Connecting Xiaomi camera to the cloud: instructions with pictures and life hacks

Xiaomi cameras are some of the most popular surveillance devices, thanks to their combination of price, quality and functionality. But their true power is revealed only when connected to the Mi Home Cloud service. Cloud storage allows you to save records even if the camera is stolen or it fails, and also allows you to access video from any device.

In this article, we’ll break down all the ways Xiaomi cameras connect to the cloud (including the Mi Home Security Camera 360 models).°, Mi Camera 2K, Mi Outdoor Camera and others, compare rates, show you how to avoid common errors, and give you tips on how to optimize storage. And if you've tried to configure the cloud and you get an error, at the end of this article there's a section on solutions to common problems.

Which Xiaomi Cameras Support Cloud Storage?

Not all Xiaomi devices can save records to the cloud, here is the full list of compatible models (as of 2026):

• 📹 Xiaomi Mi Home Security Camera 360° (all versions, including 1080p and 2K)
• 🏠 Xiaomi Mi Home Security Camera 2K Pro (supported) AI-recognition)
• 🌳 Xiaomi Mi Outdoor Camera 1080p/2K (street-model)
• 🐶 Xiaomi Mi Pet Camera (Animal Watching Camera)
• 🔍 Xiaomi Mi Smart Camera C300/C400 (New models with improved night vision)

If your model isn't listed, it doesn't mean it doesn't support the cloud.Some cameras (e.g. Xiaomi Mi Camera) 1S) They can only work with the cloud through the firmware side or in specific regions. You can check support in the official Mi Home app in the Devices section. → Camera settings → Cloud storage.

Also, consider that for some models (e.g. Xiaomi Mi Home Camera 2), cloud storage is only available in the Chinese version of the firmware. If you bought the camera in Russia or Europe, you may need to change region in the Mi Home app.

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi cameras purchased in China may not support cloud in other regions due to manufacturer restrictions.

Preparing for Connection: What to Do Before Configuring the Cloud

Before you activate cloud storage, follow the mandatory preparatory steps:

Install the latest version of the Mi Home app|Connect your camera to 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi|Update the camera firmware|Create/log in to a Xiaomi account|Check the balance on the account (for paid rates)-->

Pay special attention to Wi-Fi networks. Xiaomi cameras only work with 2.4 GHz networks. If your router broadcasts two networks (2.4 and 5 GHz) with the same name, the camera may connect to the wrong one.

1. Go to the router settings (usually 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1).
2. Separate networks: give them different names, for example. MyWiFi_2G and MyWiFi_5G.
3. Connect the camera to the network with postfix _2G.

Another important point is the region in the Mi Home app, and if you've chosen China, the cloud might not work in other countries.

1. Open Mi Home and tap the avatar in the upper right corner.
2. Select Settings → Region.
3. Please indicate Russia (or your country) and confirm the change.

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If the camera is already connected to the Chinese region, remove it from the app before changing the region and add it again, otherwise the cloud may not activate.

Step-by-step: how to connect Xiaomi camera to the cloud

Now, to the process of connecting, the instructions are good for most models, but there may be slight differences in the interface.

Step 1: Open the camera settings

Launch the Mi Home app and:

1. Select your camera on the main screen.
2. Put the badge on. ⚙️ Settings in upper right corner.
3. Scroll down and find the Cloud Storage section.

Step 2: Choose a tariff plan

Here you will be offered several options:

For most users, the Premium rate is optimal, allowing you to store records for 30 days and connect up to 5 cameras. If you only have one camera, you can start with the Basic Fee and upgrade if necessary.

Step 3: Activate the trial period (if available)

When you first connect, Xiaomi often gives you 7-14 days of free cloud storage to activate the trial period.

1. Choose any paid rate.
2. On the payment screen, look for the link Trial period or Try for free.
3. Confirm activation.

If there is no trial period, you will have to pay the rate you have chosen immediately, and you can pay by credit card, Google Pay or Apple Pay.

Step 4: Set up the recording settings

After activating the cloud, go back to the camera settings and check:

• 🔄 Continuous recording - recording 24/7 (It consumes a lot of space in the cloud).
• 🚨 Motion recording – recording only when motion is detected (saves space).
• 👤 Facial recognition – recording only when people are detected (not available on all models).

To save space in the cloud, we recommend choosing Motion Recording or Facial Recognition, which will reduce unnecessary recordings (for example, from flying insects or swaying curtains).

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Even with the cloud activated, the camera will save records to the memory card (if installed), and the cloud is an additional backup, not a replacement for local storage.

How do you check if the cloud is working?

Once you've set up the cloud, you need to make sure that the records are actually saved, and you can do this in a number of ways:

Method 1: Viewing the archive in the application

Open the Mi Home app and:

1. Pick your camera.
2. Slap the icon. 📅 Calendar on the bottom menu.
3. Check if there are records from previous days (they should be marked with a cloud icon) ☁️).

Method 2: Checking through the web version of Mi Home

If you want to view the recordings from your computer:

1. Go to home.mi.com.
2. Sign in under the same account as in the mobile application.
3. Select your camera and open the Cloud Storage section.

If there are no records, try to force the data to update: in the mobile application, pull the screen with the archive down to update the list.

⚠️ Note: The first entries to the cloud may be delayed by up to 1-2 hours. If more time has passed, check the camera's Internet connection and subscription status.

Common mistakes and their solutions

When connecting a Xiaomi camera to the cloud, users often encounter errors, and here are the most common ones and ways to fix them:

If the error does not disappear, try resetting the camera to the factory settings:

1. Press and hold the reset button on the camera (usually on the bottom panel) for 10 seconds.
2. Wait until the camera restarts (the yellow indicator flashes).
3. Add the camera to the Mi Home app again and reset the cloud.

How to save space in the cloud Xiaomi?

Xiaomi’s cloud storage isn’t unlimited, so it’s important to optimize your use of it. Here are some proven ways to do this:

• 🎥 Configure detection zones: In the Mi Home app, you can highlight areas where the camera will ignore movement (such as a window or door.
• ⏱️ Set a recording schedule: If the camera is not needed at night, turn off recording at this time in the Schedule settings.
• 🔍 Use it. AI-filters: on models with support AI (For example, Mi Camera. 2K Pro) Enable the option to Record only people to ignore the movement of animals or shadows.
• 🗑️ Clean archives regularly: Delete unnecessary entries manually through the web version of Mi Home.

You can also compress video before uploading to the cloud.

1. Open the camera settings.
2. Go to the Record Settings → Video quality.
3. Choose Balanced or Economical (instead of High).

This will reduce file size by 30-50% without significant quality loss.

Xiaomi Cloud Alternatives: Should You Use Them?

If you’re not comfortable with the tariffs or functionality of the Xiaomi cloud, consider alternative ways to store records:

• 💾 Local storage on microSD: Most Xiaomi cameras support memory cards up to 256 GB. This is cheaper than the cloud, but less reliable (the card can fail).
• 🖥️ FTP-server NAS: On some models (for example, Xiaomi Mi Outdoor Camera) you can configure the recording to your own server.
• ☁️ Third-party cloud services: Some cameras support Google Drive or Dropbox integration IFTTT. But this is an informal decision.

Compare Xiaomi Cloud with Local Storage:

If you want maximum reliability, you should use both the cloud and local storage at the same time, such as setting up a record to a memory card, and saving only important events (movement or facial recognition) to the cloud.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi's cloud