Modern Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones offer 5GB of free space in the Mi Cloud by default. Many device owners do not even realize that their pictures are automatically duplicated on the company's servers until they face an overflow of internal memory or accidental removal of important frames. At this point, the question arises how to view photos in the Xiaomi cloud to recover lost data or simply free up space on the device, keeping the archive safe.
Access to the library can be confusing due to the features of the MIUI shell and periodic changes in the interface of the Gallery and Mi Cloud applications. However, with the right navigation paths, you can easily manage your digital archive. Below we will discuss in detail all the ways to view, download and manage images stored in the cloud service of the ecosystem.
Entrance to cloud storage through the Gallery
The easiest and fastest way to see your images saved in the cloud is directly in the standard Gallery app, which requires making sure your device is connected to the Internet and your account settings are synchronized. Open the app and look at the top of the screen where the Photos, Albums and the dedicated Cloud tab are usually located.
This is where the Cloud displays all the photos and videos that have been uploaded to Xiaomi servers. This is where the content is sorted by date, so you can quickly find the right moment. If you don't see this tab, it's possible that the sync function is disabled in the Mi Account settings. It's important to understand that local snapshots that haven't yet been uploaded due to lack of Wi-Fi may not be displayed in this section until the process is complete.
In some versions of firmware, the interface may be different, and the cloud data is accessed through the settings menu of the Gallery itself. Click on the three dots in the corner of the screen or the menu button, then select Settings of the cloud, where you will see the status of the storage and you can go to the full view of the content.
- 📸 Open the Gallery app on your Xiaomi or Redmi smartphone.
- ☁️ Go to the Cloud tab at the top of the screen.
- 🔄 Check the synchronization status in the Mi Account settings.
- 📂 Use albums to sort your photos by event or date.
⚠️ Note: If you delete a photo from the Cloud tab in the Gallery app, it can automatically be deleted from both the device and the cloud storage.
Using the Mi Cloud web version from a computer
To view photos on the big screen or to download the archive to the computer, the most convenient way to use the web interface of the service. This method does not require the installation of additional software and works from any browser, whether it is Chrome, Safari or Firefox. Go to the official website i.mi.com and log in using your Mi Account.
Once you're logged in, you'll see a control panel where you can select the Gallery icon, and the web interface is as customized as possible for mouse and keyboard use: it's convenient to select groups of images, create new albums, and download original quality files. The download speed depends on your Internet connection and the amount of data you download.
The web version also allows you to edit basic image settings, add them to favorites, and even create shared albums for other users to access, a great tool for those who have lost their phone or temporarily use someone else's device to access their data.
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When downloading a large number of photos through the browser, it is better to choose them in small groups of 50-100 pieces to avoid connection timeout or archive download error.
Set up automatic synchronization of images
To ensure that your photos are always available in the cloud, you need to configure sync settings correctly. By default, the system can offer to download media files only when connected to Wi-Fi to save mobile traffic. You can check and change these settings in the Settings -> Mi Account -> Mi Cloud menu.
In this section, you'll find the Gallery Sync switch, and when you activate it, you start the process of backup all new images to cloud storage, and you can also download over mobile, which is useful if you have unlimited rates, but it can quickly consume a packet of data when shooting high-resolution videos.
It is important to check the status of the storage regularly, as when the free 5 GB overflow sync will stop, in which case the old photos will remain in the cloud, but the new ones will stop downloading until you vacate space or purchase a subscription.
☑️ Checking the synchronization settings
Search for hidden and deleted photos
Often users are looking for a way to view hidden photos in the cloud of Xiaomi, forgetting the existence of a special secure folder. In the Gallery app, there is a function "Hidden album", access to which is protected by a password or a pattern lock, these images can also sync to the cloud if the corresponding item is activated in the synchronization settings.
To access hidden images in the web version or application, you need to go to the album settings and select the option to view hidden objects. The system will require verification of identity. If you are interested in deleted files, they are stored in the cloud storage basket for 30 days.
Recovery from the cart is a simple process: just select the files you want and click Restore, and then they go back to the main album and sync again with all the devices associated with the account.
| Parameter | Local storage. | Mi Cloud (Cloud) | The cloud basket |
|---|---|---|---|
| Storage period | Indefinite (until deleted) | Indefinite (as long as there is room) | 30 days |
| Access from other devices | No. | Yes, from any device. | Only after logging into the account |
| Occupied seat | Phone memory | Mi Account quota (5GB) | It's in the general quota. |
| Protection | Depends on the screen lock. | Password Mi Account | Password Mi Account |
⚠️ Note: Files in the cloud storage bin are deleted irrevocably after 30 days.
Solving loading and display problems
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where photos are not displayed in the cloud or the download process hangs in the middle.The first step in the diagnosis is to check the version of the Gallery application and Mi Cloud services. Outdated software may not work properly with new encryption protocols or file formats.
It's also worth checking the date and time on the device. If the system time is downed, security certificates can block the connection to the synchronization server. Try setting up automatic time synchronization over the network in the system settings.
In rare cases, cleaning the Gallery app cache helps. To do this, go to Settings -> Apps -> All Apps, find the Gallery and select Clear Cache. This action will not delete your photos, but will reset temporary files that may have been corrupted.
What if the cloud says “Not enough space” even though the photo is small?
Data security and privacy
Storing personal photos on third-party servers always raises security questions. Xiaomi uses encryption when transferring data, but it is recommended to use complex passwords to protect Mi Account. Two-factor authentication will become an additional barrier for attackers.
If you receive a login message from an unfamiliar device, change your password immediately and check the list of trusted devices in your security settings, which will allow you to revoke access for all suspicious sessions.
For maximum confidentiality of critical documents or personal pictures, it is recommended to use the function of a hidden album with a separate password or not to upload such files to cloud services, storing them exclusively on encrypted physical media.
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Regularly checking the active session list and using two-factor authentication is the key to the security of your cloud archive.