Mi Cloud Sync on Xiaomi: what is this program and why you need it

Mi Cloud Sync is Xiaomi’s built-in cloud solution that automatically syncs your data across ecosystem devices. Many users notice it on the installed list, but not everyone understands its purpose and capabilities. In fact, Mi Cloud Sync plays a key role in backing up, recovering data, and even running the Mi Home smart home.

If you've ever lost contacts after a phone reset or couldn't find old photos, the problem could have been solved through Mi Cloud Sync. The program is integrated into MIUI firmware and runs in the background, but its settings often go unnoticed. In this article, we'll discuss how to turn on/off sync, what data it stores, and why sometimes there are errors like "failure to connect to Mi Cloud."

What is Mi Cloud Sync and how does it work?

Mi Cloud Sync is part of Xiaomi’s Mi Cloud service for backup and synchronization, which is optimized for the MIUI ecosystem and supports unique features such as backup of theme or smart home settings.

The program works on the principle of “set and forget”: once activated, it automatically stores selected data to the cloud and syncs it between all your Xiaomi devices (smartphones, tablets, smartwatches). For example, if you add a contact on the Redmi Note 12, it will immediately appear on the Xiaomi Pad 6 – provided that both devices are tied to the same Mi Account.

• 📱 Supported devices: all smartphones on MIUI (Since version 8), Xiaomi Pad tablets, Mi Watch smartwatches and fitness bracelets.
• 🌐 Cloud Storage: 5GB Free (can be expanded to 200GB for a fee).
• 🔄 Types of synchronization: manual (on request) and automatic (on schedule or when connecting to Wi-Fi).

It is important to understand that Mi Cloud Sync is not a separate application, but a system component that is managed through Mi Account settings. It can not be deleted without root rights, but you can disable sync for certain types of data.

What data is synchronized by Mi Cloud Sync

The service saves not only standard data like contacts or calendar, but also unique MIUI settings. The full list depends on the firmware version, but in most cases the following options are available:

The Mi Cloud Sync feature is that it can save Xiaomi app data, like a history from Mi Browser or Mi Home settings, which is useful if you’re using smart devices — you don’t have to reset your phone’s automation scenarios.

However, there are limitations:

• 🚫 Third-party application data (such as WhatsApp or Telegram) is not synchronized).
• 🚫 Some settings (such as permissions for applications) are not restored after resetting.
• 🚫 Files from Download folders or DCIM/Camera They are not automatically reserved, they must be added manually.

💡

If you frequently switch from one Xiaomi smartphone to another, enable synchronization of System Settings – this will save hours on transferring themes and audio profiles.

How to turn Mi Cloud Sync on or off

Synchronization is managed through the Mi Account settings to enable or disable it:

1. Open the Settings. → Mi Account.
2. Choose Mi Cloud (or Cloud in newer versions of MIUI).
3. Click on Data Synchronization.
4. Move the slider to the position On. for the desired data types.

For manual backup start:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset.
2. Choose Local Backup or Cloud Backup.
3. Click Create a backup and select the data.

Wi-Fi connected|Battery charge > 50%|Enough space in the cloud|Important data stored locally-->

If you need to disable Mi Cloud Sync completely, do the following:

1. Go to Settings. → Mi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Exit.
3. Confirm the logout from the account – this will stop all synchronization.

⚠️ Note: Disabling sync does not delete data already uploaded to the cloud. To clean it, you need to manually delete backups in the Storage Management section.

Common Mi Cloud Sync Problems and Solutions

Users often encounter errors such as "Mi Cloud is not connected" or "Sync is stopped." Here are the typical reasons and ways to fix them:

• 🔌 Internet problems: Make sure your device is connected to Wi-Fi (mobile internet may be blocked by the operator.
• 🔒 Incorrect Password: If you recently changed your Mi Account password, log in again in the cloud settings.
• 📱 An outdated version MIUI: Update the firmware through Settings → Update of the system in older versions (below) MIUI (12) synchronization may not work smoothly.
• ⏳ Server failures: Check the status of Xiaomi services at status.mi.com. Sometimes problems arise due to scheduled maintenance.

If synchronization is 0%, try the following steps:

1. Clear the cache of the Mi Cloud app in Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Turn off and back on sync for the problem data type.
3. Delete and re-add your Mi Account.

⚠️ Note: If the data is not recovered from the cloud after the phone reset, check if your account is linked to the same region (China, Global Version, Russia.

Mi Cloud Sync vs Google Drive: Which is Best for Backup

Many Xiaomi users face a choice between using the built-in cloud or switching to Google Drive.

The choice depends on your tasks:

• 📱 If you use only Xiaomi smartphones and smart devices ecosystem – Mi Cloud Sync is more convenient.
• 🌍 If you need to sync with iPhone or Windows PC — Better than Google Drive.
• 💾 If more free space is important, Google Drive gives 15 GB vs. 5 GB for Xiaomi.

A combination approach is also possible, such as syncing contacts through Google, and settings MIUI through Mi Cloud, the main thing is not to duplicate data to avoid conflicts.

💡

For maximum reliability, use both services: Mi Cloud for Xiaomi settings and Google Drive for universal data.

How to transfer data from Mi Cloud to another device

If you bought a new Xiaomi smartphone or want to recover data after a reset, do the following:

1. When you first turn on your phone, select Restore from backup.
2. Log in to the same Mi Account as the old device.
3. Select the last backup from the list.
4. Check the data for recovery (contacts, messages, applications).
5. Confirm and wait until the process is completed (may take up to 30 minutes).

If the phone is already configured, you can restore data through: Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Restore from backup.

⚠️ Attention: When you recover from the cloud, the current data on your phone will be overwritten. For example, if the old version of contacts is in the cloud, they will replace the current records.

To transfer data to a device of another brand (such as Samsung or iPhone):

• 📤 Export contacts from Mi Cloud to.vcf via i.mi.com.
• 📥 Import them to your new device through standard contact settings.
• 🖼️ Download photos and videos manually from the cloud to your computer and then transfer to your new phone.

Data Security in Mi Cloud: What You Need to Know

Xiaomi says that data in the Mi Cloud is encrypted during transmission and storage, but there are nuances to keep in mind:

• 🔐 Encryption: Data is transmitted via protocol HTTPS, But Xiaomi doesn't provide end-to-end encryption (as in Signal), so in theory, employees can access your data.
• 🌍 Server Localization: For Global Versions MIUI servers are located in Singapore and the United States, and for Chinese firmware, in China (this can affect speed and legal aspects).
• 📝 Privacy Policy: Xiaomi reserves the right to analyze downloaded data to improve services (for example, photos can be used to train AI).

To improve safety:

1. Use a complex password for Mi Account and enable two-factor authentication.
2. Do not store scans of documents or personal correspondence in the cloud.
3. Periodically check the list of devices connected to your account (Settings → Mi Account → Devices).

If you’re concerned about privacy, an alternative might be to back up your computer locally or use third-party encrypted clouds (like Proton Drive or Cryptomator).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Mi Cloud Sync