleted from both the Mi Cloud and the second synchronized smartphone.

2. Direct Wi-Fi Direct: fast and without internet

If you need to transfer large files (video, archives, backups) or no Internet access, Wi-Fi Direct is the best solution, allowing you to establish a direct connection between two devices at speeds up to 300 Mbps - many times faster than Bluetooth. Both smartphones should be supported MIUI 10 or newer.

Instructions for setting:

1. On the first phone, open Settings → Connection and Sharing → Wi-Fi Direct.
2. On the second phone, do the same thing and select the name of the first device from the list.
3. Confirm the connection on both screens (entering may be required) PIN-code).
4. Open Explorer (Files), select the desired files and click Send → Wi-Fi Direct.

The transfer speed depends on the model of the smartphone. For example, on Xiaomi 13 Pro and Redmi Note 12 files with a volume of 1 GB are transferred in 2-3 minutes, whereas on older devices like Redmi 5 the process can take 10-15 minutes.

Enable Wi-Fi on both devices |

Charge phones at least 50% |

Delete unnecessary files to speed up the process |

Check the free space on the receiving device-->

3. Synchronization via OTG cable: maximum speed

Using an OTG (On-The-Go) cable is the fastest way to transfer data, but it requires an additional adapter (such as USB-C to USB-C for modern Xiaomi).

Step-by-step:

• 🔌 Connect the adapter. OTG The first phone (source of data).
• 📱 Connect the second phone to the adapter.
• 📁 On the first device, open Explorer (Files) and select files to transfer.
• 🔄 Click Copy, then go to the folder of the second phone (it will appear as an external drive) and paste the files.

Not all Xiaomi models support the mode USB-Like a host, POCO M3 It might not recognize the second phone as a drive, and the app will help. FX File Explorer with module OTG.

💡

If it's cable OTG not recognized, try using an externally powered adapter (e.g, USB-This will solve the problem of lack of power for the port to operate.

4. synchronize contacts and calendars through Google Account

If you don't want to depend on Mi Cloud, the alternative is sync through Google Account, which is reliable because data is stored on Google servers and can be easily recovered even when you reset your phone, but here's the caveat: MIUI can block automatic sync by default to save battery life.

How to set up:

1. Open Settings → Google Accounts → Sync your account.
2. Turn on the switches for Contacts, Calendar and Gmail.
3. On the second phone, log in to the same Google account and wait for automatic sync (can take up to 5 minutes).

To speed up the process, open the Contacts app, click on the three dots in the top right corner, and select Sync. If contacts don't show up, check if sync is disabled in Settings → Battery → Power Saving Mode.

5. Transfer of notes, SMS and calls: hidden functions MIUI

Synchronizing notes from the standard Notes app is one of the most challenging tasks. Mi Cloud supports this functionality, but only if notes were created in the app. MIUI, Not imported from other services. SMS And the call log will have to use third-party tools.

Modes of transfer:

• 📝 Notes: Export them to.zip file via App Settings → Export, then import on the second phone. Alternative is the ColorNote app synced via Google Drive.
• 💬 SMS: Use it. SMS Backup & Restore (Saves Messages in the Reservations) XML Google Drive).
• 📞 Calls: Call Logs Backup & Restore app will transfer the story without linking to the account.

Critical error: If you use MIUI 12 or older, the built-in note export may not work due to an encoding bug. In this case, update the firmware or use the APK-Notes from Xiaomi for Android 10+.

6. Automatic synchronization of photos through Google Photos

If Mi Cloud does not like the 5GB limit, the alternative will be Google Photos. the service offers 15GB of free storage (together with Gmail and Drive) and can automatically upload photos in original quality.

How to turn on:

1. Install Google Photos from Play Market (if it is not available by default).
2. Open the app, log in to your Google account and go to Settings → Backup and Sync.
3. Turn on the switch and select High Quality (unlimited storage) or Original Quality (counted from a 15GB quota).
4. On the second phone, log in to the same account – photos will start uploading automatically.

Tip: To save space, in Google Photos settings, turn off backup screenshots and memes. Go to Settings → Device Backup → Backup folders and uncheck the unnecessary folders.

💡

Google Photos is the best choice for syncing photos between Xiaomi and other brands (Samsung, iPhone), as it is not tied to the MIUI ecosystem.

7.Sync apps and games: what works and what doesn't

Porting installed applications and their data is the most difficult task.Mi Cloud does not save any data. APK-files or game settings, and Google Play only restores the list of installed programs (no saves:

• 🎮 Games: Use the built-in sync function via Google Play Games or Facebook (for Genshin Impact, PUBG Mobile and others.).
• 📱 Applications: For data backup (e.g. WhatsApp, Viber) use the built-in export/import features.
• 🔄 APK-files: Appendix APK Extractor will retrieve installed.apk that can be transferred to the second phone.

Important for gaming: Some titles (like Honor of Kings) are tied to the Mi Account region. If you sync data between phones with different regions (like Global and China ROM), saves may not load.

⚠️ Note: When transferring WhatsApp data via Google Drive, make sure that both phones use the same phone number. otherwise the backup will not be restored and messages will be lost.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi synchronization