Modern smartphones like Xiaomi Redmi 9 are using cloud technology to save data, but overflowing virtual space is often a problem. When the free 5GB limit is exhausted, the system stops syncing new images, and notifications about space shortages begin to annoy. Understanding how to properly manage files in the Mi Cloud, it is necessary for every owner of a device based on MIUI.
In this article, we will take a look at all the available methods for cleaning up storage, from manually deleting photos to setting up automatic syncs. You will learn to distinguish local copies from cloud ones and safely remove unnecessary debris without risking losing important documents or contacts. Competent data organization extends the life of your account and speeds up the operation of services.
Before we start taking radical action, it's important to understand the structure of the space that we're taking, and users often don't even realize that the bulk of the data is being taken up by old system backups or duplicate images in the "Recently Deleted" folder.
Analysis of the occupancy of the Mi Cloud storage
The first step to vacating space is to make a detailed diagnosis of the current status of your account, log into your phone's settings and go to the Mi Account section, which displays the overall gigabyte usage statistics, and clearly shows which categories of data occupy the most space: photos, voice recordings, or app backups.
It often turns out that automatic synchronization has been enabled for all galleries, including screenshots and images uploaded from instant messengers. Redmi 9 owners may encounter a situation where the cloud is clogged with low-quality videos that are of no value. Data visualization helps to quickly identify heavyweights.
And look at the Storage Management section, which provides a breakdown by file type, and you can see not only the volume, but also the date of the last change, and you can find forgotten archives that were uploaded a few years ago that you don't need anymore.
⚠️ Before mass deletion, make sure that important files are copied to a computer or external hard drive. Deletion from the cloud can cause them to disappear from all synchronized devices.
After analyzing, you can make a plan of action. If you're taking most of the photos, you should consider compressing them or transferring them to another medium. System files and contacts are usually minimal, but backing them up is critical to data security.
Delete photos and videos through the Gallery
The most voluminous content in Xiaomi's cloud is traditionally media files. To start cleaning, open the Gallery app and go to the Albums tab. Here you need to find the Cloud Photos album or the cloud icon that indicates the server-synced images, and that's where your data is stored in the Mi Cloud.
The removal process can be optimized using multiple element selection mode. Hold your finger in one photo and then swipe across the screen or use the "Select All" button to reach large groups. After highlighting the unnecessary frames, click the delete button. The system will offer two options: delete only from the phone or delete everywhere.
It is critical to choose the option “Delete everywhere” if your goal is to free up space in the cloud. When choosing the option “Device only”, files will remain on the server and continue to take up precious gigabytes. For Redmi 9 with its screen, this process is visually convenient.
☑️ Photo cleaning algorithm
Remember to check the folder "Recently deleted." In MIUI, deleted files are stored there for another 30 days, continuing to occupy space in the cloud quota, and cleaning this basket is the final touch that will instantly return free space.
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Use the “Clear Memory” feature in the Security app to quickly find duplicate photos that can also sync to the cloud.
Managing backup copies and application data
In addition to media files, a significant portion of the space can be consumed by system backups and application data. In the Xiaomi Redmi 9 settings, go to Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Storage Management → Backups. Here you can see lists of saved system states.
Old backups created when you switch from your previous smartphone or after a failed update are often unnecessary. You can choose a specific date for making a copy and delete it. This action will not affect the current data on the phone, but will make room for the archives of the past. Backup should be relevant.
Also worth checking is the sync settings for specific applications, such as a voice recorder that can automatically upload all records to the cloud, which quickly exhausts the limit, and disable sync for rarely used programs or those whose data is stored locally.
| Type of data | Impact on memory | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Photos and videos | High (main volume) | Regular cleaning and removal of duplicates |
| Backup copies | Medium/High | Only leave the latest version. |
| Contact/SMS | Low (text data) | Always keep it, it takes up little space. |
| Recorder recordings | Medium (depending on length) | Turn off autosynchronization |
Removing old system restore points is a safe operation if your phone is stable.However, if you plan to reset settings, make sure that a fresh copy is saved before cleaning old archives.
⚠️ Note: Deleting the app backup won’t remove the app itself from the phone, but you’ll lose the ability to restore its settings from that particular save point.
Cleaning through the web interface i.mi.com
For deeper and more detailed work with files, it is more convenient to use a computer. The web version of the Xiaomi cloud service is available at i.mi.com. Sign in using the same Mi Account as on the Redmi 9 smartphone. The web version interface allows you to quickly allocate large groups of files with your mouse.
The web interface has a size and date sorting feature, which is extremely useful for finding heavy videos that may have been lost in the general mass. You can view files in full resolution and make an informed decision about deletion, especially when the phone screen does not allow you to evaluate details.
You can also manage contacts and notes here, and if you have thousands of duplicate contacts in the cloud, the web interface often offers tools to combine or delete them, which is hard to do with a finger on a smartphone screen.
What to do if the web interface is not loaded?
After you do your computer work, the changes will instantly affect your phone when you have an Internet connection, a convenient way to do the “cleanup” by sitting at a large monitor rather than poking at your smartphone screen.
Synchronization settings to save space
To prevent overflow from returning in a month, you need to configure sync settings correctly. In the Settings menu → Mi Account → Mi Cloud, you can flexibly manage what exactly goes into the cloud. Disconnecting sync for heavy video formats is the first step to saving.
It is recommended to leave sync on only for critical data: contacts, messages, notes and calendar. For photos, you can use selective synchronization or periodically clean the cloud by transferring the photo to your computer. Xiaomi allows you to flexibly adjust these settings.
Also worth paying attention to is the Wi-Fi Only setting. If it's turned off, the phone may try to upload large videos to the cloud via the mobile network, which not only consumes traffic, but can also lead to synchronization errors and process freezes. Stable Wi-Fi is preferred.
Regularly reviewing settings after updating the firmware is a good habit.Newer versions of MIUI can reset some settings or add new synchronization features that are turned on by default and begin to consume space.
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Optimizing sync settings prevents digital debris from accumulating and saves space in the cloud on a long-term basis.
Alternative solutions and memory expansion
If cleaning doesn’t help and 5GB is flatly short, it’s worth considering alternative storage options.The Xiaomi Redmi 9 supports microSD cards that can be used to store photos and videos, eliminating them from cloud sync.
You can also use third-party cloud services like Google Photos, Yandex.Disk or Dropbox, many of which offer unlimited compressed-quality photo storage or large amounts of memory for free.
Paid subscriptions to Mi Cloud are another option: Xiaomi offers increased-volume rates (50GB, 200GB) that are inexpensive. For users of the Xiaomi ecosystem, this can be more convenient than managing many different accounts.
⚠️ Note: When using third-party clouds, make sure you turn off syncing the same folders in Mi Cloud so you don’t upload the same files twice to different services.
The combination of methods -- using a memory card for archives, the cloud for important documents, and cleaning regularly -- is the best thing to do, and you don't have to rely on just one data storage source.