How to use cloud storage on Xiaomi Redmi 9: the complete guide

Cloud storage on Xiaomi Redmi 9 is not just a convenient way to free up your smartphone memory, but also a reliable tool for backing up important data. With the built-in Mi Cloud service, you can automatically sync photos, contacts, notes and even SMS so that they are always at hand on any device. However, many users are faced with the questions: how to properly configure the cloud, what data is worth downloading, and how to avoid common errors?

In this article, we’ll take a look at all the details of working with cloud storage on Redmi 9, from the initial setup to recovering data after a phone reset. You’ll learn how to optimize the use of free 5 GB, which files are better not to store in the cloud, and how to circumvent the restrictions of slow Internet.

What is Mi Cloud and Why is it Needed on Redmi 9?

Mi Cloud is Xiaomi’s proprietary cloud storage integrated into MIUI firmware on all of the brand’s smartphones, including Redmi 9. It performs three key functions:

• 📁 Backup – Automatically save copies of contacts, messages, photos, and system settings.
• 🔄 Synchronization – accessing the same data from different devices (for example, contacts from the cloud will appear on the new Xiaomi phone).
• 🔍 Recovery – the ability to return deleted files or transfer data to another smartphone.

By default, each Mi Account is given 5 GB of free space – this is enough for a backup of the system and several thousand photos in a compressed format. However, if you actively shoot high-resolution video or store a lot of documents, you will either have to optimize the use of the cloud or buy more space (prices start from 120). ₽/month).

It is important to understand that Mi Cloud is not just an analogue of Google Drive, it is closely integrated with MIUI, so some functions (for example, backup SMS or lock screen settings) work only through it, but the service has disadvantages: for example, file download speed depends on Xiaomi servers, and in some countries access to the cloud may be limited.

How to connect and configure Mi Cloud on Redmi 9

You have to activate the cloud before you use it. Redmi 9 does this in a few steps:

1. Open Settings → Mi Account (if you do not have an account, register).
2. Go to the Mi Cloud section and turn on the main switch.
3. Choose which data to sync (contacts, photos, notes, etc.).
4. Click Backup and create the first copy of the system (it is recommended to do this over Wi-Fi).

Once activated, the cloud will automatically upload the selected data, but there are a few nuances:

• 🔋 Battery charge: Backup won't start if the charge level is below 20%.Plug your phone to charge.
• 🌐 Internet: Wi-Fi is better for first synchronization – mobile traffic can run out quickly.
• ⏳ Time: Full system backup weighs 1–3 GB and takes 10–30 minutes to create.

If the cloud is not working after setting up, check:

⚠️ Attention: Redmi 9 with firmware MIUI 12.5 and below sometimes get lost sync settings after the update, in which case it will help to restart the service: go to Settings → Annexes → Application management → Mi Cloud and click Stop, then turn on the cloud again.

What data can be stored in Mi Cloud and how much it weighs

Xiaomi's cloud supports synchronization of almost all data types with Redmi 9, but their weight varies greatly.

The heaviest files are video and raw photos in RAW format. If you are taking pictures on Redmi 9 in maximum resolution (48 MP), one photo can weigh up to 15-20 MB. To save space, in the cloud settings (Mi Cloud → Photo → Download quality), choose the option with high compression - this will reduce the weight of the photo by 2-3 times without a strong loss of quality.

Another way to optimize is to eliminate folders, for example, if you don't want to upload screenshots or memes from Telegram to the cloud, go to Mi Cloud → Photos → Excluded folders and add unnecessary directories to a blacklist, which will save up to 30% of space.

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If you need to make room in the cloud, remove old backups. They are stored in Mi Cloud → Backup → Management and often take 1-2 GB each.

How to Recover Data from Mi Cloud on Redmi 9

Data recovery from the cloud can be required in three cases:

1. After resetting the phone to factory settings.
2. When buying a new smartphone Xiaomi.
3. If you accidentally delete important files.

To recover data on Redmi 9:

1. Go to Settings. → Mi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Select the section with the data you want (for example, Contacts or Photos).
3. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Restore.
4. Specify the backup date (if there are several) and confirm the restoration.

If you're recovering data after a reset, the system will prompt you to download the last backup when you first set up your phone, and it's important that you don't skip this step, it's going to be harder to do later.

