Xiaomi Cloud (Mi Cloud) automatically syncs your contacts, photos, notes and other data with the company’s servers. For many users, this feature is useful, but some prefer to store information locally or use alternative cloud services. Disabling sync can improve privacy, reduce traffic consumption and increase the battery life of the device.
In this article, we will discuss all available ways to deactivate the Mi Cloud – from standard settings to hidden developer settings. You will learn how to disable synchronization of individual data (for example, only photos or notes), completely delete Xiaomi account from the device, as well as what consequences this will entail. MIUI 12-14 and smartphone models, including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13 and others.
Why users are turning off Xiaomi Cloud
The main reasons for synchronization deactivation are privacy, performance, and convenience:
- 🔒 Privacy protection: Xiaomi servers store information in China, which is a concern for users from other countries, and even with encryption, data can theoretically be accessed by third parties at the request of the authorities.
- 📶 Traffic savings: Automatic high-resolution photo sync or app backup can cost up to 500MB-1GB per month.
- 🔋 Background activity of the Mi Cloud increases the load on the processor and reduces battery life by 5-15%.
- 📱 Conflict with other clouds. If you use Google Drive, Dropbox, or Yandex.Disk, the duplication of data creates chaos in the file system.
In addition, some users experience sync bugs where data is duplicated, lost or retrieved with errors, such as when a device resets, contacts can merge into a single list with repeating entries.
Method 1: Disable synchronization via Mi Cloud settings
The easiest method is to deactivate sync for individual data types directly in the Mi Cloud menu, which will not delete your account, but will stop automatic backups:
- Open the Settings app on your smartphone.
- Go to Xiaomi Cloud (or Mi Cloud in older versions of MIUI).
- Sign in if required (enter your Xiaomi account password).
- Click on Sync or Backup.
- Turn off sliders in front of unnecessary categories: Contacts, Photos, Notes, Records, etc.
To completely disable sync, reset all sliders to off..Please note: this will not remove the already downloaded data from Xiaomi servers – they will remain in the cloud until manually cleaned.
☑️ Checking for synchronization disconnection
⚠️ Note: If you turn off syncing your Contacts but use your Google account to store them, the data will remain accessible via Google Contacts. However, local contacts (only stored on the device) may disappear when you reset your settings.
Method 2: Completely delete Xiaomi account from smartphone
If you want to completely disconnect your device from Xiaomi servers, including removing all data from the cloud, follow the following steps: This method is suitable for users who migrate to other ecosystems (such as Google or Apple) or sell a smartphone.
Important: After deleting your account, you will lose access to:
- 📱 Mi Cloud functions: backups, synchronization, device search.
- 🛒 Shopping in the Mi Store: order history, warranty coupons.
- 🎮 Achievements in the Mi Game Center.
- 🔄 Updates to MIUI (on some models).
To delete the account:
- Open the Settings. → Xiaomi Cloud.
- Slip the profile icon in the top right corner.
- Select Account Management (or Account Settings).
- Scroll down and click Delete Account.
- Confirm the action via SMS or password.
| Action. | Effects of consequences | Reverse process |
|---|---|---|
| Shutting down synchronization | Data stops being updated in the cloud but stays on servers | Enable the sliders back into the Mi Cloud |
| Deletion of account | All data is erased from Xiaomi servers, access to ecosystem functions is blocked | Create a new account or restore an old one via mi.com |
| Resetting the device without deleting the account | Data will be saved in the cloud, but the phone will be asked to log in when you first set up. | Sign in to an existing account after resetting |
What to do if you can’t delete your account?
Method 3: Disconnect via Developer Modes (for power users)
If standard methods don’t work (e.g., synchronization is activated after a reboot), you can block background Mi Cloud activity through the developer’s settings, which requires caution, as improper actions can disrupt the stability of the system.
Instructions:
- Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version. Enter a pattern lock or password if required.
Settings
Additional → For Developers
Annexes
Inactive applications
com.miui.cloudservice
Mi Cloud
After that, the sync service will stop working in the background, but you can’t update or reinstall Mi Cloud through the Play Market, it’s a system application.
💡
If push notifications from other applications have stopped working after disabling com.miui.cloudservice, return the settings back. Some versions of MIUI link cloud services to the alert system.
What to do after switching off Xiaomi Cloud
After the synchronization deactivation, it is recommended:
- 🔄 Create a local backup. Use the built-in Settings feature → Additionally. → Backup and reset → Local backup.
- ☁️ Move your data to another cloud, like Google Photos for photos or Google Contacts for contacts.
- 🔒 Set up encryption. In Settings. → Security → Encryption and credentials enable device encryption.
- 📱 Check offline features. Some features (like Find Device) won't work.
If you are selling or transferring a smartphone to another person, make sure to complete a full setting reset (Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset → Setting Reset) that will delete all local data and untie the device from your Xiaomi account.
💡
Even after disabling Mi Cloud, some system applications (such as Mi Video or Mi Music) may try to sync data. To completely prevent this, limit their access to the Internet through Settings → Applications → Permissions → Data Access.
Possible problems and solutions
When you turn off Xiaomi Cloud, users sometimes face unexpected consequences, and consider the most common of them and how to eliminate them:
| Problem. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Synchronization is activated after restarting. | The com.miui.cloudservice system application is automatically running | Disable it through Settings → Applications → Application Management → Mi Cloud → Disable |
| Push notifications are not working. | Some versions of MIUI link cloud services to alerts | Turn Mi Cloud back on or use alternative messengers (e.g. Telegram with its own notifications) |
| Impossible to upgrade MIUI | On some models, updates are tied to Xiaomi account | Download firmware manually from en.miui.com and install through Settings → About Phone → System Update → Three Dots → Select a firmware file |
| Contacts missing after synchronization shutdown | Contacts were stored only in the Xiaomi cloud and were not duplicated in Google or locally. | Restore them via Mi Cloud → Recycle Bin (30 days available) or contact support |
⚠️ Note: On devices with a locked bootloader (most Xiaomi smartphones for the global market), disabling system applications can lead to a bootloop ( looped reboot).If you are not sure about your actions, use standard methods of disabling through settings.
Xiaomi Cloud Alternatives: Where to Move Data
If you choose to opt out of Mi Cloud, consider the following alternatives for storing and synchronizing data:
- ☁️ Google Drive / Google Photos: Pros: deep integration with Android, automatic synchronization of contacts and calendar.Cons: limiting free storage (15 GB per account).
- 📁 Nextcloud / OwnCloud: Pros: Full control of data (you can deploy on your server). Cons: requires technical skills to configure.
- 🔗 Pros: Decentralized sync between devices without the cloud. Cons: no version for iOS, difficult for beginners.
- 💾 Local storage: Pros: maximum privacy, no dependence on the Internet. Cons: risk of data loss when the device breaks.
For data transfer, use the standard export functions:
- Contacts: Contacts → Settings → Export / Import.
- Photo: Copy the DCIM folder to your computer or other cloud.
- Notes: Export through Notes → Settings → Export.