Disable Xiaomi Cloud and go back to Google Photos: the full guide

Xiaomi smartphones use their own cloud storage, Mi Cloud, which automatically syncs photos, contacts and other data. However, many users prefer Google Photos because of the more user-friendly interface, better integration with the Android ecosystem and the lack of restrictions on the quality of images (when choosing the “High Quality” option).

In this article, we will learn how to completely disable backup in Xiaomi Cloud, migrate existing photos to Google Photos and set up automatic sync. Also look at the key differences between services, possible risks and ways to optimize the process. If you are using a Redmi, POCO or Mi smartphone based on MIUI 12/13/14, the guide will suit all models from the budget Redmi Note 10 to the flagship Xiaomi 13 Ultra.

Why are users abandoning Xiaomi Cloud in favor of Google Photos?

Despite the fact that Mi Cloud provides free 5 GB of storage (and for some regions – up to 10 GB), the service has a number of shortcomings that push users to switch:

• 📉 Limited space: even 10 GB quickly end when shooting in high resolution (photo on Xiaomi) 12S Ultra with 200 MP camera takes up to 30 MB each).
• 🔍 Search Difficulties: Google Photos offers advanced search by object, person, and place, while Mi Cloud offers only basic filters.
• 🌍 Regional restrictions: in some countries (e.g. Europe), Mi Cloud is unstable or requires a VPN full-access.
• 🔄 Synchronization problems: Users often complain of freezes when downloading files or loss of metadata (dates, geotags).
• 📱 Reference to MIUI: When changing your smartphone to a device of another brand (for example, Samsung or Pixel), access to photos in the Mi Cloud becomes more difficult.

Google Photos also offers:

• 🎁 15 GB of free space (together with Google Drive and Gmail), which is enough for most users for 2-3 years.
• 🤖 Deep integration with Android: automatic backup, easy browsing through Google Lens, collage creation and animations.
• 🔒 More reliability: Data is stored on Google servers with multiple redundancy, while Mi Cloud sometimes loses files when crashes.

Preparing for the shutdown of Xiaomi Cloud: what to do in advance

Before you turn off sync, be sure to save all important data manually. Even if you plan to transfer photos to Google Photos, temporary crashes can lead to file loss.

1. Check the amount of data in Mi Cloud: Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Storage Management. Pay attention to the Photos and Videos section – if it is more than 5 GB, download the archive in advance.
2. Download backup to PC: Go to i.mi.com, log in and select Photos → Export. The archive will be available for download for 7 days.
3. Make sure your internet connection is stable: Transferring data between the clouds (if you use this method) will require high-speed Wi-Fi. Mobile traffic may be interrupted.

Download backup photo on PC|Check the free space in Google Photos|Connect your smartphone to charging|Disable background traffic restriction for Google Photos-->

⚠️ Note: If you are using Xiaomi with two SIM-By card, make sure that the main Mi Account is linked to the number that remains active. SIM without confirmation SMS Access to Mi Cloud may be blocked.

Step-by-step: how to disable backup in Xiaomi Cloud

The process of disabling sync depends on the version of MIUI, but the overall scheme is the same for all devices. Below is the universal algorithm for MIUI 12/13/14.

Method 1: Through smartphone settings

1. Open Settings and go to Xiaomi Account (or Mi Account).
2. Choose Mi Cloud.
3. Tap on Synchronization (or Backup in new versions).
4. Turn off the slider in front of the Photo (and Video if necessary).
5. Return to the Mi Cloud main menu and click Out (this won’t delete data, but will stop automatic syncing).

Method 2: Using the web version of i.mi.com

If your smartphone does not have access to settings (for example, after resetting), use the browser:

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in.
2. In the menu on the left, select Photos.
3. Click on the icon. ⚙️ ("Settings") → Turn off sync.
4. Confirm the action by SMS or email.

Important: Once sync is disabled, Mi Cloud will stop uploading new photos, but the files that have already been uploaded will remain in the cloud, and can be manually deleted or left as a backup.

