Cleaning up Xiaomi Cloud Storage on Redmi Note 8 Pro: The Complete Guide

Why Xiaomi Cloud is Filling and How to Fix It

The Mi Cloud cloud storage on the Redmi Note 8 Pro is a handy tool for backing up photos, contacts and notes, but it is limited. Even 5 GB of free space (the standard for new accounts) can quickly run out due to automatic synchronization of media, system application logs and duplicate backups. The main problem is that users often do not notice how background processes upload unnecessary data to the cloud: screenshots, temporary.thumbnails files, messenger cache or outdated versions of documents.

On the Redmi Note 8 Pro, the situation is exacerbated by the feature of MIUI firmware: by default, the system stores not only user files, but also application data (for example, recordings from a voice recorder or call history) in the Mi Cloud. Without regular cleaning, this leads to errors such as “Not enough space in the cloud” or “Sync is suspended.” In this article, we will discuss how to free up space in the Xiaomi cloud without losing important data, including hidden methods for experienced users.

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, and you can see the full storage structure, as opposed to the mobile app, where some folders are hidden.

1. Sign in to the site under the same Xiaomi account as on your smartphone.
2. Go to the Storage Management section → Files.
3. Sort files by size (click on the column "Size").

Pay attention to the following types of data that most often take up space:

• 📸 Photos and video in original resolution (especially from the Redmi Note 8 Pro 64 MP camera).
• 📄 Backup copies of applications (folder) Miui/Backup), game-related.
• 🗑️ Cache and temporary files (Tem or.Trash folders).
• 🎵 Audio files from voice messages or voice recorder recordings.

For mass removal:

1. Check the boxes for unnecessary files.
2. Press Delete. → Confirm.
3. Clean the Recycle Bin (files are stored there for 30 days and take up space!).

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Before deleting, check the Miui/Gallery/Cloud folder – duplicate photos already saved on the device can be stored here.

Method 2: Cleaning through the Cloud app on your smartphone

If the web version is not available, use the built-in Cloud app on the Redmi Note 8 Pro. Its interface is less functional, but allows you to quickly delete fresh files:

1. Open the Cloud app (white cloud icon on a blue background).
2. Go to the Files tab.
3. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner → Storage management.

Here you can see the categories of data that you're using, and you can focus on this.

• 📁 Backups – Remove old versions (e.g., 2021 copies if they are not up to date).
• 📱 Application data – cached files from Mi Video, Mi Music or WPS Office.
• 🔄 Synchronized notes and calendars – often duplicated with a Google account.

To delete the backup copy:

1. Select backup copies of devices.
2. Put it on an unnecessary copy. → Delete.
3. Confirm the action with a password of the Xiaomi account.

Method 3: Turning off automatic synchronization

By default, MIUI on Redmi Note 8 Pro syncs with the cloud to almost everything from contacts to browser history to stop the storage from filling up with garbage:

1. Go to Settings → Accounts → Mi Account.
2. Select Synchronization.
3. Turn off switches in front of unnecessary categories: 📇 Contacts (if you use Google Contacts). 📅 Calendar (duplicates events from other accounts). 📝 Notes (if you do not use Mi Notes). 🎮 Game data (takes up a lot of space due to saves).

Important: disabling your contacts sync will result in them being deleted from your device unless they are duplicated in your Google account. Before changing your settings, export the contacts to.vcf:

1. Open the Contacts app.
2. Tap on three points → Contact Management → Import / Export → Export to file.

Export contacts to file | Download important notes to your device | Check backups in Google Drive | Turn off autoload photos in Mi Gallery-->

Method 4: Cleaning the Cloud App Cache

Xiaomi apps integrated with Mi Cloud (such as Mi Gallery, Mi Video or Mi Browser) create a local cache that syncs to the cloud to remove this debris:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find and open: Gallery (Mi Gallery) Video (Mi Video) Browser (Mi Browser)

Warehouse → Clear the cache

Clear the data

For deep cleaning, use Safe Mode:

1. Turn off your smartphone.
2. Press the power button until the Redmi logo appears.
3. Hold the volume button until the Safe Mode sign appears at the bottom of the screen.
4. In this mode, remove the cache of system applications (they will not restart automatically).

To find and remove duplicates:

1. In the web version of Mi Cloud go to Gallery → Albums → All photos.
2. Sort by date (new first or old first).
3. Look for groups of identical photos (e.g. selfies a few seconds apart).
4. Remove the extras by leaving the best option.

To optimize storage:

• 📉 Compress the photo before uploading (use applications like Photo Compressor).
• 🗃️ Archive old photos in ZIP Store it on Google Drive (15 GB free of charge).
• 🚫 Turn off autoboot in Gallery Settings → Cloud. → Autoboot.

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Optimizing your photo is the most efficient way to free up space, for example, 100 photos at 64 MP take ~1.5 GB, and after compressing to 12 MP, only ~300 MB.

Method 6: Resetting cloud storage (last resort)

If previous methods didn’t work and there are files that are not deleted in the cloud (for example, corrupted backups), perform a full storage reset.

Instructions:

1. Go to the Mi Account website.
2. Log in and select Account Management → Cloud Storage.
3. Scroll down and click Reset Storage.
4. Enter the password and confirmation code (will come to the attached email/phone).

⚠️ Warning: After reset, all files, including contacts, notes and backups, will be permanently deleted. → Mi Account. → Data export (not available in all regions).

The alternative to resetting is to create a new Xiaomi account:

1. Register a new account on the Xiaomi website.
2. On your smartphone, go to Settings → Accounts → Add an account.
3. Select Mi Account and log in under new data.
4. Transfer important data manually (contacts via.vcf, photo through) USB-cable).

Solving Common Errors in Cloud Cleanup

When you work with Mi Cloud on Redmi Note 8 Pro, users face typical problems.

If the error persists, try:

• 🔄 Update the firmware (Settings) → The phone. → Updating the system).
• 📱 Reset network settings (Settings) → Wi-Fi → Additionally. → Resetting the network).
• 🛠️ Clear the data of the Cloud application (Settings) → Annexes → Cloud. → Warehouse → Clear the data).

⚠️ Note: If the cloud still shows busy people after cleaning, check hidden folders (such as.Trash or.MiCloudTemp). They don't show up in the mobile app, but take up space. Use a file manager with access to system folders (such as.Trash or.MiCloudTemp, FX File Explorer with Root Access enabled).

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning up Xiaomi's cloud