Mi Cloud on Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus: where to find and how to use the cloud

Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus is one of the brand’s most popular smartphones, released in 2017, but still in active use. Despite the age of the device, the functionality of the Mi Cloud (cloud storage from Xiaomi) remains relevant for backing up contacts, photos and notes. However, many owners of Redmi 5 Plus face the problem: where exactly does the phone’s menu hide the entrance to the cloud, especially after resetting or updating the firmware?

In this article, we will not only show the exact path to Mi Cloud in the MIUI interface, but also analyze the nuances of authorization, data recovery and typical errors that can occur on an aging device. We will pay special attention to the differences between firmware versions, because over 6+ years of support, Redmi 5 Plus managed to get several large updates, each of which made changes to the layout of functions.

Why Mi Cloud can be hidden in the Redmi 5 Plus menu

On the Redmi 5 Plus with the factory-built MIUI 9/10 firmware, the Mi Cloud has traditionally been on the main settings menu. However, after upgrading to MIUI 11/12 (if installed), the path may have changed - Xiaomi periodically moves menu items as part of "interface optimization." In addition, on devices with custom firmware (such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience), the cloud service can be completely disabled or replaced with Google Drive.

Another reason you don't find Mi Cloud is because you don't have a linked Mi Account. Without authorization in the Xiaomi ecosystem, the relevant section just doesn't show up in the settings. This is a typical situation after you reset to factory settings or buy a used phone.

• 🔄 Firmware version: B MIUI 9 and MIUI 10 way one, in MIUI 11+ — other.
• 🔐 No account: No cloud section visible without Mi Account link.
• 🛠️ Custom firmware: In unofficial builds, Xiaomi services can be removed.
• 📱 Regional restrictions: On some versions MIUI Europe's cloud is off by default.

If you upgraded your firmware through Fastboot or installed modified versions, chances are that Mi Cloud services have been removed as "extra Bloatware", in which case you can only restore access through full flashing to the official MIUI.

The official path to Mi Cloud in MIUI 9/10/11

On Redmi 5 Plus, with the original firmware, Mi Cloud is located along the following route:

1. Open the Settings app (the gear icon on the desktop).
2. Scroll down to the Mi Account section (in some versions – Accounts and Sync).
3. Slip on the Mi Cloud line (cloud with the Xiaomi logo).

If you have MIUI 11 or 12, the path may be different.

1. Settings → Passport (the icon of the person in the upper right corner).
2. Mi Cloud is on the list of services.

In some regional firmware versions (e.g. EU), the Mi Cloud section may be called Cloud and Sync or hidden under the option Additional in the account menu.

⚠️ Note: If you see a notification after you sign in to Mi Cloud, “Service is not available in your region”, this means that your account is tied to a country where Xiaomi has restricted access to the cloud (for example, some European regions.

Authorization in Mi Cloud: step-by-step instructions

If you are trying to log in to Mi Cloud on Redmi 5 Plus for the first time, you will need to log in via Mi Account.

1. Go to Settings → Mi Account (or Passport in new versions).
2. Click Login and enter the email/phone linked to your Xiaomi account.
3. Enter your password and confirm your login via SMS or email (if two-factor authentication is enabled).
4. Once you have successfully logged in, go back to the Mi Cloud section – now it should be available.

If you have forgotten the login details, you can restore access through the official website account.xiaomi.com. Please note that for recovery you may need access to the email or phone number specified during registration.

• 📧 Recovery via email: The link to reset the password will come to the mail.
• 📱 Recovery through SMS: The confirmation code is sent to the linked number.
• 🔑 Two-factor authentication: If enabled, code from the authenticator application will be required.
• 🚫 Account Block: After 5 failed attempts, the login will be blocked for 24 hours.

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If you see an error when logging in, “I couldn’t connect to the server,” check the date and time on the phone – incorrect settings can block access to Xiaomi servers.

On Redmi 5 Plus with outdated firmware, there is sometimes a problem when, after entering the username and password, the system issues an error "Incorrect account or password", despite the correct data, in which case it will help:

1. Clean the cache of the Settings app (Settings → Applications → Application Management → Settings → Clear the cache).
2. Phone reboot.
3. Using mobile internet instead of Wi-Fi (sometimes helps with IP blocking).

How to enable data synchronization in Mi Cloud

Once you're successfully logged in to Mi Cloud, you need to set up synchronization for the data you want, and by default, the cloud can be turned off to save traffic or battery, and to activate backups:

1. Open the Settings. → Mi Cloud.
2. Activate the Synchronization slider at the top of the screen.
3. Select data types for backup: 📇 Contacts 📅 Calendar 📝 Notes 📷 Gallery (photos and videos) 🔖 Browser bookmarks 🎵 Call records (if the function is supported)

Synchronize

Note that photos and videos take up the most space in the cloud. Xiaomi provides 5GB of free storage by default, but this will only last for ~1000 high-resolution photos.

• 💳 Buy an additional seat (from the 50 GB for ~$2/month).
• 🗑️ Clean unnecessary files manually through the web version of i.mi.com.
• 🔄 Enable photo compression when downloading (Settings) → Mi Cloud → Photo quality).

⚠️ Note: Redmi 5 Plus with older firmware MIUI 10 synchronization SMS And the call history can be unstable. Xiaomi has limited this feature to devices with outdated software. MIUI.

Recovery of data from Mi Cloud on Redmi 5 Plus

If you reset your phone to factory settings or bought a used Redmi 5 Plus, you can recover data from the Mi Cloud in two ways:

Method 1: During the initial setup

1. When you first turn on your phone, select the language and region.
2. In the "Data Recovery" step, tap Restore from Mi Cloud.
3. Enter your Mi Account details.
4. Select a backup (if there are several) and confirm the recovery.

Method 2: Through settings after setting up the phone

1. Open the Settings. → Mi Cloud.
2. Slip on the item Data Recovery.
3. Select a backup and confirm the recovery.

It is important to keep in mind that full recovery (including apps and their data) is possible only when the phone is turned on for the first time.

• 📇 Contacts
• 📅 Calendar
• 📝 Notes
• 🔖 Browser bookmarks

Photos and videos will have to be downloaded manually via i.mi.com or the Gallery app (Mi Cloud section).

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Recovery from Mi Cloud only works if the backup was created on the same device or model with the same firmware.

Mi Cloud Errors on Redmi 5 Plus and Their Solutions

On the aging Redmi 5 Plus, users often experience sync errors, and consider the most common problems and ways to fix them:

If none of the solutions worked, try:

1. Delete your Mi Account and add it again.
2. Reset network settings (Settings) → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings).
3. Clear the cache and data of the Mi Cloud application.

⚠️ Note: Redmi 5 Plus with older firmware MIUI 10 may not work synchronizing applications and their data (for example, WhatsApp messages or game settings). This is Xiaomi's restriction for legacy devices. → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

Mi Cloud Alternatives for Redmi 5 Plus

If Mi Cloud is unstable or you don’t have enough free space, consider alternative cloud services:

• ☁️ Google Drive: 15 GB free, Android integration, automatic photo sync via Google Photos.
• 🍎 iCloud: Suitable if you have Apple devices (5GB for free).
• 📦 Yandex Disk: 10 GB free, convenient for users from Russia.
• 🌐 Dropbox: 2GB free, but there are bonuses for inviting friends.
• 🔗 Syncthing: Free of charge P2P-Synchronize between devices without the cloud.

You can use the following to automatically back up Redmi 5 Plus:

• 📱 Swift Backup (requires root) – to copy applications and their data.
• 📂 FolderSync – to synchronize folders with any cloud.
• 🔄 Automate – to create automatic backup tasks.

If you choose Google Drive, be sure to turn off Mi Cloud sync to avoid data duplication and battery load.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Mi Cloud on Redmi 5 Plus