How to Clean the Cloud in Xiaomi Phone: 7 Proven Ways to Free Up Space in the Mi Cloud

Xiaomi’s Mi Cloud cloud storage is a handy backup tool, but it’s limited. Even 5GB of free space (or 100GB by subscription) can quickly fill up with photos, videos, call records, and app backups. When memory runs out, the smartphone starts giving out space-short notifications and locks new data sync. In this article, we’ll look at how to effectively clean the cloud on Xiaomi, Redmi, and POCO phones – from manually deleting files to disabling unnecessary automatic sync.

The problem of crowded cloud is relevant not only for owners of budget models like Redmi Note 12 or POCO X5, but also for flagships like Xiaomi 14 Ultra. The fact that Mi Cloud synchronizes data by default, and many users do not even know which files take up precious gigabytes. For example, WhatsApp or Viber backups can weigh tens of gigabytes, and recording a screen or voice – hundreds of megabytes. We will show how to find and remove this “junk” without losing important information.

It’s important to understand that cleaning the cloud is not just about freeing up space, it’s also about optimizing your smartphone. Clogged storage can slow down contacts, slow down gallery photos, and even affect device autonomy (due to constant attempts to upload new data), so regular cleaning up in Mi Cloud should become a habit like cleaning up cache or updating software.

1. How to check what takes up space in the Mi Cloud

Before you start cleaning, you need to understand what data is eating away at your cloud storage. This does not require installing third-party applications – all information is available in standard Xiaomi settings.

Open the Settings menu → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud. Here you will see a general memory usage chart broken down by category: Photo, Video, Audio, Documents, Backups and Other Data. Click on any category to see a detailed list of files sorted by size or date of addition.

Note the Backup section, which is where the heaviest files are often hidden. For example, WhatsApp automatic backups can weigh 5-10 GB each, and system backups can take up hundreds of megabytes for no apparent benefit. Also check the Records folder, which includes screenshots, screen recordings and voice notes that many users forget to delete.

⚠️ Note: If you see files in Mi Cloud that are not on your phone (for example, old photos from the previous device), they can be safely deleted - they will not affect the data in the memory of the smartphone.

2 Manually delete files from Mi Cloud

The most reliable way to free up space is to manually review and delete files that are not needed, and this method takes time, but ensures that you don't lose important information, starting with photos and videos that normally take up the lion's share of space.

Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Gallery. Here you will see all the photos and videos uploaded to the cloud. Files can be sorted by date, size or type. To remove unnecessary ones:

• 📸 Select files by holding your finger on one of them (a tick will appear).
• 🗑️ Click on the basket icon in the top menu.
• 🔄 Confirm Deletion – the files will be sent to the Recycle Bin where they will be stored for 30 days before final erasure.

For video and large files (such as camera recordings), it is more convenient to use a filter by size. sort files by descent and delete those that weigh more than 50 to 100 MB — usually duplicates, failed shots or random videos.

Outdated screenshots (over 6 months)

Duplicate photos (e.g. HDR + original)

Video with low resolution or a shaking picture

Backup copies of remote applications

Voice notes without a title-->

Don’t forget the “Mi Cloud” folder. → Records are stored here:

• 🎤 Voice messages from messengers.
• 📹 Screen recordings (if you did them through Quick Settings).
• 📄 Screenshots with long texts (recognized as documents).

⚠️ Note: Deleting files from Mi Cloud does not delete them from your phone (and vice versa).If you want to erase data from both the cloud and your device, do it separately in the Gallery or File Manager.

3. Cleanup of backups and application cache

One of the biggest players in the Mi Cloud is app and system data backups, and many users are unaware that their smartphone is sending copies of WhatsApp, Viber, Telegram and other messaging apps that can weigh tens of gigabytes to the cloud every day.

To manage backup copies:

1. Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Backup.
2. Select “Manage backups”.
3. View the backup list, sorted by date or size.
4. Remove old or unnecessary copies (such as app backups you deleted long ago).

Pay special attention to backups of messenger chats, for example, WhatsApp defaults to create backups once a week, and each file can weigh 1-3 GB. To disable automatic backups:

• 📱 Open WhatsApp. → ⋮ → Settings → chat → Backup copy.
• 🔄 Select Never under Backup in Google Drive (yes, even Mi Cloud uses Google Drive settings for WhatsApp).
• 🗑️ Remove old backups manually via Mi Cloud → Backup copies.

Also check the App Cache section of Mi Cloud, which can store temporary files from Mi Video, Mi Music or Gallery, which can be safely deleted.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (like Gallery) and click Clear Cache.
3. Repeat for all applications that sync with Mi Cloud.

4. Disable automatic synchronization

Xiaomi's default is to automatically synchronize almost all of your data: contacts, notes, calendar, browser, even call records. It's convenient but it fills the cloud quickly. Fortunately, any sync can be turned off or customized to suit your needs.

To control synchronization:

1. Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Synchronization.
2. See the list of applications and data that sync with the cloud.
3. Turn off unnecessary items by moving the slider to the right (gray is off).

We recommend that you turn off synchronization for:

• 📞 Call records – unless you’re running a business and need an archive of conversations.
• 🌐 Browser – Mi Browser history and bookmarks are rarely needed in the cloud.
• 📝 Notes – if you do not use the standard Notes app.
• 🎵 Mi Music – playlist synchronization takes up space and is rarely used.

For photos and videos, it is better to set up selective synchronization:

1. In Mi Cloud → Gallery click on the icon ⚙️ (Settings).
2. Select “Shoot” and set limits: 📶 Wi-Fi only (to avoid wasting mobile traffic). 🔋 Only when charging (so as not to put the battery down). 📅 Restrict time (for example, from 2 to 6 a.m).

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If you are actively using Google Photos, disable gallery sync in Mi Cloud to avoid duplicate files in two clouds.

5.Use of third-party cleaning applications

If standard Mi Cloud tools seem inconvenient, you can use third-party cloud storage analysis and cleaning apps to help you find duplicates, large files, and unnecessary backups.

Top.-3 Applications for working with Mi Cloud:

For example, Files by Google can scan Mi Cloud for:

• 📁 Duplicate photos (e.g., copies from WhatsApp and Gallery).
• 🎥 Large video (over 100 MB).
• 🗑️ Temporary files (cache, thumbnails, log files).

To scan the cloud:

1. Open Files by Google and go to the Cleanup section.
2. Select Cloud File Analysis and log in through your Xiaomi account.
3. Follow the application’s recommendations for removing unnecessary data.

⚠️ Note: Unofficial apps like Mi Cloud Manager can request access to your Xiaomi account, only use them if you are confident in security (check reviews and permissions on Google Play).

6. Alternative cloud storage

If there is a persistent shortage of space in Mi Cloud after cleaning up, consider using alternative cloud services, many of which offer more free space or more flexible settings.

Comparison of popular cloud storage:

To transfer data from Mi Cloud to another service:

1. Download the necessary files from Mi Cloud to your phone or computer: 📱 On the phone: Mi Cloud → Select files → Save it to the device. 💻 On PC: Go to i.mi.com and download the archive.

Upload files to the new cloud via the official app or web version.

Mi Cloud

Important: When transferring data to another service, remember to delete it from the Mi Cloud, otherwise it will remain in place.

7. Optimizing the use of Mi Cloud

To avoid a shortage of space in the future, follow the simple optimization rules:

• 📅 Regular cleaning: check Mi Cloud for unnecessary files every 1-2 months.
• 🔄 Disable autosynchronization for unnecessary data (call records, browser cache).
• 📸 Use photo compression: in the Gallery settings, enable the option “Compress when downloading».
• 📱 Control backups: Only leave the last 1-2 copies of important applications.
• 💾 Use local storage: for large files (video, archives) it is better to use a flash drive or computer.

You can also set up cloud filling notifications:

1. Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Settings.
2. Enable the option “Notify when space is scarce”.
3. Set a threshold (e.g., 80% of the fill).

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The optimal balance is to store only critical data (contacts, notes, recent photos) in Mi Cloud, and transfer the rest to physical media or alternative clouds.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning up Mi Cloud