Transferring photos to cloud storage on Xiaomi smartphones (including Redmi models, POCO And Mi is not only a way to free up space on the device, but it's also a reliable way to back up. But many users are facing problems, from non-obvious settings. MI Cloud to sync errors with Google Photos. In this article, we will analyze all current methods of transfer, including hidden firmware functions MIUI, We explain how to avoid loss of image quality.
Xiaomi’s smartphone features are the built-in Mi Cloud with 5GB of free space, but its features often go unnoticed. Meanwhile, the right sync setup allows you to automatically save your images to the original resolution, and the integration with Google Photos gives you access to advanced search and editing tools. MIUI 14 and HyperOS – the results are summarized in the comparative table below.
1. Ways to transfer photos to the cloud on Xiaomi: a comparison of options
The choice of service depends on your priorities: the amount of free space, download speed or additional features like facial recognition.
- 📱 Mi Cloud – built-in solution from Xiaomi with automatic synchronization and backup contacts.
- 🖼️ Google Photos is a universal service with unlimited storage (when compressed) and AI-search.
- ☁️ Yandex Disk/Cloud Mail.ru – domestic alternatives with bonuses for registration.
- 🔗 Third-party apps (such as Dropbox or OneDrive) – for users with subscriptions to Microsoft or Apple ecosystems.
The key difference between Mi Cloud and competitors is the binding to the Xiaomi account, which makes it easier to restore data when you change your device. MIUI 14+ Automatically optimize the load in the background, reducing battery consumption 15-20% (according to internal company tests).
| Service | Free volume | Max, permission. | Autoboot | Additional functions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Cloud | 5GB | Original | Yes (Wi-Fi/mobile data) | Backup of SMS, notes |
| Google Photo | 15GB (with Gmail) | Up to 16 MP (free) | Yeah (tunes in) | AI-search, collage, animation |
| Yandex Disc. | 10GB | Original | Yes (requires settings) | Integration with Yandex.Mail |
| Dropbox | 2GB | Original | Yeah (Gallery plugin) | File versioning |
⚠️ Note: When using Google Photos on Xiaomi with HyperOS firmware, turn off battery optimization for this app in Settings → Annexes → Google Photo → The battery, otherwise the synchronization will be interrupted.
2. Step-by-step instructions: how to upload a photo to Mi Cloud
The Mi Cloud built-in cloud is the most reliable solution for Xiaomi owners, as it is closely integrated with the firmware.
- Open your Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
- Sign in to your account or sign up (link your phone number for recovery).
- Go to the Gallery section → Synchronization of photos.
- Turn on the Autoboot switch and select: 📶 Wi-Fi only (recommended for traffic savings) 📡 Wi-Fi and mobile network (if you have unlimited rates)
Upload existing photos
Important nuance: in MIUI 14+ Now, you have the option to optimize storage, and when you activate it, you'll only have thumbnails on your device, and the originals will be stored in the cloud, which saves up to 70 percent of the space, but you need a stable Internet to browse.
Sign in to your Xiaomi account|Check the free space in the cloud|Connect to Wi-Fi|Turn off the power saving mode|Set up autoloading.-->
⚠️ Note: If photos do not load after synchronization is enabled, check the permissions for the Gallery application in Settings → Annexes → Permits → The vault. POCO F5 New models are often reset after updates.
3.Photo transfer to Google Photos: optimal settings for Xiaomi
Google Photos remains the leader among cloud services due to its user-friendly interface and powerful search, and on Xiaomi smartphones, its setting has features:
- Install the Google Photos app from the Play Store (pre-installed on some models).
- Open the app and log in to your Google account.
- Touch the avatar in the upper right corner → Photo settings → Backup and synchronization.
- Turn on the switch and select: 📸 High quality (free, compression up to 16 MP) 🎞️ Original quality (counted in the quota of 15 GB)
Settings → Mobile data
Backup over the mobile network
On HyperOS devices (e.g. Xiaomi 14 or Redmi Note 13 Pro)+) Google Photos may conflict with the built-in gallery to avoid duplication of photos:
- Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Find the Gallery and turn off Autoboot in Mi Cloud if you only use Google Photos.
How to speed up the upload in Google Photos?
4. Alternative services: Yandex Disk, Mail.ru Cloud and others
If Mi Cloud or Google Photos don’t suit you, consider domestic and foreign alternatives, and their main advantage is sign-up bonuses (e.g., sign-up bonuses, +10 GB on Yandex Disk for card binding).
Yandex Disc.
For automatic loading:
- Install the Yandex Disk app.
- Log in to your account and go to Settings → Autouploading photos.
- Turn on the option and select a folder to download (like Camera).
- Set up the load quality (original or compression).
Mail.ru Cloud
The service features integration with mail and the ability to send photos directly from the cloud, to activate autoload:
- Open the Cloud app Mail.ru.
- Go to Photos. → Settings → Autoboot.
- Choose Download over Wi-Fi or Always Download.
- Please indicate whether you need to upload videos and screenshots.
💡
If you use several cloud services, in the settings MIUI Turn off automatic optimization for their applications. → Battery → Optimizing the battery → Select applications
5. Solving the Problem: Why Photos Are Not Uploaded to the Cloud
Even with the right settings, synchronization can be interrupted. Consider the typical errors and ways to fix them on Xiaomi:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Photos are not uploaded to Mi Cloud | Not enough space in the cloud | Clean up unnecessary files in the Mi Cloud → Manage the storage or buy an additional amount. |
| Google Photos "waiting to be downloaded" | Limitation of background activity | Turn off battery optimization for Google Photos in settings MIUI. |
| Download interrupted by 99% | Unstable Internet connection | Switch from mobile data to Wi-Fi or change DNS at 8.8.8.8. |
| Photos uploaded in low quality | Compression option activated | In the cloud settings, select Original Quality (may require payment). |
On HyperOS devices (such as Xiaomi 13 Ultra), an additional problem is the conflict between the built-in gallery and third-party clouds.
- Open the Settings. → Annexes → gallery → Permits.
- Turn off access to the Gallery storage if you only use Google Photos.
- Reset the device.
⚠️ Attention: POCO X5 Pro and other devices with Snapdragon processor 778G mass-load (>500 Photos may be overheated. In this case, download files in batches of 100-200 or use a cooling stand.
6 How to transfer photos from Xiaomi to the cloud without loss of quality
By default, many services compress images to save space, to maintain original quality:
In Mi Cloud:
- 📸 In synchronization settings, select Original Quality.
- 🔍 Check what's in the Settings → gallery → Export quality is the maximum.
On Google Photos:
- 🖼️ Select Original Quality in Backup Settings (you will need to pay more than 15 GB for space).
- 📊 Use Google One to buy extra space (100GB costs) ~139 ₽/month).
For professional photographers:
If you're filming in RAW (For example, on Xiaomi 13 Pro with Leica module, use the:
- ☁️ Dropbox or pCloud – they support downloading RAW convertible.
- 💾 Local storage. + periodic portability to PC (via Mi) PC Suite).
💡
Xiaomi with 200 cameras+ MP (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro)+ 5G) Even the "original quality" in Google Photos can compress files. For full control, use specialized services like SmugMug or Flickr Pro.
7 Automation: How to set up background boot without manual control
To upload photos to the cloud without your participation, configure:
On Xiaomi MIUI:
- Open the Settings. → Special facilities → Automation.
- Create a rule: If connected to Wi-Fi → Start synchronizing Mi Cloud.
- Add an exception for cloud storage applications in Settings → Battery → Optimizing the battery.
On Xiaomi with HyperOS:
In the new firmware appeared the function Smart Sync:
- Go to Settings. → Accounts and synchronization → Smart Sync.
- Turn on the option and select Photos from the synchronized data list.
- Set up a schedule (for example, load only at night).
Google Photos on all versions MIUI:
- 🔄 Enable Autoboot and Sync in the App Settings.
- 📡 B Settings → Mobile networks → Data usage disable background traffic restriction for Google Photos.
8 Security: How to Protect Photos in the Cloud
Cloud storage is vulnerable to hacking, so:
- 🔐 Use two-factor authentication for your account Xiaomi/Google.
- 📂 In Mi Cloud, set up a Private Album (available in Gallery) → Albums. → Create a private one).
- 🔑 In Google Photos, enable Blocking folder (required) PIN print).
- 🛡️ Regularly check active sessions in your account settings.
On Xiaomi MIUI 14+ And there's a Hidden Album feature that encrypts photos right on the device:
- Open the gallery. → Albums. → To create a hidden album.
- Set a password or use biometrics.
- Move sensitive images (they won’t sync to the cloud)
⚠️ Note: When using Mi Cloud on root-enabled devices, turn off the synchronization of sensitive data. In 2023, there were cases of leakage of access tokens through vulnerabilities in custom firmware.