Recently, Xiaomi smartphone users have been facing an automatic redirection of the Mi Cloud sync service to backup via Google Photos, a change that has affected devices running MIUI 13/14 and later, where the company has integrated Google services deeper into the system. If you notice that photos and videos are automatically uploaded to the Google cloud without your consent, this article will help you figure out how to completely disable backups while retaining control over data.
Compounding the problem, Xiaomi doesn’t always explicitly notify users of such a replacement.As a result, many find their personal media files synced with their Google account, taking up space in cloud storage and potentially violating privacy. In this guide, we’ll look at all the ways to deactivate the feature, from standard settings to hidden developer settings, and explain why a simple shutdown in the Google Photos menu might not work on Xiaomi devices.
Why Xiaomi has replaced Mi Cloud with Google Photos: official reasons and ulterior motives
Xiaomi has officially attributed the move to Google Photos as a desire to “improve the user experience” and “integrate with the Android ecosystem.”
- 💰 Server Savings: Supporting your own Mi Cloud is expensive, while Google is taking over the burden.
- 📱 Simplify synchronization between devices of different brands (for example, Xiaomi and Pixel).
- 🔒 Google pressure: Under license agreements, manufacturers must pre-install key Google services on devices with Google Mobile Services (GMS).
- 📊 Data Analytics: Google gets access to photo metadata (geolocation, time of shooting), which is valuable for targeted advertising.
It is important to understand that replacing Mi Cloud Sync with Google Photos is not just a technical update, but a strategic decision that affects privacy and data management. For example, unlike Mi Cloud, where files were encrypted according to Xiaomi standards, Google Photos uses Google encryption algorithms, which can be critical for users from regions with strict data retention laws (for example, the EU or China).
Google Photos also compresses images by default when uploading in High Quality mode, while Mi Cloud retained the original resolution, which can be a problem for professional photographers or users who value quality.
The consequences of auto syncing with Google Photos: what you lose
At first glance, automatic backup seems like a handy feature, but it has hidden flaws that Xiaomi and Google keep silent about:
| Problem. | Implications for the user | How to fix it. |
|---|---|---|
| Occupied cloud storage | Google only provides 15GB for free, and photos and videos quickly fill that space, blocking the ability to save other files (like documents or chat backups). | Disable autoload or buy extra space (from 100 GB per ~139 ₽/month). |
| Violation of confidentiality | Google analyzes uploaded images for targeted advertising and may share data with third parties (for example, at the request of law enforcement). | Use alternative clouds with encryption (e.g. Proton Drive or Nextcloud). |
| Loss of image quality | When selecting the High Quality option, Google compresses photos to 16 MP and videos to 1080p, even if the original is of higher resolution. | Manually select the option "Original quality" (but this will exhaust the free space faster). |
| Duplication of files | If you used Mi Cloud before, now the same files can be stored in two clouds, taking up space and creating confusion. | Remove duplicates manually or using apps like Files by Google. |
This is especially critical for users who previously disabled Mi Cloud Sync to save traffic or battery, and now their devices can secretly sync data via Google Photos, consuming mobile internet in the background, for example, uploading 100 photos in high quality can eat up to 500MB of traffic, which is sensitive to tariffs with limited Internet.
⚠️ Note: If you use a Google corporate account (for example, through a job or school), the domain administrator may see your uploaded photos.
Step-by-step: how to disable Google Photos backup on Xiaomi
Unlike standard Android devices, Xiaomi’s disconnection process has nuances due to the integration of services. Follow this instruction to guarantee that synchronization is deactivated:
- Open the Google Photos app and go to your profile (account icon in the upper right corner).
- Select Photo Settings → Backup and Synchronization.
- Turn off the "Backup and Sync" switch. Confirm the action by pressing "Disable".
But on Xiaomi, that's often not enough.
- 📵 In the Mobile Traffic section, stop Google Photos from using data in the background.
For devices with MIUI 14+, you may need to disable integration via Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google → Account Sync where you need to deactivate the Photos option.
Make sure Google Photos displays a “Backup Disabled” notification.
Check in Settings → Battery and Performance that Google Photos are not in the “Start” list
Open File Manager and make sure there are no files marked "Backed up" in the DCIM folder.
Run a photo/video test and check if it appears in Google Photos via Google Photos. 5-10 minute-->
⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro)+ Xiaomi 13 Ultra after upgrading to the MIUI 14.0.5+ Backup option can be automatically turned on again, in which case you will need to reset the settings of the Google Photos application via Settings → Annexes → Reset.
Hidden settings: how to turn off background synchronization via ADB
If standard methods do not work, and Google Photos continues to upload files to the cloud, you will have to use ADB debugging. This method is suitable for advanced users and requires connecting a smartphone to a PC.
First, turn on the developer mode:
- Go to Settings. → The phone.
- Click 7 times on the MIUI version until the notification “You are a developer” appears.
- Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and activate Debugging over USB.
Connect your phone to your computer and execute commands in ADB Shell:
adb shell pm revoke com.google.android.apps.photos android.permission.READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE
adb shell pm revoke com.google.android.apps.photos android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE
adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.google.android.apps.photos/.backup.BackupActivityThese teams:
- 🔐 Revoking permissions to access the storage facility.
- 🚫 Block the activity of the backup module.
- 🛡️ Prevent automatic synchronization start.
Once you have completed the commands, restart the device. Importantly, this method can disrupt other Google Photos features, such as editing or viewing cloud albums. To get it back, use:
adb shell pm grant com.google.android.apps.photos android.permission.READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE
adb shell pm grant com.google.android.apps.photos android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE
adb shell pm enable com.google.android.apps.photos/.backup.BackupActivityWhat if the ADB does not recognize the device?
Alternatives to Google Photos: where to move backups with Xiaomi
If you decide to completely abandon Google Photos, consider alternative backup services. Here is a comparison table of popular solutions:
| Service | Free seat | Encryption | Support for MIUI | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Cloud | 5GB | Yes (AES-256) | Complete. | Original solution from Xiaomi, but with limited scope, suitable for users who want to stay in the ecosystem. |
| Proton Drive | 5GB | Yeah (through) | Through the app | A Swiss service with a focus on privacy: no automatic uploading of photos, only manual copying. |
| Nextcloud | Depends on the hosting. | Yes (customizable) | Through the client. | It's an open-source self-contained cloud, it requires customization, but it gives you complete control over the data. |
| Amazon Photos | 5GB (unlimited for Prime owners) | Yes (SSL/TLS) | Through the app | A good option for users with an Amazon Prime subscription. supports automatic download. |
To automate backups to alternative platforms, we recommend using the FolderSync app (available on Google Play), which allows you to set up sync on a schedule, for example, only when you connect to Wi-Fi or at night.
- Install FolderSync and add a Nextcloud account.
- Select the DCIM/Camera folder as the source.
- Set up sync for the event (e.g., “When connecting to charging”).
- Activate the option “Delete files after sync” to free up space on the device.
💡
If you choose Mi Cloud as an alternative, pre-clear the Cloud Service cache through Settings → Apps. This will help avoid conflicts with residual data from Google Photos.
How to prevent backups from being turned on again after MIUI updates
Xiaomi is known for resetting some settings to default after major system updates, to avoid automatically turning on Google Photos after the update:
- 📋 Create a backup of settings through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset. Save the file to an external drive.
- 🔄 Turn off automatic update installation in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → Settings (⚙️) → Auto-update.
- 🛡️ Use App Ops to block permissions: Activate Settings → For developers → App Ops. Find Google Photos and disable the "Storage" and "Camera" permissions".