How to Clean Up Xiaomi 8 Pro Cloud Storage Completely: 5 Ways to Work

The Mi Cloud cloud storage on the Xiaomi 8 Pro is a handy tool for syncing photos, contacts and backups, but it is limited. Even 5 GB of free space (or 100 GB by subscription) runs out sooner or later, and the system begins to issue notifications about space shortages. Unlike the local memory of a smartphone, cleaning the cloud requires a different approach: you can not just delete files through the file manager.

Compounding the problem, Xiaomi automatically saves not only media files, but also system logs, application settings, and message backups to the cloud. Many users are faced with a situation where the cloud is full of unnecessary data but do not know how to safely delete it. This article will help you understand which files can be safely cleaned and which ones are better transferred to another medium before deleting.

Why is the Xiaomi 8 Pro cloud filling up fast?

The main reason for overflowing Mi Cloud is automatic synchronization without user control. By default, Xiaomi 8 Pro saves to the cloud:

• 📷 Original resolution photos and videos (including screenshots and screen recordings).
• 📱 Backup copies of applications, SMS and call logs (created when changing firmware or resetting settings).
• 📄 Documents and downloads from the built-in file manager (if the option "Sync File" is enabled").
• 🔄 System logs and device performance data (used for diagnostics, but rarely needed by the user).

Another common scenario is file duplication, for example, if you manually upload photos to Google Photos and then enable sync with Mi Cloud, the same images can be stored on both services, and many people do not realize that firmware updates through OTA sometimes create temporary backups in the cloud that are not deleted automatically.

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

The most reliable way to clean up is to use the official Mi Cloud web interface, which allows you to manage files from a computer where it is easier to sort and choose what to delete.

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in with the same Mi Account as the Xiaomi 8 Pro.
2. In the menu on the left, select the Devices section → [Your Xiaomi 8 Pro] → Warehouse.
3. You'll see a visualization of the occupied space. Click on a category (e.g., "Photos" or "Documents").
4. Tick unneeded files and click Delete (basket icon).

Important: Deleted files go to the Recycle Bin, where they are stored for 30 days. To make room immediately, after cleaning, go to the Recycle Bin and click Clear the Recycle Bin.

Unsuccessful photos and screenshots |Old backups (over 6 months) | System logs and error reports |Duplicates of files (e.g., copies of documents)

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⚠️ Note: If you use Mi Cloud to sync contacts or notes, do not delete the entire Contacts or Notes category, which will result in data loss on all connected devices.

Method 2: Cleaning through the application "Cloud" on a smartphone

If you don’t have access to your computer, you can manage storage with Xiaomi 8 Pro:

1. Open the Cloud app (an icon with a cloud on a white background).
2. Go to the Warehouse tab (the chart icon in the bottom menu).
3. Click on the category (such as "Photos" or "Video") and select files to delete.
4. For mass removal, click Select → Mark Everything → Delete.

There's a limitation in the mobile version: you can't sort files by date or size as conveniently as the web version, but there's a Storage Optimization feature (on the menu). ⋮ → Settings → Optimization that automatically finds:

• 🗑️ Large files (video) > 100MB).
• 📅 Old files (not opened for more than a year).
• 🔄 Duplicate (photos with the same content).

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Before mass deletion, enable file size display: in the web version, click on the sort icon (↕) and select "Size by Size" so you can quickly find the heaviest files.

Method 3: Turning off automatic synchronization

If the cloud fills up too quickly, the problem may be background sync. By default, the Xiaomi 8 Pro automatically loads into the Mi Cloud:

• 📸 All new photos and videos (if Settings are enabled) → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Synchronization of photos).
• 📱 Backups of applications (if included in Settings) → Additionally. → Backup).
• 📞 Call logs and SMS (In Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Synchronization).

To stop the cloud from filling automatically:

1. Go to Settings. → Mi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Turn off sliders opposite: Photo sync Automatic backup Note sync (if not used)

Synchronization of contacts

⚠️ Note: Disabling photo sync does not delete files that have already been downloaded, it only stops new ones from loading. To make room, you will have to manually delete old data (see Method 1 or 2).

Method 4: Delete old backup copies

Backup is one of the main space eaters in the Mi Cloud. Every time you reset, update your firmware or manually create a backup, the Xiaomi 8 Pro saves a full copy of the system that can weigh 1-3 GB.

Critical information: If you plan to sell or dump the Xiaomi 8 Pro, first save the latest backup to your computer.After resetting, all backups to the Mi Cloud associated with that device can be deleted automatically.

Method 5: Transfer files to another cloud or PC

If Mi Cloud has important data that you don’t want to lose, but it takes up too much space, move it to another storage, for example:

• 🖥️ Download files via the web version of Mi Cloud (download button next to each file).
• ☁️ Google Drive./OneDrive: Use these services to download files directly from your smartphone.
• 💾 On the external drive: Connect the flash drive through OTG-Adapter and copy files through the file manager.

For mass transfer of photos, it is convenient to use Google Photos:

1. Install the Google Photos app from the Play Market.
2. In the settings, enable Backup and Synchronization.
3. Wait for all photos to be uploaded, then delete them from the Mi Cloud.

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Moving files to another cloud does not automatically free up space in Mi Cloud – after copying, you need to manually remove the originals from Xiaomi’s storage.

What to do if the cloud is still full?

If, after all the manipulations, the Mi Cloud still shows 90-100% of the space occupied, check:

1. Hidden files: In the web version, go to All files and sort them by size. Sometimes there are temporary files from applications (for example, TikTok cache or Telegram).
2. Sync errors: Go to Settings → Mi → Mi Cloud → Sync and click Sync Now. Sometimes the system freezes when you upload files and they take up space but don't appear in the list.
3. Cloud Cash: In the Cloud mobile app, go to Profile → Settings → Clear cache.

If the problem is not solved, try restarting sync:

1. Turn off Mi Cloud in your account settings.
2. Delete the Cloud application data (Settings → Applications → Application Management → Cloud → Storage → Clear Data).
3. Reboot your phone and turn on sync again.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning up Mi Cloud