Xiaomi Cloud Storage Full: How to Free Up Space Without Losing Data

Are you trying to upload a photo to Mi Cloud but you see a notification “Storage is full”? Or did the contacts sync suddenly stop with an Insufficient Storage error? The problem with a crowded Xiaomi cloud is familiar to many users of Redmi, POCO and Mi smartphones — especially those who have been using free 5 GB without cleaning for years. In this article, we will discuss 7 proven ways to free space, from simple file sorting to hidden sync settings that are not written in the official documentation.

It's important to understand that Mi Cloud doesn't just store backups. It syncs contacts, notes, call records, SMS, gallery photos, and even settings for some applications (such as Mi Fit or Mi Home), but free rates are limited to 5GB, and paid options (50GB per 100 ₽/month) are not automatically offered - you need to search manually. Before you pay, try our methods: 80% of the time you can free 1-3GB without losing important data.

1. Analysis of occupied space: what exactly eats the space?

The first step is to understand what data is taking up space.

1. Open the Settings app → Mi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Slip along the band of occupied space (on the chart at the top of the screen).
3. The system will show the distribution by categories: Photos, Videos, Contacts, Notes, Backups, etc.

A typical picture for users with a crowded cloud is:

• 📸 Photos and videos – 60-80% (automatic download from the gallery in original resolution).
• 📱 Backups are 10-20% (old backups from previous smartphones).
• 📞 Contacts and SMS – 5–10% (duplicate posts, spam messages).
• 📝 Notes and documents – 1–5% (drafts, temporary files)

Did you find that photos are 4GB out of 5? Move to the next section. If the bulk of the weight is backups, skip to 4.

2. Cleaning photos and videos: how to remove unnecessary without loss of quality

The easiest way to free up 1-3 GB is to sort media files in the cloud. An important nuance: deleting from Mi Cloud doesn't delete files from your phone (and vice versa), so you can safely clean up duplicates and failed shots.

Algorithm of action:

1. Open the Gallery → Albums → Mi Cloud (or Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Photos).
2. Sort files by date or size (shoot the filter icon in the upper right corner).
3. Delete: 🗑️ Screenshots over 6 months old (they usually take up little space, but there are a lot of them). 🎥 Low quality videos (e.g., social media stories). 📷 Repeated photos (use the gallery's "Similar" feature). 📁 Messenger folders (Telegram, WhatsApp - they are often duplicated).

Select → Mark everything → Delete

Tip: If you're afraid of losing something important, download the archive to your computer first.

1. Go to the web version of Mi Cloud from PC.
2. Select the necessary files → Download (downloads ZIP-archive).

Make sure important files are stored locally

Sort by size (remove video >100MB)

Remove screenshots older than 6 months

Check the messenger folders for doubles-->

⚠️ Warning: Deleting photos from the Mi Cloud doesn't make room instantly. Xiaomi servers process changes within 1 to 24 hours. Don't panic if the volume hasn't changed after cleaning up, wait a day.

3. Optimizing backups: how to remove old backups

Backups are the second largest space eater, and Xiaomi automatically creates backups when you change your phone or reset your settings, but doesn't delete the old ones, and it accumulates copies of Redmi Note 7, POCO X3, and other devices you haven't used in a long time.

How to clean:

1. Go to Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Backup.
2. Slip on the device (for example, Redmi Note 10 Pro).
3. Look through the backups sorted by date. Delete everything but the most recent copy.
4. To clean up completely, click Delete all data (if the device is no longer in use).

If you don’t plan to restore data on your old phone, you can turn off backup for it altogether:

1. In the same menu, tap on the device → Disable backup.
2. Confirm the action (this will remove all backups for this device).

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If you change your smartphones frequently, turn off automatic backups in Settings → Additional → Backup → Autobackup. Instead, create copies manually before resetting or selling your phone.

