Since the beginning of 2026, many users of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones have faced an unexpected change: traditional synchronization via Mi Cloud was automatically replaced by backup in Google Photos. This happened after the company updated its service policies aimed at optimizing cloud storage.
The problem is that this change leads to duplicate photos (they are saved in both Mi Cloud and Google Photos), takes up additional space in your Google account, and can also disrupt your workflow, especially for users who have used exclusive Mi Cloud features for years — such as automatically creating event albums or synchronizing notes. In this article, we will discuss how to completely remove backups in Google Photos, return the original settings to Xiaomi Cloud, and avoid data loss when you turn off.
Why Xiaomi has replaced sync with Google Photos and what it threatens
The official reason for the move to Google Photos is a partnership between Xiaomi and Google to unify services for the global market, which the company says offers more secure storage, better image search tools and integration with other ecosystem services (such as Google Drive or Google Lens).
- 📸 Duplication of files: photos and videos are automatically uploaded to both Mi Cloud and Google Photos, taking up space in both accounts.
- 💾 Storage Restriction: Google Photos’ (15GB) free rate is fast ending, especially if you’ve previously used 5GB in the Mi Cloud.
- ⚙️ Imposed settings: after the update MIUI The system can activate backups on Google even if you don’t want to.
- 🔄 Synchronization conflict: when a file is deleted in one cloud, it can remain in another, leading to chaos in the organization of the media library.
Google Photos also does not support some unique features of the Mi Cloud, such as:
- 📁 Automatic geolocation album creation (e.g., "Trip to the Mountains 2023").
- 🔗 Synchronization of notes, contacts and SMS (Only media files are available in Google Photos).
- 📱 Ability to remotely control your device via Mi Cloud (e.g. locking or clearing data).
If you don't plan to use Google Photos, you'd better turn it off completely and take back control of sync, but you should do it carefully so you don't lose the data you've already downloaded.
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Before you turn off backup, check how much space your files are in Google Photos. Go to Google Photos → Profile → Storage Management. If your backup is larger than 10 GB, consider buying additional space or moving files to another cloud.
How to completely disable backup in Google Photos on Xiaomi
The process of disabling depends on the version of MIUI and the model of the smartphone, but the general scheme is the same for most devices. Importantly, after turning off, new photos will no longer be uploaded to Google Photos, but already synchronized files will remain in the cloud. They can be deleted manually or transferred to Mi Cloud.
Instructions for unsetting:
- Open the Google Photos app (if it isn’t on the home screen, search through a search system).
- Slip on your profile (avatar in the upper right corner).
- Select the option of Photo Settings.
- Go to Backup and Sync (Back up & Sync)
- Move the slider to the off position (grey).
- Confirm the action by clicking Disconnect in the pop-up window.
If the MIUI settings still display a sync notification with Google Photos, follow these additional steps:
Disable backup in the Google Photos app|Remove Google account from sync settings MIUI|Clear the cache of the Google Photos app|Reset the device|Check the settings in Settings → Accounts and synchronization-->
Some models (such as the Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi Note 12) may need to disable system-level sync:
- Go to Settings → Accounts and Synchronization.
- Select your Google account.
- Turn off the slider opposite Data Sync.
- Go back and tap into Account Management.
- Delete your Google account (unless you use other services such as Gmail or YouTube).
⚠️ Note: Deleting your Google account will result in loss of access to all related services (Play Market, Gmail, Google Drive). If you use them, it is better to simply disable backup in Google Photos without deleting the account completely.
How to get back sync with Xiaomi Cloud and remove duplication
After disabling Google Photos, you need to configure Mi Cloud to become the main storage for media files.
- Open Settings → Mi Account (or Xiaomi Account on new versions of MIUI).
- Sign in if you are not already logged in.
- Go to the Mi Cloud section.
- Activate the slider Synchronization of photos.
- Select Download Quality: Original - files are downloaded without compression (takes up more space). High quality - compression to 16 MP for photos and 1080p for videos (saves space).
Autoboot over Wi-Fi
To avoid duplicate files that have already been uploaded to Google Photos, follow these steps:
| Action. | Step-by-step instruction | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Removing duplicates from Google Photos | Open Google Photos. Go to the Library → Utilities → Free up space. Click Delete for files already in the Mi Cloud. | Files will only be deleted from the device, but will remain in the Google cloud. |
| Transfer files from Google Photos to Mi Cloud | Download files from Google Photos to your PC. Upload them to Mi Cloud via the web version (i.mi.com). Delete duplicates from Google Photos. | Use the Select Everything function to speed up the process. |
| Disable the autoboot in both clouds | In Google Photos, disable Backup. In Mi Cloud, disable Autoboot if you want to manually select files for sync. | It is recommended to leave the boot in only one cloud. |
⚠️ Note: If you delete files from Google Photos before they sync with Mi Cloud, you will lose them forever.First, make sure that all important media files are stored in both clouds or on local storage.
