How to transfer data from Android to Xiaomi through Google Account: the complete guide

Why is Google Account the Best Way to Move Data to Xiaomi?

The transition to a new Xiaomi smartphone is often accompanied by the question: how to transfer all the important data from an old Android device without loss? Using a Google Account for synchronization is one of the most reliable and versatile methods that works regardless of the model and version of MIUI. Unlike proprietary solutions like Mi Mover, this method does not require additional applications, cables or limited in the amount of data transferred.

The main advantage is automatic synchronization in the background. Contacts, calendars, notes, saved passwords, Chrome browser history, and some media (photos and videos in Google Photos) are transferred without you, while the data remains available on all devices where you are authorized under one account. However, there are nuances: for example, Xiaomi with MIUI 14+ may require manual synchronization for some types of data due to energy optimization.

In this article, we will discuss:

• 🔹 What data can be transferred through Google Account (and what is not there)
• 🔹 Step-by-step synchronization settings on old and new Xiaomi
• 🔹 Typical errors and how to avoid them (for example, why contacts are not synchronized)
• 🔹 Alternative ways to file that Google doesn’t transfer (music, documents, SMS)

What data can be transferred through a Google Account?

Google offers sync for most standard data types, but not all.Here is a complete list of what’s guaranteed to move to your Xiaomi:

Here is what you can’t do via Google:

• 📁 Local files (music, documents, downloads) – they need Google Drive or physical transfer
• 💬 SMS and MMS — It needs a third-party software kind of SMS Backup & Restore
• 🎮 Game Save – Depends on cloud-based game-based storage support
• 📱 Settings MIUI (themes, gestures, face unlocking – they will have to be reconfigured

⚠️ Note: If the contacts on the old phone are not stored in Google Contacts, but in the memory of the device or SIM-check this in advance in the contact settings!

Preparing an old Android device for synchronization

Before you transfer data, make sure your old smartphone has Google sync enabled.This only takes a couple of minutes, but saves hours of manual work later.

Sign in to your Google Account (or create a new one)

Check Wi-Fi connection (synchronization eats up traffic)

Enable synchronization for all necessary data

Backup in Google Photos (if you need to transfer photos)

Make sure there is enough space on your account (free – 15 GB)

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Instructions for setting:

1. Open Settings → Accounts (or Users and accounts on some firmware).
2. Select your Google Account (if not, add it through Add Account).
3. Slip on the item Synchronization of the account.
4. Include sliders for all types of data you want to migrate (especially Contacts, Calendar, Chrome).
5. Go back to the main settings menu and search Google → Backup. Enable Data Backup and AutoRecovery.

For photo and video transfer:

1. Install the Google Photos app (if not).
2. Open it and log in to the same account.
3. Go to Settings → Backup and Synchronization and turn on the function.
4. Choose the download quality: High (unlimited) or Original (counted from 15 GB).

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If you have slow internet, start syncing photos at night by connecting your phone to charge. Google Photos will load files in the background without interfering with work.

Set up a new Xiaomi to receive data

When the data from the old phone is uploaded to the cloud, you can start setting up Xiaomi, and there are two scenarios: set up from scratch (a new phone) or add an account to an already used device.

Scenario 1: Initial setup of the new Xiaomi

1. Turn on your smartphone and follow the instructions of the setup wizard.
2. At the Data Copy stage, select Restore from backup.
3. Log in to the same Google Account as your old phone.
4. Select the latest backup (the date of creation should coincide with the synchronization time).
5. Confirm recovery and wait until completion (can take anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour depending on volume).

Scenario 2: Adding an account to an already configured Xiaomi

1. Go to Settings → Accounts → Add an account → Google.
2. Log in to your account.
3. After authorization, the system will offer to synchronize the data – agree.
4. For manual synchronization control, go to Settings → Google → Account Sync and enable the necessary options.

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi with MIUI 14/15 Background sync can be disabled by default to save battery.To avoid delays, add the Google Play Services app to the optimization exceptions: Settings → Battery → Optimizing the battery → All applications → Find Google Play Services → No restrictions.

What to do if the data is not synchronized?

Sometimes the process of transferring data through Google Account is slowed down or terminated with errors, and here are the most common problems and solutions:

• 🔄 Sync suspended: Reboot both devices and check your internet connection. If you're using a mobile network, switch to Wi-Fi.
• 📵 Contacts are not transferred: Make sure that on the old phone they are saved in Google Contacts, not in the memory of the device. Check in the Contacts app: if there is an item on the menu Import / Export, then the contacts are local.
• 📂 Photos not uploaded to Google Photos: Open the Google Photos app on your old phone and manually back up through the Photos menu → Choose all. → Backup.
• 🔒 Authorization error: Delete your Google account from the new Xiaomi and add it again.If two-factor authentication is used, check the access codes.

If the problem persists, try forced synchronization:

1. On the new Xiaomi, go to Settings → Accounts → Google → your account.
2. Slip on the three dots in the top right corner and choose Sync Now.
3. Wait 5-10 minutes and check for the data.

Alternative ways to transfer data to Xiaomi

Google Account covers most needs, but some data (such as SMS, local files, or app settings) require other tools.

• 📲 Mi Mover (official solution from Xiaomi): Works over Wi-Fi Direct or via cable OTG. Transferred SMS, call log, applications (including APK), It requires installation on both devices.
• ☁️ Google Drive: Suitable for manually transferring documents, music and other files. Download data from your old phone and then download it to Xiaomi.
• 🔌 Wired connection (MTP): Connect the phones through USB-Cable and computer. Copy files manually (e.g., folder) DCIM photo).
• 📱 Third-party applications: Send Anywhere - transfer files over Wi-Fi without size restrictions. SMS Backup & Restore – Backup and Restore SMS/MMS. Swift Backup (requires root) – transferring applications with data.

Comparison of methods:

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For most users, the combination of Google Account (for contacts and apps) + Google Photos (for media files) covers 90% of the data porting needs. The remaining 10% (SMS, specific files) is easier to transfer via Mi Mover or manually.

Features of transfer to Xiaomi with different versions of MIUI

The sync process through Google Account may vary depending on the version of MIUI. Here’s what to consider:

MIUI 12/13:

• Sync works consistently, but may require manual triggering in account settings.
• Some regional firmware does not have Google Backup – you should look in Additional.

MIUI 14/15:

• By default, background activity for Google services is disabled. Add Google Play Services and Google Contacts to battery exceptions.
• When you first log in, the system may suggest you restore data from Mi Cloud instead of Google – choose Skip and log in to Google separately.

MIUI Global vs China:

• Chinese firmware (MIUI China) does not have Google services by default. To sync, you need to manually install Google Play Services and Google Account Manager through Settings → Applications → Install APK.
• After installation, restart your phone and add your account again.

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi with MIUI 15 When you restore from Google backup, you may experience an error called “Can’t recover some data.” This is due to the new limitations of Android 13+. Solution: Update Google Play Services to the latest version in the Play Store and try again.

FAQ: Frequent questions about data portability to Xiaomi