How to enable sync on Xiaomi phone: a complete guide with pictures and tips

Why you need synchronization on Xiaomi and what it gives the user

Synchronizing data on Xiaomi smartphones is not just a handy feature, it's a vital tool for the modern user. Imagine if you lost your phone, it broke or it was stolen. Without synchronizing enabled, all your contacts, photos, notes and even app settings can be lost forever. And with active synchronization, it's easy to log into your account on a new device, and all information will automatically be pulled from the cloud.

But synchronization on Xiaomi doesn’t just work as a data loss insurance, it makes it easier to switch between devices in the same ecosystem (like a smartphone to a tablet or a Mi Band smartwatch), it allows you to quickly restore backup after resetting, and it also synchronizes data between multiple gadgets, like you can start reading an article on your phone and continue on your laptop — if you use Mi Cloud or Google Drive.

It’s important to understand that synchronization works through two main channels on Xiaomi: Mi Account (a branded cloud from Xiaomi) and Google Account. Each option has its pros and cons. For example, Mi Cloud is better integrated with branded apps (like Notes or Calendar), but has a 5GB free storage limit, while Google offers 15GB for free, but may be worse for some Chinese services. Next, we will understand how to configure both options, and also consider the nuances for different models Xiaomi, Redmi and other models. POCO.

Preparing the phone before synchronization

Before you start synchronization, you need to perform several preparatory steps, which will help to avoid errors and ensure that the function works correctly.

First, check the version. MIUI On your device. To do this, go to Settings. → The phone. → Version. MIUI. Synchronization may not work smoothly on older firmware versions (below). MIUI If your version is older than 2021, we recommend updating through Settings. → Updating the system.

Second, make sure that there's enough space on the phone, and sync creates temporary files, so if it's less than 1 GB, the process can be interrupted. → Warehouse.

The third important thing is a stable Internet connection, and synchronization requires data transfer, so it’s better to use Wi-Fi rather than mobile Internet (especially if you have limited traffic). If you still decide to sync through the mobile network, disable the data background restriction in Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Transfer of data → Background restriction.

• 🔄 Update. MIUI until the latest version (minimum) MIUI 12 for stable employment).
• 📱 Check the vacant space – it should be at least 1 GB.
• 🌐 Connect to Wi-Fi or turn off mobile traffic restriction.
• 🔒 Remember the password from Mi Account or Google – it will be required to recover data.

⚠️ Note: If you have not used Mi Account before, the system may request a phone number link when you first sync it, without which some functions (e.g., device search) will not be available. → Xiaomi account → Account security.

How to enable synchronization through Mi Account (branded cloud Xiaomi)

Mi Cloud is Xiaomi’s own cloud storage that is tightly integrated with firmware. MIUI. It allows you to synchronize not only contacts and photos, but also SMS, Notes, calendar entries, and system settings (such as wallpaper or display options) are the main advantage of being automatically linked to all Xiaomi devices in your ecosystem (smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, TVs).

To enable sync through Mi Account, follow the following steps:

1. Open the settings on your phone.
2. Scroll up and select a Xiaomi Account (some models may call it Mi Account).
3. If you are not already logged in, click Login and enter your details (email or phone number) + password).
4. After you sign in, go to the Mi Cloud (or Xiaomi Cloud).
5. Activate the Synchronization slider at the top of the screen.
6. Below you will see a list of data that can be synchronized, Contacts, Notes and Calendar are enabled by default, to add other items (e.g. Gallery or Calendar). SMS), Click on the appropriate points and activate synchronization.

Once turned on, the system will start uploading data to the cloud. Synchronization time depends on the amount of information and Internet speed. Progress can be tracked in the same Mi Cloud section, where each point will display a status (Synced or Waiting).

Is synchronization enabled for the data you need (contacts, photos, etc.)

Is there enough space in the cloud (check in the "Storage" section)

Active autosynchronization over Wi-Fi (settings) → Mi Cloud → Synchronization settings)

Is the phone number linked to the account (to restore access)-->

⚠️ Note: If you are using Xiaomi with global firmware (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro)+ 5G Global, Mi Cloud will work smoothly, but on Chinese-based devices (China) ROM) For full synchronization, you may need to link a Chinese phone number, otherwise some functions (such as finding a device) will be limited.

Set up sync through Google Account

If you prefer to use Google services, sync on Xiaomi can be configured through Google Account, which is suitable for those who actively use Gmail, Google Photos, Google Drive or Google Contacts, the main advantage is 15 GB of free cloud storage (versus 5 GB for Mi Cloud) and wider compatibility with other devices (for example, Android smartphones of other brands or iPhone via the web interface).

To enable sync through Google, follow the instructions:

1. Open Settings and go to Accounts and Sync (or Passwords and accounts on new versions) MIUI).
2. Select Google from your account list. If you don't have one, click Add Account and log in.
3. Once you log in, you'll see a list of Google services that you can sync. Activate sliders next to the right items: Contacts, phone number sync. Calendar, events and reminders. Gmail, emails and tags. Google Photos, auto-upload photos and videos. Google Drive, backups of settings and app data.

Synchronize now

Note that Google Photos downloads media files in high quality (with easy compression) by default, but not in the original resolution. To change this, open the Google Photos app, go to Settings → Backup and sync and select Original Quality. note that in this case, 15GB of free space will end up faster.

