How to Configure a Xiaomi Camera Recording to the Cloud: A Complete Guide to Comparing Services

Recording video from Xiaomi cameras directly to the cloud is not only convenient, it is also safe. You no longer risk losing important footage when your device breaks or you steal it, but you access the archive from any gadget. However, setting up cloud storage often raises questions about what services are supported, how to avoid paying for fees, and why video is sometimes not saved. In this article, we will examine all the nuances from the basic binding of your Mi Account account to fine-tuning the recording schedule and choosing the optimal cloud.

Feature of Xiaomi cameras (including Mi Home Security Camera, Xiaomi Smart Camera and Mijia 360 models)°) It's because they're originally focused on the brand ecosystem, which means that it's easiest to set up a record in your native Mi Cloud, but you can integrate it with Google Drive, Yandex Drive, or even your own. NAS-We tested all the options and put together workflows, including bypassing the free-rate restrictions.

Important: if you use a camera to secure your premises, check the laws of your region. In some countries (e.g. the EU), continuous recording in public places without warning signs may violate privacy laws.

1. Xiaomi camera preparation for cloud recording

Before setting up the cloud, make sure that the camera is properly connected to the network and linked to the Mi Account. Without this step, no further action is possible.

• 📱 Installed application Mi Home (version not lower) 6.5.0 for Android/iOS). You can download it officially.
• 🔌 A stable camera connection to Wi-Fi (2.4GHz is a must! 5GHz is not supported by most models).
• 🆔 Mi Account with a confirmed phone number or email. Without verification, the cloud will not activate.
• 🔄 The latest version of the camera firmware (check in Settings) → About the device → Update of the PO).

If the camera is already added to the Mi Home but the cloud is not working, try removing the device from the app and adding it again.This often solves synchronization problems. 2K and newer also requires you to enable the option Cloud Storage in manual mode – it can be hidden in additional settings.

⚠️ Note: If you are using a camera in a region other than China, link it to a Russia or Europe server in the Mi Home settings. When choosing a Chinese server (Mainland China), the Mi Cloud may not work stable or require a Chinese phone number to activate.

2. Set up recording in Mi Cloud: step-by-step instructions

Mi Cloud is Xiaomi’s native cloud, which offers 7 days of free storage (sometimes up to 30 days for new users) to activate it:

1. Open the Mi Home app and select your camera.
2. Go to Settings. → Cloud storage.
3. Click Activate Trial Period (or Buy Tariff if Trial Period has expired).
4. Choose the retention period of the records: 7 days, 30 days or Unlimited (paid).
5. Confirm the payment (if required) and wait for the synchronization.

Once activated, the camera will automatically upload video to the cloud when motion or sound is detected (depending on the detector settings) to check the recording status:

• 📹 Go to the Events Journal in the Mi Home app.
• 🔍 Make sure there is a cloud icon next to the event.
• 📥 Try downloading a test video from the cloud to your phone.

Critical feature: Free tariff Mi Cloud saves video only when the sensors are triggered (motion / sound). 24/7 A paid subscription will be required (from 99 ₽/Also note that when you delete the camera from your account, all cloud recordings are erased without the possibility of recovery.

3. Alternative cloud services: Google Drive, Yandex Drive, NAS

If you don't like the limitations of Mi Cloud, you can set up a record to third-party services.

The easiest way for beginners to use IFTTT (Automation service. Instructions for Google Drive:

1. Create an account on IFTTT.
2. Connect Mi Home and Google Drive to My Services.
3. Create a new applet with the trigger New motion detected on Xiaomi Camera.
4. Select Upload File from as an Action URL to Google Drive.
5. Specify the folder to save and launch the applet.

For Yandex Disk or NAS You'll need more complex setups using scripts or programs like Home Assistant. You can find the finished solutions on GitHub (see xiaomi camera yandex disk or mijia home assistant repositories).

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If you use Home Assistant, add Xiaomi Miio integration – it allows you to flexibly configure recording triggers and send videos to any server on the Internet. FTP WebDAV.

4. Optimizing your recording settings: how to save space and traffic

Continuous cloud recording can quickly exhaust both free space and Internet traffic.

• 🎯 Configure detection zones in the Mi Home app (exclude areas where traffic is not important, such as a window to the street).
• ⏱️ Set a schedule for recording (for example, only at night or during business hours).
• 📉 Reduce the video quality to 720p (unless you need detailing).
• 🔔 Turn off audio recording if you only use a motion detector.

For supported models AI-Detection (e.g. Xiaomi Smart Camera) 2K Pro) you can only set up the recording when you detect humans or animals, ignoring false positives from shadows or wind. → Artificial intelligence → Types of detection.

If you use the mobile internet for the camera (via the 4G-router, enable the option to save traffic in the cloud settings.This will reduce the bitrate of the video, but can degrade the quality in the dark. Also check your tariff limits - some operators block traffic for cameras as "atypical".

5 Problem Solving: Why Video Is Not Saved in the Cloud

If cloud recording doesn’t work, check the following points:

To diagnose the connection:

1. Open the Settings. → Network status in the Mi Home app.
2. Check the Wi-Fi signal (should be no lower) -60 dBm) and loading speed (minimum 2 Mbps for HD-video).
3. If the network indicator flashes red, reconnect the camera to Wi-Fi.

If the problem persists, try resetting the camera to factory settings (hold the reset button for 10 seconds) and adding it again. Also check if the antivirus or firewall on the router is blocking the recording (open ports). TCP 80 and UDP 123 for Xiaomi servers).

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If the camera is connected through VPN or proxy, Mi Cloud may not work. Disable additional networks before setting up.

6. Comparison of cloud services tariffs for Xiaomi cameras

The choice of tariff depends on the number of cameras and the duration of storage of records. Below are the current prices for 2026 (for Russia and the CIS):

For one camera, the optimal tariff is Mi Cloud for 30 days (99). ₽/If you have more cameras, it is cheaper to arrange Google Drive for 100 GB (139 GB). ₽/month) and set up the record in IFTTT. For business use (e.g. in the office) it is best to consider NAS — Despite the high initial cost, it pays off in 1-2 years.

Note that some banks offer cashback for subscriptions, for example, with a Tinkoff Black card you can refund up to 5% for the purchase of the Mi Cloud tariff through Google Pay.

7.Security: How to Protect Cloud Records from Hacking

Camera video is personal data that can be targeted by hackers, to minimize the risks:

• 🔐 Use a complex password for Mi Account (at least 12 characters with numbers and special signs).
• 📱 Enable two-factor authentication in your account settings.
• 🌐 Do not connect your camera to public Wi-Fi (such as in a cafe or hotel).
• 🔄 Regularly update the camera firmware (in the Settings menu) → About the device).

For additional protection:

1. Go to Settings. → Security in the Mi Home app.
2. Activate the option to disable remote access (if the camera is only used at home).
3. Set up a white list IP — This will allow you to connect to the camera only from your devices.

If you store records on Google Drive or Yandex Drive, set up access permissions so that the video folder is only available to you. Avoid public links to archives - search engines can find them.

⚠️ Attention: B 2023 In the past year, there were cases of data leakage from Xiaomi cameras due to a vulnerability in the protocol. P2P. Update the firmware to the version 1.5.6_00.48 Or newer to close this gap. Check the version in Settings. → About the device → POS version.

FAQ: Frequent questions about recording from Xiaomi cameras to the cloud