• 📱 When you restore applications, the cloud will only download their lists, not the lists themselves. APK-You'll have to re-install them from Google Play.
• 🔒 Wi-Fi passwords are not restored – they will need to be re-entered.
• ⏱️ Recovery of a large backup (2-3 GB) can take up to an hour.

⚠️ Warning: If you are recovering data to a new phone, log in to the same Mi Account that was used to create the backup first. otherwise the cloud won't show your backups!

Hidden features of Mi Cloud, which few people know

In addition to the basic features, the Mi Cloud on Redmi 9 has several hidden features that make it easier to work with data:

• 🔍 Photo search: The web version of the cloud (i.mi.com) allows you to search for photos by object (e.g., "cat" or "sea"). The feature is based on AI and is available even for old snapshots.
• 📤 Wi-Fi Autoboot: In the cloud settings, there is a Wi-Fi-only download option that prevents mobile traffic from being consumed. But few people know that you can set a Mobile Traffic Limit (e.g. 500MB/month) for emergencies.
• 🔄 File Versions: For important documents (such as passport scans), the cloud saves up to 5 previous versions. To see them, go to the file via the web version and click on three dots. → History of versions.
• 📱 Remote management: Through the Mi Cloud site, you can not only download files, but also send commands to your phone: find a device, lock it or erase data (useful when stealing).

Another little-known feature is clipboard synchronization, which is enabled in Settings → Settings → Switchboard, copy text or link will be available on all Xiaomi devices under the same account, which is convenient for quickly transferring passwords or addresses, for example.

And here's a feature that's not in the official documentation: hidden folders in the cloud, so if you create a folder on your phone called.nomedia (with a dot at the beginning) and put files in there, they won't show up in the gallery, but they'll stay in the cloud, which is convenient for storing sensitive documents.

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The most useful hidden feature of the Mi Cloud is remote control of the phone via the web version.It allows you to find the lost Redmi 9, even if you are not using the same system. SIM-The card is taken out. GPS Disabled (at last coordinates).

Mi Cloud issues on Redmi 9 and how to fix them

Despite the convenience, Redmi 9 users often experience cloud bugs, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

If the cloud stopped working at all, try resetting your sync settings:

1. Go to Settings → Accounts → Mi Account.
2. Click Delete your account (the data will be saved in the cloud).
3. Go back under the same login - it will reset the synchronization cache.

Another common problem is duplicate contacts after recovery, which happens when contacts are synced with both Google and Mi Cloud, to clear duplicates:

1. Export contacts to the VCF file (Contacts → Settings → Export).
2. Remove all contacts from your phone.
3. Import them back, the system will combine the duplicates.

⚠️ If you are recovering from the cloud on Redmi 9 missing photos, check the folder MIUI/Backup/AllBackup Sometimes files are restored there, not to the main gallery.

Mi Cloud Alternatives: When to Use Other Services

While Mi Cloud is well integrated into MIUI, it is best to use alternative cloud services in some cases.

• 📂 Google Drive: Suitable if you actively use Google services (Gmail, Docs, Photos). On Redmi 9, it can be configured as the main storage for backups through Settings → Google → Backup.
• ☁️ Yandex Disk: Convenient for users from Russia - gives 10 GB for free and works well with mobile Internet (no locks, like Google.
• 🔗 Syncthing: Free of charge P2P-So you can sync files between your devices without the cloud, if you don't trust third-party servers, you can manually configure them.

When to stop using Mi Cloud:

• If you travel frequently, in some countries (such as India or Pakistan), access to Xiaomi servers may be restricted.
• If you need more than 5GB for free, alternatives (Google Drive, Mega) give 15-50GB.
• If you’re not just using Xiaomi devices, the Mi Cloud doesn’t sync well with other brands’ phones.

To transfer data from Mi Cloud to another service:

1. Download the files you need via the web version (i.mi.com) to your computer.
2. Upload them to a new cloud (Google Drive, Yandex Drive, etc.).
3. On your phone, turn off sync in Mi Cloud and set up a new service.

Remember, you can only back up your system (with MIUI settings) through the Mi Cloud, and if you completely abandon it, you'll have to manually adjust everything when you reset your phone.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions about Mi Cloud on Redmi 9