Synchronization setting: what can be turned off without consequences

Mi Cloud syncs everything by default, including unnecessary data, such as recording calls (if you don't use it) or notes from Mi Notes that you haven't opened in a long time, disabling unnecessary sync will free up 100-500 MB and prevent further filling.

How to set up:

1. Open the Settings. → Mi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Scroll down to the Data Sync block.
3. Turn off unnecessary items: 📞 Call recording (unless you log conversations). 📄 Notes (if you use Google Keep or other services). 🎵 Miusic (if you don't listen to music through Mi Music). 📅 Calendar (if you sync through Google).

photo-uploading

1. Go to Mi Cloud → Photo → Synchronization settings.
2. Choose the average quality instead of the original.

If you are actively using Google Photos or Yandex.Disk, you can completely disable syncing photos in Mi Cloud, leaving only contacts and backups. This will save up to 3-4 GB.

5. Alternative clouds: where to move data from the Mi Cloud

If even after cleaning up, there is a catastrophic shortage of space, consider moving some of the data to other services.

• 📷 Photos and videos → Google Photos (15 GB free) or Yandex.Disk (10 GB).
• 📱 Backups → Local storage (storage, computer) or Dropbox.
• 📞 Contacts and SMS → Google Contacts (synchronized through Google account).
• 📝 Notes → Google Keep, Notion, or Evernote.

How to transfer photos to Google Photos:

1. Install the Google Photos app from the Play Market.
2. Open it and log in to your Google account.
3. Go to Settings → Backup and Synchronization → Enable.
4. Choose High (unlimited storage) or Original (if space is enough).
5. Wait until the download is complete (may take a few hours).
6. After transferring, delete the photos from the Mi Cloud (see section 2).

The advantage of Google Photos:

• 🔍 Smart search by persons, places, objects.
• 🎨 Automatic collages and animations.
• 📱 Access from any device (including iPhone and PC).

⚠️ Warning: When transferring data to another cloud, don't turn off Mi Cloud immediately. First, make sure all files are successfully copied and opened in the new service. For example, check that photos in Google Photos are undamaged and displayed in full resolution.

6.Paid rates: when to expand storage

If all cleaning methods are exhausted and space is still scarce, consider the paid rates. Xiaomi offers the following options (prices are current for 2026):

How to buy additional space:

1. Open the Settings. → Mi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Slip on the icon Buy space (or Increase storage).
3. Choose the rate and pay via Mi Pay, bank card or Google Pay.

Savings tips:

• 💰 Buy an annual subscription — it’s 20 to 30 percent cheaper.
• 📅 Watch out for stocks: Xiaomi often gives discounts on cloud expansion (like Black Friday).
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 If there are several Xiaomi devices in the family, arrange a family tariff (200 GB for 5 people).

Alternatively, if you only need backups, buy Google One (100GB per ~139₽/month) which is cheaper and integrates with Google Photos, Gmail and Drive.

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Paid tariff is justified only if you actively use the Xiaomi ecosystem (smart home, fitness bracelets, laptops).

7.Discharge of the cloud: extreme measures

If the cloud is full of debris and you don't have time to sort the data, you can do a complete reset.

• 📱 You sell your phone and you don't need any old data.
• 🔄 Want to start with a clean slate (for example, after you switch to a new account).
• 🚨 The cloud is infected with a virus (very rare, but possible).

How to reset Mi Cloud:

1. First, export all important data (contacts, photos, notes).
2. Go to Settings → Mi Account → Delete your account.
3. Confirm the deletion (a password will be required).
4. Create a new Mi Account or sign in under a different login.

⚠️ Warning: Deleting your Mi Account erases all data from the cloud without recovery, including: Device Backups, Mi Home settings, Mi Fit data (steps, weight, training), Mi Store purchases (order history). Do not delete your account if you have smart devices attached to it (robot vacuum cleaners, light bulbs, etc.)!

Alternative (less radical) method:

1. Open the web version of Mi Account.
2. Go to Data Management → Clear all data.
3. Confirm the action (the data will be deleted, but the account will remain active).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Mi Cloud