Synchronization of calls on Xiaomi: what it is, how it works and why you need it

Have you ever noticed the mysterious “Call Synchronization” item in your Xiaomi settings and wondered what it means? This feature often goes unnoticed, although it can make it much easier to handle phone calls — especially if you have multiple devices or are actively using cloud services. In this article, we will understand what is activation of call synchronization, how it works on Xiaomi, Redmi and smartphones. POCO, Why it is worth (or should not be) including.

At first glance, it may seem like a trivial backup of your call history, but it's actually a much more complex mechanism, and it links your contacts, your call log, and even your phone log. SMS It's a Mi Account, allowing you to sync data between devices, for example, if you missed a call on your phone, but you have a Xiaomi Pad tablet on hand, you'll see a notification there. And it also affects the operation of some system functions, which many users do not even know.

However, it’s not all that smooth: sometimes synchronizing calls leads to duplicate contacts, conflicts with other cloud services (like Google Contacts), or even leaks of personal data. We’ll tell you how to avoid these issues, what settings to check before activating, and what to do if the feature doesn’t work properly, and why some Xiaomi models will be updated after the update. MIUI Call synchronization turns off on its own – and how to fix it without resetting settings.

What is call synchronization on Xiaomi: a simple explanation

Call synchronization is a function of the operating system MIUI, which links your call log to your Mi Account (or other supported services:

• 📱 Call history is saved in the cloud and available on all devices linked to one account.
• 🔄 Contacts are automatically updated between phone, tablet, and even laptop (if you use Mi Cloud).
• 🔔 Missed Call Notifications Appear on All Synchronized Gadgets.
• ☁️ Backups are created automatically, which helps to recover data after a reset or purchase of a new phone.

It's basically the equivalent of syncing contacts through Google, but with enhanced capabilities for the Xiaomi ecosystem, like if you're calling with a Redmi Note 12 and you're next to a Xiaomi Watch. S3, It's a smartwatch that can show you an incoming call, even if it's in another room, but there's a caveat: it requires an active Internet connection and a Mi Account enabled to function properly.

It's important to understand that synchronizing calls is not the same as synchronizing contacts. The first is responsible for the call log (incoming, outgoing, missed), and the second is responsible for the phone book. MIUI These functions are often intertwined: for example, when activating call synchronization, the system can automatically enable contact synchronization, which sometimes leads to duplication of records.

How call synchronization works: technical details

To understand why sometimes there are failures, let’s understand how the function works under the hood. When you turn on call synchronization, the Xiaomi smartphone performs the following actions:

1. Checks the connection to Mi Account (if it is not available, it offers to create or log in).
2. Uploads the current call log to the Mi Cloud (last 30-90 days, depending on the model).
3. Compares data with other devices linked to the same account and synchronizes changes.
4. Configures background data transfer: now every new call will be duplicated in the cloud in real time.

This protocol is used in this way. HTTPS To encrypt the information you send, but the data itself is stored on Xiaomi servers in China (unless you have changed your account region), which raises privacy questions, especially for users in Europe or the United States, which have strict data protection laws (e.g., if you have not changed your account region, GDPR).

Another important point is that call synchronization is closely integrated with the com.android.contacts system application and com.miui.cloudservice, if one of them is stopped or deleted (for example, via a mobile phone). ADB), It's going to stop working. It's also going to depend on the version. MIUI: firmware MIUI 12 sync algorithm was less stable, and users often complained about the loss of call history.

Why You Need to Synchronize Calls: 5 Real Benefits

Many users turn this feature off as useless, but it can actually be very useful in a number of situations:

This feature is especially useful for owners of Xiaomi or Redmi with dual SIM-For example, if you have one card for work and another for personal calls, synchronization helps you avoid getting confused in logs, and it also makes life easier for those who switch between devices frequently, such as using a smartphone during the day and using a tablet in the evening to support calls.

But there's a flip side to this: if you don't clean the call log, over time, a lot of data accumulates in the cloud, and this can lead to:

• ⚠️ Slowing down the phone app (especially on budget models like Redmi) 9A).
• 📶 Increased traffic consumption (synchronization occurs in the background).
• 🔒 Risk of data breach if your Mi Account is hacked.

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If you rarely make calls and don’t use multiple devices, it’s best to turn off call synchronization – this will save battery life and traffic.

How to turn on or off call sync on Xiaomi

You can activate the function in several ways - depending on the version. MIUI Consider the universal method that works on most devices (from Xiaomi Mi 11 to the most popular smartphone models). POCO X5):

1. Open the Settings app (cog icon).
2. Go to Accounts and Sync (or Mi Accounts in older versions).
3. Select your Mi Account profile (if not authorized, log in).
4. Find the data synchronization or synchronization of Mi Cloud.
5. In the list of available options, turn on the switch next to the Call Log (or Calls).
6. Confirm the action if there is a request to access contacts.

On some devices (such as the Xiaomi 13 Ultra), the path may be slightly different:

Settings → Memory and synchronization → Mi Cloud → Synchronization → Call log

To turn off sync, follow the same steps, but move the switch to the “Off” position. Note: after turning off the call history will remain on the device, but new data will no longer be sent to the cloud. If you want to completely remove synced data from Mi Cloud, go to i.mi.com, log in and manually clear the call log in the “Data Management” section.

Make sure you have a stable internet connection (Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi). 4G/5G)

Check the free space in Mi Cloud (free 5GB)

Update MIUI to the latest version

Make a backup of contacts in case of failure

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Common Problems and Their Solutions

Despite the obvious advantages, call synchronization on Xiaomi often fails, and here are the most common problems and ways to fix them:

⚠️ Warning: If all contacts are missing after sync is turned on, don't panic! They're not deleted, they're just hidden by the system. Try turning off and back on sync in Mi Cloud and then restart the device.

1. Synchronization is not enabled (grey switch)

Reasons:

• 🔌 There is no internet connection.
• 🔄 An outdated version MIUI (firmware update).
• 🚫 Mi Cloud Services are disabled in battery settings (check AutoRun).
• 📱 The device is not certified (the problem is relevant for custom firmware).

Solution: Go to Settings → Annexes → Application management → Mi Cloud and allow auto-start, background and data access.

2. Call history is not synchronized between devices

Check it out.

• 🔗 The same Mi Account is used on both devices.
• ⏳ Has it been enough time (synchronization can take up to 10 minutes).
• 📡 Are there any restrictions on mobile data (in the Mi Cloud settings, you can only allow synchronization over Wi-Fi).

If the problem persists, try manually updating the data: Open the Mi Cloud and pull the screen down for forced synchronization.

3.Duplicate contacts after activation

This is due to a conflict between syncing Mi Cloud and Google Contacts.

1. Open the Contacts app.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Contact Management.
3. In the Merger of Duplicates section, click Find duplicates and combine entries.

4.Sync automatically shuts down after the update

This problem is typical for devices on MIUI 13-14 after updating through OTA. The reason for this is the resetting of permissions for system applications:

Settings → Applications → Application Management → All Apps → Mi Cloud → Permissions → Enable all switches

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If none of these things worked, try logging out of Mi Account, restarting your device, and logging in again, which solves sync problems 80 percent of the time.

Google Call Synchronization vs. Google: Which is Better?

Many Xiaomi users face a choice: use built-in sync via Mi Cloud or trust Google Contacts.

So what do you do? If you're actively using other Xiaomi devices (like a smartwatch or tablet), then the built-in sync through the Mi Cloud will be more convenient. It's better optimized for the future. MIUI It supports branded chips like Dual Apps (double messengers).

If you care about universality and you often switch between different brands (such as Samsung, iPhone), then Google Contacts is a more reliable option, and Google has better data protection and transparent privacy policies.

Can you use both services simultaneously? Technically, but it can lead to duplicate contacts and conflict. If you want to sync data there and there, turn off automatic sync in Mi Cloud and manually export contacts once a month.

Security and privacy: the risks of synchronizing calls

One of the main questions users are concerned about is how secure is it to store your call history on Mi Cloud?

• 🕵️ Third party access: In theory, Xiaomi employees or hackers (in case of data leak) can see your call history.In 2020, Xiaomi got into a scandal over collecting user data without consent, although the company claimed that this was a mistake.
• 🌍 Jurisdiction: Mi Cloud servers are located in China, where data protection laws differ from European or American ones.
• 🔓 Weak passwords: If your Mi Account is protected with a simple password, it’s easier to crack.
• 📱 Phone Leakage: If you don’t log out before resetting, the new owner can recover your call history.

How do you minimize the risks?

1. Use two-factor authentication for Mi Account (in your security settings).
2. Clean your cloud call history regularly (via the Mi Cloud web version).
3. Turn off sync for sensitive contacts (such as banks or doctors).
4. Change your account password periodically (every 3-6 months).

⚠️ Note: If you sell or transfer your Xiaomi to another person, be sure to log out of the Mi Account and reset to factory settings. otherwise, the new owner will be able to restore your contacts and call log!

For maximum privacy, you can opt out of cloud sync altogether and use local backup.

1. Open Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset.
2. Select Local Backup.
3. Check the Call Log and click Create a Backup.
4. Save the file to a memory card or computer.

FAQ: Frequent questions about call synchronization on Xiaomi