Cloud for Xiaomi cameras: how to buy, tariffs and nuances of 2026

Xiaomi cameras – from compact Mi Home Security Camera to advanced Xiaomi Smart Camera 360° — They record high-resolution video, but their usefulness is limited without cloud storage, and without it, you risk losing important records if your memory card crashes or your device is stolen. Xiaomi Cloud solves this problem by offering backup, remote access and advanced features like facial recognition.

But the process of buying the cloud often raises questions like, what are the rates available in 2026? How do you tie your camera to your account? Can you save on a subscription? In this guide, we'll go through all the steps from signing up for Mi Account to paying for and setting up automatic downloads, and we'll focus on the hidden limitations of free fares that the manufacturer doesn't advertise, but which are critical to how the system works.

Why does Xiaomi’s camera need cloud storage?

Local microSD storage seems reliable until the card fails or is stolen along with the camera. Xiaomi's cloud solves these problems, but its benefits go beyond simple backup:

• 🔒 Hacking protection: Even if an attacker steals a camera, the records will remain in the cloud and can be used as evidence.
• 📱 Remote Access: View the archive of records from any device through the Mi Home or Xiaomi Home app.
• 🔍 Event recognition: The cloud analyzes video and highlights important moments (movement, faces, sounds) saving you time.
• ⏳ Long-term storage: on a free tariff records are stored for 7 days, on paid ones - up to 30 days.

But there are pitfalls, too: for example, the free rate limits the number of cameras: you can only connect 1 device with cloud recording to one account, and if you have a system of 3-4 cameras, you'll have to pay for each or use workarounds (which we'll discuss below).

Xiaomi Cloud tariffs for cameras in 2026: comparison and prices

In 2026, Xiaomi will offer three basic rates for cloud storage cameras, their cost and conditions depend on the region (prices below are relevant for Russia and CIS countries).

One important caveat: the rates are tied to your account, not your device, which means that if you buy a Premium for a single camera, you can connect up to 10 devices to the cloud at no extra cost, but there's a limitation: all cameras must be registered to one Mi Account.

⚠️ Note: When buying an annual subscription, Xiaomi often offers bonus months (for example, "buy 12 months, get 2 as a gift"). These promotions are limited in time and are not advertised in the mobile application.

Step-by-step: how to buy a cloud for Xiaomi camera

The process of buying a cloud consists of 5 steps. Follow the instructions carefully - an error in the linking stage of the camera can lead to the fact that the cloud does not work and the money is written off.

Download the Mi Home app (App) Store/Google Play)

Register or log in to Mi Account

Connect the camera to the application and Wi-Fi network

Check the balance on the tied card/wallet

Make sure the camera supports cloud recording (model list below)

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Step 1: Register with Mi Account

You can't buy a cloud without a Xiaomi account.

1. Open the Mi Home app and click Profile → Register.
2. Provide a valid email or phone number (for Russia, it is better to use mail - less problems with the use of the email). SMS).
3. Confirm registration by reference in the letter or through SMS-code.
4. Fill in the profile: add a name and link the payment method (card, PayPal, Qiwi).

Critical: when registering, choose the right region (Russia or your country), if you specify, for example, China, cloud tariffs will not be available, and the change of region will take up to 30 days.

Step 2: Connecting the camera to your account

Make sure the camera:

• 🔌 Powered up.
• 📶 It is in the range of Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz – most Xiaomi cameras do not work on 5 GHz!).
• 🔄 Updated to the latest firmware (check in Camera Settings) → Update of the PO).

Next:

1. At Mi Home, press + → Add the device.
2. Select the camera model from the list (if not, try another one). → Add it manually).
3. Follow the instructions on the screen: the application will offer to scan QR-code on the camera or enter it S/N (serial).
4. Connect the camera to Wi-Fi by specifying the password from the network.

⚠️ Warning: If the camera was previously linked to another account, reset it. To do this, press and hold the reset button on the case (usually next to the Micro-USB connector) for 10 seconds until you hear voice confirmation.

Step 3: Buying a Cloud Tariff

After the camera is connected:

1. Go to the camera section at Mi Home.
2. Press. ⚙ Settings → Cloud storage.
3. Select the desired tariff and click Buy.
4. Confirm payment by the linked method (card, PayPal, etc.).

Important: After payment, the cloud is activated not instantly, but within 1-2 hours, during which time the camera may show an error "Cloud is not available" - this is normal. If the problem does not disappear after 2 hours, check:

• Account balance (maybe the debit has not been completed).
• Connecting the camera to the Internet (the indicator should be green).
• Time settings on the camera (if the date is downed, the cloud will not work).

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If you buy a cloud for multiple cameras, connect them all to one account first, and then subscribe. So you save: a premium 10 camera fare is cheaper than a 2 Standard 5 camera fare each.

Step 4: Set up records in the cloud

By default, the camera only records events (motion, sound) to the cloud to adjust the settings:

1. Go to Camera Settings → Cloud storage → Recording parameters.
2. Choose what to save: Events only save space, but skip background recordings. Continuous recording downloads everything (requires a stable Internet!).

Sensitivity of the motion sensor

Medium

Notifications of traffic

Step 5: Checking the operation of the cloud

To make sure everything is set up correctly:

1. Stand in front of the camera and wave your hand (or turn on music for a sound test).
2. Wait 1-2 minutes and check the cloud section → Archive in annex.
3. If you get a recording, it works. If you don't, reboot the camera (Settings). → Reboot).

3. no traffic notifications are received

This is most often due to settings:

1. In the Mi Home app, go to Profile → Notifications and make sure they are included.
2. Check the sensor sensitivity in the camera settings (if too low, the camera doesn't respond to movement).
3. Make sure your phone doesn’t turn off notifications for Mi Home (Phone Settings) → Annexes → Mi Home → Notifications).

⚠️ Note: If you use an iPhone, check the Settings section → Screen time. → Privacy restrictions: Sometimes iOS blocks Mi Home background work, causing notifications to fail.

How to save money on the cloud Xiaomi?

Xiaomi Cloud's paid rates aren't the most expensive on the market, but with more cameras, costs go up. Here are legal ways to cut costs:

• 🎁 Promo codes and promotions: Xiaomi regularly offers discounts on the cloud when buying new cameras. C400 You can get 3 months of premium fare for free.
• 📅 Annual subscription: Annual payments are 20 to 30 percent cheaper than 12 monthly payments.
• 🔄 Shared Account: If you have multiple cameras in the same home, register them with one Mi Account and buy one Premium rate (up to 10 devices).
• 💾 Hybrid storage: Configure your camera to send only events (movement, sound) to the cloud and record background on a microSD.

Illegal savings methods (such as using someone else’s accounts or using other people’s accounts) VPN We will not consider changing the region – they violate the Xiaomi user agreement and may lead to the blocking of devices.

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If you buy a camera on AliExpress or in unofficial stores, check with the seller whether it is not tied to someone else’s account. Such devices may not connect to your cloud without a reset, which is not always possible.

Xiaomi Cloud Alternatives: Should You Consider?

If you don’t like the tariffs or the functionality of Xiaomi Cloud, there are alternatives, but there are downsides to each option:

If you choose local storage, pay attention to the memory card class. 2K need a microSD UHS-I Class 10 (e.g. SanDisk Ultra or Samsung) EVO Cheap cards without a class or with a Class 4 class will lead to lags and record breaks.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions