Transferring data through a Google account on Xiaomi smartphones: the full guide

The transition to a new Xiaomi smartphone is always an exciting moment, especially when it comes to saving important data: contacts, photos, notes and app settings. Many users mistakenly believe that third-party programs or cloud services from Xiaomi are necessary to transfer information (for example, Mi Cloud). However, the most reliable and versatile way is to use a Google account that works on all Android devices, including Redmi, POCO and Xiaomi’s flagship 13/14 models.

In this article, we will look at how to set up syncs through Google, what data can be migrated, and why this method is often faster and safer than alternative solutions, focusing on common errors that cause users to lose some information, and provide recommendations for optimizing the process.

Syncing through a Google account has one key advantage: it works independently of the device manufacturer, which means that you can transfer data not only between Xiaomi smartphones, but also, for example, from Samsung to the Redmi Note 12 or iPhone (through intermediate steps), and Google automatically encrypts the data transmitted, which reduces the risk of information leakage compared to some Chinese cloud services.

But there are nuances, too: Not all apps support backups through Google Drive, and some settings (like Do Not Disturb Mode or Navigation Gestures) may not be overdue, and to avoid frustration, it's important to know in advance which data you can save and which you'll have to manually configure.

What data can be transferred through a Google account

Google offers synchronization of several key data categories, and here is a complete list of what you can transfer between Xiaomi devices:

• 📇 Contacts – including phone numbers, email, addresses, and attached profile photos.
• 📅 Calendars and events – all entries from Google Calendar, including reminders.
• 📧 Gmail emails and settings — history of emails, subscriptions, filters, and tags.
• 📁 Files and photos – via Google Photos (subject to autoload enabled).
• 🎵 Music and podcasts – if you use YouTube Music or Google Podcasts
• 📱 Device settings — Wi-Fi network, wallpaper, language preferences, some special features settings.
• 📦 App data is only those that support backup in Google Drive (e.g. WhatsApp, Telegram, some games).

There are limitations, however, such as SMS and call history not synced by default via Google, requiring additional apps like SMS Backup & Restore.

• ❌ Settings MIUI (themes, fonts, animations).
• ❌ Local files not uploaded to the cloud (e.g., documents in the Download folder).
• ❌ Data from some Chinese applications (e.g. Mi Fit or Mi Home).

⚠️ Warning: If you use Mi Account for backup, your Google account and Mi Cloud data are not automatically synced, they're two separate systems, and you'll have to duplicate the information manually.

Preparing the old device for data transfer

Before you start the transfer, you need to make sure that all the important data is uploaded to the Google account.

1. Check your Google account connection Go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google and make sure your account is added. If it is not, click Add Account and follow the instructions.
2. In the same menu, activate the switches opposite the categories you want to transfer (contacts, calendar, Gmail, etc.).
3. Upload photos to Google Photos Open the Google Photos app, go to Settings → Backup and Sync and enable the feature. Select quality (High or Original) and wait for the download to complete.
4. Back up your settings Return to Settings → System → Backup and enable Backup to Google Drive. Here you can manually start creating a copy by clicking Create a copy now.

The backup process can take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour, depending on the amount of data and the speed of the Internet, and don't interrupt it even if the screen is gone: sync will continue to work in the background.

Added Google account to old device

Synchronization of contacts and calendars is included

Photos uploaded to Google Photos

Created a backup of settings in Google Drive

Free space in the cloud (minimum 5 GB)

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If your older device uses MIUI 12 or older, an additional step may be required: allow background activity for Google Play Services.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find Google Play Services and open the settings.
3. Choose the Battery. → No restrictions.
4. Come back and allow AutoRun.

⚠️ Warning: On devices with MIUI 14 and later, Google may restrict background sync to save charge. If the data doesn't load, plug your smartphone into charging and try again.

Transfer data to the new smartphone Xiaomi

When the backup is ready, you can start setting up a new device, and there are two scenarios: initial setup (if the smartphone is new) and recovery on an already configured device. Let's consider both.

Scenario 1: The initial setup of the new Xiaomi

When you first turn on your smartphone, the system will suggest you restore data.

1. Select a language and region, connect to Wi-Fi.
2. On the Data Copy screen, select Restore from backup.
3. Log in to the same Google account that was used on the old device.
4. The system will suggest you to choose a backup copy - choose the latest.
5. Check the categories of data for recovery (contacts, applications, etc.).
6. Wait until it's done. Time depends on the amount of data and the speed of the Internet.

Scenario 2: Restore on an already configured device

If your smartphone is already in use, but you want to transfer the data later:

1. Go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google.
2. Sign in to the account you need (if not already added).
3. Turn on synchronization for all necessary categories.
4. To restore applications, open the Google Play Store, go to the Library → Installed and click Restore.

Important: Apps will recover without stored data (such as game progress or chat history) if they don’t back up Google Drive, and for these cases, you’ll need to use separate tools (such as Helium for app backup).

Synchronization through Google account

Backup in Mi Cloud

Local cable transfer

Third-party applications (e.g. SHAREit)

Another way.

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Frequent problems and their solutions

Even with the right setup, users face difficulties, and here are the most common errors and ways to fix them:

If none of these methods worked, try resetting the network settings on the new device (Settings → System → Reset → Network Reset) and sometimes synchronization problems arise from incorrect connection settings.

Comparison of Google Account and Mi Cloud for Data Transfer

Many Xiaomi users are asking themselves, which is better, a Google account or Mi Cloud? Each option has pros and cons. Here's a comparison table:

If you want to be versatile and change devices from different brands, a Google account is the best option, and if you only use Xiaomi technology and want to save your MIUI settings, it makes sense to use Mi Cloud (but remember to duplicate important data in Google for reliability).

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If you use both clouds (Google and Mi Cloud), set up automatic uploads of photos to both services, which will protect your photos from loss if one of your accounts is hacked or blocked.

Additional tips for optimizing transfer

To make the process as smooth as possible, follow these recommendations:

• 🔋 Charge both devices to 100 percent or connect to the grid. Synchronization can drain the battery by 20 to 30 percent.
• 🌐 Use a stable Wi-Fi connection. Mobile Internet can interrupt the download of large files.
• 🗃️ Clear the data before transferring it, and remove duplicate photos, old messages, and app cache, and it will speed up the process.
• 🔄 Check version MIUI. Older versions (e.g., MIUI 11) may have synchronized bugs. Update the software before porting.
• 📡 Disable VPN Some Google servers may block connections from certain regions.

If you are migrating data from your iPhone to Xiaomi, export your contacts in.vcf format first through iCloud, then import them to Google Contacts. Use Google Photos with automatic download for photos.

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Don’t rely on one portable method: Combine a Google account for basic data, Mi Cloud for MIUI settings, and a local backup (via cable or SD- card) for mission-critical files.

What to do after data transfer

When the core data is moved, you just have to check the integrity and configure the new features.

1. Check contacts and calendars Open Contacts and Calendar apps, make sure all records are in place. If anything is missing, trigger forced sync in your Google account settings.
2. Update apps Go to Google Play Store → My apps and games → Updates and install the latest versions of programs.
3. Set up notifications Some apps (such as WhatsApp or Telegram) may not show notifications after recovery. Check their settings in Settings → Notifications.
4. Personalize the system: Set up gestures, Do not disturb mode and Wallpaper for yourself – these parameters are not always automatically transferred.
5. If you have used multiple porting methods (like Google and Mi Cloud), you may have duplicate contacts or photos. Use apps like Duplicate Contacts or Files by Google to clean up.

It is also recommended to check the security settings:

• Enable two-step authentication for your Google account (link).
• Update your passwords in Google Password Manager if they are not synced.
• Check permissions for applications in Settings → Privacy → Application permissions.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions