How to change cloud storage on Xiaomi: transfer from Mi Cloud to Google Drive, Yandex.Disk and other services

Cloud storage has become an integral part of Xiaomi’s smartphone ecosystem, but the standard solution, Mi Cloud, doesn’t always suit users: Some want to save on tariffs, some don’t have enough free space, and some just prefer alternatives like Google Drive or Yandex.Disk for their integration with other services. In this article, we will discuss how to completely switch to another cloud without losing data, what nuances to consider when synchronizing contacts, photos and notes, and how to avoid common errors.

The process of changing storage to Xiaomi is not just about turning off the Mi Cloud – it’s important to export data correctly, set up a backup in a new service, and make sure that automatic features (such as saving screenshots or screen recordings) work correctly. We’ll look at options for different models, from the Redmi Note 12 to the flagship Xiaomi 14, and also tell you how to get around the limitations of MIUI if the system stubbornly returns you to the standard cloud.

Why do users want to change Mi Cloud to another storage?

Despite the convenience of the built-in solution, Mi Cloud has a number of drawbacks that make you look for alternatives:

• 💰 Limited free space: just 5 GB (vs. 15 GB for Google Drive and 10 GB for Yandex.Disk.
• 🌍 Geographical limitations: Some features (e.g. note synchronization) may not work well outside of China.
• 🔒 Privacy concerns: Data is stored on Xiaomi servers, raising questions for users concerned about privacy.
• 📱 Ecosystem-based linkage MIUI: When you change your smartphone to a device of another brand (for example, Samsung or iPhone), data transfer from the Mi Cloud becomes more difficult.

In addition, many people face automatic deletion of old backups after 6 months - a feature that cannot be turned off in a free plan, which is especially critical for those who store message archives or call history in the cloud.

Mi Cloud Alternatives Comparison: Which to Choose?

Before you move the data, you should decide on a new storage, below is a comparison of popular services by key parameters for Xiaomi users:

Selection recommendations:

• 📸 If you are interested in autoloading photos, the best option is Google Photos (unlimited storage in compressed quality) or Yandex.Photos (original quality up to 20 GB).
• 📇 Google Contacts is better suited for syncing contacts – it automatically integrates with the Xiaomi phone book.
• 💾 If you want to back up your entire smartphone, consider Google Drive (through the Backup feature in the settings) or specialized solutions like Swift Backup (requires root).

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Before choosing a service, check if it supports background synchronization on your Xiaomi model. For example, on devices with MIUI 14 and later, some applications (for example, Yandex.Disk) may not update files in the background without additional settings in Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization

Preparing for data transfer: what to do before the cloud changes

Before disabling Mi Cloud, you need to save all critical data.

Export contacts to VCF| Download message backup (SMS/MMS)|Save photos and videos to PC or external drive | Download note archive from Mi Notes |Disable automatic synchronization in Mi Cloud |Check free space on the new cloud-->

Pay particular attention to the following types of data:

1. Contacts: Export them via Contacts → Settings → Import / Export → Export to storage..vcf file can be imported to Google Contacts or other service.
2. Messages: Use the SMS Backup & Restore app (available on Google Play) to back up your SMS/MMS in.xml format.
3. Photos and Videos: Enable Autoboot in the new cloud (like Google Photos) before disabling Mi Cloud to avoid losing new files.
4. Notes: In the Mi Notes app, select Settings → Export notes. The file will be saved in.zip with HTML-note-book.

⚠️ Note: If you use Mi Band or other Xiaomi ecosystem devices, your health data (steps, pulse) is stored in Mi Fitness and not synced with Mi Cloud.

Step-by-step: how to disable Mi Cloud and switch to another storage

The process of changing the cloud has three stages: disabling sync, transferring data, and setting up a new service. Let's take a look at each one in detail.

1.Switching off Mi Cloud

To stop syncing with the standard Xiaomi cloud, follow the following steps:

1. Open Settings → Accounts and Sync → Mi Account.
2. Click on your account and select Mi Cloud.
3. Turn off the sliders next to: 📇 Contacts 📝 Notes 📷 gallery 🔄 Backup

Mi Account

Exit

2.Move data to the new cloud

The method of transfer depends on the type of data:

• 📁 Files (photos, videos, documents): Download data from Mi Cloud via the web version (i.mi.com) or app. Upload files to a new storage (for example, through Google Drive for PC or mobile application).
• 📇 Contacts: Import the.vcf file to Google Contacts (contacts.google.com) or another service. In your smartphone settings, select a new account to sync: Settings → Accounts and synchronization → Add an account.
• 📝 Notes: Use applications like Simplenote or Google Keep to import from the.zip archive. For Xiaomi Notes on new devices, you can use the Restore from a backup function (if you have previously done a backup).

3. set up automatic synchronization with the new cloud

To make the new storage as convenient as Mi Cloud, set up:

• 🔄 Autoload Photo: In Google Photos, Enable Settings → Backup and synchronization.
• 📱 System backup: C Settings → Google → Backup activate copying of application data, call history and settings.
• 📂 Access to files: In Yandex.Disk or OneDrive, set up automatic download of screenshots and screen recordings through the Application Settings → Autoboot.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 13 and later, after disabling Mi Cloud, the "Find Device" function may disappear. To restore it, install an alternative solution, such as Google Find My Device.

Solving Common Problems When Changing the Cloud

When transferring data, users often encounter errors, and here are the most common ones and how to fix them:

If the data is not displayed in the new cloud after the transfer, check:

• 🔌 Internet connection (synchronization may not work over a mobile network).
• 🔄 Sync settings in the cloud application (sometimes manual start is required).
• 📱 Version MIUI: on old firmware (below) MIUI 12) there may be problems with the background work of third-party applications.