How to Backup Xiaomi with Google Account: The Complete Guide

Why do I need to back up through Google on Xiaomi?

Smartphone data loss is a situation that almost every user has experienced: Backup through Google Account on Xiaomi (including Redmi Note 12 models, POCO X5, Mi 13 and others solve this problem by saving contacts, photos, apps and even system settings in the cloud. Unlike local backups, which can disappear when your phone breaks, Google Drive cloud storage is available from any device.

The main advantage of this method is that it automatically synchronizes data in the background, without having to connect the phone to a computer. However, many users have questions: what data is stored, how much space is taken up by the backup, and how to avoid errors in recovery? In this article, we will analyze all the nuances from preparing a smartphone to checking the integrity of the backup.

It is important to understand that MIUI (Xiaomi firmware has its own features of interaction with Google services, for example, some system settings (such as the themes of the design or control gestures) may not be saved in the cloud.

What data can be saved through a Google Account?

Google’s Xiaomi backup service saves most of your data, but not all of it. Here’s a full list of what’s going to go to the cloud:

• 📞 Contacts (including profile photos and additional fields)
• 📅 Calendars and Events (from Google Calendar App)
• 📱 List of installed applications (without the application itself) APK-files, only links to the Play Market)
• ⚙️ Device settings (Wi-Fi network, wallpaper, screen brightness, language preferences)
• 📝 Notes from Google Keep (if the app is installed)
• 🎵 Music Playlists (from YouTube Music or Google Play Music)

There are limitations, however, such as photos and videos being saved not through a backup service but through a separate Google Photos app.

• 🔒 SMS and call history (a separate application is required, for example) SMS Backup & Restore)
• 🎮 Game Saving (depends on Google Play Games developer support)
• 📁 Files in internal memory (except those downloaded via Google Drive)
• 🔄 Settings MIUI (Themes, fonts, animations are proprietary features of Xiaomi)

The backup volume depends on the number of applications and settings. 100 MB up to 1 If you have many games or specialized programs installed, the size may increase to 2-3 GB.

⚠️ Attention: If you are using MIUI Without Google services (e.g., Chinese firmware), backup through Google Account will not be available, in which case you will have to use Mi Cloud or local backups.

Preparing Xiaomi smartphone for backup

Before you create a backup, you need to follow several mandatory steps, which will help to avoid errors and ensure the safety of all important data.

Add Google Account to your device settings

Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network

Charge your phone at least 50%

Update Google Play Services and Google Drive

Clear the cache in the storage settings (optional)

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First, check if your Google Account has been added to the system.

1. Open Settings → Accounts and Synchronization.
2. Click Add Add Account → Google.
3. Enter your Gmail login and password.

If you have already added an account, make sure that sync is enabled.

1. Go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google.
2. Select your account and activate the switches opposite Contacts, Calendar, Drive and other options.

It is also recommended to update key Google apps, as outdated versions can cause crashes.

1. Open the Google Play Market.
2. In the search, type in Google Play Services and Google Drive.
3. If an update is available, click Update.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi) 9A or POCO M3) Background sync is disabled by default to save battery life. To create a backup automatically, add the Google Drive app to the battery optimization exception list (Settings) → Battery → Optimizing the battery).

Step-by-step: how to make a backup on Xiaomi through Google

Now let's move directly to the backup process. This manual is suitable for all Xiaomi devices on the Internet. MIUI 12/13/14/15, including Redmi, POCO Mi series.

Step 1. Open Settings and go to Google → Backup (on some firmware, the path may look like Settings) → Additionally. → Backup and reset → Backup of Google Data).

Step 2. Click Create Backup. The system automatically determines what data you can save. You'll see the list of applications and their size.

• 🔄 Change the frequency of automatic backup (daily, weekly or only over Wi-Fi).
• 📁 Select which applications to include in the backup (all supported ones are selected by default).
• 🔒 Encrypt the backup with a password (optional, but recommended for sensitive data).

