Sync on Xiaomi: how to turn on and configure in 5 minutes

Synchronizing data on Xiaomi smartphones is not just a handy feature, but a real “go-ahead” for those who value security and the availability of their information. Imagine: you lost your phone, but all contacts, photos and notes were automatically saved in the cloud and available on a new device. Or reinstalled the firmware, but after logging in, all settings were restored as if by magic. This is what a properly configured sync can do.

But many users are facing problems: data is not synced, Mi accounts are not connected, and photos are not uploaded to the cloud, most often due to incorrect settings, an outdated version of MIUI or a banal lack of space in the cloud. In this article, we will discuss all the ways to enable sync on Xiaomi, from basic settings to solving complex errors, and you will learn how to save space in the cloud and what data is really worth syncing.

Why you need sync on Xiaomi and what it saves

Sync on Xiaomi smartphones works through the Mi Account ecosystem, a single account that links all the brand’s devices: smartphones, smartwatches, TVs and even robot vacuum cleaners. When you turn on sync, your data is automatically copied to Xiaomi servers and made available from any device after authorization.

Here's what you can synchronize:

• 📱 Contacts -- phone numbers, email addresses, and contact notes -- synced with Google Contacts or the Mi cloud.
• 📷 Photos and videos are automatically uploaded to Mi Cloud (similar to Google Photos). You can configure download only over Wi-Fi.
• 📝 Notes are texts from the Notes app (including drawings and voice recordings).
• 🎵 Browser bookmarks – if you use Mi Browser or Chrome with an account binding.
• ⚙️ System settings — wallpaper, sound circuits, screen brightness, and even the location of icons on the desktop.
• 📅 Calendar and reminders are events from the standard Calendar app.

Important: Application synchronization (e.g., game progress or messenger data) only works if the apps themselves support cloud storage via Mi Account or Google Drive. Most third-party programs (e.g., WhatsApp or Telegram) are synchronized through their own servers.

Preparation for the inclusion of synchronization: checking the account and network

Before you set up sync, make sure your smartphone is ready for this process.Without proper preparation, you may encounter authorization errors or slow data loading.

Here’s what to do before syncing:

Make sure that the phone has the current version of MIUI installed (check in Settings → About Phone → System Update)

Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network (sync large files over the mobile Internet can lead to additional costs)

Make sure that there is enough free space on your phone (minimum 500MB for temporary files)

Register or log in to your Mi Account (if not already done)

Shut down. VPN Proxy servers (they can block access to Xiaomi servers)-->

Pay special attention to your Mi Account. If you have not registered yet:

1. Go to Settings. → Mi Account.
2. Click Log in and select the registration method (by phone number or email).
3. Confirm your account via SMS or mail.
4. Create a strong password (save it in the password manager!).

If you already have an account but the sync is not working, try logging out and re-enrolling, sometimes this solves problems with your cloud connection, and check if your password has expired (Xiaomi sometimes requires you to change your password every 6 months for security reasons).

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If you have forgotten your Mi Account password, restore it through the official account.xiaomi.com. Use the same email or phone number as when you registered.

Step-by-step: how to enable synchronization on Xiaomi

Now, to the main thing, synchronization is enabled. The process is slightly different depending on the version of MIUI, but the general scheme remains the same. We will look at the universal method that works on most models (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13, etc.).

Follow these steps:

1. Open the settings (the gear icon on the desktop).
2. Scroll down and select Mi Account (or Mi Account in English firmware).
3. At the top of the screen, click on your avatar or account name.
4. Select Sync (or Mi Cloud → Sync on some models).
5. You'll see a list of data that you can sync. Activate the switches next to the right points: 📞 Contacts to save phone numbers. 📅 Calendar for events and reminders. 📝 Notes for text and drawings. 🖼️ Gallery for photos and videos (may take up a lot of space!).

Synchronize now

After activation, sync will occur automatically when you connect to Wi-Fi. To check the status, go back to the Sync section, which will display the date of the last data update.

Synchronization of photos and videos: how to save space

Photos and videos take up the lion's share of cloud storage. By default, Xiaomi downloads all media files in original quality, which quickly exhausts the free 5GB. Fortunately, this can be controlled.

To set up the synchronization of the gallery:

1. Open the Gallery → click on the three dots in the upper right corner → Settings.
2. Choose Cloud Sync (or Mi Cloud).
3. Turn on the Autosynchronization switch.
4. Click Sync Settings and select: 📶 Wi-Fi only to avoid wasting mobile traffic. 🖼️ Download quality: Original - retains original resolution (takes up a lot of space). High - slightly compresses the photo without loss of quality. Standard - strong compression (saves space but loses detail). 📁 Sync folders - you can exclude screenshots or downloads.

If you’re running out of cloud space, consider these options:

• 🗑️ Delete unnecessary files from Mi Cloud (go to i.mi.com → Gallery).
• 💳 Buy an extra seat (prices start at 100 rubles for 50 GB per month).
• 🔄 Use alternative services like Google Photos (free 15GB per account).

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Syncing your photos in their original quality eats up space in the cloud the fastest. If you only need backups (rather than high-resolution viewing), opt for the Standard option, which will save up to 70% of the space.

Solving the problem: why synchronization on Xiaomi does not work

Even after you set it right, synchronization can fail, and here are the most common problems and solutions.

If none of these methods worked, try resetting your sync settings:

1. Go to Settings → Mi Account → Synchronization.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner.
3. Select Reset Sync (the data on the phone will not be deleted!).
4. Restart the device and turn on the sync again.

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If the problem occurs after the MIUI update, check if the permissions for the Mi Cloud application have reset. Go to Settings → Apps → Permissions and enable access to storage, contacts and calendar.

Synchronization between several Xiaomi devices

One of the main advantages of the Xiaomi ecosystem is the ability to sync between different devices, for example, you can start watching a movie on a Redmi smartphone, and continue on a Mi TV, or get a notification about a missed call on a Mi Band smartwatch.

To connect multiple devices:

1. Make sure that all devices use the same Mi Account.
2. On each device, enable synchronization (instruction above).
3. For smartwatches (Mi Band, Amazfit), install the Mi Fitness app and log in.
4. For Mi TVs, go to Settings → Account and Security → Mi Account.

And then the data will sync automatically, and this is what's available on all devices.

• 📱 Notifications — calls, SMS and messages from messengers (on smartwatches).
• 🎵 Music and video - viewing history and playlists (on TVs and Mi Home speakers).
• 🏠 Smart home — settings scenarios for Xiaomi devices (lamps, sockets, sensors).
• 📍 Location – if Device Search is enabled (you can track your lost phone through i.mi.com).

Note: For full synchronization between devices, they must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network (for example, to transfer files between the phone and the TV).

Alternative synchronization methods: Google and third-party services

If you are not happy with the Xiaomi cloud (for example, due to limited space or server problems), you can use alternative services.

Compare the possibilities:

To sync your data through Google:

1. Go to Settings → Accounts and Synchronization.
2. Add a Google account (if not available).
3. Select your Google account and enable sync for the data you want (contacts, calendar, Google Drive).
4. For photos, install the Google Photos app and enable autoload.

If you choose a third-party service, remember that you can only use one cloud at a time to automatically sync. For example, if you enable autoupload photos in both Mi Cloud and Google Photos, the files will be duplicated by taking up space on your phone.

FAQ: answers to frequent questions about synchronization Xiaomi