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If you use both Mi Cloud and Google Account, avoid duplicate data, for example, sync contacts only through one service, otherwise there may be conflicts when editing numbers.

To check the synchronization status, go to Settings → Accounts and synchronization → Google → Google Account Management. Here you'll see the last sync date for each service. If a particular item doesn't update for a long time, try turning it off and back on sync for it, or restarting your phone.

Synchronization of photos and videos: Mi Cloud vs Google Photos

One of the most popular sync features is photo and video backup. On Xiaomi, you can do this in two ways: through Mi Cloud (in the Gallery section) or through Google Photos. Which option to choose? Let's compare:

• 📸 Mi Cloud (Xiaomi Gallery): Stores photos in original quality (without compression). Integrated with the Gallery's proprietary app - photos are automatically sorted by albums. Limitation - 5 GB free (can be expanded for a fee). Supports hidden albums (photos won’t be visible in the cloud web version).
• 🖼️ Google Photos: 15GB free (shared storage with Google Drive and Gmail); Smart photo search (e.g., you can find all photos with dogs or the beach); Automatic collage creation, animations and movies; High quality photos are slightly compressed (but visually the difference is minimal).

If you choose Mi Cloud, you can go to the settings of the gallery as follows: Gallery → Settings (cog icon) → Backup to Mi Cloud. Here you can enable automatic download over Wi-Fi, select the quality of the photo (original or compressed), and configure the download only when connected to charging.

For Google Photos, the path will be as follows: Google Photos app → Profile → Photo settings → Backup and sync. You can choose Original Quality (to occupy a place in the cloud) or High Quality (unlimited storage, but with easy compression).

⚠️ Note: If you enable sync in both Mi Cloud and Google Photos at the same time, it will result in a double consumption of traffic and space in the cloud. Choose one service or set them up so they reserve different folders (for example, Mi Cloud for screenshots, and Google Photos for personal photos).

How to synchronize notes, calendar and other data

In addition to contacts and photos, other types of data can be synchronized on Xiaomi: notes, calendar, SMS And even bookmarking the browser. Let's look at how to do that for each case.

Synchronizing notes

Notes app on Xiaomi supports synchronization via Mi Cloud. To enable it:

1. Open the Notes app.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Settings.
3. Go to Synchronization and activate the slider.
4. Select the Xiaomi account you want to sync notes with.

After that, all your notes will be available on other devices through the same account. If you prefer Google Keep, install it from the Play Market and log in - sync will turn on automatically.

Synchronizing the calendar

Xiaomi calendar can be synced both through Mi Account and Google:

• 📅 For Mi Cloud: Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Calendar.
• 📅 For Google: Settings → Accounts and synchronization → Google → Calendar.

If you use both services, events can be duplicated, and to avoid this, disable calendar syncing in one of your accounts.

Synchronization SMS call history

This feature is only available through Mi Cloud: Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → SMS Please note that messages from messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) are not synchronized, only standard ones. SMS.

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For full synchronization of notes and calendar, it is better to choose one service (Mi Cloud or Google) to avoid duplication of data.

Synchronization of browser bookmarks

If you use a proprietary Mi Browser browser, its bookmarks are synced through Mi Account: Mi Browser. → Settings → Bookmark Sync: For Google Chrome, sync is automatically enabled when you add a Google Account in your phone settings.

Solving synchronization problems on Xiaomi

Sometimes synchronization on Xiaomi can work incorrectly: data is not updated, errors occur or the process freezes.

Synchronization is not started

If nothing happens after synchronization is enabled, follow the following steps:

1. Check your internet connection (better use Wi-Fi).
2. Make sure the date and time on the phone are set automatically (Settings) → Additionally. → Date and time).
3. Reboot your phone – this often helps with temporary crashes.
4. Check if you have traffic saving or background limiting on your Mi Cloud or Google Play Services apps.

Error "Can't synchronize"

This error usually occurs due to:

• 🔐 Wrong password from your account. Try logging out and logging back in to Mi Account or Google.
• 🌍 Regional restrictions: On some firmware (especially Chinese ones), Mi Cloud can block access due to geolocation. VPN Change the region in your account.
• 📱 An outdated version MIUI. Update the firmware through Settings → Updating the system.

Data is not fully synchronized

If, for example, not all contacts or photos are synced, check:

• 📂 Filter settings in Mi Cloud or Google Photos (certain folders may be excluded).
• 📵 App permissions. Go to Settings. → Annexes → Permissions and make sure that Contacts, Gallery and Mi Cloud have access to storage and contacts.
• 🗃️ Size constraints. If there's not enough space in the cloud, new data won't be downloaded. Clean up unnecessary files or expand storage.

Synchronization consumes a lot of traffic

If you notice that mobile Internet is being consumed quickly due to synchronization, follow the following steps:

1. Turn off synchronization over mobile network: Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Settings → Synchronize only over Wi-Fi.
2. Limit Automatic Photo Uploading: to the Gallery → Settings → Backup in Mi Cloud Select Only over Wi-Fi.
3. For Google Photos, turn off background data transfer in the app settings.

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi devices with firmware for the Chinese market (China) ROM) Synchronization via Google may not work smoothly due to manufacturer restrictions, in which case it is recommended to use Mi Cloud or third-party services (for example, Yandex Drive).

FAQ: Frequent questions about synchronization on Xiaomi