How to Clean the Cloud on Xiaomi Redmi: The Complete 2026 Guide

Xiaomi’s Mi Cloud cloud storage is a handy tool for backing up photos, contacts and other data from Redmi smartphones. However, over time, even free 5GB (or 15GB for some regions) fill up, and users are faced with a notification "Not enough space in the cloud" This problem is especially relevant for owners of budget models Redmi Note 12, Redmi 10 or POCO X5, Where internal memory is limited, the cloud becomes the only way to save important files.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways Xiaomi can clean up the cloud, from removing unnecessary backups to optimizing photo sync, how to free up space without losing important data, what files can be safely deleted, and how to set up automatic cleanup, and focus on hidden folders and cloud cache that take up space but don’t show up in the standard interface.

If you've tried to clean the cloud through the Mi Cloud app, but you don't have space, don't rush to buy extra space. In 90% of cases, the problem is incorrect synchronization or hidden data. MIUI 12–14 (including global and Chinese firmware versions).

Why is Xiaomi Cloud Filling Quickly?

The main reason for the Mi Cloud overflow is the automatic synchronization that many users turn on when they first start a smartphone without realizing the consequences. Even if you don't download files manually, the system can save:

• 📸 Photos and videos in original resolution (weight of one shot with Redmi Note 13 Pro)+ It can reach 10-15 MB).
• 📱 Backup copies of applications, SMS and call logs (occupy up to 1-2 GB for six months of use).
• 📄 Documents and downloads from the browser or messengers (PDF, APK, archive).
• 🔄 Cloud cache – temporary files that are not automatically deleted.
• 🎵 Audio recordings (voice messages from WhatsApp or Telegram, voice recordings).

The second common reason is data duplication, for example, if you enable photo sync in both Google Photos and Mi Cloud, the same images will take up space in both services, and many users do not suspect that Xiaomi saves deleted files in the cloud basket for 30 days — they continue to take up space until they are manually cleared.

Another “invisible” space eater is system backups that are created when you upgrade. MIUI These files can weigh 500 to 800 MB each and accumulate for years, and they can't be deleted through the standard menu, you'll need to access mi.com from your computer.

How to Check What’s in the Xiaomi Cloud

Before you start cleaning, you need to analyze the contents of the cloud, which will help determine which files can be deleted without losing important information, and you can do this in two ways: through an app on your smartphone or the web version of Mi Cloud.

Method 1: Through the Mi Cloud app on your smartphone

Open the Mi Cloud app (white cloud icon on a blue background) if it's not on the home screen, search the system.

1. Slip on the avatar in the upper right corner → Select Storage Management.
2. The system will show a diagram of occupied space by categories: photos, videos, documents, etc.
3. Click on any category (such as “Photos”) to see a detailed list of files sorted by size.

Note the “Other Files” section, which often hides backups and cache. If this partition takes more than 500 MB, it should be cleared (the instructions will be below).

Method 2: Using the Mi Cloud Web Version

The web interface is more convenient for mass deletion of files.

1. Go to i.mi.com from your computer or smartphone.
2. Sign in with the same Xiaomi account as you do on your phone.
3. In the menu on the left, select Warehouse. → Management.

Here you'll see a complete list of all files, including hidden system data, and the main advantage of the web version is that it can be sorted by size and batched, for example, you can filter files larger than 50 MB and delete them in one click.

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If you don’t remember the password from your Xiaomi account, reset it through Settings. → Xiaomi account → Account management → Security. Use a linked phone number or email.

Step-by-step: how to clean the cloud on Redmi

Now, let's get to the practical steps. Below are 4 proven ways to make space in the Mi Cloud, from the simplest to the most advanced, start with the first point and go down if the previous methods have not worked.

1. Delete unnecessary photos and videos

Photos and videos typically take up 60 to 80 percent of the space in the cloud.

1. Open the Mi Cloud → Photo Photo.
2. Slip on the albums at the bottom of the screen. → Select All Photos.
3. Click on the icon. ⋮ (three-point) → Size-based sorting.
4. Select unnecessary files (e.g. screenshots, duplicates, blurred pictures) and click Delete.

To speed up the process, use the function “Storage Optimization”:

• In the same section Photos click ⚙️ Settings → Optimizing storage.
• Activate the option to save photos in high quality – this will reduce the weight of the images without noticeable loss of quality.

⚠️ Attention: Deleted photos are placed in a cloud basket, where they are stored for 30 days. → Basket) and clean it manually.

2. Cleanup of backup copies and system files

Backups (backups) are created automatically when you update them. MIUI They can weigh 300 to 800 MB each and be stored for years to remove:

1. Open the web version of Mi Cloud on PC (i.mi.com).
2. Go to the Warehouse. → Management → Backup copies.
3. Select old backups (for example, from the Redmi Note 9, if you have been using the Redmi 12 for a long time) and click Delete.

