Synchronization in Xiaomi: why it is needed and how to use it correctly

Ever wondered why, after changing a Xiaomi smartphone, all your contacts, photos, and even notes automatically show up on a new device? Or how to remotely find a lost phone through Mi Account? All this works thanks to the synchronization system that the company has integrated into all its gadgets, from the budget Redmi to the flagship Xiaomi 14. But many users are either unaware of its capabilities or afraid to turn on because of myths about “surveillance” or memory overload.

In fact, synchronization in the Xiaomi ecosystem is not just backup, but a whole set of functions that connects smartphones, smartwatches, TVs and even household appliances.

• 🔄 What is synced between devices (and what is not on the list)
• ☁️ How Mi Cloud Works and How It's Different from Google Drive
• 🔒 Why Mi Accounts are not a function without a Mi Account
• ⚡ How much traffic and memory is spent synchronization (real figures of 2026)
• ⚠️ What are the risks of data loss and how to avoid them

If you’ve turned off sync just in case or never set it up correctly, after reading this article, you’ll be able to optimize the process for your needs. And for those who are already actively using the Xiaomi ecosystem, we’ll reveal a few hidden chips that are not even written about in the official instructions.

1. Why you need synchronization in Xiaomi: 5 key tasks

Many people mistakenly think that synchronization is just for backup, and in fact, it has at least five practical applications -- and some of them may surprise you.

1. Seamless transition between devices. Imagine: you started reading an article on a Xiaomi smartphone 13T, They ended up on a Pad 6 tablet, and the page opened in the same place, or they copied the text on their phone, and they pasted it on their laptop through Mi. PC Suite. All this works thanks to the synchronization of the clipboard and browser history through Mi Account.

2 Remote control of gadgets. Lost your phone? Account.xiaomi.com not only tracks your location, but also locks your device, erases data, or even screenshots (if Find Device is enabled), and it is often paid for other Android devices.

3. Automatic firmware update. Synchronization with Xiaomi servers allows you to receive OTA-Updates (over the air) to all the devices attached, for example, if you have a Redmi Note 12 smartphone and a fitness bracelet Mi Band 8, then when you release a new firmware for the bracelet, the notification will come to the phone.

4. Sharing files in the ecosystem. Photos taken on a smartphone automatically appear in the Mi TV gallery TV, Notes from the Mi Notes app are synced to the tablet, which is convenient for family use: for example, general purchases in the Mi Shopping List will be visible to all family members on their Xiaomi devices.

5. One-click backup. When you first turn on a new Xiaomi smartphone, the system will offer to restore data from the old device, not only transferring contacts, but also:

• 📱 System settings (wallpaper, sounds, brightness)
• 🎮 Retention in games (if supported)
• 📁 Gallery folder structure
• ⚙️ Application settings (such as Mi Fit or Mi Home)

Fun fact: In 2023, Xiaomi added Cross-Device Clipboard, which allows you to copy text on one device and paste it on another, for example, you can copy a link on your smartphone and paste it into your browser on the Mi Notebook — without any additional apps.

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Synchronization in Xiaomi is not only a backup, but also a tool for managing the entire ecosystem of devices, from smartphones to smart lamps.

2.What exactly is synchronized: a complete list of data

Not all data is synced by default — some features need to be manually enabled, here's a full, up-to-date list of what can be synced through Mi Account (2026):

It's important to understand that not all data is synchronized in real time.

• 📸 Photos are uploaded to Mi Cloud only when connected to Wi-Fi (by default).
• 📞 The call log is synchronized once a day (if the option is enabled).
• 📝 Notes are updated immediately when you change, but only if you have the Internet.

There are also data that are never synchronized:

• 🔐 Passwords from Mi Password Manager (local storage only)
• 💳 Bank card data in Mi Pay (linked to the device)
• 🎵 Local music files (playlists from Mi Music only)
• 📦 Files in the Download folder (unless manually uploaded to Mi Cloud)

3.Mi Cloud vs Google Drive: Which is Best for Xiaomi

Many Xiaomi users are faced with a choice: whether to use the built-in Mi Cloud or link Google Account for sync.

The main advantage of Mi Cloud is deep integration with branded devices.

• 📺 On Mi. TV You can view photos from Mi Cloud without additional apps.
• 🧘 When you change your Xiaomi smartphone to a new one, all settings are automatically transferred (including the Mi Home settings for a smart home).
• 🔋 Optimized battery consumption: synchronization with Mi Cloud consumes on the 15-20% Less power than Google Drive (based on tests) XDA Developers, 2023).

Google Drive has its own advantages:

• 🌍 Best cross-platform (access from iPhone, Mac, Windows).
• 📊 Smart photo search (for example, you can find all the pictures with the dog).
• 📤 Seamless integration with Gmail, Docs and other Google services.

So what do you do? The best way to do this is to use both services in parallel.

1. In Mi Cloud, store system settings, notes and data for smart devices.
2. Google Drive offers photos, documents and files that you need on other platforms.

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If you travel frequently, turn off automatic uploading of photos to Mi Cloud while roaming. → Settings → Backup → Only on Wi-Fi.

4. How to set up synchronization: step-by-step instructions

If you have never set up sync on your Xiaomi, you can do it for yourself. 5 Follow this instruction (relevant to the MIUI 14/15 hyperos):

Create or log in to Mi Account|Enable backup of contacts|Set up automatic uploading of photos|Check the synchronized data list|Set a limit on mobile traffic-->

Step 1: Creating or Logining to a Mi Account

1. Open Settings → Xiaomi account.
2. If you don't have an account, click Create an account and follow the instructions. If you do, log in with your details.
3. Confirm your email and phone (required to restore access!).

Step 2: Set up Mi Cloud

1. Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Enable sliders next to the data you want to sync (we recommend starting with Contacts, Notes and Settings).
3. Click Backup and select Automatic Backup (once a day by default).

Step 3: Optimize traffic and memory

• 📶 To synchronize not “eat up” mobile Internet, go to Settings → Connections → Use of data → Mi Cloud and disable Mobile Data.
• 🗃️ Save space in the cloud in Mi Cloud → Settings enable Storage Optimization (remove duplicate photos).
• ⏳ If you need to free up space on the phone, in Settings → Select Memory Clear the Mi Cloud Cache.

Step 4: Verification of synchronization

To make sure everything works:

1. Create a test note in Mi Notes.
2. Add a new contact to your phone book.
3. Go to i.mi.com and check if there are any changes.

If the data is not synchronized:

• 🔄 Check your internet connection (only sync works online).
• 🔒 Make sure you are logged in to the same Mi Account on all devices.
• 📱 Update Mi Cloud apps and settings in Play Market.

5. How much traffic and memory is spent synchronizing

One of the main fears of users is that synchronization will eat traffic and memory. Let’s see how much different types of data are actually spent (tests were conducted on the Xiaomi 13 Pro with the help of the new model). MIUI 14):

A few important nuances:

• 📡 The first sync always consumes more traffic because all the data is loaded. For example, if you have 50 GB of photos, the first backup will require the same amount of traffic (unless you use Wi-Fi).
• 🔄 Regular updates are spent in 10-20 less traffic because only changes are synchronized.
• 🗜️ Data compression: Xiaomi uses a compression algorithm for photos (up to 30% without loss of quality), so real traffic consumption can be lower.

How to reduce your traffic and memory consumption:

1. Turn off high-resolution photo sync: Gallery → Settings → Backup → Quality of loading → Saving traffic.
2. Limit synchronization over mobile network: Settings → Connections → Use of data → Mi Cloud → Limit background traffic.
3. Use the Smart Cleanup feature in Mi Cloud, which removes duplicates and failed shots.
4. To save space on your phone, turn on Storage Optimization – this will delete local copies of photos, leaving only thumbnails.

Interesting fact: in HyperOS (new firmware for Xiaomi 14 and Redmi) K70) Light Sync is added, which syncs only file metadata (names, dates) and not the files themselves, saving up to 90% of traffic when working with large media libraries.

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If you have a limited rate, set a traffic limit for Mi Cloud. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Traffic Warning and Add Mi Cloud App to Restricted List.

