How to completely clean up Xiaomi Cloud: Delete data, disable sync and free up space

Xiaomi Cloud (or Mi Cloud) cloud storage automatically stores your photos, contacts, notes and smartphone backups, and over time, it fills up with unnecessary data, taking up precious gigabytes of free space. But how to properly clean the cloud without losing important information? In this article, detailed instructions on deleting files, disabling syncs and optimizing Mi Cloud for Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices.

Many users are faced with the cloud shutting down due to overcrowding, and paid space expansion seems unjustified. We will look at all the ways of cleaning, from manually deleting files to completely resetting your account, and you will learn how to turn off automatic sync so that the cloud does not get clogged with garbage in the future.

⚠️ Attention: Delete data from Mi Cloud is irreversible! If you sync contacts or photos only to the cloud (without a local copy), their recovery will not be possible.Be sure to check before cleaning if there are backups on your phone or computer.

1. How to check the occupied space in Xiaomi Cloud

Before you start cleaning, you need to understand what data is taking up space in your cloud.

1. Open the Settings app on your phone.
2. Go to the Accounts section → Mi Account.
3. Choose Xiaomi Cloud (or Mi Cloud in older versions of MIUI).
4. Click on Storage Management or Warehouse.

Here you'll see a diagram of the data categorized as photos, videos, contacts, notes, backups, and more, and the most voracious sections are usually Gallery and Backups, and if the cloud is running out, the system will show Warehouse almost full.

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If you have multiple Xiaomi devices (like a smartphone and a fitness bracelet), data from them can be duplicated in the cloud. Check the Devices section in the Mi Cloud to disable sync for unnecessary gadgets.

2. Manually delete files from Xiaomi Cloud

The safest way to clean up is to selectively remove unnecessary data, which will free up space without affecting important information.

Photo and video deletion

Photos and videos usually take up the lion's share of cloud storage.

1. Open the gallery → Albums → Xiaomi Cloud
2. Select unnecessary files (multiple selection mode can be used).
3. Click Delete and confirm the action.

⚠️ Attention: Deleting from the cloud gallery doesn't delete files from your phone - only from Mi Cloud. If you want to erase them locally, do it separately.

Clearance of backup copies

Backups are created automatically when you update MIUI or manually, and can weigh several gigabytes, even if you don't need older versions, to remove them:

1. Go to Settings → Mi Account → Xiaomi Cloud → Backup.
2. Select the device you want to remove the backup for.
3. Press three points (⋮) in the upper right corner and select Remove backup.

📸 Older photos and videos (especially in low resolution)

📱 Backups from past devices (if you are not using your phone already)

📝 Notes and notes that are tired (such as drafts)

📇 Contact duplicates (if synchronized with multiple accounts)

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2.3 Deletion of other data

Xiaomi Cloud also stores:

• 📇 Contacts – You can delete duplicates or unnecessary entries in Contacts → Management → Duplicate.
• 📝 Notes - are cleared in the Notes app (Basket section).
• 🎵 Records from the recorder - deleted in the Dictaphone app.
• 📍 Location data – if Mi Location sync is enabled, it can be erased in cloud settings.

Photographs and videos

Backup copies

Contacts and notes

Other-->

3. Complete cleanup of Xiaomi Cloud (reset)

If you want to completely erase all data from the cloud (for example, before selling an account or switching to another service), you can do a reset.

• Photos and videos
• Contacts
• Notes
• Backup copies
• Device settings

To perform a complete reset:

1. Go to account.xiaomi.com and log in.
2. Select Mi Cloud → Settings → Delete your account.
3. Confirm the action via SMS or email.
4. Wait until the process is completed (it can take up to 24 hours).

⚠️ Note: After resetting, your Mi Account will remain active, but all data from the cloud will be permanently deleted.If you plan to continue using Xiaomi services (such as branded apps or smart devices), do not delete your account completely - just clear the cloud.

4. How to turn off automatic synchronization

To keep the cloud from getting clogged in the future, you can turn off automatic sync for unnecessary data, especially if you have a limited rate (5-10 GB).

This can be done in two ways:

4.1. Through phone settings

1. Open Settings → Accounts → Mi Account → Xiaomi Cloud
2. Select a category (e.g. Gallery, Contacts, Notes).
3. Turn off the Synchronization slider.

4.2. via the web version of Mi Cloud

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in.
2. Go to Settings. → Synchronization of data.
3. Remove the boxes from unnecessary categories.

💡 Tip: If you’re turning off Gallery sync but want to save your photos to the cloud, use the alternatives Google Photos or Yandex Drive, which offer more free space (15GB and 10GB respectively).

5. Alternative ways to make room

If the cloud cleanup didn’t help, or you don’t want to delete data, you can use other methods:

• 🔄 Update tariff - Xiaomi offers cloud expansion to 200GB (paid).Prices start from 99 ₽/month.
• 🗑️ Clear the Recycle Bin - Deleted files are stored in the Recycle Bin for 30 days and take up space. → Mi Account → Xiaomi Cloud → Basket → Clean up
• 📁 Compress photos before uploading – in the Gallery settings you can enable the option Save traffic so that photos are loaded in lower resolution.
• 🔗 Transfer data to another cloud – download files from Mi Cloud to your computer and then upload them to Google Drive or Mega.

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If you use Xiaomi Cloud only for backups, disable media sync. This will save up to 80% of the space.

6. Frequent errors and their solution

When working with Xiaomi Cloud, users often face problems.

“No synchronization of data was possible”

The error arises from:

• 🌐 Poor Internet connection – check your Wi-Fi or mobile network connection.
• 🔒 Account locks – if you change your password or devices frequently, Xiaomi can block sync.Solution: verify identity via SMS.
• 📱 An outdated version MIUI — Update the firmware in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.

“Storage is full but data is scarce”

Sometimes the cloud shows you that the space is occupied, even though you haven't saved anything.

• 📂 Hidden backups – Check the Devices section in Mi Cloud, there may be backups from old phones hanging there.
• 🤖 System data – some applications (Mi Fit, Mi Home) store logs and cache.
• 🔄 Display error – try to log out of your account and log in again.

“I cannot delete the backup copy”

If the Remove button is inactive:

• 🔄 Restart your phone and try again.
• 🌐 Try to remove the backup through the web version.
• 📧 Write in support of Xiaomi via the feedback form in Mi Cloud.

7 Security: How to Protect Data in Xiaomi Cloud

When cleaning the cloud, keep your security in mind. Here are some tips:

• 🔐 Enable two-factor authentication in Mi Account so that attackers don’t gain access to your data.
• 📲 Change your password regularly (every 3-6 months).
• 🚫 Do not use the same password for Mi Account and other services.
• 🔍 Check active sessions in Account Settings → Security → If you see an unfamiliar device, delete it.

⚠️ Warning: If you sell or transfer your Xiaomi smartphone to someone, be sure to log out of Mi Account and reset the device to factory settings!

For discharge:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select Delete all data.
3. Confirm the action and wait for the completion (the phone will restart).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions