Cloud in the phone Xiaomi Redmi: where to look, how to use and why it disappears

You bought a Xiaomi Redmi smartphone and heard it has its own cloud storage, but you can't find where it's hidden? Or suddenly you find that photos and contacts are no longer synced?This article will help you figure out exactly where the cloud is in Redmi phones, how to turn it on, configure it, and what to do if it "disappears" after the system update.

Unlike Google Drive or iCloud, Xiaomi’s Mi Cloud is integrated deep into the firmware. MIUI, But the interface is not always obvious, and we'll show you all the ways you can access it, from the standard menu to the hidden settings, and we'll also explain why sometimes the cloud hides after you reset or change your account. 12/13, Redmi 10/11 Other popular lines where the options may differ.

What is Mi Cloud and Why is it Necessary in Redmi?

Mi Cloud is Xiaomi’s proprietary cloud storage that automatically backs up your contacts, photos, notes, SMS and even system settings. Unlike Google Photos or OneDrive, it’s closely linked to your Mi Account and offers 5GB of free space (versus 15GB for Google), but the main advantage is the ability to recover all data on a new Xiaomi phone in two clicks.

For example, if you lost the Redmi 9A or it broke, after logging in to a new device, all your gallery photos, call history and even desktop wallpaper will be downloaded automatically.

• 📱 Synchronize contacts and calendars between multiple Xiaomi devices.
• 🔄 Restore applications and their data after resetting settings.
• 📁 Keep backup copies SMS, Call records and Wi-Fi settings.
• 🔒 Lock the phone remotely if it is stolen (Find the device function»).

However, Mi Cloud has limitations: it doesn’t support syncing some third-party apps (like WhatsApp or Telegram), and the free fare quickly ends if you actively shoot videos in 4K. But for basic backup, it’s one of the most convenient tools in the Xiaomi ecosystem.

Where to look for a cloud in a Redmi phone: 3 basic ways

Depending on the Redmi model and MIUI version (12, 13 or 14), the path to the cloud may be different.

Method 1: Through Mi Account Settings

This is the most obvious and versatile method that works on all models from the Redmi 7 to the Redmi Note 13 Pro+:

1. Open the settings (cog icon on the desktop).
2. Scroll up and tap your Mi Account profile (the icon with the avatar at the top).
3. Select Mi Cloud (or “Cloud” in Russian firmware).

If there is no Mi Cloud, then the cloud is disabled – go to the activation instructions.

Method 2: Through the Security App

On some models (e.g. Redmi 10 or Redmi 9T), cloud access is hidden in the security menu.

1. Launch the Security app (shield icon).
2. Go to the Cloud or Mi Cloud section.
3. If there is no partition, tap the three dots in the upper right corner and select Cloud Settings.

Method 3: Through gallery or contact

If you need to upload photos or check your contacts sync, you can access the cloud directly:

• 📷 From the gallery: Open any photo → press "More" (three dots) → Download to Mi Cloud.
• 📞 From Contacts: Open Contacts → three-point → Settings → Imports/Exports → Synchronization with Mi Cloud.

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If you don’t see Mi Cloud in the settings, try upgrading to the latest version of MIUI. In older versions (below 12.5), the cloud could be called “Xiaomi Cloud.”

Why the cloud disappeared from Redmi settings and how to get it back

A common problem with Redmi users is the sudden disappearance of Mi Cloud from the menu, which can occur after:

• 🔄 Firmware updates (especially with MIUI 12 on MIUI 13/14).
• 📱 Resetting settings or flashing.
• 🔑 Changes to Mi Account Account.
• 🛠️ Removing system applications through ADB.

Here’s how to bring back the cloud in each case:

Important: If you reset your phone to factory settings and don’t remember the Mi Account data, it won’t be possible to restore access to the cloud. Xiaomi doesn’t provide support for resetting passwords to accounts — just through a linked email or phone number.

How to turn on and configure Mi Cloud on Redmi: step-by-step instructions

If the cloud is disabled or you are setting up Redmi for the first time, follow this instruction.It is suitable for all models, including the Redmi Note 11 Pro, Redmi A2 and POCO X5.

Sign in to your Mi Account account|Connect to Wi-Fi|Check the free space in the cloud|Update the “Security” annex"-->

1. Sign in to Mi Account: Go to Settings → Mi Account Profile and log in to your account. If you don’t have one, sign up (you’ll need an email or phone number).
2. Activate sync: In the Mi Cloud menu, turn on switches opposite to the data you want to reserve (contacts, photos, notes, etc.). Use Wi-Fi only to save traffic.
3. Set up automatic backup: In the Backup section, select Automatically and specify the frequency (e.g. once a week) to protect your data if it is accidentally deleted.
4. Check the space occupied: At the bottom of the Mi Cloud screen, a memory usage chart is displayed. If the space ends, buy an additional volume (prices from 100 rubles / month for 50 GB).

Important: If you use two clouds (Mi Cloud and Google Drive), disable duplicate sync to avoid conflicts. For example, do not reserve contacts at the same time in Mi Cloud and Google Contacts - this can lead to duplicate records.

How to upload files to Redmi Cloud manually

Automatic sync is convenient, but sometimes you have to manually upload specific files, like screenshots, documents or videos.

Method 1: Through a File Manager

1. Open the Files app (or any other manager, such as MiXplorer).
2. Select the files you want (hold your finger on one of them, then mark the rest).
3. Press More. → Download to Mi Cloud.
4. Select the folder to download (by default – Mi Cloud/Downloads).

Method 2: Through the gallery

For photos and videos, it is more convenient to use the built-in gallery:

1. Open the album with the right files.
2. Select and tag the media files.
3. Click on the cloud icon in the lower menu (or more) → Download to Mi Cloud).

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Manually uploaded files are not counted in automatic backups, and in order for them to sync between devices, they need to be placed in the Mi Cloud/Backup folder.

Please note the limitations:

• 🚫 Maximum file size – 2 GB (for video it is better to use compression).
• 📂 Supported formats: JPG, PNG, MP4, DOCX, PDF, ZIP (See the full list in the Mi Cloud Help).
• ⏳ The download speed depends on your Internet connection (4G/5G) Large files can be loaded for hours.

How to Recover Data from the Cloud to the New Redmi

If you bought a new Redmi or reset your old one to factory settings, you can recover data from the Mi Cloud in minutes, and the main thing is to use the same Mi Account as on the previous device.

Step-by-step:

1. Sign in to Mi Account on your new phone. When you first turn on, the system will prompt you to log in. If you missed this step, do it manually through Settings → Profile.
2. Run Recovery: Go to Settings → Memory → Backup → Restore from Mi Cloud. Select the latest backup and click Restore.
3. Select data for recovery: Check the categories you want (contacts, SMS, apps, etc.) to save time, you can restore everything at once, but it will take up more space on the phone.
4. Wait until it's finished: It can take anywhere from 10 minutes to a few hours, depending on the amount of data and the speed of the Internet, and don't interrupt the recovery, otherwise the files may get corrupted.

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If some applications fail after recovery, manually update them via Google Play. Backups save versions of the programs at the time of backup creation, and they may have become obsolete.

What to do if the recovery is suspended?

• 🔄 Restart your phone and try again.
• 📶 Reconnect to Wi-Fi (sometimes the problem is an unstable connection).
• 📱 Check if there is enough space on the phone for the data recovered.

Mi Cloud Frequent Errors and How to Fix Them

Even a reliable service like Mi Cloud has a history of failures, and we've collected some of the most common bugs and ways to fix them.

⚠️ Note: If you see an error “Data failed to sync”, first check whether your antivirus is blocking access to the cloud or not. VPN. Turn them off and try again.

If none of these methods worked, try resetting the Mi Cloud settings:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find Mi Cloud, click Storage → Clear Data.
3. Reboot your phone and log in to your account again.

Warning: Clearing the Mi Cloud data will remove all local sync settings, but will not affect files already uploaded to the cloud.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions about Mi Cloud in Redmi