Xiaomi Cloud Storage: How to Open, Configure and Use Mi Cloud

Xiaomi’s cloud storage is not just a backup space, but a full-fledged device-to-device data sync tool that can automatically save photos, contacts, notes, and even SMS to keep important information from being lost when you change your smartphone or accidentally reset. However, many users are struggling with the first sign-in phase: SMS doesn’t come in with the code, Mi Cloud doesn’t show up on the menu, and free 5GB ends too quickly.

In this article, we will look at all the ways to open cloud storage on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices, from registering a Mi Account to the subtleties of setting up automatic synchronization. We will focus on typical errors (for example, “I failed to connect to the server”) and how to fix them. And for those who want to save space, we will give a table comparing tariffs and life hacks to free up space without buying a premium subscription.

What is Mi Cloud and Why is it Necessary?

Mi Cloud is a cloud service from Xiaomi, integrated into all devices of the ecosystem (smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, TVs).

• 📱 Backup: Automatically save application data, system settings and user files.
• 📷 Synchronization of photos and videos: photos from the gallery can be uploaded in original quality or compressed form.
• 📞 Copy of contacts and SMS: Recovery of phone numbers and messages when moving to a new device.
• 🔄 Cross-platform access: files are available not only from your smartphone, but also through the web version of i.mi.com.

By default, each user is provided with 5 GB of free space — enough for ~2,000 photos in compressed format or a backup system without media files. For comparison, Google Drive gives 15 GB, but with mail and documents, and iCloud only 5 GB, like Xiaomi. The main advantage of the Mi Cloud is deep integration with the MIUI firmware: for example, when resetting to factory settings, the system will offer to restore data from the cloud.

⚠️ Attention: If you use devices POCO or Redmi on global firmware, some features of the Mi Cloud may be limited, such as Notes backup only works on Chinese and European versions. MIUI.

Step 1: Registration of your Mi Account

Without a Mi Account, you can’t access Mi Cloud. If you already have an account (like you’ve used a Xiaomi smartphone before), go to the next section.

1. Open Settings → Mi Account (or Accounts & Sync on global firmware).
2. Click “Create an account” and select a country (we recommend that you specify the real one, otherwise you may have problems paying tariffs).
3. Enter a valid email (required to restore access) and come up with a password.
4. Confirm registration via SMS or email (the code will arrive within 1-2 minutes).

🔹 Important: Avoid using the registration VPN — Xiaomi servers can block an account if they detect suspicious activity. SMS No code coming, check it out:

• 📶 Internet availability (it is better to use a mobile network, not Wi-Fi).
• 🚫 No ad blockers (e.g. AdGuard or Blokada).
• 🔄 Try to request the code again in 5 minutes.

If you bought a used smartphone, make sure the previous owner untie your account, otherwise the device may be blocked after reset (relevant for models with Mi Account Lock, such as Xiaomi Mi 11 or Redmi Note 10 Pro).

💡

Save the username and password from Mi Account in the password manager (for example, Bitwarden or Google Password Manager).

Step 2: Sign in to Mi Cloud from your smartphone

Once you have an account, you need to link it to the cloud, and you can do this in two ways:

Method 1: Through system settings

1. Go to Settings. → Mi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Enter the login and password from your account.
3. Confirm your login via SMS or email (if two-factor authentication is enabled).
4. Activate sliders next to the data you want to sync (photos, contacts, notes, etc.).

Method 2: Using the "Mi Cloud" app

On some firmware (MIUI 13 and later), the Mi Cloud application is placed in a separate section:

1. Find the Tools folder on the home screen or use the system search.
2. Launch the Mi Cloud app (the icon is a white cloud on a blue background).
3. Log in and set up synchronization similar to the first method.

⚠️ Warning: If you see a message after logging in saying “Service is not available in your region”, your account is linked to a country where Mi Cloud is not supported (for example, Iran or North Korea). VPN At first entry (but not for permanent employment!).