Transfer photos from Xiaomi Cloud to Google Photos: 3 proven methods

When you turn off Mi Cloud, you need to transfer existing photos to Google Photos, and the choice of method depends on the amount of data and the speed of your Internet.

Method 1: Manual download via PC (most reliable)

1. Download the archive from the photo from Mi Cloud to your computer (as described in the Preparation section).
2. Unclose files in a folder.
3. Open your browser and go to photos.google.com.
4. Click Download → Computer and select the folder with the photo.
5. Wait until the download is complete (may take several hours for large archives).

Method 2: Automatic sync with Google Photos

If the photo is already saved in the gallery of the smartphone:

1. Install the Google Photos app.
2. Open it and log in to your Google account.
3. Slip on the avatar in the upper right corner → Photo settings → Backup and sync.
4. Turn on the slider and select quality (Original or High).
5. Wait for the first synchronization to be completed (it can take from 30 minutes to a day depending on the volume).

Method 3: Transfer directly between the clouds (for advanced users)

If you have a lot of photos (more than 10 GB), you can use the MultCloud service for direct migration:

1. Register for MultCloud.
2. Add Mi Cloud and Google Drive accounts (Google Photos linked to Drive).
3. Create a Cloud Transfer task by selecting Mi Cloud as the source and Google Drive as the target.
4. Specify the folder with the photo in Mi Cloud and start the transfer.

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If you have a “Not enough space” error when you upload your photos to Google, check if the storage is occupied by other Google services (Gmail, Drive), delete unnecessary files or buy additional space (from 100 GB per user). ~139 ₽/month).

Set up automatic backup in Google Photos

After transferring the data, you need to set up automatic synchronization so that new photos are immediately saved to Google Photos.

1. Open the Google Photos app and go to Settings → Backup and Sync.
2. Enable the slider backup.
3. Select quality: Original - saves the photo in the original resolution (takes up space in storage); High quality - compresses the photo to 16 MP and video to 1080p (free, no volume limit).
4. In the Mobile Data Settings section, select when to download files: Wi-Fi only (recommended for traffic savings) and mobile network (if you have unlimited rates).

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If you choose “High Quality”, Google Photos will automatically convert RAW-files (removed on Xiaomi) 12S Ultra or POCO F4 GT) into JPEG, For professional photographers, it's better to choose "Original" and buy a place.

⚠️ Note: If you are using Xiaomi with dual apps (cloning messengers), make sure that Google Photos is installed in the main space.

What to do with Xiaomi Cloud data after the transition?

After successfully migrating your photos to Google Photos, you have three options for using the Mi Cloud:

• 🗑️ Delete all data: If you have completely switched to Google Photos, you can clear Mi Cloud to make room. Go to i.mi.com, select Photos" → "Management" → "Delete everything. File recovery will be impossible after that!
• 🔄 Leave it as a backup: If you have any space left, you can store a duplicate photo in Mi Cloud in case of a crash in Google Photos.
• 📂 Transfer other data: Mi Cloud also stores notes, call records and SMS. They can be exported manually through Settings. → Mi Cloud → Data management.

If you decide to delete your Mi Account completely (for example, when selling a smartphone), do so through Settings → Xiaomi Account → Delete your account. This will result in a reset of all data on the device!

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Do not delete your Mi Account before selling your smartphone – the new owner will not be able to activate the device without your unlock data (Mi Account Lock feature).

Common mistakes and their solutions

When switching from Xiaomi Cloud to Google Photos, users often face problems, and here are the most common ones and ways to fix them:

If geotags or facial information are lost after transferring to Google Photos, use the Recover Data function in the application settings.

1. Open Google Photos → Click on the avatar → Photo settings.
2. Choose Recover Data.
3. Confirm the recovery of metadata (the process can take up to 24 hours).

FAQ: Frequent questions about switching from Xiaomi Cloud to Google Photos