Cleaning up Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro Cloud Storage: A Complete Guide with Step-by-Step Instructions

Xiaomi Mi Cloud cloud storage on the Redmi Note 9 Pro is often a headache for users: 5GB of free space runs out unexpectedly quickly, and the system begins to issue overflow warnings. Unlike newer models, where the limit has been increased to 10GB, owners of the Redmi Note 9 Pro (released in 2020) have to carefully manage backups, photos and documents. The problem is complicated by the fact that automatic synchronization by default includes unnecessary data – from application logs to duplicate contacts.

This article will not just list the standard ways to delete files, but will reveal hidden mechanisms Mi Cloud, which Xiaomi does not advertise. For example, why after cleaning the gallery space in the cloud is not vacated, how to disable synchronization Mi Browser and Mi Video, which secretly take up to 1 GB, and what to do if the storage shows “100% occupied”, although you did not download anything. We will also analyze alternative services (Google Drive, Yandex Disk) and explain how to transfer data without loss.

Special attention will be paid to the unique problem of the Redmi Note 9 Pro with the version MIUI 12.5 and below: A bug in which deleted files remain in the cloud’s shopping cart indefinitely, blocking space, not dokumented in the official instructions, but solved through the developer’s hidden settings. If you encounter an error "failed to sync" (code 40305) - in the article there is a separate section with the solution.

Why Xiaomi Cloud is Fast-Purple on the Redmi Note 9 Pro

The main reason is the aggressive default sync policy. When you first set up your smartphone, the system automatically turns on backups for:

• 📱 Contacts (including duplicates of the SIM-map)
• 📷 Photos and videos in original resolution (even if you use Google Photos)
• 📝 Notes and calendar records (including deleted calendar records)
• 🎮 Preservation of games (e.g, PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact)
• 🔧 System settings (themes, wallpaper, network parameters)

The second factor is hidden temporary files. Applications like Mi Browser or Quick Apps create a cache in the cloud that doesn't appear in the main interface. For example, web previews can take up to 500 MB, and are cleared only through Settings. → Annexes → Application management → Mi Browser → Warehouse → Clean up cloud data.

The third trap is backups MIUI. Each major system update (e.g., with a MIUI 12 on MIUI 12.5) creates a full copy of 2 to 3 GB that cannot be removed through the standard interface. → Backup copies → System data and require manual management.

Preparing for Cleanup: What to Do Before Deleting Files

Before you delete data, follow three critical steps to avoid losing important information:

1. Export contacts in.vcf format via Contacts → Settings → Imports/Exports → Export to the device, which will protect against accidental deletion of numbers when clearing the cloud.
2. Check the attached devices in the Mi Cloud → Devices: If other gadgets (such as Mi Band or tablet) are connected to your account, their data also takes up space.
3. Turn off automatic media downloads in the Gallery → Settings → Cloud sync, otherwise deleted photos can be restored the next time you connect to Wi-Fi.

Important: If you use two-factor authentication for a Mi Account, make sure you have backup codes.

Create a local copy of your contacts|Disable Autosynchronization Gallery|Check the tethered devices|Keep backup codes. 2FA|Record the current amount of occupied space-->

Step-by-step: how to clean up the Xiaomi cloud on the Redmi Note 9 Pro

So we're going to practice. Here are 4 proven methods, from spacious to radical. Start with the first one and move on to the next one if you don't have a place to go.

Method 1: Delete unnecessary files via web interface

The safest way to do this is to not have access to a smartphone:

1. Open i.mi.com in your browser and log in.
2. Go to the Files section. → All files.
3. Sort by size (click on "Size" in the table cap).
4. Select unnecessary files (such as old backups or duplicate photos) and click Delete.
5. Important: After deleting, go to the Recycle Bin and clean it – otherwise the files will take up space for another 30 days.

Method 2: Clean up via the Mi Cloud app on your phone

If the web version doesn’t show all files (as it does with system data), use the mobile app:

1. Open your Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud
2. Put it on the vault control.
3. Select a category (such as Gallery or Notes) and remove unnecessary items.
4. For backups: Go to Backups → Devices, select Redmi Note 9 Pro and remove older versions.

