Synchronization of Xiaomi smartphones: all ways to transfer data between devices

Synchronizing data between Xiaomi smartphones is a challenge that every user faces when buying a new device or needing to back up. The brand offers several built-in tools to transfer contacts, photos, messages and even system settings, but not everyone knows how to use them correctly. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways of synchronization, from official solutions (Mi Account, Mi Mover) to universal methods through Google and cloud services.

Xiaomi’s ecosystem is very well integrated with proprietary services that often run better than standard Android tools, but each method has some nuances: for example, Mi Cloud limits free storage to 5 GB, and Mi Mover requires physical connection of devices, and we will analyze the pros and cons of each option so that you can choose the best one for your situation.

Importantly, if you’re planning to sync data between different brands (e.g. Xiaomi and Samsung), some of the methods in this article won’t work, so look for universal solutions like Google Drive or Samsung’s Smart Switch.

1. synchronization through Mi Account (Mi Cloud)

The Mi Cloud is the easiest way to sync data between Xiaomi smartphones, automatically backing up contacts, notes, photos, calendar entries and even SMS when you include the appropriate settings, and the main advantage is seamless integration with MIUI firmware, which eliminates the need for manual configuration.

To activate synchronization:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Mi Account and log in (or create an account).
• ☁️ Go to Mi Cloud. → Synchronize and turn on switches opposite the desired categories (contacts, gallery, etc.).
• 🔄 On the second device, log in to the same account – the data will start syncing automatically.

Note: Mi Cloud offers only 5 GB of free storage. If you need to transfer a large amount of photos or videos, you will either have to clean the cloud or buy additional space (from 100 GB for ~300 rubles / year), and the service does not sync installed applications – only their data (for example, save in games).

⚠️ Note: When you first log in to Mi Account on a new device, the system may suggest that you restore data from the backup. If you agree, all current data on the phone will be replaced by information from the cloud!

2. data transfer via Mi Mover (direct transmission)

Mi Mover is a built-in application for direct data transfer between Xiaomi smartphones over Wi-Fi. Unlike cloud services, this method does not require Internet and works even with large amounts of data (up to 100 GB).

• 📞 Contacts, call log, SMS/MMS
• 📷 Photos and videos (including Gallery albums)
• 🎵 Music and audio files
• 📄 Documents (PDF, Word, Excel, etc.)
• 🎮 Application data (save games, settings messengers)

Instructions for use:

1. Install Mi Mover on both devices (the app is pre-installed on most Xiaomi smartphones).
2. On the old phone, choose I give, on the new phone, I receive.
3. Scan it. QR-code from the screen of the new device or connect via Wi-Fi Direct.
4. Select data categories for transfer and confirm the start of transfer.

It can take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour depending on the amount of data, and it's important that you don't turn off the screen or put the devices into sleep mode, it will interrupt the process, and make sure that both phones have enough battery power (≥50%).

Run Mi Mover on both devices |Connect both phones to charge |Connect power saving mode |Confirm availability of ≥10 GB of free space on the new device-->

3. synchronization through Google Account

If you prefer universal solutions, Google Account is a reliable way to synchronize basic data (contacts, calendar, mail, Google Keep notes), which is suitable for transferring information not only between Xiaomi smartphones, but also devices from other brands.

To enable synchronization:

• 🔧 Go to Settings. → Accounts. → Google.
• 🔄 Select your account and activate the switches in front of the desired categories.
• 📱 On the second device, log in to the same Google account – the data is synced automatically.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ 15GB of free storage (vs. 5GB in Mi Cloud).
• ✅ Cross-platform (works on Android, iOS, web versions).
• ✅ Automatic Photo Backup in Google Photos (with compression capability to save space).

Disadvantages: Google does not sync SMS, call log and data of some applications (for example, Mi Fit or Xiaomi Home), for this purpose you will have to use Mi Cloud or third-party utilities.

4. Backup and Restore through Settings

Xiaomi offers a built-in tool to create a full system backup, including apps, settings and data.This method is useful if you want to migrate the entire configuration of the phone, not just individual categories.

How to create a backup copy:

1. Open Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Local Backup.
2. Select data categories (system settings, applications, multimedia) and click Create Backup.
3. The file is stored in the internal memory in the MIUI/backup/AllBackup folder.

To recover data on the new device:

1. Transfer the backup file to a new smartphone (for example, via Mi Mover or OTG cable).
2. In the same backup settings, select Restore and specify the file.

Limitations of the method:

• 🚫 Not all apps support data recovery (especially gaming and banking).
• 🚫 Backup can take up a lot of space (up to 20-30 GB).
• 🚫 When restoring to a device with a different version MIUI possible failure.

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If the backup doesn't recover, try renaming the file by removing Cyrillic characters or spaces from the name, sometimes solving compatibility issues.

5. Synchronization through third-party services (Dropbox, Yandex Disk, Telegram)

If Xiaomi’s built-in tools don’t suit you, you can use third-party cloud services, which are suitable for transferring specific types of data (like only photos or documents) and often offer more free space.

Comparison of popular services:

Telegram has no strict storage limit, but files are only stored until you delete them.

Example of photos transfer via Yandex Disk:

1. Install Yandex Disk on both devices.
2. On your old phone, upload photos to the Photos folder on the Disc.
3. On the new device, download the files back to the Gallery.

⚠️ Attention: When downloading large amounts of data via the mobile Internet, monitor traffic - some operators block access when the limit is exceeded.

6.Sync Xiaomi smart devices (Mi Home, Mi Fit)

If you use Xiaomi’s smart device ecosystem (e.g. Mi Band, Robot Vacuum, Smart Lamp), their settings are tied to your Mi Account. When you change your smartphone, just log into the same account in the Mi Home or Mi Fit apps, and all devices will connect automatically.

How to transfer data from smart gadgets:

• 🏠 In Mi Home: Sign in on your new phone, all added devices will appear in the list. If necessary, update the firmware of gadgets through the device settings → Update.
• 🏃 In Mi Fit, training, sleep and pulse data are synced to the cloud. To transfer the story, install the app on your new phone and log in.

Exceptions:

• 🔋 Some devices (e.g. Xiaomi Smart Scale) store data locally. Use export to Settings to port it. → Export of data.
• 🔒 If you are selling an old device, be sure to untie it from your Mi Home account, otherwise the new owner will get access to your gadgets.

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For the smooth operation of smart devices after changing the smartphone, one action is enough – logging into the same Mi Account account in Mi applications Home/Mi Fit.

7.Chronicle problems and their solutions

Even when using official Xiaomi tools, users are faced with errors. Let’s consider the typical problems and ways to fix them:

1.Mi Cloud does not sync data

• 🔌 Check your internet connection (synchronization only works via Wi-Fi or mobile data).
• 🔄 Update the Mi Cloud app on Google Play.
• 📱 Reboot the device and enable synchronization again in Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud.

2 Mi Mover does not see the second device

• 📶 Make sure both phones have Wi-Fi enabled and the Mi Mover has access to location.
• 🔄 Try connecting through QR-code instead of automated search.
• 🔋 Make sure there is enough charge on the devices (≥30%).

3.Google Photos does not upload media files

• ☁️ In Google Photos Settings, select Backup and Sync → Download quality and set High Quality (unlimited storage) or Source (accounted for by Google Drive quota).
• 🚫 Make sure that in the settings → Annexes → Google Photo → Permits included access to storage.

4. MIUI backup is not being restored

• 📌 Check that version MIUI on the new device is not lower than on the old one.
• 🔧 Try renaming the backup file by removing special characters.
• 📁 Make sure the file is not corrupted (try opening it through the archiver).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi synchronization