Step 3: Set up automatic synchronization

By default, Mi Cloud does not sync data automatically – you need to enable this option manually. Consider the settings on the example of Xiaomi 13 Pro with MIUI 14:

1. Open the Settings. → Mi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Slip on the item "Data Synchronization".
3. Activate the sliders for the desired categories: 📱 Contacts – Backup of the phone book. 📝 Notes – synchronize recordings from the Notes app. 📅 Calendar - saving events. 🔄 Browser - bookmarks and history from Mi Browser.

“Gallery” → “Settings” → “Cloud synchronization”

"Shopping"

🔹 Tip: To save traffic, select “Download only over Wi-Fi” in the gallery settings. You can also limit the quality of uploaded photos: “Original” (takes up a lot of space) or “High” (compress to 2-3 MB in the photo).

⚠️ Note: If you use Google Photos to back up your photos, disable autoload to Mi Cloud to avoid duplicate files. Two clouds syncing the same photos will quickly run out of free space.

Step 4: Backup data to Mi Cloud

Full backup allows you to restore the smartphone to its previous state after resetting or when you switch to a new device.

1. Go to Settings → Mi → Mi Cloud → Backup.
2. Click on “Create a backup copy”.
3. Select data to save: 📱 System settings (wallpaper, sounds, Wi-Fi networks). 📱 Applications and their data (e.g. progress in games). 📝 Communications (SMS and MMS). 📞 Call magazine.

"Start."

🔹 Important: The backup does not include:

• 🎵 Music and video (except those stored in the gallery).
• 📂 Files in Download or Documents folders.
• 🔒 Data from some apps (such as WhatsApp or Telegram) must be backed separately).

To recover data from the backup:

1. Reset your smartphone to factory settings (Settings → About Phone → Resetting).
2. When you first set up, select “Restore from backup” and log in to Mi Account.
3. Choose the most recent copy and wait for the process to be completed.

Step 5: Managing Space in the Mi Cloud

Free 5GB ends quickly, especially if you upload photos in original quality.

Cleaning methods:

• 🗑️ Remove unnecessary backups: Go to Mi Cloud → Backup → Managing and removing old backups.
• 📸 Clean Gallery: In the web version of i.mi.com, select Gallery» → «The basket and clean it.
• 📄 Delete documents: Check the "Files" section for unnecessary PDF or APK.

Mi Cloud fares (2026):

🔹 Lifehack: If you need a seat urgently, but don’t want to buy a tariff, upload photos to Google Photos (15 GB free), and then remove them from the Mi Cloud!

💡

Before buying a tariff, check if the promotion is valid: Xiaomi often gives discounts on cloud storage (for example, 200 GB for 990). ₽/year ₽).

Common mistakes and their solution

Even after you set up the Mi Cloud correctly, it can malfunction.

1. “I was unable to connect to the server” error

Causes and solutions:

• 🌍 Internet problems: Switch from Wi-Fi to mobile or vice versa.
• ⏳ Xiaomi servers are overloaded: Wait 10-15 minutes and try again.
• 🔒 Blocking by the provider: Try using VPN (For example, ProtonVPN).

2.Photos are not uploaded to the cloud

What to check:

• 📶 Wi-Fi boot up: Is the option enabled in the gallery settings.
• 🔋 Battery Optimization: Add the Gallery app to exceptions (Settings) → Battery → Optimizing the battery).
• 📁 Sync folders: By default, only photos from the folder are downloaded DCIM/Camera. To add more folders, go to the Gallery → Settings → Cloud synchronization → Folders for synchronization.

3.A backup is not restored

Possible causes:

• 📱 Other device: Backups are tied to the smartphone model (for example, a backup with Redmi Note 11 is not suitable for the smartphone model). POCO X5).

⚠️ Note: If you sell or transfer your smartphone to another person, you should:

1. Make a backup copy of your data.
2. Delete your Mi Account in Settings → Mi Account → Sign out.
3. Perform reset to factory settings.

Otherwise, the new owner will be able to recover your personal data.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Mi Cloud