Synchronizing photos with Xiaomi Cloud is a convenient feature for backing up images, but not all users want to store personal photos in the cloud. Especially a problem for owners of smartphones with limited internal memory: background synchronization can take up gigabytes of space, slow down the device and consume traffic. In addition, after MIUI updates, cloud settings are often reset, and synchronization is activated automatically without notifying the user.
In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to disable synchronization Xiaomi Cloud in the Gallery, including hidden settings. MIUI, You will learn how to prevent uploading photos to the cloud for individual albums and for the entire device, as well as what to do if the settings are not saved after the reboot. POCO base MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS.
Why Xiaomi Cloud is syncing photos without permission
Many users are faced with the fact that Xiaomi Cloud starts uploading photos to the cloud itself, even if the feature was previously disabled.
- 🔄 Automatic update MIUI. After installing the new firmware version, some settings are reset to factory ones, including cloud synchronization options.
- 📱 The first launch of the Gallery after the reset.The application may suggest that you turn back up the photo, and the user accidentally agrees without reading the hints.
- 🌐 Sync through Mi Account. If you are logged in to the same account on multiple Xiaomi devices, cloud settings may be duplicated.
- 📡 Background activity of services: Some system processes (e.g. com.miui.cloudservice) may force synchronization to “optimize performance".
It’s important to understand that Xiaomi Cloud doesn’t just copy photos to the cloud, it creates smaller versions for preview, caches thumbnails, and can duplicate files in hidden folders, which leads to additional memory consumption and slowdown of the Gallery, especially on low-end models like the Redmi 9A or POCO M3.
⚠️ Note: If you use two-factor authentication in your Mi Account, disabling cloud sync may require re-entering. SMS-Make sure you have access to the linked number or email confirmation in advance.
Method 1: Disabling synchronization in the Gallery application
The most obvious method is to use the Gallery's built-in settings, but the interface may vary depending on the version of MIUI:
- Open the Gallery app (an icon with a flower or landscape).
- Tap on three points (⋮) in the upper right corner and select Settings.
- Go to Xiaomi Cloud or Cloud Sync.
- Turn off the slider next to Sync Photo or Autoupload to the cloud.
- Confirm the action by clicking Disconnect in the pop-up window.
On some firmware (e.g. MIUI 13 for Xiaomi 12), this section may be called Photo Backup or hidden behind Account Management. If you don't see the sync option, update the Gallery app via Play Market or App Store (for global versions of MIUI).
Close the Gallery through the latest app menu
Reboot your smartphone
Open the Gallery and check if the synchronization notification has appeared.
Go to the cloud settings again - the slider should remain in the "Off" position.
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If after these actions synchronization is still active, go to the next method - the problem may lie in the system settings of the Mi Account.
Method 2: Deactivate the cloud through your Mi Account settings
The Gallery often uses the general settings of Xiaomi Cloud, which are managed centrally, to completely prohibit syncing photos:
- Open the smartphone settings (cog icon).
- Go to Accounts and Sync (or Mi Account in older versions of MIUI).
- Put it on your Xiaomi profile (email or phone number).
- Choose Xiaomi Cloud → Gallery.
- Turn off the sliders: 🖼️ Synchronize photos 🎞️ Synchronize the video (if any) 🔄 Autoboot when connecting to Wi-Fi
Remove data from the cloud
| Parameter | Recommended value | Effects of disconnection |
|---|---|---|
| Synchronize photos | Off. | New photos won’t be uploaded to the cloud, but old ones will stay. |
| Autoboot over Wi-Fi | Off. | Synchronization will not start automatically when you connect to the network. |
| Original quality | Off (if it was on) | Photos will be uploaded in compressed form (saves space in the cloud) |
| Remove data from the cloud | If you wish, | All previously uploaded photos will be deleted from the cloud irrevocably. |
⚠️ Note: If you use a shared album in Xiaomi Cloud (for example, for family photos), its content will also be deleted when the data is cleaned.
Yes, on the upgrade. MIUI|Yeah, first launch of the Gallery.|No, I always manually turn it off.|I don't know what that is.-->
Method 3: Limiting access rights for the Gallery application
If previous methods failed, you can block access to the cloud at the permission level, which is suitable for MIUI 14 and HyperOS:
- Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Find the gallery in the list and tap it.
- Select Permissions → Additionally.
- Turn off Xiaomi Cloud resolution or Cloud Sync.
- Confirm the action in the dialog window.
On some models (e.g. Redmi Note 11), this item may be called Mi Account Access or Cloud Services, and once disabled, the Gallery will lose the ability to interact with Xiaomi Cloud, but will retain access to local photos.
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If after the restriction of rights, the Gallery began to issue errors when opening a photo, try clearing its cache: Settings → Apps → Gallery → Storage → Clear the cache.
This method is more radical than the previous ones and can lead to loss of functionality (for example, the ability to view photos from the cloud directly in the Gallery will disappear), but it is guaranteed to block any synchronization.
Method 4: Disabling background activity of cloud services
Even if you have disabled sync in your settings, some Xiaomi system processes can continue to load data in the background to stop it completely:
- Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI until the notification “You are a developer” appears.
- Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
- Find the Background Processes section and limit their number to No Background Processes or Maximum 1 Process.
- Then open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Find and disable auto-start for: 📁 Xiaomi Cloud (com.miui.cloudservice) 🖼️ Gallery (com.miui.gallery) 🔄 Synchronization of Mi (com.xiaomi.micloud.sync)
After these actions, background sync will be completely blocked, but some MIUI features (like contact or note backup) may also stop working.If you need other Xiaomi cloud services, use selective disabling only for Gallery.
What happens if you turn off all the background processes?
Method 5: Delete your Mi Account (radical method)
If all previous methods failed, the last resort is to completely remove your Mi Account from your smartphone, which will result in:
- 🚫 Disable all Xiaomi cloud services (including contact backup, notes, SMS).
- 🔓 Unlock the possibility of using third-party launchers without restrictions (on some models).
- ⚠️ Loss of access to branded features like Mi Share, Mi Remote or Smart Home.
To delete the account:
- Go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Mi Account.
- Tap it on three points (⋮) in the upper right corner and select Delete Account.
- Enter the password from your Mi Account and confirm the deletion.
- Reboot your smartphone.
⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi) K60) After deleting your Mi Account, you may need to unlock the bootloader to re-assign the device, without which you will not be able to log in again or use branded services.
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Deleting your Mi Account is a last resort, and before using it, try all other methods and make sure you have backups of important data (contacts, SMS, notes) as they will be deleted from the device.
What if the synchronization is activated by itself?
If after switching off the Xiaomi Cloud in the Gallery, the sync is periodically activated again, the problem may lie in:
- 🔄 Auto-updates MIUI. After installing a new firmware, some settings are reset.Solution: disable automatic updates to Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → Settings (⚙) → Auto-update.
- 📱 Reset the settings of the Gallery, when you clean the cache or the application data, you can return the factory settings. ADB-commands to permanently disable synchronization (see below).
- 🌐 Syncs through other devices. If you're logged in to the same Mi Account on a tablet or other smartphone, settings may be duplicated. Solution: Check cloud settings on all associated devices.
To block synchronization through ADB (you need a computer and USB debugging enabled):
adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.cloudservice
adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.xiaomi.micloud.syncThese commands will disable cloud services at the system level, and to bring them back, replace disable-user with enable.