How to Clean Xiaomi Cloud: Delete Unnecessary Files and Free Up Space

Xiaomi Cloud Cloud storage is a handy tool for backing up photos, contacts and documents, but over time it gets filled with unnecessary data. If you get a notification about a shortage of space or just want to clean up, this instruction will help to completely clean the cloud without losing important information. Unlike the local memory of a smartphone, where files can be deleted manually through a conductor, working with the cloud requires knowledge of hidden settings and MIUI synchronization features.

Many users face a problem: even after deleting files from a smartphone, they remain in the cloud and continue to take up space, this is due to the fact that Xiaomi Cloud saves backups automatically, and some data (such as notes or call records) are duplicated in several sections. In this article, we will discuss all the cleaning methods from basic to advanced, including deleting hidden copies and disabling unnecessary synchronization.

Before you start, check how much space is occupied in your cloud. To do this, open the Settings → Xiaomi Cloud app and look at the usage chart. If there is less than 10% free space, the system will start to issue warnings, and some features (such as automatic backup) will stop working.

1. Delete files via the web version of Xiaomi Cloud

The most reliable way to clean up is to use the official web-based cloud interface, which allows you to manage files from your computer or other device without straining your smartphone memory. Go to i.mi.com and log in to the same Mi Account as your phone.

In the web version, all categories of data are available:

• 📷 Photos and videos – here are stored media files from the gallery, including automatically uploaded photos.
• 📄 Documents – files from the Downloads folder and other user data.
• 🔄 Backups – archives of settings, applications and system data.
• 📞 Contacts and Notes – synchronized data from Contacts and Notes.

To delete files, tick them and click on the basket icon. Note that deleted files from the web version will disappear from your smartphone if synchronization is enabled. If you want to save a local copy, first copy the files to your computer or external drive.

⚠️ Note: Backups store the firmware and device settings archives, and deleting the last copy may make it impossible to restore the system after a reset.

2. Cleaning through a mobile application

If you don't have access to your computer, you can control the cloud from your smartphone. To do this, open Settings → Xiaomi Cloud and select a category to clean. For example, to delete photos, go to Gallery → Cloud and click Manage.

In the mobile version there are several nuances:

• 🔍 The function "Storage Optimization" automatically removes duplicates and blurred photos, but does not touch backup copies.
• ⏳ Delete large files can take a few minutes – don’t close the app until the process is complete.
• 📱 Some data (e.g. call records) is stored in the Other Data section and is not displayed in the main categories.

To speed up the process, use filters: sort files by date or size, and delete the largest ones, for example, 4K video or game backups can take several gigabytes.

3. Deletion of device backups

One of the main “eaters” of space in Xiaomi Cloud is backups of smartphones, and every time you change your firmware or reset your settings, the system creates a new archive that can weigh between 500 MB and 5 GB.

1. Go to Settings → Xiaomi Cloud → Backup.

2. Select the device from the list (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro+).

3. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Delete Backup.

If you have multiple devices (like a smartphone and a tablet), check the copies for each. Old archives can be removed without consequences, but the last copy is better left - it will be useful for recovery after reset.

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Before you delete your backup, check if your application data is tied to it (such as saving in games or settings for Mi Home).

4. Disable automatic synchronization

To prevent the cloud from re-filled, you need to turn off the automatic download of unnecessary data.

1. Go to Settings → Xiaomi Cloud → Synchronization.

2. Turn off switches in front of unnecessary categories (e.g., Call Records or SMS).

3. For photos, click Gallery → Sync settings and select Wi-Fi Only or Disable.

Pay special attention to the Mi Gallery settings. By default, the app uploads to the cloud:

• 📸 All new photos and videos (including screenshots).
• 🎥 Video in resolution above Full HD (Even if they take up a lot of space).
• 🔄 Modified files (e.g., edited in Photoshop).

If you take pictures often but don't want to upload everything to the cloud, use Selective Sync, which allows you to download only manually marked albums.

5. Clearing cache and temporary files

In addition to user data, Xiaomi Cloud accumulates temporary files and cache that do not appear in the main sections to delete them:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.

2. Find Xiaomi Cloud in the list and click Storage.

3. Select Clear Cache and Clear Data (Warning: This Will Reset Sync Settings!).

It is also recommended to clear the cache in applications that actively use the cloud:

• 📱 Mi Gallery - stores thumbnails and metadata photos.
• 📝 Notes – caches drafts and synchronized records.
• 🎵 Mi Music – retains album covers and playlists.

⚠️ Note: Clearing the data in Xiaomi Cloud will lead to logging on all devices, after which you will have to re-enroll in the Mi Account and configure sync.

6. Alternative ways of vacating space

If standard methods do not help, try these techniques:

Compressing photos before uploading

In the Mi Gallery settings, you can choose Download Quality, Select Medium or Low, which will reduce the size of your photos in the cloud by 30-50% without any noticeable loss of quality.

Transferring data to another cloud

If 5GB in Xiaomi Cloud is not enough for you, transfer some of the files to Google Drive or Yandex Disk.

1. Download files from Xiaomi Cloud to your computer.

2. upload them to another cloud via the web interface.

3. Remove the originals from Mi Cloud.

Use of local backups

Instead of cloud copies, set up reservations on a MicroSD or computer:

1. Connect the external drive to the smartphone.

2. Go to Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset.

3. Select Local Backup and specify the folder on the memory card.

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Regular cloud cleaning not only frees up space, but also speeds up sync work. If Xiaomi Cloud stores more than 10,000 files, the system starts to slow down when new data is downloaded.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning up Xiaomi Cloud