Cleaning up Xiaomi’s Cloud Storage: A Complete 2026 Guide

Why Xiaomi Cloud is Filling and How to Fix It

Xiaomi’s Mi Cloud cloud storage is a handy tool for syncing data between devices, but it’s limited. Even 5GB of free space (the standard for new accounts) can quickly fill up due to automatic backups, original resolution photos or app cache. The main problem is that users often don’t notice which files are taking up space until they receive a notification about a memory shortage.

In this article, we will discuss all the ways to clean up Mi Cloud: from manually removing unnecessary data to optimizing synchronization settings, compare pricing plans and tell you how to avoid losing important files when vacating space. The instructions are relevant for Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO and tablets on MIUI 12-14.

Before you start cleaning, check what data is stored in the cloud. You may be syncing unnecessary backups or duplicate photos. Deleting files from Mi Cloud does not affect their local copies on the device - this is a key difference from cleaning the internal memory of a smartphone.

Method 1: Delete files via the web version of Mi Cloud

The most reliable method is to clean up through the official website i.mi.com, which works even if the smartphone is lost or broken, and access to the Xiaomi account is saved.

How to delete files:

• 🌐 Go to i.mi.com and log in.
• 📁 Select the Cloud section → Files (or Gallery, Notes, Contacts, if you need to clear other data).
• 🗑️ Tick unneeded files and click Delete. For mass deletion, use sorting by date or size.
• 🔄 Clean the Recycle Bin - files are stored for 30 days and continue to take up space.

⚠️ Note: When removing backups (Settings) → Backups) you will lose the ability to recover data on a new device.We recommend saving important copies on your PC beforehand.

Screenshots folder (usually duplicated in the gallery)

Backup copies of old devices

Application cache (section "Other files")

Files from "Downloads" older than 6 months

Duplicate photos (use sorting by name)

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Method 2: Cleaning through the Cloud app on your smartphone

If you have a Xiaomi smartphone on hand, it’s easier to delete files through the standard Mi Cloud app (or the Cloud in newer versions of MIUI), which is faster than the web version, but less functional – for example, you can’t allocate files en masse.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the Cloud app (white cloud icon on a blue background).
2. Go to the Files or Gallery section.
3. Press and hold the file to highlight, then mark the rest.
4. Slip on the basket icon at the bottom of the screen and confirm the removal.

To clean the cache and temporary files:

1. Open Settings → Memory → Cleaning.
2. Select the Cloud tab.
3. Click Clear Cache (this will delete the temporary data of applications synced to the cloud).

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To speed up up uploading files to the cloud before cleaning, connect to Wi-Fi and turn off background restriction for the Mi Cloud app in battery settings.

Method 3: Turning off automatic synchronization

A common cause of cloud overflow is the automatic upload of photos, videos and backups, and by turning off unnecessary sync, you prevent the memory from filling up.

How to manage synchronization:

• 📱 Go to Settings. → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud.
• 🔄 Disable sliders next to unnecessary sections: Gallery – automatic photo/video download; Notes – synchronization of notes from the Notes app; Sound recordings – backups of dictaphone records; Backups – automatic backups of the system.
• 📊 For photos, click Gallery Settings and select Download only over Wi-Fi or Turn off autoboot.

⚠️ Warning: Disabling contact sync (Contacts) will cause communication loss between the phone book on the device and the cloud. Before doing so, export the contacts to the.vcf file via Contacts → Settings → Imports/Exports.

Once a month

Six months

Only when the place ends.

Never cleaned.

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Method 4: Delete old backup copies

Backups take up the lion's share of space in the Mi Cloud, especially if you change your smartphones frequently or reset settings. One full copy of the system can weigh 1-3GB, and old backups accumulate for years.

How to remove unnecessary backup copies:

1. Open i.mi.com → Cloud → Backups
2. Look at the device list and the date of the copy creation. Old backups are marked in gray.
3. Click on the unnecessary copy → Delete → confirm.

To make the new backups take up less space:

• 📱 Before creating a copy, clear the application cache (Settings) → Memory. → Cleanup).
• 🚫 Eliminate large files from the backup: go to Settings → Additionally. → Backup and uncheck the App or Multimedia.

Method 5: Optimize storage with third-party applications

If manually clearing the cloud is inconvenient, you can use third-party tools, such as the Files by Google app or Mi File Manager, which can analyze occupied space and suggest files for removal.

How to Clean the Cloud with Mi File Manager

1. Open the Files app (yellow folder icon).
2. Go to the Cloud tab (may be called Mi Cloud).
3. Click Memory Analysis → wait for the scan to be completed.
4. The app will show the categories of files that occupy the most space (for example, Videos, APKs, Documents).
5. Select the unnecessary files and delete them.

⚠️ Note: Some applications (such as Clean Master) promise to “optimize the cloud” but only clear local cache.

Mi Cloud fares comparison: what to choose in 2026

If even after clearing up space is constantly running out, it's worth considering paid rates.com offers flexible options for vault expansion, including lifetime subscriptions.

Current prices (June 2026):

✅ Tip: If you need to temporarily vacate space (for example, for a backup before selling your phone), arrange a monthly subscription for 200 GB. After completing operations, it can be canceled in Settings. → Mi Cloud → Subscription management.

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Lifetime subscription for 200 GB (3,500) ₽) It pays off in 2-3 years compared to monthly payments, and is the best option for users who actively use the cloud for photos and backups.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When cleaning up Mi Cloud, users often make mistakes that lead to data loss or refilling, and let's take a look at some of the most common ones.

Error 1: Delete files without checking local copies

Many people think that files in the cloud are duplicated on a device, but that's not always the case. For example, photos taken in HEIF or RAW mode can only be stored in the cloud.

• 🔍 Check the folder. DCIM/Camera smartphone.
• 💾 Make a backup on your PC or external drive.

Mistake 2: Disabling Contact Synchronization Without Export

Contacts from Mi Cloud are not saved in the SIM-If you turn them off, you will lose access to the phone book when you reset or replace your device. Always export your contacts to.vcf before changing your settings.

Mistake 3: Ignoring the basket

The deleted files go into the bin and they continue to take up space for 30 days, and many people forget to clean it, to make space available at once.

1. Go to i.mi.com → Basket.
2. Press Clear the basket.

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If you accidentally delete an important file, check the Recycle Bin within 30 days. To recover, click on the file → Restore.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions