How to send photos to the Xiaomi cloud: a complete guide with pictures and tips

Cloud storage Xiaomi Cloud (or Mi Cloud) is a handy tool for backup photos, which is integrated into all smartphones of the brand, from the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra to the budget Redmi Note 12. However, many users are faced with questions: how to upload photos to the cloud, what settings are needed, and what to do if synchronization does not work. This article will help you understand all the nuances from basic settings to solving typical problems.

Unlike Google Photos or iCloud, Mi Cloud has its own features: a limited free volume (only 5 GB per account), region binding and specific image compression algorithms. We will take a detailed look at how to optimize the boot process to save space, speed up synchronization and avoid loss of quality. POCO F5 or Redmi K60 — In this article there are some tips for these models.

Important: Instructions are relevant to MIUI 14 and newer (including HyperOS), but most steps will work for older firmware versions. If you have an Android One device (like Mi). A3), Some functions may not be available – we will mention this too.

1. Download preparation: checking account and settings

Before you send a photo to the cloud, make sure your Xiaomi account is set up correctly. Without it, sync will simply not start.

• 🔑 Sign in to Mi Account. Go to Settings → Xiaomi account and check that you are logged in. If you do not have an account, register (you will need a phone number or email).
• 🌍 Choose the right region. Mi Cloud works differently depending on the country. For example, in Russia and Europe, 5 GB is available for free, and in China - 10 GB. You can change the region in Account Settings. → Personal data.
• 📶 Connect to Wi-Fi. Uploading photos over the mobile Internet can quickly exhaust traffic. In the cloud settings, there is an option "Only over Wi-Fi" - turn it on.
• 🔋 Charging or sufficient battery level. Synchronizing large amounts of data drains the battery. We recommend connecting your phone to charge if you plan to upload hundreds of photos.

Pay special attention to permissions. The gallery app should have access to storage and the Internet. → Annexes → Permit management → If access is blocked, sync won't work.

⚠️ Attention: If you are using POCO Launcher or custom firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience), the standard Xiaomi gallery can be replaced by Google Photos. In this case, download to Mi Cloud will not be available – you will need to install the original gallery through the Google Photos. APK.

2. Ways to upload photos to Mi Cloud: step-by-step instructions

There are three main ways to send photos to the Xiaomi cloud: automatic sync, manual upload and backup. Let’s take a closer look at each.

Automatic synchronization (recommended method)

This is the easiest way to do this, and it doesn't require constant monitoring, and it's going to be uploaded to the cloud right after you take it.

1. Open the Gallery app (an icon with a floral logo).
2. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner and select Settings.
3. Go to the Xiaomi Cloud section.
4. Turn on the Autoupload Photos switch.
5. Select Download Quality: Original (retains original resolution) or High (compression to 16 MP to save space).
6. Click Confirm and wait for the first synchronization to be completed.

The first download can take anywhere from minutes to hours, depending on the number of photos and the speed of the Internet, and you can track progress in notifications or in the Cloud section of the gallery.

Log in to Mi Account|Connect to Wi-Fi|Enable autoload in the gallery|Select the quality of the photo|Check the application permissions-->

Manual uploading of individual photos or albums

If you only need to send certain images to the cloud, use manual mode:

1. Open the gallery and select an album or folder with a photo.
2. Select the icon (usually in the upper right corner).
3. Mark the desired photos (you can select everything by clicking on the tick at the top).
4. Click on the three dots at the bottom and select Download to the cloud.
5. Confirm the action and wait for the download to be completed.

This is a useful method if you want to save space in the cloud by uploading only important images, for example, you can send only photos from your last vacation to Mi Cloud, and leave the rest on your phone.

2.3 Backup through phone settings

This way of uploading not only photos, but also other data (contacts, messages, notes) to the cloud, suitable for a full backup before resetting your phone or replacing your device.

1. Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Select Backup.
3. Put it on to create a backup.
4. Check the Gallery (you can also select other data).
5. Click Start backup.

The process can take a long time, especially if you have not done a backup in a long time, we recommend running it overnight by connecting your phone to charge.

💡

Automatic sync is the best choice for regular backups, but keep an eye out for free space in the cloud. If you only want to upload a portion of your photos, use manual mode.

3.Mi Cloud space optimization: how to save gigabytes

The free Mi Cloud tariff offers only 5 GB – this will last for about 1000-1500 photos in original quality.

• 📉 Use compression. In the cloud settings, select High Quality over Original. This will reduce the size of the photo by 2-3 times without much loss of detail.
• 🗑️ Delete unnecessary files. Go to Mi Cloud → Manage storage and delete old backups, screenshots or duplicate photos.
• 🔄 Clean the basket. Deleted photos are stored in the basket for 30 days and take up space. Clean it regularly.
• 📁 Use alternative clouds, such as uploading photos to Google Photos (free 15GB), and storing only the most important photos in Mi Cloud.

If you often take pictures in a format RAW (For example, on Xiaomi 13 Pro, note that these files take 20 to 50 MB each, in which case it is better to store them on a physical medium (for example, in a physical medium, SD-map SSD) or in another cloud with a large volume.

⚠️ Note: When compressing a photo in High Quality mode, the Mi Cloud reduces the resolution to 16 MP, even if the original was 48 MP or 200 MP (like the Redmi Note 12 Pro).+). If you want to keep details, choose original quality or upload photos manually.

4. Solving problems with uploading photos to the cloud

Sometimes, the sync of photos in Mi Cloud is not working correctly: photos do not load, the process freezes or errors appear.