Method 3: Delete hidden temporary files

This method requires access to the developer mode:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (shap 7 times).
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Find the option to Limit background processes and select Without background processes.
4. Restart your phone and check the cloud – temporary application files should disappear.

Method 4: Resetting synchronization (radical method)

If the previous methods did not help, perform a complete reset:

1. Go to Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Turn off synchronization for all categories.
3. Log out of Mi Account (Settings) → Mi Account. → Get out).
4. Delete Mi Cloud application data through Settings → Annexes → Application management → Mi Cloud → Warehouse → Clear the data.
5. Log in again and set up sync selectively.

💡

After resetting sync, check the folder MIUI/Backup/AllBackup It's on the phone through the file manager, and there may be local backups that are also taking up space.

How to turn off automatic synchronization of unnecessary data

Even after cleaning, the cloud will re-fill if you don't turn off the background processes.

Pay special attention to Mi Video and Mi Music, which are the default apps that upload media metadata to the cloud, even if the files themselves aren't synced, to turn this off:

1. Open Mi Video → Profile → Settings → Synchronization.
2. Deactivate the option to Sync your browsing history.
3. Repeat for Mi Music in Settings → Cloud.

💡

Disabling Mi Browser and Mi Video sync can release up to 1.5GB of hidden cache in the cloud that is not visible in the standard interface.

Solving Common Mistakes When Cleaning the Mi Cloud

If you encounter errors during the cleaning process, use these solutions:

⚠️ Note: The "Failed to delete file (code 40305)" error occurs due to Xiaomi blocking files downloaded from other devices.To fix: Log in to Mi Cloud via your browser on your PC. Find the problem file and click Share → Copy the link. Open the link in the private browser window and try to delete the file from there.

The error is "Storage is 100% full, but no files":

It's a famous bug. MIUI 12.5, related to incorrect quota calculation:

1. Remove all files from the Mi Cloud Recycle Bin (even if it is empty, update the page).
2. Turn off and back on sync for any category.
3. If it doesn’t help, contact Xiaomi support via Settings. → Mi Account. → Help and feedback and provide error code 50008.

The backup copy of the system is not deleted:

System backups are protected from accidental removal, so you can remove them.

1. Go to Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Backups.
2. Select the device (Redmi Note 9 Pro) and tap on the date of the copy.
3. At the bottom of the screen will appear the option to Remove – confirm the action.

Mi Cloud alternatives: where to move data from Redmi Note 9 Pro

If 5GB is constantly under-utilized, consider switching to other services, compared to Mi Cloud:

How to transfer data without loss:

1. Photos: Use Google Photos with High Quality (unlimited storage) setting. Turn off sync in Mi Gallery to avoid duplicates.
2. Contacts: Export to.vcf and import to Google Contacts.
3. Notes: Move to Google Keep or Evernote via export to.txt.
4. Backup: Use Swift Backup (requires root) to create local backups.

⚠️ Warning: When you transfer data to Google Drive, turn off the automatic download of high-resolution video. Otherwise, 15 GB will run out in a month. Set the restriction via Google Photos → Settings → Backup and synchronization → Quality of loading.

How to increase the volume of Mi Cloud for free (legal ways)

Xiaomi rarely gives away extra space, but there are 4 working methods to get it +1-5 GB:

• 🎁 Promotions and promotional codes: Follow Xiaomi’s official Telegram or VKontakte pages, for example, in 2023, they were given a poll for participating in the survey. +1GB.
• 📱 Linking new devices: Connecting Mi Band, Xiaomi Smart Home or a second smartphone can give a bonus +500MB.
• 🤝 Inviting friends: For each guest user who registers a Mi Account, you get a new account. +200 MB (maximum) +2 GB).
• 🔄 Participation in beta testing MIUI: Testers sometimes get bonuses. You can register on the forum. MIUI.

Also check out the inactive bonuses:

1. Go to Mi Account. → Mi Cloud.
2. In the Warehouse section, click on Get more space.
3. Activate all available bonuses (for example, for email or phone confirmation).

💡

The maximum free volume of the Mi Cloud, which can be achieved legally – 8 GB (5 GB of basic). + 3GB bonuses).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi cloud on Redmi Note 9 Pro