A modern smartphone, especially Xiaomi, stores a huge amount of personal data, from work documents to family photos. Losing or damaging a device can be a real blow if you do not take care of the safety of information in advance, which is why the question of how to sync Xiaomi Redmi becomes one of the most pressing for new owners.
The process of backing up or transferring data to a new device can seem like a complex maze of settings. But MIUI offers some convenient and reliable ways to do this: You can use the manufacturer's cloud services, Google's ecosystem, or a classic wired connection to a computer.
In this article, we will take a closer look at all the available methods, their advantages and nuances of customization. We will look at the standard system tools, work with Mi Cloud and third-party solutions for professionals, understanding these processes will allow you to feel confident in any situation.
Use of the Mi Cloud cloud service
The most integrated and easy way for Xiaomi owners to use their own cloud storage is the company.Mi Cloud service is deeply embedded in the MIUI shell and allows you to save contacts, messages, call history, notes and photos without the need to install additional software.
You'll need a Mi Account to get started, and if you haven't already created one, the system will suggest you sign up when you first log in to the cloud settings menu, and once you log in, you'll have full control over what data is sent to the company's servers.
It’s important to note that 5GB of storage is free, enough for text and settings, but a large photo and video archive may require a tariff extension or storage cleanup.
To activate sync, go to Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud. Here you will see a list of applications and system functions. Just activate the switches opposite the desired items, such as Contacts, Messages or Gallery.
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It is recommended to enable the “Clear Gallery” function in the Mi Cloud settings, which will free up space on your smartphone by automatically deleting photos that have already been successfully uploaded to the cloud.
The synchronization process is automatically performed when you connect to Wi-Fi, unless you have set a different setting, and you can check the download status at any time by going to the corresponding menu, and all data is encrypted and stored securely on the servers.
⚠️ Warning: When resetting to factory settings or selling a phone, be sure to exit the Mi Account. Otherwise, the device may be blocked by the theft protection system, and the new owner will not be able to use it.
Synchronization with Google account
Google’s ecosystem is the standard for the Android operating system on which MIUI is built, ideal for those who plan to move between different smartphone brands or want a single data recovery point.
The focus here is on contacts, calendar events and app data, and many users don't even realize that their phone book has been stored on the search giant's servers for a long time, and you can check it in the account management menu.
To set up, follow the Settings path → Accounts and Sync → Google. Select your inbox and make sure the sliders opposite Contacts, Calendar and Drive are active, ensuring that any new record instantly appears in the cloud.
Special attention should be paid to synchronizing photos through Google Photos, which is often pre-installed on Redmi smartphones, and allows you to create unlimited (in compressed format) storage of media files.
The advantage of the method is versatility, which allows you to restore contacts from Google on any Android smartphone just by entering a username and password, which makes the method extremely popular among users who often change devices.
Connecting to a computer through USB-cable
Wired remains the fastest and most reliable way to transfer large amounts of data.When it comes to gigabytes of 4K video or heavy game files, wireless methods can be too slow or unstable.
Use the original cable that came with Xiaomi Redmi to connect. Cheap counterparts often don’t support the required data rates or have poor shielding, leading to communication breakdowns.
After connecting your smartphone to your PC, look at the screen of the device. The system will request permission to use USB. Select File Transfer or MTP mode. Only then will the computer see the phone's internal memory as an external drive.
On your computer, open "My Computer" and find the device that appears. Inside you'll see folders with system data. Copy important files (DCIM, Download, Documents) to your hard drive manually.
☑️ Checking the connection to the PC
If your computer is not responding to the connection, try another one. USB-port, preferably located on the back of the system unit, it is also worth checking whether debugging is enabled USB In the developer menu, although it is not usually required for simple file transfers.
The good thing about this is that it doesn't require the Internet, it doesn't depend on the speed of your ISP, and you have complete control over the process, and you see the real progress of copying files.
Local backup of the system
The MIUI shell has a powerful feature for creating a full local copy of the system, which allows you to save not only files, but also settings, the location of icons on the desktop, Wi-Fi passwords and even installed applications.
You can find this feature by going to Settings → About Phone → Backup and Restore. Here you will be asked to create a password to protect your backup. Don't neglect this step, as the backup may contain sensitive information.
The process of creating a full copy can take from 10 to 40 minutes depending on the amount of data. Once completed, the backup file is stored in internal memory.
| Type of data | Restored through Mi Cloud | Restored through Google | Local copy of MIUI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contacts | Yes. | Yes. | Yes. |
| Photos and videos | Yes (limited seat) | Yes (limited seat) | Yeah (full size) |
| SMS and Call log | Yes. | Partially. | Yes. |
| Location of icons | No. | No. | Yes. |
| Wi-Fi passwords | No. | Yes (on new Android) | Yes. |
Using a local backup is especially important before installing global firmware updates or experimenting with system settings, and it’s your insurance in case something goes wrong.
⚠️ Attention: The local backup file takes up a lot of space. If you don't transfer it to your computer, it will remain dead weight and may run out of free space on your smartphone.
Transferring data to a new smartphone
When you buy a new Redmi device or switch from a different brand, you need to migrate data, and for this purpose, MIUI has a special tool called “Mi Mover” built in, which makes life much easier for the user.
The app works by creating a local Wi-Fi network between two devices, transmitting data directly, bypassing Internet channels, which ensures high speed, and supporting the transfer of contacts, messages, applications, settings and multimedia.
Run Mi Mover on both devices. Select "I'm the receiver" on the new phone and "I'm the sender" on the old one. Scan. QR-code that appears on the screen of the new device, and the pairing process will begin.
What should I do if the transmission is interrupted?
You can choose specific categories of data to migrate, for example, if you don't need old apps, but photos are important, just uncheck the unnecessary items. This will save time and space.
Once the process is complete, the new smartphone will be almost identical to the old one, and all your usual settings and data will be in place, allowing you to start working immediately, without a long initial setup.
Synchronization with PC without wires (Wi-Fi)
For those who prefer wireless solutions, there is the possibility of synchronizing files over a Wi-Fi network. the standard file manager MIUI has a built-in feature that allows you to manage smartphone files directly from your computer.
Make sure both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Open the Explorer app on your smartphone, go to Remote Devices or PC Access and press Launch.
The screen will show you an address that you want to type into the address bar of any browser or conductor on your computer, and once you type in the address, you'll have full access to the phone's file system.
This method is convenient for fast transfer of documents or photos without finding cables. the speed of transfer depends on the quality of your router and the frequency range (2.4 GHz or 5 GHz).
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Use of built-in FTP-conductor MIUI — The fastest way to transfer a file to your computer without installing any drivers or programs.
However, this method is not suitable for creating full backups of the system; it is designed solely for working with the user's files: documents, music, videos and archives.
Solving and eliminating errors
Users may encounter various difficulties in syncing, most often problems are related to an unstable Internet connection or overcrowded storage. If synchronization is “hang”, check the status of Mi Cloud servers.
Sometimes the system may require re-authorization, which is a normal security procedure, especially if you've changed your password or logged in from a new device. Just re-enter your details.
If you use third-party sync programs, make sure they have the necessary permissions. In modern versions of Android, file access is strictly regulated, and the application can be blocked by the system.
⚠️ Note: Do not try to sync system folders manually through third-party file managers without understanding their purpose.
Checking sync status regularly will help avoid unpleasant surprises, and make sure your device has the latest security and system update installed, as they often fix sync errors.