Google One on Xiaomi: Google’s Complete Cloud Service Guide

If you own a Xiaomi smartphone and you notice Google One in the settings, but you don't understand what it is and why you need it, this article is for you. Many users confuse it with the Mi Cloud brand, but in fact they are two different services with unique features. Google One is not just cloud storage, but a whole set of functions from Google, which is closely integrated into the Android ecosystem, including Xiaomi devices.

In this article, we will take a look at what Google One is on Xiaomi, how it works, what benefits it offers over the Mi Cloud, and how to set it up correctly. You will learn how to expand your smartphone memory with the cloud, automatically reserve photos, get exclusive bonuses from Google, and even share storage with your family.

What is Google One and why is it necessary for Xiaomi?

Google One is a paid service from Google that extends the capabilities of the standard Google Drive, offering not only additional cloud storage (from 100 GB to 30 TB), but also a number of exclusive features:

• 📁 Automatic backup of smartphone data (contacts, messages, photos, applications).
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Access – Sharing the Vault with 5 Family Members.
• 🎁 Google bonuses: discounts in the Google Store, free trial periods of services (YouTube Premium, Play Pass).
• 🛡️ Improved support from Google (priority responses).
• 📱 Optimization of storage on the device (automatic freeing up of space).

On smartphones, Xiaomi’s Google One runs parallel to Mi Cloud, but has key differences: for example, Mi Cloud is closely linked to Xiaomi’s branded services (such as synchronizing notes or design themes), while Google One is versatile and works on any Android device. Google One also offers more flexible rates and additional bonuses that the Mi Cloud does not have.

It’s important to understand that Google One isn’t replacing Google Drive, it’s expanding it. All your files are still stored in Google Drive, but with a Google One subscription, you get more space and additional features. For example, without a subscription, you have 15 GB of free space (shared between Drive, Gmail and Photos), and with Google One, you have 100 GB or more.

How Google One is different from Xiaomi’s Mi Cloud

Many Xiaomi users are wondering: which is better, Google One or Mi Cloud? The answer depends on your tasks.

Google One is more profitable for those who actively use Google services (Gmail, Photos, Drive) and want to share storage with family, and Mi Cloud is for deep integration with the Xiaomi ecosystem (for example, synchronizing themes or branded applications).

Another key difference is backup. Google One stores copies of installed applications, their data and system settings, which allows you to quickly restore the smartphone after a reset. Mi Cloud can do this too, but its backups sometimes run unstable on Xiaomi custom firmware (for example, the company’s own software, MIUI Global vs MIUI China).

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If you frequently switch between different Android smartphone brands (e.g. Xiaomi to Samsung), Google One will be more convenient – your data will automatically be pulled to the new device.

How to Connect and Configure Google One on Xiaomi

You can activate Google One on Xiaomi in two ways: through system settings or directly in the Google One app.

Method 1: Through Xiaomi Settings

1. Open Settings → Google → Backup.
2. Click Backup Management → Backup settings.
3. Select the Google account you want to use for Google One.
4. Turn on the backup switch in Google One.
5. Click Buy Storage if you want to expand the free 15GB.

Method 2: Through the Google One app

1. Download the Google One app from the Play Market.
2. Open it and log in to your Google account.
3. On the home screen you will see information about the current tariff (free 15 GB or paid subscription).
4. Click Storage Management to select a tariff or set up a backup.
5. In the Device Backup section, enable the option for your Xiaomi.

Once activated, Google One will automatically back up your data. To check copy status, go to Settings. → Google → Backup → View the data.

Set up automatic backup

To automatically store data from your Xiaomi Google One:

1. In the Google One app, go to Backup.
2. Click on the backup settings.
3. Select data types for copying: 📱 Application data (settings, cache) 📞 Call magazine 💬 SMS and MMS 📷 Photos and videos (optional if you don’t use Google Photos)

Set a copy schedule (daily, Wi-Fi only, etc.).

⚠️ Note: If your Xiaomi has custom firmware installed (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), backup through Google One may not work properly.

Google One tariffs: how much and which to choose

Google One offers several tariff plans that vary in storage volume and cost. Xiaomi has all the standard rates, but their relevance depends on your needs.

Payment is made through Google Pay, a bank card or a mobile operator (in some regions), and the discount for a year is up to 27%, which is more profitable than a monthly subscription.

What price to choose for Xiaomi?

• 📱 100 GB - enough for backup copies 1-2 smartphone + compressed-quality.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 200 GB – optimal for a family (you can share it with 5 people).
• 📷 2 TB – if you are shooting videos in 4K or keep large archives.

