Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphone owners often face the challenge of expanding the device’s internal memory or keeping important photos safe. Standard 64 or 128 gigabytes can run out quickly, especially if you’re shooting high-resolution video, and that’s when the question arises of how to use cloud technology effectively.
MIUI and its modern version of HyperOS provide users with several built-in tools for working with remote data, but access to them is not always obvious at first glance, as the manufacturer groups functions in different sections of the menu. Understanding the structure of the file manager and system settings is the key to managing your digital space.
In this article, we will take a closer look at how to activate and use cloud services, including native solutions from Xiaomi, as well as integration with popular third-party platforms, and learn not only to open storage, but also to set up automatic synchronization so that your data is always at hand.
The fastest way to access files, including cloud ones, is by using a system application. All devices of the brand have a Explorer preinstalled, which serves as a central node for data management. To get to the desired menu, find an icon on the desktop with an image of a folder and launch it. After opening the application, pay attention to the top of the screen or the sidebar where the tabs are located. Here are the sections "Categories", "Folders" and "Cloud" Going to the Cloud section will open the list of connected accounts, and you will select the list of the available data provider. Most commonly, it’s Google Drive, Dropbox or OneDrive, but the list can vary depending on the region and firmware version. 💡If the cloud icon has disappeared from the explorer, check if the application is hidden in the Hidden Applications settings or if it is disabled in the Applications menu» → «All applications».
Activation and Configuring of Mi Cloud
The manufacturer’s native solution is called Mi Cloud, which is the most deeply integrated service that allows you to synchronize contacts, messages, notes and gallery. It requires a Mi Account to work. Without registration in the Xiaomi ecosystem, functionality will be limited.
To open and configure this section, go to System Settings. At the top of the screen, where the user's avatar is displayed, you log in to your account. After logging in, click on Mi Cloud, where you'll see the switches for each type of data and the space you've occupied.
It is important to note that the free storage capacity is only 5 GB. This may not be enough to back up photos in full resolution. The system will offer to purchase a subscription or complete tasks for a temporary extension of the limit. Without an active subscription, gallery sync can be suspended when the base limit is overflowed.
Integration of Google Drive and other services
Because Xiaomi smartphones run on Android, integration with Google services is a priority, with many users preferring Google Photos and Google Drive because of its easy image search and compatibility with other devices, and these storages can be opened through individual applications or through system Explorer.
To work properly, make sure your Google account is added to your phone settings. Go to Settings → Accounts and Sync. If you don't have an account, add it by entering your login and password.
Google Photos often takes over as the main gallery, and you can activate Autoboot and Sync in its settings, allowing you to automatically upload new images to the cloud, freeing up space on your device when you use the Free Space feature.
- 📸 Google Photos – Ideal for Media Files and Smart Search.
- 📁 Google Drive is better for documents and files of different formats.
- ☁️ OneDrive – often used in conjunction with office applications.
☑️ Checking the cloud connection
Comparison of cloud services on Xiaomi
The right storage is your choice, and some users prioritize the speed of the system, others prioritize the amount of free space or cross-platform, and here is a table that helps you compare the main features of the options available.
| Service | Free volume | Integration into MIUI | Principal appointment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Cloud | 5GB | Complete (systemic) | Backup copies of settings, contacts |
| Google Drive | 15GB | High (via Google services) | Documents, shared files |
| Google Photo | 15GB (common with Drive) | High (replacement gallery) | Photo and video archive |
| Dropbox | 2GB | Medium (through annex) | Documentation work |
Note that the 15GB of Google services is common to Mail, Drive and Photos. If you're actively using email, the space can run out faster than expected. Unlike them, Mi Cloud shares space for different types of data, but the base limit is strict.
⚠️ Note: When you delete your Google or Mi Account from your device, all locally synced data can be deleted unless a separate backup is made.
Working with file manager and hidden partitions
Advanced users often look for a way to open hidden system folders where cloud cached data is stored. Standard Explorer hides technical directories for security. To access them, you need to activate the display of hidden files.
In Explorer, click on the menu (three dots or bars) and select Settings. Find the Show Hidden Files switch and activate it. Now folders that start from a dot, like.android or.cache, will appear in the root directory.
Access to cloud service system paths may require a more powerful file manager, such as FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer, which allows root rights to be used when the device is unlocked, but interference with system files without proper experience can lead to unstable MIUI operation.
Risks of working with system files
The path to the Google Drive cache is usually /Android/data/com.google.android.apps.docs/files. It stores temporarily downloaded documents for quick access. It is not recommended to manually clean this folder, as the app will do this automatically if space is scarce.
Solving synchronization and access problems
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the cloud storage is not opened or the data is not updated. The first reason is often an unstable Internet connection. Make sure that the data transfer is on or the device is connected to Wi-Fi.
The second common problem is time and date desynchronization. If your Xiaomi system time is different from real time, security servers can block the connection. Go to Settings → Additional → Date and Time and enable automatic determination.
It’s also worth checking for permissions for apps. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps, find the service you want (like Google Play Services or Mi Cloud) and make sure you’re allowed to access storage and network. Without those permissions, you can’t open the cloud.
- 🔄 Reboot – a universal method for solving temporary network failures.
- 🔐 Password – Make sure your account password hasn’t been changed recently.
- 📲 Update – Check for updates to the cloud service app in GetApps or Play Market.
⚠️ Note: If you change your account password, you must re-enter it in the synchronization settings, otherwise the system will constantly issue an authorization error.
💡
Timely application updates and system time checks eliminate 90% of problems with accessing cloud storage on Xiaomi smartphones.