If you don't have backups on the list, they're hidden.

• On your smartphone, open Settings → The phone. → Backup and reset.
• Slip on Local Backups → remove unnecessary.

3. Delete cache and temporary files

Cache Mi Cloud accumulates during synchronization and can take up to 1-2 GB. It is cleared only through the web version:

1. Go to i.mi.com → Warehouse → Management.
2. Scroll down to the "System Files" or "Cash" section.
3. Click Clear Cache (the option may be called “Delete Temporary Files”).

If there is no cache partition, try an alternative method:

1. On your smartphone, open Settings → Applications → Application Management.


2. Find "Mi Cloud" in the list and tap on it.




3. Select Warehouse → Clear the cache.

⚠️ Caution: Clearing the cache doesn't delete your files, but it can interrupt the current sync. If you're currently uploading data to the cloud, wait until it's done.

4. Disable automatic synchronization

If the cloud is filling up too quickly, turn off the automatic download of unnecessary data:

1. Open the Mi Cloud → tap on the avatar → Synchronization settings.
2. Turn off the switches next to:

• 📱 Contacts (if synced with Google).
• 📝 Notes (if you do not use the Mi Notes app).
• 🎵 Records (voice messages from messengers).
• 📁 Files (if you do not want to save documents from the File Manager).

For photos, set up selective synchronization:

1. In Mi Cloud, select Photos → Settings → Autoboot.
2. Activate the Wi-Fi Only option and set a limit on downloading large files (e.g. 10MB).

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Turning off syncing photos and videos is the most efficient way to save space. If you use Google Photos, dubbing in Mi Cloud doesn't make sense.

How to Free up Space in the Cloud Without Deleting Files

If you don’t want to lose data, but the cloud is out of space, use these methods:

1. Transfer files to another service

Copy important photos and documents to another cloud (like Google Drive or Yandex Disk) and then remove them from Mi Cloud.

• 📲 Download files to your phone via Mi Cloud → Select the files → Save it to the device.
• 📤 Upload them to another service (for example, through the Google Photos app).
• 🗑️ Remove the originals from the Mi Cloud.

For convenience, use file managers with support for cloud services, such as Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer.

2. Compress photos before uploading

If you continue to use Mi Cloud for photos, set up automatic compression:

1. Open the Mi Cloud → Photo Photo → Settings → Photo quality.
2. Choose the High (compression) instead of the Original.

This will reduce the weight of the images by 30-50% without noticeable loss of quality, for example, a photo with a Redmi Note 11 Pro weighing 12 MB after compression will take 4-6 MB.

3. Purchase of additional space (if nothing helped)

If all of the above methods haven’t solved the problem, consider the paid Mi Cloud rates:

• 💰 50GB — ~100 ₽/month ~800 ₽/year.
• 💰 200GB — ~200 ₽/month ~1500 ₽/year.
• 💰 2 TB — ~500 ₽/month (for family use).

To buy a place:

1. Get in to Mi Cloud. → Warehouse → Buy a place.
2. Choose a rate and pay through a linked card or Qiwi/YooMoney.

⚠️ Note: When you buy additional space, autorenewal is enabled automatically. To avoid debits, turn it off in your Xiaomi account settings after payment.

Frequent Cloud Cleanup Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Many users face problems after cleaning up Mi Cloud.-5 errors and ways of solving them:

1. Files deleted, but space has not vacated

The reason: files are in the cloud basket and they keep taking up space.

• Open the Mi Cloud → Recycle Bin.
• Click Clear the Recycle Bin or highlight files manually and delete permanently.

2. You cannot delete backup copies

If the web version does not have a backup section, try:

• Sign in to your Xiaomi account from another device (e.g. Redmi 10 if you have a Redmi Note 12).
• Use incognito mode in your browser or other browser (e.g. Firefox instead of Chrome).
• Clear the browser cache before logging in to i.mi.com.

3.Syncs hung after cleaning

If the cloud is no longer synced after deleting the files:

1. Reboot your smartphone.
2. Open the Settings. → Accounts. → Xiaomi and log out of your account.
3. Go back in and check the synchronization.

4. Deleted files are back in the cloud

This is because you're re-synchronizing with your phone, so you don't have to:

• Before deleting, turn off autoboot in the Mi Cloud settings.
• Delete files from your phone first, then from the cloud.

5. You can't log in to Mi Cloud.

If i.mi.com does not open or if it is an error:

• 🌍 Check if your website is blocked. VPN antivirus.
• 🔄 Try changing. DNS on your phone (e.g. 8.8.8.8 from Google).
• 📱 Update the Mi Cloud app to the latest version in Google Play or App Store.

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If after all the manipulations the cloud is still not cleared, try resetting the sync settings in your Xiaomi account (Settings). → Account. → Synchronization → Drop it).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions