Synchronizing photos between Google Photos and the standard Xiaomi gallery is a task faced by most users of Xiaomi, Redmi or smartphones. POCO. Despite the apparent simplicity, the process is often accompanied by errors: photos are duplicated, not uploaded to the cloud or disappear from the gallery after removal. MIUI and Google’s data retention policy.
Many people mistakenly believe that it is enough to enable autoload in Google Photos and all the pictures will automatically appear in the Xiaomi gallery. In practice, additional configuration is required: a bunch of accounts, adjustment of permissions and even manual synchronization for some folders. In this article, we will discuss all synchronization methods, including hidden settings. MIUI, We also look at how to avoid loss of quality when uploading and why some photos may not appear in the gallery even after successful synchronization.
If you are using Xiaomi with firmware MIUI 12/13/14 Or, more recently, the synchronization algorithm has changed, so that the system is now more active in cacheing thumbnails, which can create the illusion of no photo, and we'll show you how to clear the cache without losing data and get the gallery to show all the synchronized pictures.
Why Google Photos Aren't Shown in Xiaomi Gallery
The main problem is that the Xiaomi gallery only shows local files stored in the device’s memory by default. Photos from Google Photos, even synchronized, remain in the cloud and do not appear in the standard application. MIUI, Where cloud services are considered external sources.
The second reason is that there's no connection between accounts, and if you don't have a Google account linked to Xiaomi, the gallery can't physically access cloud data. MIUI 14+ By default, applications are blocked from accessing media files of other services.
A third common error is the incorrect sync settings in Google Photos itself. Users often turn on autoload but forget to choose the download quality (Original or High), which may cause the images to fail to display or lose details.
⚠️ Note: If you deleted a photo from Xiaomi Gallery but it stayed in Google Photos, it doesn't mean that files are synced. Local deletion doesn't affect cloud copies - and vice versa. To avoid confusion, use the "Delete everywhere" feature in the Google Photos menu.
Finally, on dual-devices SIM-Maps or multiple Google accounts may cause binding conflicts. MIUI Sometimes forgets which account should be the main one for synchronizing media files.
Method 1: Automatic synchronization with Google Photos
This is the most reliable method, but it requires the right setup. Follow the instructions Step-by-step:
1. Open the Google Photos app and log in under the same account as you do with the Xiaomi Gallery.
2.Slip on the avatar in the upper right corner → Settings Photo → Backup and synchronization.
3. Activate the "Backup" switch and select the quality:
Original (saves original resolution, takes place in the cloud).
High (compresses the photo to 16 MP, free of charge).
4. Return to the main Google Photos menu and wait until the first sync is completed (it can take anywhere from 10 minutes to several hours depending on the number of files).
5. Now open the Xiaomi Gallery (Photo or Gallery) and check the Cloud or Google Photos section. If it's not available, go to Method 2.
Make sure that the device has enough free space (at least 10% of the memory capacity)
Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network (mobile Internet download may be blocked)
Check that Google Photos Settings have backup for the folder enabled DCIM/Camera
Turn off battery saving mode for Google Photos app (in settings) MIUI)
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If the photos never show up, try manually updating the gallery: open it, pull the screen down for an update, or go to Gallery Settings. → Update media files.
Method 2: Manually connect Google Photos to the Xiaomi Gallery
If the automatic sync doesn't work, you'll have to manually link accounts. MIUI 12–14:
1. Open the phone settings → Accounts and synchronization → Google.
2. Select your account and make sure that sync for Google Photos is enabled.
3. Go back to the basic settings and go to Apps → Application Management.
4. Find the Gallery (com.miui.gallery), open its settings and give all permissions:
- Warehouse.
- The camera.
Contacts (required to display albums by people)
5. Restart the device and open the gallery. Now the "Google Photos" or "Cloud" section should appear in the side menu.
If there is no section, try an alternative way:
- Install the Google Photos app from Google Play (if removed).
- Run it and wait until the first synchronization is complete.
- Return to the Xiaomi Gallery and check the Albums tab – there should appear the Google Photos section.
⚠️ Note: Some Redmi models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro) after upgrading to MIUI 13 you lose the ability to view cloud photos in the gallery, in which case use a separate Google Photos app or install an alternative gallery, such as Simple Gallery.
Method 3: Synchronization through MI Cloud (for Xiaomi users)
If you don’t want to use Google Photos, you can sync photos through Google Photos. MI Cloud is cloud storage from Xiaomi.This method is suitable for backup, but has a limitation: only 5 GB is available for free (vs. 15 GB in Google Photos).
Instructions:
After synchronization, the photos will be available:
- In the Xiaomi Gallery (section "Mi Cloud").
- On i.mi.com (in the web version of the cloud).
The advantage of this method is a deep integration with the MIUI: photo MI Clouds are displayed in the gallery as local, they can be edited and shared without additional actions.
| Synchronization method | Advantages | Deficiencies | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Photo | 15 GB free, cross-platform, facial recognition | It may not appear in the Xiaomi gallery without manual settings. | Users who actively use Google services |
| MI Cloud | Deep integration with MIUI, Photos are displayed as local | Only 5GB free, no object recognition | Xiaomi owners who don’t use Google |
| Manual loading | Complete control of files, no reliance on the cloud | Requires regular file transfer, takes up space on the device | Users with limited Internet access |
Google Photo|MI Cloud|Manual download on PC|Other service (Yandex Drive, iCloud)|I don't sync photos.-->
How to eliminate synchronization errors
If photos don’t load or disappear, check the following points:
- 🔄 Update apps: Install the latest versions of Google Photos and Gallery Xiaomi through Google Play.
- 📶 Check the network: Synchronization can be blocked when there is a weak signal of Wi-Fi or mobile Internet. Try switching to another network.
- 🔒 Permissions: C Settings → Annexes → Google Photos check that all permissions are enabled (storage, camera, contacts).
- 🗑️ Clear the cache: Go to Settings → Annexes → gallery → Storage and press "Clear the cache".
If photos are uploaded to Google Photos but not displayed in the Xiaomi Gallery, do the forced sync:
- Open Google Photos and wait until the download is complete.
- Close the app and restart the phone.
- Open the Xiaomi Gallery, pull the screen down for an update, or go to Gallery Settings → Update media files.
If after all the manipulations, the photos never appeared, check if they are hidden in the settings of the gallery. MIUI 14 adds Hidden Albums, which can automatically hide cloud images. To get them back, open the gallery, tap three dots in the upper right corner. → "Showing Hidden Albums".
What if the synchronization is 99% down?
Storage optimization: how to free up space on your phone
Once synced with Google Photos, local copies of photos can be deleted to make room.
- Open Google Photos and wait for the backup to be completed.
- Tap the avatar. → Settings Photo → Make room.
- The app will suggest that you delete photos that have already been uploaded to the cloud.
On Xiaomi devices with MIUI 13+ There's an option that's called smart cleaning, which automatically deletes local copies of photos that are older than 30 days and are successfully synced to the cloud:
1. Go to Settings. → Memory. → Cleaning up memory.
2. Activate Smart Cleanup and select Photos and Videos.
3.Indicate the storage period of local copies (from 7 to 90 days).
⚠️ Attention: If you are using MI Cloud instead of Google Photos, the “Free Place” function works differently: it only deletes photos that were uploaded to the site. MI Cloud in original quality. compressed copies remain on the device.
For additional space savings, disable autoloading of unnecessary folders:
- 📁 In Google Photos: Settings → Backup and synchronization → Backup of device folders → uncheck the boxes from unnecessary folders (such as Screenshots or Downloads).
- 📁 V MI Cloud: Settings → Mi Cloud → gallery → Synchronization settings → Select only important folders.
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If you often take pictures in a format RAW (For example, on Xiaomi 13 Ultra, disable its autoload in Google Photos..dng files take up to 50 MB each and fill the cloud quickly.
Alternative methods of synchronization
If standard methods don’t work, consider alternatives:
1. Use of third-party galleries
Apps like Simple Gallery and QuickPic can display photos from Google Photos and other clouds without any additional settings, and they also support encryption and hidden albums.
2. Synchronization via PC
Download photos from Google Photos to your computer (via photos.google.com) and then transfer them back to your phone via Google Photos. MTP Xiaomi File Manager, which is a way to download old photos.
3 Automation through Tasker
With the Tasker app, you can set up an automatic upload of photos from Google Photos to a local folder that the Xiaomi gallery will recognize.
- 🤖 Install Tasker and AutoInput plugin.
- 📱 Create a task that opens Google Photos, selects an album and saves it to the user /storage/emulated/0/Pictures/Google Photos.
- ⏰ Set the trigger on schedule (for example, once a day).
4. Cloud folders in the file manager
Xiaomi File Manager (com.mi.android.globalFileexplorer) has built-in support for cloud services. Connect your Google Drive or Google Photos via:
File Manager → Cloud. → Add an account → Google
After that, the photos can be viewed and copied to local storage from the file manager.
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If you need a 100% guarantee of access to photos, use a combined approach: sync your photos in both Google Photos and Google Photos. MI Cloud. This will protect your data from loss when one of the services fails.