How to Free Up Space in Mi Cloud on Xiaomi: A Complete 2026 Guide

Xiaomi’s Mi Cloud cloud storage is a handy tool for synchronizing data between devices, but its free rate is limited to only 5 GB. When memory runs out, the system starts to issue notifications about space shortages, and backups and new files cease to be saved. In this article, we will discuss 7 proven ways to effectively free up space in the Mi Cloud without losing important information.

The problem of crowded cloud is relevant not only for owners of flagship models like Xiaomi 14 Ultra or Redmi Note 13 Pro+, but also for budget smartphones Poco series. The fact that by default Mi Cloud automatically backs up photos, notes, contacts and even recordings from the screen. Many users do not suspect that up to 70% of the space occupied is duplicates and temporary files that can be safely deleted.

Before you start cleaning, make sure you have access to the Internet – all cloud manipulations require synchronization. We also recommend temporarily disabling the automatic download of new files to avoid re-filling memory during the process. To do this, go to Settings → Xiaomi Accounts → Mi Cloud → Synchronize and deactivate the Autoboot option.

1. Analysis of space: what exactly eats memory?

The first step is to determine which data is taking up the most space.

• 📱 Open the Settings app on your Xiaomi.
• 👤 Go to the Xiaomi Accounts section → Mi Cloud.
• 📊 Click on Storage Management (or Warehouse depending on version) MIUI).

Here you'll see a diagram of the memory distribution by category: Photo/Video, Backups, Notes, Contacts, and more. Typically, the lion's share is multimedia files and backups. For example, one backup system can weigh from 1 to 3 GB, and photos in the original resolution - 5-10 MB each.

Note the Other Data section, which often hides temporary files from remote applications or sync cache, and if this item takes more than 500 MB, it should be cleared (more on this in Section 4).

2. Delete unnecessary backup copies

Backups are the main memory eater in the Mi Cloud, and Xiaomi automatically creates them once a week, and over time, dozens of copies of the same device accumulate to remove the extra ones:

1. Go to Settings → Xiaomi Accounts → Mi Cloud → Backup.
2. Select your device from a list (e.g. Redmi K70).
3. Click on Backup Management.
4. Sort copies by date and delete all but 1-2 of the freshest ones.

Important! Before deleting, check the date you created the copy. If the last backup is older than 3 months, it's best to create a new one first and then clean the old ones. To do this, click Create Backup Now and wait for the process to complete.

Have you created a new copy in the last 30 days?|Are there copies of important data on other devices?|Automatic synchronization is disabled during cleaning?|Checked the size of the copies (some may be empty)-->

If you use Mi Cloud to back up multiple devices (like your Xiaomi Pad 6 smartphone and tablet), delete copies selectively. Often, copies from tablets take up less space than from smartphones, so you can leave them.

3. Cleaning photos and videos: lossless optimization

Photos and video are the second largest garbage in the cloud, and there are two options: delete the files you don't need or compress them without losing quality.

• 📷 Come to the gallery. → Albums. → Mi Cloud.
• 🗑️ Select unnecessary files (hold your finger on the file to highlight a few files).
• 🚮 Click Remove and confirm the action.

To save space without deleting, you can enable compression of photos when downloading:

1. Go to Settings → Xiaomi Accounts → Mi Cloud → Photos.
2. Activate the option to compress photos when downloading.
3. Choose quality: High (maintains 80% quality) or Medium (50%).

This will reduce the weight of new photos in 2-3 For video, a similar option is called Optimize video and reduces the file size to 40% original.

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If you often take pictures of documents (checks, tickets), transfer them to Google Drive or Notes – they take up less space in compressed form.

4. Clearing cache and temporary files

In the Others section, temporary files from apps you deleted long ago are often accumulated, but their data is left in the cloud to clean up this garbage:

• 🔍 Go to Settings. → Xiaomi accounts → Mi Cloud → Storage management.
• 📁 Select Other Data or Cash.
• 🧹 Click Clear (if there is no such button, delete files manually).

Also check the download folder in Mi Cloud – there are often outdated ones. APK-file, PDF-documents and other uploaded data that are no longer needed, such as device instructions or firmware archives.

⚠️ Attention: Do not delete the folder MIUI manually, it contains system data for recovery, and cleaning it can cause a failure when you reset your settings.

5. Transferring data to other cloud services

If there is not enough space after cleaning up, consider moving some of the data to other clouds, such as:

To transfer photos, it is convenient to use Google Photos with the High Quality setting (unlimited storage for compressed photos). Contacts can be exported to the.vcf file via Contacts → Settings → Export / Import and uploaded to Google Contacts.

If you use Xiaomi at work, pay attention to the corporate rates of Mi Cloud – they are cheaper than personal and offer up to 200 GB for 1000₽/year (relevant to business).

6. Optimization of application synchronization

Many of Xiaomi’s standard apps sync data to the cloud by default, although this is not always necessary.

• 📱 Go to Settings. → Xiaomi accounts → Mi Cloud.
• 🔄 Scroll down to the Data Synchronization block.
• ❌ Turn off the switches opposite: 📝 Notes (if you do not use Mi Notes) 🎵 Music (if you store tracks locally) 📅 Calendar (if you use Google Calendar) 📍 Location (if you do not need a history of travel)

Pay special attention to the application Mi Browser - it saves the history of visits and bookmarks in the cloud, which can take up to 200-300 MB. If you use Chrome or Firefox, you can safely turn off browser synchronization.

7.Purchase of extra space: when cleaning doesn't help

If you still don't have enough space after all the manipulations, consider buying an additional volume.Mi Cloud tariffs for 2026:

Annual subscriptions are 20-30% more profitable than monthly subscriptions, payment is made through Mi Pay or a linked bank card, and after purchase, additional space becomes available immediately on all devices associated with one Xiaomi account.

⚠️ Note: If you cancel your subscription, all data that exceeds the free limit (5GB) will be deleted after 30 days.

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Before buying additional space, make sure to clear the cloud of debris, which can save you money. For example, if you have 4.5 GB of 5 GB left after cleaning, it is not advisable to buy 50 GB.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning up Mi Cloud

Regular cleaning of the Mi Cloud not only frees up space, but also speeds up sync. The best schedule is to check the storage every 1-2 months, especially if you are actively using the camera or creating backups. To automate the process, you can set up reminders in Google Calendar or use the Mi Cleaner application, which analyzes occupied space in the cloud.

If you're often running into space shortages, consider alternative cloud services or combine multiple storages, like photos in Google Photos, documents in Yandex Drive, and backups in Mi Cloud, so you spread the load and avoid overcrowding problems.