How to completely disable the Xiaomi cloud on Android: 5 proven ways

Xiaomi’s cloud (Mi Cloud) is a convenient service for backing up data, syncing contacts and photos between devices, but not all users need this feature, some are worried about data privacy, some are not enough space in internal memory due to permanent backups, and some simply prefer alternative cloud services like Google Drive or Yandex Disk.

In this article, you will find detailed instructions on how to disable Mi Cloud on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones with MIUI shell (including the latest versions of MIUI 14/15 and HyperOS).We will look at both partial disabling of individual functions (for example, synchronizing photos) and completely deactivating Xiaomi account from the device – which automatically deactivates all cloud services.

Why do users want to turn off Mi Cloud?

According to a survey of Xiaomi owners in 2026, 42% of respondents have tried to deactivate the cloud at least once.

• 🔒 Privacy concerns: Data is stored on Xiaomi servers in China, raising compliance questions GDPR and local data protection laws.
• 📱 Duplication of features. Many use Google Photos or iCloud, and the additional cloud from Xiaomi becomes unnecessary.
• 💾 The memory is occupied. The backups take up to 5–10 GB on devices with 64/128 GB memory.
• 🔄 Sync failures: Users complain of persistent notifications of file upload errors to the cloud.
• 💰 Paid storage.Only 5GB is available free, further expansion requires subscriptions.

It is important to understand that disabling Mi Cloud does not mean deleting your Xiaomi account. You can simply stop syncing by saving access to branded services (such as Mi Fit or Mi Home). However, if you delete your account completely, it will affect the operation of some system functions, such as locking the screen through Find Device.

Method 1: Disabling the synchronization of individual data

If you don’t need to completely remove the cloud, but want to stop backing up specific file types (photos, contacts, notes), follow these steps:

1. Open the Settings. → Xiaomi account (or Mi Account).
2. Go to the Mi Cloud section.
3. Slip on the synchronization item.
4. Turn off the sliders in front of unnecessary categories: 📷 Gallery - photos and videos 📞 Contacts - phone book 📝 Notes - Notes from the Notes app 📅 Calendar - events 🔖 Bookmarks - saved pages from the browser

After the shutdown, sync will stop, but the data already uploaded to the cloud will remain on Xiaomi servers. To delete it, go to the Mi Cloud web version at i.mi.com and manually clean the unnecessary files.

Method 2: Completely disable Mi Cloud without deleting your account

If you want to completely deactivate the cloud, but keep your device linked to your Xiaomi account (for example, for software updates or Mi Fit), follow these steps:

1. Go to Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud.
2. Click on the icon. ⚙️ (Settings) in upper right corner.
3. Select Disable Mi Cloud.
4. Confirm the action by entering the password from the Xiaomi account.

After that:

• ✅ Automatic backup will stop.
• ✅ Synchronization notifications will no longer appear.
• ❌ Access to previously downloaded data in the cloud will remain (they can be downloaded through the web version).
• ❌ Features like Find Device will continue to work.

Method 3: Delete your Xiaomi account (total disabling of all services)

This method drastically shuts down all Xiaomi services, including cloud, branded apps, and even the ability to receive air-to-air updates (OTAs), only if you’re switching entirely to another brand or want to sell the phone.

⚠️ Note: Deleting your account will result in:

• 🚫 Loss of access to Mi Cloud, Mi Fit, Mi Home and other Xiaomi services.
• 🚫 Unable to use Find Device to search for a phone.
• 🚫 Reset some settings (for example, themes of design).
• 🚫 Potential problems with getting software updates (on some models).

If you are prepared for these consequences, follow the instructions:

1. Open your Settings → Xiaomi account.
2. Slip on the account avatar at the top of the screen.
3. Select Account Management → Delete the account.
4. Confirm the deletion via SMS or email (depending on the binding).
5. Enter your password and wait until the process is complete (it can take up to 24 hours).

Once you delete your account, your phone will automatically log out of all Xiaomi services, and you’ll have to create a new account to use the cloud again.

Method 4: Disable the Cloud through ADB (for Advanced Users)

If standard methods fail (e.g., due to corporate policy restrictions or modified firmware), you can disable Mi Cloud via Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires connecting your phone to a PC and basic command line knowledge.

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Computer with drivers installed ADB and Fastboot.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap the version number → Come back to the extra. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (preferably original).

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command prompt (cmd on Windows or Terminal on macOS/Linux).
2. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
3. Run the command to disable Mi Cloud: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.cloudservice
4. Reboot your phone: adb reboot

After the reboot, the Mi Cloud app will be deactivated, but it can be turned on again via the same command, replacing the disable-user with enable.

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If the cloud is activated again after disconnecting via ADB, check for MIUI updates. Some firmware versions automatically restore system applications.

Method 5: Limiting background activity of the Mi Cloud

If you don't have to shut down the cloud completely, but you want to save battery power and traffic, you can limit the background activity of the app, and it won't stop syncing completely, but it will reduce the load on the system.

How to do this:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find Mi Cloud (or Xiaomi Cloud) in the list.
3. Choose the Battery. → Background restriction.
4. Set a limit on Background Activity and Auto Start.
5. In the Mobile Data section, disable Background traffic.

These settings won’t remove the cloud, but they will reduce its impact on the performance of the phone, such as synchronizing only when you connect to Wi-Fi or when you manually launch an application.

What to do if the Mi Cloud is not shut down?

Sometimes users find that the Xiaomi cloud is not deactivated in standard ways.

If none of the methods worked, try resetting your phone to factory settings (Settings → About Phone → Settings Reset).Be sure to save important data before doing so, as it will be deleted.

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Before resetting, untie your Xiaomi account in Settings → Xiaomi account → Sign out. Otherwise, after reset, the phone may require you to enter a password from your old account (FRP protection).

FAQ: Frequent questions about disabling Mi Cloud