How to sync data between Xiaomi devices: all ways 2026

Synchronization between Xiaomi devices is not just a convenient feature, but the basis of an ecosystem that turns individual gadgets into a single smart system.+, A second later, the picture is already available on Xiaomi Pad 6 for editing, and contacts with the company are available for editing. POCO F5 It automatically appears on Xiaomi 14 Ultra without manual porting. But how does it work in practice? What data can be synchronized and what can't? And what if devices can't see each other?

In this article, we’ll look at all the current synchronization methods between Xiaomi devices, from standard tools like Mi Cloud and Mi Account to hidden features like Xiaomi Local Network and Quick Transfer. You’ll learn how to transfer not only contacts and photos, but also notes, calendars, Wi-Fi passwords, smart home settings and even call history, and how to avoid errors that interrupt or malfunction sync.

Important: the instructions in the article are relevant to devices on MIUI 14/15 HyperOS and other models 2023–2026 If you have an older firmware version, some features may be missing or may work differently.

1. synchronization through Mi Cloud: the main way

Mi Cloud is Xiaomi’s cloud storage that automatically syncs data between all devices linked to a single Mi Account, which is the most reliable way, as it is independent of the local network and works even if the gadgets are located in different countries.

What can be synced with Mi Cloud:

• 📱 Contacts (including groups and selected groups)
• 📷 Photos and videos (from the gallery, including albums)
• 📝 Notes (from the annex Notes)
• 📅 Calendar and reminders
• 🔑 Wi-Fi passwords (if Network Synchronization is enabled)
• 📱 Log of calls (incoming/outgoing history)
• 🎵 Selected melodies (from the Music app)

How to turn on synchronization:

1. Open the Settings. → Mi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Sign in if you have not already logged in to your account.
3. Select data categories (e.g. Contacts, Gallery) and enable synchronization.
4. On the second device, repeat steps 1-3, and the data will sync automatically.

Mi Account is enabled on both devices

Is there enough space in the cloud (free 5GB)

Are devices connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network)

Updated Mi Cloud and Gallery Apps

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An important nuance: if you delete data on one device (for example, a contact), it will automatically be deleted on all others associated with the same Mi Account. This applies to all categories except the Gallery - there photos remain in the cloud even after you delete from your phone (if you do not clean the Recycle Bin).

Local sync over Wi-Fi (without cloud)

If you don’t want to use Mi Cloud (for example, due to limited space or privacy concerns), you can sync your data over a LAN, which only works when devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network, but does not require Internet access and does not take up space in the cloud.

What can be synchronized locally:

• 🖼️ Photos and videos (via Gallery app)
• 📄 Files (via Explorer or Mi Share)
• 📱 Applications (transfer of installed programs through the Kloner)
• 🔄 Wi-Fi settings (via Quick Transmission)

Instructions for synchronizing photos through the local network:

1. On both devices, open the Gallery. → Settings → Synchronization over Wi-Fi.
2. Turn on the option and wait for the devices to find each other.
3. Select albums for sync (you can choose All or individual folders).
4. Click Sync – the photos will start to be copied.

Mi Cloud (cloud)|Local Wi-Fi network|Mi Share (direct transmission)|Another way.-->

⚠️ Attention: Local sync of photos through the Gallery creates copies of files, not connects them between devices. If you delete a photo on one phone, it stays on the second. This is different from Mi Cloud, where deletion syncs.

3. Mi Share: Fast file transfer between devices

Mi Share (formerly Xiaomi Quick Share) is Xiaomi’s proprietary technology for instant file transfer between cloud-free devices.It works on Apple’s AirDrop principle, but supports not only smartphones, but also tablets, laptops (via Mi Mi). PC Suite) and even some smart devices.

Advantages of Mi Share:

• 🚀 Up to 20MB/s (10 times faster than Bluetooth).
• 🔒 Data encryption (more secure than open Wi-Fi networks).
• 📱 It works with devices on MIUI 12+ hyperos.
• 🔄 Supports the transfer of any files (APK, ZIP, document).

How to use Mi Share:

1. On both devices, turn on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
2. Open Explorer or Gallery, select files and click Send → Mi Share.
3. On the second device will appear a notification - confirm acceptance.
4. Files will be saved to the Received Files (or Downloaded) folder.

1. Reboot Bluetooth on both gadgets.

2. Make sure that the devices have enabled Visibility for all in the Mi Share settings.

3. Disconnect. VPN Proxies – they can block a local connection.-->

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO F4 or Redmi 12) Mi Share can be disabled by default. To activate it, go to Settings. → Connections and sharing → Mi Share and turn on the slider.

4. Synchronization of notes, calendar and other data

In addition to photos and contacts, Xiaomi devices can sync notes, calendars, browser bookmarks and even smart home settings, using standard ecosystem applications:

1. Notes (Notes)

• 📝 Synced via Mi Cloud (included in application settings).
• 🔍 Supports search by text and tags.
• 📱 Available on all devices with one Mi Account.

Calendar (Calendar)

• 📅 Synchronizes events, reminders and repetitive tasks.
• 🔄 You can export to Google Calendar or Outlook.
• ⚠️ If you delete an event on one device, it will disappear on the rest.

3.Browser (Mi Browser)

• 🌐 Synchronizes bookmarks, history and open tabs.
• 🔒 Requires the inclusion of the option Synchronization of data in the browser settings.

4.Smart Home (Mi Home)

• 🏠 Synchronizes the list of devices, automation scenarios and settings.
• 🔑 Requires a link to one Mi Home account (not to be confused with Mi Account!).
• ⚠️ When changing your account, all smart home devices will be untied!

💡

To synchronize a smart home, one Mi Account is not enough – you need both devices to be tied to the same Mi Home account (configurable in the Mi Home app).

5. Data transfer when changing the phone (Mi Mover)

If you buy a new Xiaomi smartphone (for example, changing the Redmi Note 11 to Xiaomi 14), the fastest way to transfer all the data is to use Mi Mover.

What Mi Mover is carrying:

• 📱 Contacts, SMS, call-in
• 📷 Photos and videos (including albums)
• 🎵 Music and audio files
• 📁 Documents (PDF, Word, Excel)
• 📱 Installed applications (without data, only APK)
• 🔧 System settings (Wi-Fi, wallpaper, sounds)

How to use Mi Mover:

1. On your old phone, open Settings → About phone → Data Transfer.
2. On the new phone, when you first turn on, select Transfer from Android.
3. Bring the devices to each other – they will connect via Wi-Fi Direct.
4. Select the data for transfer and confirm.

⚠️ Note: If the new phone has already set up a Mi Account, it is better to reset to factory settings before transferring data via Mi Mover, otherwise synchronization conflicts may occur (for example, duplicate contacts).

6. synchronize Wi-Fi passwords and other networks

One of the most convenient features of the Xiaomi ecosystem is automatic Wi-Fi password synchronization. If you connect to the network on one device, all other gadgets with the same Mi Account will be able to connect to it without entering a password.

How it works:

1. On the first device, connect to the Wi-Fi network.
2. In network settings, enable Sync with Mi Account (if you request it).
3. On the second device, open the network list – next to the synchronized Wi-Fi, the Mi icon will appear.
4. Click on the network and the connection will happen automatically.

In addition to Wi-Fi, synchronized:

• 📶 Stored mobile Internet access points (if using a Mobile Hotspot).
• 🔌 Settings VPN (If synchronization is enabled in the settings → Connections → VPN).
• 📡 Bluetooth devices (headphones, fitness bracelets).

1. whether Network Synchronization option is included in Settings → Wi-Fi → Additionally.

2. Has the network password changed after the first device was connected?

3. Are you using a hidden network (SSID hidden networks are not synchronized.-->

7. Solving synchronization problems

If data is not synced between Xiaomi devices, the problem usually lies in one of three reasons: incorrect account settings, network problems or outdated firmware.

Problem 1: Mi Cloud doesn’t sync contacts or photos

• 🔹 Check if there is enough space in the cloud (free only 5GB).
• 🔹 Make sure that both devices are synced for the right category.
• 🔹 Try to manually update your data: Mi Cloud → Settings → Synchronize now.

Problem 2: Mi Share doesn't find the device

• 🔹 Turn on Bluetooth and Wi-Fi on both gadgets.
• 🔹 Make sure that the distance between the devices is not more than 10 meters.
• 🔹 Restart both devices (sometimes resetting network settings helps).

Problem 3: Local synchronization of photos hangs

• 🔹 Check if the transmission is blocked by the Firewall or Antivirus.
• 🔹 Try syncing fewer files (e.g. 50 photos at a time).
• 🔹 Update the Gallery app to the latest version.

Problem 4: When you transfer data through Mi Mover, the data is lost

• 🔹 Do not interrupt the transfer process (even if it takes more than an hour).
• 🔹 Before transferring, check the free space on the new device.
• 🔹 If the data is missing, try to re-transfer them by selecting only the desired categories.

Settings → System → Resetting settings → Resetting network settings

This will remove all stored Wi-Fi and Bluetooth devices, but often solves synchronization problems.-->

8. Alternative synchronization methods

If standard methods don't work (e.g., you don't have a Mi Account or you use devices from different brands), you can use third-party solutions.

1. Google Account

• 📱 Synchronizes contacts, calendar, mail and bookmarks Chrome.
• 🔄 It works on all Android devices (not just Xiaomi).
• 📁 You can use Google Photos for photos (15 GB free).

2. Cloud services (Yandex Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive)

• 📁 Suitable for synchronization of documents, photos and videos.
• 🔒 Data is encrypted but takes up space in the cloud.
• 📱 Requires the installation of separate applications.

3. Applications for file transfer (Send Anywhere, ShareIt)

• 🚀 Fast transfer of large files (up to 1 GB at a time).
• 🌍 Works between different platforms (Android, iOS, PC).
• ⚠️ Less secure than Mi Share (no encryption).

4.Cable OTG adapter

• 🔌 Suitable for transferring large amounts of data (for example, 100 GB photo).
• 📱 Demands. USB OTG-card-reader.
• ⚡ Faster than wireless methods (up to 40 MB/s).

⚠️ Note: When using third-party services (such as Google Photos or Yandex Drive), data may be compressed. For example, Google Photos defaults to save the photo in a compressed format (High quality), which degrades the detail. To avoid this, select Original Quality (but it takes up space in the cloud).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi synchronization