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To avoid data loss, before any changes to your sync settings, create a local copy of all your photos on your PC or external drive.
What to do if Xiaomi Cloud is not synced after disabling Google Photos
In some cases, after deactivating Google Photos, Mi Cloud may not work properly, due to conflicting service policies or data caching.
- 🔄 Reboot the device: Sometimes a basic reboot restores communication with Xiaomi servers.
- 📥 Update the Mi Cloud app: Go to the Play Market or App Store and check for updates.
- 🧹 Clear the cache: Go to Settings → Annexes → App management.Look for Mi Cloud and click Clear Cache.Repeat for Google Photos and Google Play Services.
Reset the synchronization settings
- Open Settings → Accounts and Synchronization.
- Tap on Mi Account and select Delete Account.
- Go back in with the same login.
If the problem persists, check:
- 🌐 Internet Connection: Mi Cloud Requires Stable Wi-Fi or Mobile Network.
- 📅 Date and time: Incorrect settings can block sync (check in Settings) → Additionally. → Date and time).
- 🔒 App permissions: make sure Mi Cloud has access to Warehouse and Camera.
If you don’t want to completely abandon Google Photos, but want to control the process, set up the exceptions to sync:
- In the Google Photos app, go to Settings → Backup of the device.
- Select Storage Management → Device folders.
- Disable backup for folders that are already synced to Mi Cloud (like Camera or Screenshots).
⚠️ Note: Blocking Google Services through ADB This can cause the device to work in an unstable way, especially if you are using it. GMS (Google Mobile Services. Create a data backup before executing commands.
Alternative ways to back up photos on Xiaomi
If neither Mi Cloud nor Google Photos are good for you, consider alternative media storage options:
| Method | Pluses | Cons | How to set up |
|---|---|---|---|
| 📁 Local storage. + storage | Complete control of files. No dependence on the Internet. | The risk of data loss when your device breaks down, you need to transfer files to your PC regularly. | Connect. OTG-drive or use Explorer to copy files to MicroSD. |
| ☁️ Other cloud services (Yandex Drive, Dropbox, iCloud) | More free storage (e.g. 20 GB in Yandex Drive) Automatic synchronization. | You may need to manually set up the boot. Some services are paid for large volume. | Install the service application and enable autoload in its settings. |
| 🖥️ Synchronization with PC (Mi) PC Suite, Windows/Mac) | Reliable storage on a hard drive, the ability to edit files before backing up. | It requires regular PC connection. There's no automatic synchronization. | Connect your phone to your PC via USB and copy files manually or use the Mi PC Suite. |
| 🔄 Synchronization through NAS (network-storage) | High security. Access from any device on the local network. | Requires a purchase NAS-Sophisticated setup for beginners. | Set up automatic downloads through apps like Syncthing or Resilio Sync. |
To automatically sync with Yandex Drive or Dropbox, you can use the FolderSync app (available from the Play Market) to set up a schedule for downloading files from specific folders (such as DCIM/Camera) to the selected cloud.
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If you choose local storage, use the 3-2-1 rule to back up: 3 copies of data on 2 different types of media, 1 of which is stored outside the home (for example, in the cloud or bank box).
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
When you turn off Google Photos and set up Mi Cloud, users often make mistakes that lead to data loss or sync failures.
- 🚫 Delete your Google account without backup: If you delete your Google account, all files synced to Google Photos will remain in the cloud, but access will be limited.To avoid loss, first export your data through Google Takeout (takeout.google.com).
- 🔄 Simultaneous use of two clouds without control: If you leave the boot in both Mi Cloud and Google Photos, the files will be duplicated, taking up space.
- ⚠️ Ignoring sync notifications: After Google Photos is disabled, the system can display notifications about "backup problems." These can be turned off in the app notification settings.
- 📵 No internet when you first sync with Mi Cloud: If you activate Mi Cloud without a Wi-Fi connection, the files won't boot.
- 🔒 Mi Cloud space disadvantage: Mi Cloud's free fare is limited to 5GB. If you need more, buy extra space or clear out unnecessary files.