How to Open Cloud Storage on Xiaomi Redmi Phone: A Complete Guide

Why you need cloud storage on Xiaomi Redmi

Modern Xiaomi Redmi smartphones offer users not only powerful hardware, but also convenient tools for storing data. Cloud services allow you to free up internal memory of the device, automatically reserve photos, contacts and documents, and synchronize information between several gadgets. Without the cloud, you risk losing important files when a phone is reset or broken.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can open and configure cloud storage on Redmi, from the standard Mi Cloud to third-party solutions like Google Drive or Yandex Disk, and learn how to upload files to the cloud, manage sync, and solve typical problems. Instructions are valid for all Redmi models based on the MIUI 12/13/14 HyperOS.

Method 1: Connect to Mi Cloud – Xiaomi’s proprietary cloud

Mi Cloud is Xiaomi’s own cloud storage integrated into MIUI firmware, offering 5GB of free space, automatic synchronization of contacts, notes, photos and even SMS.

1. Open the settings on your Redmi.
2. Go to Accounts and Synchronization → Mi Account.
3. If you do not have an account, register (you will need an email or phone number).
4. After authorization, turn on the slider Synchronization Mi Cloud.

Now you can choose which data to back up. For example, for photos, go to Mi Cloud → Gallery and activate the Autoboot option. Note that it can take several hours to sync when you first turn on, depending on the amount of data and the speed of the Internet.

Create or log in to Mi Account|

Connect to Wi-Fi (Synchronization Eats Traffic)|

Check free space in the cloud (5 GB free) |

Disable battery optimization for Mi Cloud (in application settings)-->

⚠️ Warning: If you reset your phone to factory settings without being tied to Mi Account, access to cloud data will be lost.Always check that your account is active before resetting!

Method 2: Using Google Drive on Xiaomi Redmi

If you prefer the Google ecosystem, Redmi can sync with Google Drive, which offers 15GB of free space (shared by Gmail and Photos) and more flexible access settings.

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Accounts and synchronization → Google.
• 🔑 Sign in to your account (or create a new one).
• ☁️ Enable synchronization for the desired data: Contacts, Calendar, Google Photos.
• 📁 To manually download files, install the Google Drive app from the Play Market.

Google Drive has the advantage of being cross-platform, and your files will be available not only on Redmi, but also on your PC, tablet or other smartphone, but remember that photos in their original quality take up space in the cloud, while compressed versions (the high-quality option in Google Photos) do not.

Mi Cloud|

Google Drive|

Yandex Disk|

Other|

I don't use clouds.-->

Method 3: Alternative cloud services (Yandex Disk, OneDrive, Dropbox)

In addition to Mi Cloud and Google Drive, Xiaomi Redmi can use other cloud storage.

• 💽 Yandex Disk: 10GB free, activity bonuses (e.g., free, +1 GB for mobile app installation Supports photo and video autoload. Download the app from Play Market and log in via Yandex account.
• 📂 OneDrive: 5 GB free, deep integration with Windows. Perfect if you're running a Windows PC 10/11. Install the app and enable the camera's auto-save.
• 🗄️ Dropbox: 2GB free, but reliable synchronization and file version history.

To set up autoload photos in Yandex Disk:

1. Open the Yandex Disk app.
2. Go to Settings → Autoboot.
3. Enable the Photos and Video option.
4. Select a folder to download (like Camera) and quality (original or traffic saving).

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If you take pictures often, set up autoboot only over Wi-Fi in the cloud app settings, which will save mobile traffic and battery.

⚠️ Note: When using multiple cloud services at the same time (e.g. Mi Cloud) + Google Photo + Yandex Disk) photos can be duplicated by taking up space on the device. Check the boot settings in each application!

How to upload files manually to the cloud

Autosynchronization is convenient, but sometimes you need to download specific files yourself. Let's take a look at the process with Mi Cloud and Google Drive:

In Mi Cloud:

1. Open the Files (or Explorer) application on Redmi.
2. Select the files you want (hold your finger for multiple choices).
3. Press Share. → Mi Cloud.
4. Specify the folder to download (such as Documents) and confirm.

On Google Drive:

1. Open the Google Drive app.
2. Press + → Download.
3. Select files from the phone's memory.
4. Wait for the download to be completed (progress is displayed in notifications).

Important: Files larger than 100MB may not be downloaded via the mobile network - use Wi-Fi or break them down. For larger archives (such as backups), it's better to use a PC.

Cloud storage management: cleaning, recovery, settings

Over time, the cloud fills up with unnecessary files — old backups, duplicate photos, or temporary documents — to make room:

• 🧹 In Mi Cloud: Open the web version (i.mi.com) → Storage management → Delete unnecessary files or backups.
• 🗑️ Google Drive: Go to the Storage → Clean the place (or use Google One for analysis).
• 🔄 In Yandex Disk: in the mobile application, click the Cart → Clear (files are stored there for 30 days).

To recover deleted files:

• In Mi Cloud and Google Drive, check the Recycle Bin folder (30-60 days shelf life).
• Dropbox can restore files in the last 30 days (on the web version).

To optimize synchronization:

• Turn off autoloading unnecessary data (e.g. screenshots in Google Photos).
• Configure your Wi-Fi download only (in the settings of each cloud application).
• Use the option of Storage Optimization in Google Photos (saves thumbnails instead of originals).

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Checking the cloud regularly for unnecessary files will not only free up space, but also speed up sync, for example, SMS backups can take up gigabytes, although not everyone needs them.

Solving cloud storage problems on Xiaomi Redmi

Sometimes the cloud doesn't work properly: files don't load, syncs freeze, or authorization errors occur.

If the cloud has stopped working:

1. Reboot the phone.
2. Remove the cloud app cache in Settings → Apps.
3. Check if the synchronization mode is blocked by the energy saving mode.
4. Update your cloud storage app through Play Market.

There’s a trick for Mi Cloud: If files aren’t displayed in a mobile app, try opening the web version (i.mi.com) through your browser.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cloud storage on Xiaomi Redmi