Google One on Xiaomi: What is it, how to use it and can you remove it?

If you own a Xiaomi smartphone, you may have noticed an unfamiliar name in the list of installed applications — Google One. Many users confuse it with Google Drive or Google Photos, and some even suspect it to be a virus. In fact, this is an official service from Google, but its appearance on Xiaomi devices raises questions: why it is needed, how to use it and why it is installed without the owner’s knowledge?

In this article, we will discuss in detail what Google One is on Xiaomi, what functions it performs, how it affects the operation of the phone and whether it should be removed, and how to properly configure the service so that it will bring real benefits, rather than occupying space in memory. We will pay special attention to the differences between Google One and other cloud services, as well as the nuances of working on firmware. MIUI hyperos.

What is Google One and why is it necessary for Xiaomi?

Google One is a paid subscription service from Google that extends the capabilities of standard cloud storage. Unlike free Google Drive (where only 15GB is available), Google One offers:

• 📁 Additional space in the cloud (from 100 GB to 30 TB depending on the tariff).
• 🔄 Automatic backup of contacts, messages, photos and application data.
• 🎁 Bonuses for other Google services: discounts on Google Play, access to premium features in Google Photos (for example, editing with AI).
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Access – Sharing the Vault with 5 Relatives.

On Xiaomi smartphones, the Google One app appears automatically for two reasons:

1. It's pre-installed in the firmware. MIUI/HyperOS as part of the Google Mobile Services package (GMS).
2. If you’ve ever used a backup through Google (for example, when changing your phone), the system may suggest installing Google One to manage your storage.

It’s important to understand that the app itself doesn’t eat up space on the phone — it only manages cloud storage. However, if you don’t plan to buy additional space, you can disable or uninstall it (more on this in the section below).

Google One is different from Google Drive and Mi Cloud

Many people confuse Google One with Google Drive or Xiaomi’s own cloud, Mi Cloud.

Google One doesn’t replace Google Drive, it expands its capabilities. For example, if you buy a 100GB subscription on Google One, that space will be available in Drive, Gmail, and Google Photos. But Mi Cloud works separately and syncs only with Xiaomi services (such as Gallery or Notes).

If you are using both clouds, remember:

• 🔄 Duplicate data (e.g. photos can be copied to both Google Photos and Mi Cloud) that eats up traffic.
• 📱 Automatic backup in Google One may conflict with a similar feature in the MIUI.

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To avoid duplicate photos, turn off autoloading in one of the clouds. For example, in Google Photos go to Settings → Backup and sync and deactivate the option.

How to use Google One on Xiaomi: step-by-step instructions

If you’ve decided to try out Google One, here’s how to set it up correctly on a Xiaomi smartphone:

1. Open the Google One app (a cloud icon with the number "1" inside).
2. Sign in with your Google account (the same as in the Play Market).
3. Check the current rate: The available space will be displayed on the home screen (usually 15GB free).
4. Set up backup: Go to Backup. Select data to save: Contacts, Messages, Photos and Videos, Application Data. Click Start Backup.

For optimal performance:

If you want to buy additional space, the rates are available in the application:

• 💰 100GB — ~139 ₽/mos ~1 390 ₽/year-over-year%).
• 💰 200GB — ~219 ₽/mos ~2 190 ₽/year).
• 💰 2 TB — ~699 ₽/mos ~6 990 ₽/year).

⚠️ Note: When you purchase a subscription through Google One, payments are automatically debited. To avoid unexpected expenses, disable autorenewal in your Google account settings (play.google.com) → Subscriptions).

Can you uninstall Google One from Xiaomi and how to do it?

Yes, you can delete or disable an app if you don't plan on using its features, but there are nuances:

• 🔧 On most smartphones, Xiaomi Google One is a system application, so completely remove it without root rights is impossible.
• 🚫 If you just remove updates or disable the app, it can recover after a reboot or update. MIUI.
• ⚙️ The most reliable way is to disable autostart and notifications.

Instructions for unsetting:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find Google One in the list and open its settings.
3. Click Disable (if the button is active) or Remove Updates.
4. In the Notifications section, turn off all alerts.
5. In the Battery section → Auto-run: Prohibit the application from starting automatically.

If you want to get rid of Google One completely, you will need to:

• 🛠️ Get root rights and remove the application via Titanium Backup or ADB.
• 📱 Install custom firmware without Google services (for example, LineageOS).

⚠️ Warning: Removing system apps can lead to unstable phone performance, Google Play errors and update issues.If you're not sure about your actions, it's best to just turn off Google One without completely removing it.

Google One Issues on Xiaomi and How to Solve Them

Xiaomi users often encounter common mistakes when working with Google One. Let’s consider the most common ways to fix them:

1. Google One does not backup

Causes and solutions:

• 🔌 No Wi-Fi connection: default backup only works over wireless network. check settings in Google One → Backup → Settings.
• 🔋 Low battery: if the charge level is below 20%, copying may stop.Plug the phone to charge.
• 📱 Mi Cloud Conflict: Turn Off Autoboot in Mi Cloud (Settings) → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → gallery).

2.The application constantly sends notifications

If Google One is offering to buy a subscription:

• Open the Settings. → Annexes → Google One → Notifications.
• Disable all notification categories (especially Offers and Recommendations).
• In the app itself, go to Settings. → Notifications and deactivate unnecessary alerts.

3.There's not enough space in the cloud

If the free 15GB runs out:

• 🧹 Clean Up Unnecessary Files: Go to Google Drive → Clean and delete large or old files.
• 📸 Optimize photos: in Google Photos, enable compression (Settings) → Quality of backup copies → High quality).
• 🗑️ Remove Old Device Backups: In Google One, check Backups and Delete Unnecessary Devices.

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If you don't plan to buy extra space, clean the cloud of unnecessary files regularly.Google One automatically deletes backups of devices that haven't been used for more than 570 days.

Error "Cannot complete backup" 4.

This is most often related to:

• 🌐 Unstable Internet: Reconnect to Wi-Fi or reboot your router.
• 🔒 Account Limitations: Check if your Google account is blocked (for example, due to suspicious activity).
• 📱 Previous PostPrevious Update Google One with Play Market.

Should you pay for Google One on Xiaomi: pros and cons

The decision to buy a subscription depends on your needs.

The benefits of Google One

• ☁️ More space: 100GB per ~140 ₽/Less expensive than competitors (e.g. iCloud or Yandex Drive).
• 🔄 Automatic backup will save data in case of loss or breakage of the phone.
• 🎁 Bonuses: discounts on Google Play, access to premium features in Google Photos (for example, an AI editor).
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family access allows you to divide the cost by 5 people.

Cons of Google One

• 💸 Free 15GB is not enough for everyone, especially if you store photos in original quality.
• 📱 Conflicts with MIUI: Duplication of functions with Mi Cloud can cause errors.
• 🔒 Google Account Link: If you lose email access, you will lose all backups.
• 🌍 Internet addiction: without a connection backups will not be created.

Who's going to do Google One?

• 📸 Photographers who shoot a lot in high resolution.
• 📱 Owners of several devices (for example, a phone) + tablet that needs to synchronize data.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Families who want to save on shared storage.

Who better to refuse?

• 💾 Those who use Mi Cloud or other clouds (e.g. Yandex Drive).
• 📵 Those with limited internet traffic.
• 🛠️ Those who prefer local storage (memory card, hard drive).

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If in doubt, try a free trial period (usually 15 days) for a 100GB tariff.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Google One on Xiaomi