4.1 Photos not uploaded: check the main reasons

• 🔌 No internet. Make sure that Wi-Fi or mobile data is on. Try reconnecting to the network.
• 🔒 Synchronization lock: In some regions (e.g. China), access to Mi Cloud is restricted. VPN, If you are abroad.
• 📱 An outdated version MIUI. Update the firmware through Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• ⏳ Xiaomi servers are overloaded. Try uploading photos later or check the status of services on the Xiaomi website.

If the problem is not solved, try to force the data to synchronize:

1. Open your Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Slip three points in the top right corner.
3. Choose Sync.

Errors "Cannot be downloaded" or "No space"

If you see a message that says “Can’t upload a photo” or “Not enough space,” follow these steps:

• 🔄 Reboot your phone. Sometimes it helps to reset temporary errors.
• 🧹 Clear the gallery cache. Go to Settings. → Annexes → gallery → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 📂 Check the space. Delete unnecessary files from the cloud or buy extra space.
• 🔧 Reset your cloud settings. To do this, delete your Xiaomi account in your phone settings and log in again.

If the error only appears with certain photos, it may be corrupted, try opening them in another application (like Google Photos) or transferring them to your computer for verification.

Photos are uploaded but not displayed in the cloud

Sometimes photos are successfully uploaded, but not visible in the web version of the Mi Cloud or on another device.

• 🕒 Sync delay. Wait 10-15 minutes and update the page.
• 📂 Photos in a different folder. In the cloud, photos can be stored in Camera, Screenshots or Downloads albums.
• 🔍 The Mi Cloud web version has a filter by date and file type, make sure it doesn't hide your photos.

⚠️ Note: If you used the Hidden Albums feature in the Xiaomi Gallery, these photos will not be uploaded to the cloud. To save them, first make them visible: Gallery → Albums. → Hidden. → Remove from the hidden.

5 How to view and manage photos in Mi Cloud

Uploaded photos can be viewed not only on the phone, but also through the web version or on another Xiaomi device.

5.1. Viewing through a web browser

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in to your Xiaomi account.
2. Select the Gallery section in the left menu.
3. Here you will see all the uploaded photos broken down by album.
4. To download the photo, select it and click Download.

The web version is convenient for quick access to photos from a computer or tablet, but some functions (e.g. editing) are only available in a mobile application.

5.2 Sync photos on another Xiaomi phone

If you have switched phones (e.g., from Redmi Note 11 to Xiaomi) 13T), Photos from the cloud can be easily transferred:

1. Sign in to the same Xiaomi account on your new device.
2. Open the gallery. → Cloud.
3. Slip on Sync and wait for the photo to be uploaded.
4. To save photos on the phone, highlight them and click Download.

Note that if the new phone has little memory, downloading a large number of photos can take a long time, in which case it is better to transfer the photo through the computer or use it. OTG-flash-drive.

5.3 Photo Removal and Recovery

To remove the image from the cloud:

1. Open the gallery. → Cloud.
2. Identify the unnecessary photos.
3. Click on the basket icon.

The deleted photos are taken to a basket where they are stored for 30 days to recover them:

1. Go to the gallery. → Basket.
2. Select a photo and click Restore.

Important: If you delete your photos from your cart or after 30 days, it will be impossible to recover them – even through Xiaomi support.

💡

To speed up the upload of photos to a new phone, connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network and use the “Fast transfer” function in the phone. MIUI (available in Settings → Connections and sharing).

6. Alternative ways to back up photos

If Mi Cloud is not suitable for you (for example, due to space constraints or sync issues), consider alternative options:

To upload a photo to Google Photos:

1. Install the Google Photos app from the Play Market.
2. Open it and log in to your Google account.
3. In the settings, enable Backup and Synchronization.
4. Choose the download quality: Original or High.

For Yandex Disk:

1. Install the Yandex Disk app.
2. Log in to your account and enable autoloading photos in the settings.
3. Select a folder to download (e.g. Camera Uploads).

If you prefer local storage, consider the options:

• 💾 SD-Suitable for phones with memory extension support (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro)+).
• 🖥️ External hard drive. You can connect it through OTG-cable.
• 📀 DVD It's called Blu-ray, which is very useful for long-term archival storage.

7 Security of photos in Mi Cloud: what you need to know

Many users worry about the privacy of photos uploaded to the cloud, and here are some key points to consider:

• 🔐 Xiaomi claims that all files in the Mi Cloud are encrypted during transmission and storage, but the encryption keys are stored on the company’s servers, which theoretically allows them to access your data.
• 🌍 Data storage in different regions: for users in Russia and Europe, data is stored on servers in Singapore, for China, on local servers, this affects access speed and legal aspects.
• 🚫 Content restrictions: Xiaomi can block uploads of photos that violate the service’s rules (for example, obscene images or pirated content).
• 🔄 Two-factor authentication. Enable it in your account settings to protect the cloud from hacking.

If you want maximum privacy, consider the following:

• 🔒 Do not upload sensitive photos (passports, tickets, intimate photos) to the cloud. Store them in an encrypted archive on your phone or external media.
• 📁 Use encryption. You can upload photos to the cloud. ZIP-archive with a password (for example, through the application) RAR).
• 🔄 Change your Xiaomi account password regularly and don’t use it on other websites.

⚠️ Note: If you lose access to your Xiaomi account (for example, forget your password or phone number), it will be extremely difficult to recover photos from the cloud. Xiaomi does not provide support for data recovery without proof of identity. Always have a local copy of important photos!

FAQ: Frequent questions about uploading photos to Mi Cloud