⚠️ Note: If you cancel your Google One subscription, your data will not be deleted immediately, but you will not be able to add new files when the place ends.You will have 1 year to download data or renew your subscription.

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The most profitable option is the annual tariff for 200 GB (2 190 ₽/It's enough for backup. 2-3 Xiaomi devices and photo storage in original quality.

How to Free up Space on Xiaomi with Google One

One of the most useful features of Google One is the automatic optimization of storage on the device. If your Xiaomi runs out of memory, the service can:

• 🗑️ Remove local copies of photos/video, leaving them in the cloud only.
• 🧹 Clear the cache of applications that have not been used for a long time.
• 📂 Archive old files that you rarely access.

To take advantage of this function:

1. Open the Google One app.
2. Go to the Warehouse section → Make room.
3. Select files to delete (such as Large Files or Duplicates).
4. Confirm the action – files will be deleted from the device, but will remain in the cloud.

This is especially true for Xiaomi, as many models (such as the Redmi Note or the Redmi Note) are also very popular. POCO) Often released with a small amount of internal memory (64/128 With Google One, you can store photos in the cloud in their original quality, and only leave thumbnails on your phone.

Another useful tool is Google Photos' Smart Storage, which automatically removes photos and videos from your device that are already uploaded to the cloud and backed up to enable it:

1. Open Google Photos.
2. Go to Settings. → Smart storage.
3. Turn on the option and select which memory fill level to activate the cleanup (e.g., at 90%).

Security and privacy: Can you trust Google One?

Many Xiaomi users are worried about data security in Google One, and let’s look at how the service protects your information:

• 🔒 Encryption: All files in Google One are encrypted when transferred (TLS) storage (AES256).
• 🛡️ Two-factor authentication (2FA): It is recommended to include for a Google account.
• 📍 Access Control: You can view all devices connected to your account and revoke access.
• 📜 Privacy Policy: Google says it doesn't scan files in Google One for targeted ads (unlike free Google Drive).

However, there are risks:

• 🕵️ Google could theoretically provide data at law enforcement request (within the scope of law).
• 🔓 If your Google account is hacked, attackers will have access to all data in Google One.
• 🌍 Google’s servers are located overseas, which could be a problem for users concerned about the jurisdiction.

For additional protection:

1. Turn it on. 2FA In the settings of the Google account (Security) → Two-step authentication).
2. Use the application password for third-party services connected to Google One.
3. Check active sessions regularly in my account → Security → Your devices.

⚠️ Note: If you store sensitive data (such as document scans) on Google One, encrypt it before downloading using third-party tools like Cryptomator or VeraCrypt. Google One does not provide built-in end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for all types of files.

Xiaomi’s Mi Cloud stores data on servers in Singapore and the US, but its privacy policies are less transparent. If you’re interested in maximum privacy, consider alternatives like Proton Drive or Nextcloud (with self-hosting).

Frequent problems and their solutions

When using Google One on Xiaomi, there may be errors, and let’s look at the most common ones and how to fix them:

1. Google One does not backup

Causes and solutions:

• 📶 No internet: Make sure your device is connected to Wi-Fi (by default, copying only works over Wi-Fi).
• 🔋 Low battery charge: No copying will start if the charge is less than 20.
• 🚫 Backup Disabled: Check the settings in Settings → Google → Backup.
• 🛠️ Synchronization error: Go to Settings → Accounts. → Google → Sync your account and enable all options.

2. Photos are not uploaded to Google Photos

What to do:

1. Open the Google Photos app and check if backup and sync are enabled.
2. Make sure you have enough space on Google One (check in the Google One app).
3. If photos load slowly, try turning on Traffic Saving mode in Google Photos settings.

3. Family access is not working

Possible causes:

• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family member did not accept the invitation (check the Spam folder in his email).
• 📧 Invitation sent to another email not associated with Google account.
• 🌍 Member region is different from yours (family access only works within one region).

4.Since Xiaomi resets, no data is recovered

Decision:

1. When you first turn on your smartphone, select Copy Data → From the cloud → Google One.
2. Make sure you are logged in to the same Google account that was used for backup.
3. If the data is not tightened, check whether the backup has expired (they are stored 57 days from the last copy).

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g., Redmi with global firmware) may have a conflict between Google One and Mi Cloud backups, in which case disable autosynchronization in Mi Cloud (Settings) → Mi Account. → Mi Cloud → Synchronization).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions