Fellow MIUIers,
Following the Mi Cloud Free Space Expansion Project Update three weeks ago, the Mi Cloud will again have another major change. This time it's about the app data backup function of Mi Cloud.
Mi Cloud supports an automatic backup function for third party user apps like WeChat or Plants Vs Zombies. The development of this function was to provide the ability to restore app data should Xiaomi users decide to wipe all data or to change their phones. After the deployment of this feature, user feedback showed a few major banes of this function:
* Due to limitations by the Android ecosystem and non-standard app development, the cloud backup will sync useless data and slow down the efficiency of backups and restores.
* Similar services from other parties are unable to meet expectations: not only does the function consumes too much battery power and mobile data, but also unable to achieve real time syncing of app data.
* For users who faced problems for backup of WeChat chat history, it is found that WeChat blocked all forms of cloud backup after a certain version. This stopped the app backup from functioning properly.
As a result, we've decided to cease the use of the function. This will not affect other functions of Mi Cloud including syncing of Contacts, Messages, Gallery, Call Logs, Notes, WLAN, Recorder, Calendar, Browser, Blocklist, Music and Find Device. A new approach will be done to perfect third party app data backups. All feedback and suggestions are welcome from app developers and MIUI enthusiasts.
Syncing of homescreen app arrangement will also be done to allow users to save the time of rearranging the apps again after a full wipe or changing a phone. All apps will return to their original position (app data will not be restored). We hope users can fully utilize this function and provide feedback.
This change will only affect users of MIUI Developer ROM and MIUI Experimental ROM. If you have data backups from third party apps in Mi Cloud, we recommend you to create backups of the apps using other tools.
Timeline for Change:
2015.4.10 - App backup function will be removed. Users can still restore synced data from Mi Cloud.
2015.5.1 - App data restore function will be stopped and removed from MIUI. All app data in Mi Cloud will also be deleted.
We hope you understand and continue to support the Mi Cloud service.