6.Sync Risks and Problems: How to Avoid Data Loss

Despite all the benefits, synchronization in Xiaomi is not without risks, and here are the most common problems and ways to avoid them:

Problem 1: Data is not synchronized

This is most often due to:

• 🔌 Internet Absence (check the connection).
• 🔒 Incorrectly logged in (make sure it’s the same Mi Account on all devices).
• 📱 An outdated version MIUI (Update the firmware in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system).
• 🚫 Antivirus or firewall sync locks (add Mi Cloud to exceptions).

Problem 2: Data loss when changing devices

The most common mistake is to reset an old phone before the data syncs to the cloud.

1. Before reset, check that all data is uploaded to Mi Cloud (in Settings). → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud should be the current date of the last sync).
2. Make a local backup to your computer through Mi PC Suite (you can download it on the official website of Xiaomi).
3. When you first turn on a new phone, select Restore from Mi Cloud, not Google.

Problem 3: Attackers gain access to the account

If your Mi Account is compromised, attackers can:

• 📍 Track your location through Find Device.
• 📱 Delete all data from your phone remotely.
• 💳 Access payment data if the card is tied in Mi Pay.

To protect yourself:

• 🔐 Enable two-factor authentication in Settings → Xiaomi account → Security.
• 📧 Use a complex password (at least 12 characters with numbers and special signs).
• 🚨 Set up notifications for new inputs: Settings → Xiaomi account → Security notifications.

Problem 4: Synchronization eats away at the battery

If after turning on the Mi Cloud, the phone became faster to discharge:

• ⚡ Turn off automatic synchronization in the background: Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Settings → Synchronize only when charging.
• 🔄 Reduce the frequency of backups (e.g. once every 3 days instead of daily backups).
• 📴 Check if Mi Cloud is active in the process: Settings → Battery → Battery utilization.

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If you sell or transfer your Xiaomi smartphone to another person, you must exit your Mi Account and reset to factory settings, otherwise the new owner will be able to recover your data!

7. hidden synchronization chips that 90% of users do not know about

Even experienced Xiaomi owners are often unaware of some synchronization opportunities.-5 latent:

1. Synchronization of the exchange buffer between devices

You can copy text on your smartphone and paste it on your Xiaomi tablet or laptop:

1. Enable the function: Settings → Additionally. → Special facilities → Xiaomi clipboard.
2. Copy the text on one device.
3. On another device, open the keyboard and click on the clipboard icon (copyed text will appear).

2. Automatic synchronization of Wi-Fi passwords

If you connect to a new Wi-Fi network on one Xiaomi device, all other devices on the same Mi Account will automatically access that network.

• 📶 Connect to Wi-Fi on your smartphone.
• 🔄 Wait for synchronization (usually takes a lot of time) 1-2 minute).
• 📱 On another device (such as Mi Band or Mi) TV) Select this network – the password will be automatically pulled.

3. Synchronization of notifications on smart watches

If you have a Mi Band or Xiaomi Watch, you can set up notifications from your smartphone:

1. Open the Mi Fitness app (or Zepp Life for new models).
2. Go to Profile → Settings → Notifications.
3. Select applications that must be duplicated on the clock.

4. Backup of messages from messengers

Xiaomi allows you to save the history of correspondence from some messengers (for example, Mi Messages or other messengers). SMS):

• 💬 Open the messages. → Settings → Backup.
• 📤 Choose Export in Mi Cloud.
• 🔄 When changing the phone, the story will automatically be restored.

5 Remote management of a smart home

If you have Xiaomi Smart Home devices (like Yeelight lamps or Mi Robot vacuum cleaner), you can control them remotely via the Mi Cloud:

1. Connect devices to the Mi Home app.
2. Enable Remote Access: Profile → Settings → Remote control.
3. You can now turn on the lamp or run the vacuum cleaner even when you are not at home.

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Sync in Xiaomi is not only a backup, but also a tool to automate everyday tasks, for example, you can set up so that when you return home (by geolocation), the lights will automatically turn on and the kettle will start if they are connected to the Mi Home.

FAQ: Frequent questions about synchronization in Xiaomi