Where on Android-smartphones Xiaomi stored cloud: analysis of local and network paths

Have you ever wondered where exactly on your smartphone Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO At first glance, it seems that all the data is stored exclusively on remote servers of the company — but this is not quite true. Some information is cached locally, and some files are synchronized in hidden system folders. This article will help you understand the architecture of cloud storage on Xiaomi Android devices, including physical paths, synchronization mechanisms and cache management methods.

It is important to understand that Mi Cloud is not just a virtual disk, but a complex ecosystem integrated into the firmware. MIUI. It includes backups, photos, contacts, notes, and even system settings, with some of the data being duplicated on the device to speed up access, while the other part is left only in the cloud. We will analyze exactly where to look for these files, how they are organized and what can be done if the synchronization is not working properly.

How the Mi Cloud Works: Storage Architecture

Xiaomi’s Mi Cloud consists of two key components:

• 🖥️ Remote servers are the primary storage where data is encrypted and distributed across data centers (most servers are located in China, Singapore, and India).
• 📱 Local cache – temporary files on your smartphone that provide quick access to frequently used data (such as thumbnails of photos or the latest versions of notes).

Local cache is stored in several places:

1. /data/data/com.xiaomi.cloud/files — The main folder with the cloud cache (root rights are required to access the cloud).
2. /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.xiaomi.cloud/cache — cache of photos and documents (available without root).
3. /miui/backup/AllBackup — System backups (created with manual or automatic backup).

Fun fact: Xiaomi uses delta synchronization to save traffic, which means that when you change a file (e.g. edit a note), only the difference between the versions is sent to the cloud, not the entire file, but the local cache can take up a significant amount of space — especially if you are actively using Mi Cloud Drive or Gallery with automatic uploading photos.

Where to look for Mi Cloud files on your phone: paths and hidden folders

If you want to find local copies of files from the cloud, start with these directories. Note that some paths are only available through Root Explorer or Root Explorer. ADB, A part of it is through a standard file manager. MIUI.

⚠️ Attention: Delete files from folders /data/data/... without root rights can cause Mi Cloud to malfunction. If you need to vacate space, use the official method: go to Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Clear the cache.

To view hidden folders (such as.nomedia) in a standard file manager MIUI:

1. Open Files (application from Xiaomi).
2. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner → Settings.
3. Activate the option to show hidden files.

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If you can't see the folder miui/backup, Try to back up manually through Settings → The phone. → Backup. After that, the folder will appear in the root directory.

How to sync data between the phone and the cloud

The synchronization process in Mi Cloud depends on the type of data.

• 📷 Photos: uploaded to the cloud in original resolution (if you have the option to download in original quality in the Gallery). Local copies remain on the phone, but their thumbnails are cached in the gallery. /Pictures/.nomedia.
• 📝 Contacts and notes: synced in real time as the change occurs. Local copies are stored in the com.android.contacts and com.miui.notes application databases.
• 🔄 Backups: created on schedule or manually. Full backups (including system settings) are stored only in the cloud, but can be downloaded back as a.mbk archive.

Synchronization works according to the following algorithm:

1. When you change a file (for example, adding a photo) MIUI Sends a notification to Mi Cloud.
2. The service checks whether synchronization is enabled for this type of data (in Settings). → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud).
3. If the synchronization is active, the file is encrypted and sent to the server, and a local copy is created in the cache.
4. The next time you connect to the Internet (if synchronization is delayed), the data is sent to the server.

🔹 Important nuance: If you delete a file from the Gallery on your phone, it will also be deleted from the cloud (if you have the option to Sync Delete). However, files deleted more than 30 days ago cannot be restored - they are irretrievably erased from Xiaomi servers.

Is Wi-Fi or mobile internet enabled?

Activated synchronization in Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud?

Is there enough space in the cloud storage?

Is the Mi Cloud app updated to the latest version?-->

How to Free Up Space Occupied by Mi Cloud Cache

The local cache of Mi Cloud can take from several megabytes to gigabytes — especially if you are actively using a cloud drive or automatic photo uploading.

Method 1: Through the Mi Cloud settings

1. Open your Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner → Clear the cache.
3. Confirm action. This will delete all temporary files, but it won't affect the data in the cloud.

Method 2: Manually cleansing through file manager

If the first method did not help, try to manually remove the cache:

1. Open the files and go to /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.xiaomi.cloud/cache.
2. Delete all files in this folder (they will be restored the next time you access the cloud).
3. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Note: Do not delete files from /data/data/com.xiaomi.cloud This can cause Mi Cloud to malfunction and lose sync access. If the cache takes up too much space, use the official cleaning method.

Method 3: Turning off automatic synchronization

If you don’t need constant synchronization:

1. Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Turn off switches next to unnecessary data types (such as Gallery or Notes).
3. In the Sync Settings section, select Only over Wi-Fi to reduce traffic consumption.

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Cache cleaning doesn't delete files from the cloud - only local copies.The data on Xiaomi servers remains intact.

What to do if files from the cloud are not displayed on your phone

If you uploaded files to Mi Cloud Drive but they don’t appear on your phone, check out the following:

Problem 1: No Internet connection

Mi Cloud requires a stable connection to sync. If you're using mobile Internet,

• 📶 Make sure Mobile Traffic for the Mi Cloud application is enabled (in Settings) → Annexes → Application management → Mi Cloud → Mobile data).
• 🔄 Try switching to Wi-Fi or vice versa.

Problem 2: Synchronization failure

Sometimes the synchronization freezes, so you can force the data to update.

1. Open the Mi Cloud app.
2. Pull the screen down (pull-to-refresh gesture) for forced synchronization.
3. If it doesn’t help, go to Settings. → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud and click Sync Now.

Problem 3: Not enough space in the cloud

Xiaomi only provides 5GB for free.If the seat is over,

• 🗑️ Delete unnecessary files via i.mi.com.
• 💳 Buy an extra seat (prices start at 100 rubles for 50 GB per month).
• 🔄 Enable Autoclean in Mi Cloud settings (deletes old backups automatically).

⚠️ Note: If files are not displayed even after synchronization, check if they are hidden by the system. For example, photos from Mi Cloud may not be shown in the Gallery if you are not able to use the file:

• They are labeled as.nomedia (hidden from the multimedia scanner).
• You are using a third-party file manager that does not support cloud integrations.

Data Security in Mi Cloud: Encryption and Protection

Xiaomi claims that all data in the Mi Cloud is encrypted according to the standard AES-256 — And there's a few nuances to the same thing that banks and government agencies use:

How your data is protected

• 🔐 Encryption during transmission: All data is transmitted via protocol HTTPS coded TLS 1.2+.
• 🛡️ Encryption on the server: Files are stored in encrypted form, but the encryption keys are managed by Xiaomi (meaning the company can theoretically access your data).
• 📱 Local protection: The cache on the phone is not encrypted – it can be read through Root Explorer or Root Explorer ADB.

How to improve security

If you store sensitive information in Mi Cloud:

1. Use two-factor authentication for your Xiaomi account (included in Settings) → Xiaomi account → Security).
2. Don't store passwords, document scans or other critical data in the cloud, but use specialized services like the one you need to use. 1Password KeePass.
3. Check your active sessions regularly with your Xiaomi account (at account.xiaomi.com).

🔹 Important: If you sell or transfer your Xiaomi smartphone, be sure to:

1. Log out of Xiaomi account in Settings → Xiaomi account.
2. Make a reset to factory settings (Settings → About Phone → Resetting).
3. Delete all data from the Mi Cloud via the web version if the phone is no longer yours.

⚠️ Note: After resetting, the local Mi Cloud cache will be deleted, but the files on the servers will remain. If the new owner logs into your account (for example, if you forgot to log out), he will have access to all your data!

Mi Cloud Alternatives: When to Use Other Services

Although the Mi Cloud is conveniently integrated into the MIUI, He has limitations:

• ❌ Only 5GB is free (for comparison, Google Drive gives 15GB).
• ❌ No PC version (you can only use it via web interface).
• ❌ The servers are located mainly in Asia, which can slow down loads in some regions.

If you need additional features, consider alternatives:

If you decide to switch to another service, don’t forget:

1. Download all important files from Mi Cloud (via web version or app).
2. Turn off automatic synchronization in Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud.
3. Remove unnecessary data from the cloud to make room.

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Mi Cloud is optimal for backups and basic synchronization, but it is better to use Google Drive or Yandex Drive for storing large amounts of data.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Mi Cloud on Xiaomi