Xiaomi smartphone owners often face the need to port or save important text messages, whether it’s due to buying a new device, resetting to factory settings, or simply having a backup copy of their correspondence on a computer. SMS synchronization on this platform is implemented with enough flexibility, offering several proven ways to solve the problem.
The MIUI ecosystem provides built-in messaging tools that don’t require third-party software. However, more advanced data management, such as watching a large screen, often requires additional steps. In this article, we’ll take a look at all the current methods, from using cloud services to manual file transfer.
Understanding how backup works will help you avoid losing critical information, such as confirmation codes from banks or important work instructions.The setup process takes a little time, but ensures that data is safe in the long run.
Using Mi Cloud to Automatically Save
The easiest and most native way to save your messages is to use the built-in cloud service Mi Cloud, which allows you to automatically back up and restore them when you sign in on any Xiaomi, Redmi or Poco device.
Go to your smartphone Settings menu. Find the section associated with your Mi Account, which is usually at the top of the list. If you haven't already logged in, enter your login and password. Once you've logged in, select Mi Cloud and find Sync in the service list.
In the list that opens, find Messages and activate the switch. The system will suggest combining local data with the cloud or replacing it. Choose the combination option to avoid losing anything. Now all incoming and outgoing SMS will automatically load into secure storage.
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It is recommended to connect your smartphone to Wi-Fi before the first full synchronization, as the volume of text messages with attachments can be significant.
It's important to keep in mind that free space is limited in the Mi Cloud, and if you plan to store huge archives of correspondence with media files, you may need to expand your plan. For regular text messages, the standard volume is usually enough with a margin.
Set up synchronization via Google Drive
The alternative to Xiaomi’s own cloud is to use Google services, which is especially relevant for those who are switching from another Android device or planning to change the brand of a smartphone to any other smartphone running Android. Google One and the standard system tools allow you to save SMS reliably.
Open Settings and go to Google. Select Backup. Make sure Google One Backup Switch is active. In Backup Data, check if the box is ticked against the Message.
The system will periodically create (snapshots) of your data, you can manually initiate the process by clicking the Start Copy button, which is convenient because when you first set up a new phone, you just need to type in the same acca. Google to restore the entire history of correspondence.
It is worth noting that the recovery from Google backup occurs at the moment of initial configuration of the device. If the phone is already configured, you will not be able to restore SMS from this backup without resetting the settings, unlike Mi Cloud, which syncs in the background constantly.
Synchronization of messages with the computer
For many users, accessing SMS from a computer is critical, allowing you to quickly type on a full keyboard and read long messages easily, and the Xiaomi ecosystem uses a bundle of system applications and desktop programs to do this.
You will need Google’s Messages app, which is often preinstalled or available in the Play Market. Open it on your smartphone, click on your profile avatar, and select Computer Adaptation. Follow the instructions on the screen.
On your computer, open the browser and go to the site messages.google.com/web. Scan the one that appears. QR-Once successfully paired, all your SMS will be displayed in the browser in real time.
☑️ Checking readiness for synchronization with PC
You can install a separate Windows or macOS app to access it on a regular basis, which will provide a more stable connection and the ability to receive notifications even when the browser is closed, and two-way synchronization ensures that messages read on the PC are marked as read on the phone.
⚠️ Warning: To sync with a PC, both devices must have an active Internet connection. If the phone goes into deep sleep or loses the network, messages will stop coming to the computer.
Transferring SMS to the new Xiaomi phone
When buying a new Xiaomi smartphone, the issue of data portability arises. the built-in Mi Mover utility (Mi Move) perfectly copes with this task, transferring not only contacts and photos, but also the history of SMS correspondence.
Run the Mi Mover app on both devices. It's in the Tools folder or available through Settings → About Phone. On the old device, select the role "Sender" and on the new device, select "Receiver".
After connecting the devices through QR-code or manual password, select Message category in the data transfer list. Start the transfer process. Speed depends on the amount of accumulated messages and the quality of the Wi-Fi connection between the devices.
What to do if the Mi Mover is frozen?
The advantage of this method is that it retains the structure of the dialogue and attachment, so you don't have to re-set the sync, it's all ready-made, and it's the most seamless way for users of the MIUI ecosystem to migrate.
Use of third-party backup applications
If embedded tools don’t fit, third-party developers come to the rescue. SMS Backup & Restore is the gold standard in this niche, allowing you to create full copies in XML format.
Install the app from Google Play. When you first start, click Configure Backup. Select sources (SMS, MMS, call logs) and save location (Google Drive, Dropbox, or local memory). Set a schedule so that copies are created automatically.
To recover data on a new device, you just need to install the same application, specify the path to the backup file and start the recovery process. The application will request permissions to access SMS and send messages for proper operation - this is necessary for import.
| Method | Difficulty | Network dependency | Best for you. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Cloud | Low. | Required. | Constant synchronization |
| Google Drive | Low. | Required. | Changes in device |
| PC (Web) | Medium | Required. | Type of text |
| SMS Backup | Tall. | Not required | Complete archive. |
Using third-party software gives you more control over files, and you can store backups on an external hard drive, which ensures maximum data security from accidentally deleting or blocking an account.
Synchronization solution and errors
Despite the fact that processes are fine, users may encounter errors, most often due to lack of space in the cloud or unstable Internet connection. If the synchronization is frozen, try to clear the cache of the Messages application.
Go to Settings → Apps → All Apps. Find Messages (or Google Messages). Select Memory and click Clear Cache. Don't confuse it with Clear All Data, otherwise current messages may be deleted.
Also check permissions. Apps must have permissions to access the network, contacts, and SMS itself. In MIUI, an aggressive power saving system can block background work. Add the app to autoboot and remove battery restrictions.
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90% of sync problems are solved by checking the free space in the cloud and the stability of the Wi-Fi connection.
If the errors continue, check system time. Incorrect date and time can cause security certificate conflicts, which causes the connection to be servered. Set up automatic time synchronization over the network.
⚠️ Warning: When you reset your phone to factory settings without first syncing or backing up, all local SMS will be permanently lost.