Step 3: Click Start Copy. The process can take anywhere from minutes to an hour, depending on the amount of data and the speed of the Internet, do not interrupt the Wi-Fi connection or turn off the screen (or activate the Do Not Interrupt mode in the notification curtain).

Step. 4. Once completed, you will see the notification Backup Completed. To check the backup, open Google Drive on your computer or other device and go to Backups. There should appear a file with your smartphone name (e.g., Redmi Note). 11 Pro 5G — 2026-05-15).

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If you don’t have a backup, try clearing the Google Play Services app data. → Annexes → Application management → Google Play Services → Warehouse → Clear the data. Then restart the phone and try again.

How to recover data from Google backup to Xiaomi?

Backup data recovery is automatically done when a new Xiaomi device is first turned on or after settings are reset, but you can also manually start the process.

Step 1. When you first set up your phone, select the Copy Data option and log in to the same Google Account that was used for the backup.

Step 2. If the phone is already configured, go to Settings → Google → Backup and press Restore. Make sure:

• 📶 Phone connected to Wi-Fi (recovery over mobile network can take a long time).
• 🔋 Battery charge of at least 30%.
• 📱 There is enough free space on the device (at least) 1-2 GB).

Step 3: Select the right backup from the list (if there are more than one) and confirm the recovery. The process can take anywhere from 10 minutes to 1 hour. Once completed, the phone will restart.

Important: Not all data is instantly restored, for example, contacts and calendars sync almost immediately, and application settings can be loaded in the background for several hours.

• 🔄 Is synchronization enabled in Google Account settings.
• 📥 Is there enough space on the device.
• 🔄 Does the Android version match on the old and new phone.

Google Backup Comparison and Mi Cloud: Which is Better?

Xiaomi users have an alternative, the Mi Cloud cloud service, which is integrated into the system. MIUI And it offers its advantages, but it also has its disadvantages:

When to choose Google:

• 🌍 If you change smartphones from different brands (Samsung, Pixel, Xiaomi).
• 📧 If you are actively using other Google services (Gmail, Calendar, Drive).
• 🔒 If compatibility with corporate accounts is important (e.g. Google Workspace).

When to choose Mi Cloud:

• 📱 If you only have Xiaomi devices and you don’t plan to switch to other brands.
• 💬 If you need to save SMS, call history MIUI.
• 🎨 If it is important to save the settings of themes, fonts and other branded features MIUI.

The best way to do this is to use both services in parallel, like Mi Cloud. SMS and branded settings, and Google Account - for universal data (contacts, applications, calendars).

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If you sell or transfer a phone to another person, be sure to delete all accounts (Google and Mi) and reset to factory settings.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even with the right setup, Xiaomi users sometimes encounter problems when backing up through Google. Let’s look at the typical bugs and how to fix them.

1. Error "Cannot be backed up"

Most often it occurs due to:

• 📶 Unstable Internet connection (reconnect to Wi-Fi).
• 🔄 Outdated versions of Google Play Services (update via Play Market).
• 🔒 Lack of space in Google Drive (clean up unnecessary files or expand storage).

2. Backup is being built, but not repaired.

The problem is usually related to:

• 📱 Different versions of Android on old and new device (update firmware).
• 🔐 No storage rights (check permissions for Google Drive).
• 🕒 Too much time between backup and recovery (data may have become outdated).

3. No photographs are retained

Photos are not included in the standard Google backup. To save them, use:

• 📷 Google Photos app (automatic download when connecting to Wi-Fi).
• 🖥️ Manual download to Google Drive via file manager.
• 🔄 Sync with Mi Cloud (if photos are only important to the Xiaomi ecosystem).

4. Disappeared contact after recovery

If contacts are not restored:

1. Check if contact synchronization is enabled in Settings → Accounts. → Google → Synchronization of contacts.
2. Open the Contacts app and manually update the list (swipe down).
3. Make sure your contacts are saved in your Google Account, not on your account. SIM-card or phone memory.

⚠️ Note: If you are using Dual Apps (app cloning function) MIUI), Data from duplicate applications (such as the second WhatsApp) will not be stored in the Google backup.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions