How to completely clean the cloud album on Xiaomi Redmi smartphones: 5 proven ways

A cloud album on Xiaomi Redmi is a handy tool for automatic photo and video backup, but over time it can fill up with unnecessary files: duplicates, screenshots, membranes or old photos. If you notice that the space in the Mi Cloud is running out and sync is slowing down, it’s time to clean up. Unlike a local gallery, cleaning a cloud album requires a special approach: deleting files directly from your smartphone does not always free up space in the cloud.

In this article, we’ll look at all the cleaning tools available, from the standard tools in the Gallery app to the hidden features of Mi Account, how to massively delete files, recover accidentally erased photos, and optimize sync settings so that the cloud doesn’t get clogged with debris, and why, once files are deleted from your smartphone, they can stay in the cloud for up to 30 days and how to speed up their eventual disappearance.

Before you start cleaning, check how much space your files are taking up. To do this, open Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Storage. Here you will see the distribution of space by category (photos, videos, documents). If the volume is close to the limit, start cleaning!

1. Cleaning through the Gallery app: step-by-step instructions

The easiest way to delete unnecessary files is to use the built-in Gallery app on Redmi, which automatically syncs to Mi Cloud, so the changes will also affect the cloud.

Open the Gallery and go to the Cloud tab (the cloud icon at the bottom menu) and it shows all the files uploaded to your Mi Account to delete the photos you don't need:

1. Press and hold your finger on any file to activate the selection mode.
2. Check the boxes for any photos or videos you want to delete. Click on the icon for mass selection ⋮ → Choose all.
3. Click on the basket icon (🗑️ Delete) and confirm the action.

⚠️ Note: The files deleted through the gallery are transferred to the Mi Cloud Recycle Bin, where they are stored for 30 days before final deletion. To make room immediately, after cleaning, go to Mi Cloud. → Basket and manually clean it.

Sort files by date (old → new)

View the Screenshots folder for important data

Download backup copies of valuable photos on PC

Make sure that sync with the cloud is enabled-->

If you delete a large number of files (for example, more than 500), the application can freeze. In this case, break the process into parts: delete 100-200 files at a time. We also recommend using the traffic saving mode in the Mi Cloud settings, so that you do not spend mobile Internet on synchronizing the removal.

2. Cloud management via Mi Cloud: web version and mobile application

Not everyone knows, but Mi Cloud has a full-fledged web version where you can manage files from any device, which is convenient if the smartphone has little space or you need to clear the cloud from your computer.

Go to i.mi.com and log in to your Mi Account. In the Gallery section, you will see all uploaded photos and videos.

• 🔍 Date/place search – filtering files by geolocation tags or calendar.
• 📁 Folders – separating files by album (e.g., Screenshots, Downloads").
• 🗑️ Recycle Bin – Recovery or Final Deletion of Files.
• 🔄 Recovery – Returning deleted files within 30 days.

For mass removal:

1. Select the Gallery section → All files.
2. Press Control. → Select all (or select the files you need manually).
3. Click Delete and confirm the action.

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If the web version of Mi Cloud slows down when downloading previews, try opening it in incognito mode in Chrome or clearing the browser cache.

⚠️ Note: When deleted via the web version, files also enter the cart and take up space in the cloud for up to 30 days.To speed up the cleanup, after deleting, go to the Recycle Bin → Clean the basket.

3. How to delete files from the cloud forever (without a shopping cart)

If you need to make room and wait 30 days, there is a workaround, the final deletion through the Recycle Bin, which is suitable for users who are sure that deleted files will not be needed.

Instructions for the smartphone:

1. Open the Settings. → Mi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Choose the Gallery → Basket.
3. Press Control. → Select all (or select the required files).
4. Put Delete Forever.

Through the web version (i.mi.com):

1. Go to the Gallery section → Basket.
2. Tag files or click Clear the Recycle Bin.
3. Confirm the action in the pop-up window.

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Cleaning the cart is the only way to instantly free up space in the Mi Cloud, without which files will take up space even after being deleted.

4. Optimizing synchronization settings: how to prevent cloud filling

To prevent the cloud album from getting clogged with garbage, adjust the sync settings, which will help automatically filter unnecessary files (screenshots, memes, duplicates) and save space.

How to set up sync on Xiaomi Redmi:

1. Open the Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Gallery
2. Turn on or off Autosynchronization option (we recommend leaving it on, but with filters).
3. Click on Synchronization Settings and select: 📸 Wi-Fi only – to avoid wasting mobile traffic. 🔋 Only when charging - to save battery. 📁 Eliminate folders – for example, screenshots or downloads from instant messengers. 🖼️ Download quality – choose Original or Compressed (saves up to 50% of space).

⚠️ Note: If you turn off autosynchronization, new photos will no longer be uploaded to the cloud, but the files that have already been uploaded will remain in Mi Cloud and will take up space.

5. Recovery of accidentally deleted files

If you delete important photos from a cloud album, they can be returned within 30 days.

Method 1: Through the basket on the smartphone

1. Open the gallery. → Cloud. → Basket.
2. Select the files you need and click Restore.

Method 2: Using the Mi Cloud Web Version

1. Go to i.mi.com.
2. Open the gallery. → Basket.
3. Mark the files and click Restore.

6.Alternative methods: cleaning through PC and third-party applications

If standard methods don’t help (e.g., the Gallery app is giving you an error), try clearing the cloud through a computer or third-party utilities.

Method 1: Through a file manager on a PC

1. Connect Redmi to your computer via USB (in file transfer mode).
2. Open the Internal Storage → MIUI → Gallery → Cloud folder.
3. Delete unnecessary files manually (but this won’t free up space in the cloud, just on your smartphone!).

Method 2: Mi PC Suite Application

1. Download and install Mi PC Suite.
2. Connect your smartphone to your PC and log in to your Mi Account.
3. Go to Gallery → Cloud and manage your files as if they were on the web.

⚠️ Note: Deleting files via PC is not always synced to the cloud.After cleaning, check Mi Cloud through the web version to make sure files are actually deleted.

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If you’re a frequent cloud user on a PC, add i.mi.com to your browser bookmarks and enable two-factor authentication in your Mi Account for security.

7. Frequent errors and their solutions

When cleaning up a cloud album, Xiaomi Redmi users face typical problems.

Error 1: “Files failed to be deleted” or the process is stalled.

• 🔄 Reboot your smartphone and try again.
• 📶 Check your internet connection (better to use Wi-Fi).
• 🗃️ Clear the cache of the Gallery and Mi Cloud apps.

Error 2: Files are deleted, but no space is released in the cloud.

• 🗑️ Clean the basket manually (see Section 3).
• ⏳ Wait up to 24 hours – sometimes the vacated site data is updated with a delay.

Error 3: New photos are not synchronized.

• ☁️ Check if autosynchronization is included in Settings → Mi Cloud → gallery.
• 🔋 Make sure there is enough charge on the smartphone (synchronization can be suspended when the battery level is low).
• 📡 Switch from mobile data to Wi-Fi.

If the error repeats, try logging out of Mi Account and logging in again, and check if the storage limit is exceeded (free is available 5 GB, the rest is subscription).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions