With each new high-resolution shot or 4K screen recording, the free space in Xiaomi’s cloud storage is inexorably melting. Users often face a situation where overflow notifications start to arrive at the most inopportune moment, blocking the ability to create new backups. This is not just an annoyance, but also a real threat of losing important data if the sync stops working correctly.
Cleaning up Mi Cloud requires careful attention, as deleting files from the cloud can affect the data on the device itself, unless the corresponding synchronization function is disabled. In this article, we will examine all the nuances of storage management, from manual gallery cleaning to radical methods of freeing up space.
You'll learn to distinguish between the types of data that take up gigabytes and understand which ones can be deleted without affecting your system. Proper backup management is the key to keeping your smartphone running smoothly.
Occupied space analysis and data types
Before you start deleting, you need to clearly understand what exactly occupies space in your profile. Mi Account system stores heterogeneous data, and blindly deleting files can lead to the loss of important contacts or settings. The main “eaters” of space are traditionally photos and videos, especially if the download function of the originals is enabled.
The second most important category is often backups, which can be created automatically every time you connect to Wi-Fi. These files weigh a little, but their accumulation over time puts a significant strain on the limits of free rates.
⚠️ Attention: Deleting photos from the cloud when sync is enabled will cause them to disappear from your phone. First, turn off sync in your account settings.
For detailed analysis, the web interface is recommended, as it provides more flexible tools for sorting by size and date.
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The web version of the cloud gives you more control over files than a mobile application, allowing you to see hidden system backups.
Cleaning the gallery and deleting media files
The most effective way to make space quickly is to work with the media library. RAW or 4K video can take up hundreds of megabytes each. Before deleting, you should check the folder "Recently deleted", as the files there continue to take up space for 30 days, even if you have already deleted them from the main album.
The cleaning process is better done through a computer or in horizontal browser mode on a tablet, which allows you to select large groups of files and delete them in packets, which greatly speeds up the process. On a smartphone, the risk of accidentally deleting the desired image when you quickly scrolle the tape is much higher.
- 📸 Screenshots: Often forgotten in a folder and take up space, though have no artistic value.
- 🎥 Video: Check long screen recordings or videos from instant messengers that are automatically saved in the gallery.
- 🗑️ Recycle Bin: Don’t forget to clean the “Recently Deleted” folder for the final freeing up of space.
If you store important archives in the cloud, it makes sense to download them to an external hard drive before cleaning it up, which will create an extra copy of security in case Xiaomi servers fail.
Managing system backups
Unlike a gallery, managing system backups requires more care: it stores call lists, SMS, desktop settings and Wi-Fi passwords. Older versions of backups can be saved while taking up space, although only the latter is relevant.
To remove old backups, you need to go to the appropriate section of the cloud settings. Often users do not know that you can only store one current copy, and previous versions are automatically replaced, but sometimes this mechanism fails, and “garbage” accumulates.
Where are the app backups stored?
It is recommended to periodically check the size of the backup, if it suddenly weighs several gigabytes, it may have got some heavy database or app cache that should not be there.
| Type of data | Approximate weight | Importance | Frequency of update |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photos and videos | High (GB) | Medium/High | Constantly. |
| Contacts and SMS | Low (MB) | Critical | When changing |
| System settings | Low (MB) | Tall. | Rarely. |
| Dictaphone | Medium (MB) | Depends on the user. | If necessary, |
Work through the web interface i.mi.com
The mobile application often limits the functionality of file management. Full storage cleaning is most convenient through the browser. The web interface allows you to see the structure of folders more clearly and use keyboard combinations to highlight files.
When logging into your account through your browser, be sure to use two-factor authorization, if enabled, which will protect your data from unauthorized access when you manage it from someone else's or a public computer.
The interface is updated periodically, so the location of the buttons may change. Look for the "Storage" or "Memory Management" section in the side menu or in the user profile.
Disconnecting synchronization and local storage
If your goal is not to delete data forever, but to simply stop taking up space in the cloud, just change your sync settings, which is a common mistake: users delete photos thinking they will stay on their phone, but lose them everywhere due to a mirror update.
To switch to local storage, you need to go to the settings of your Mi Account on your device, where you can selectively turn off sync for Gallery, Contacts or other services, and after you turn off new files will no longer be downloaded to the network.
- 🔄 Disable Autosynchronization: Prevent future downloads of heavy files.
- 📥 Download originals: Before disabling, make sure that all photos in full resolution are saved on the device.
- 🚫 Service Stoppage: In rare cases, a forced shutdown of the synchronization service in application settings is required.
⚠️ Note: Once sync is disabled, new photos will only be available on that particular device and won’t appear on a tablet or new phone.
This solution is ideal for those who use third-party services like Google Photos or Yandex.Disk and do not want to duplicate data.
Radical methods: resetting and deleting an account
In extreme cases, when you need to completely clear the space or prepare the device for sale, a full reset is used.Deleting the Mi Account will result in the loss of all data associated with it, including purchases in the themes and game achievements.
Before performing such actions, we strongly advise you to make a local copy of important data on your computer, the process of deleting your account is irreversible, and it will be impossible to restore correspondence or contacts after that.
☑️ Preparation for full discharge
If you plan to sell a phone, clearing the cloud is mandatory, the new owner must not have access to your personal information, and linking to someone else's account can lock the device.