Xiaomi Cloud Storage is not just a backup of your data, but a full-fledged tool for synchronizing files between devices, protecting against loss of information and remote access to photos, contacts or notes. However, many users face difficulties when first logging into the Mi Cloud or do not know how to effectively manage stored data. In this article, we will discuss all the ways to view cloud storage on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones, including hidden features and solutions to typical problems.
It is important to understand that access to the cloud depends on the version. MIUI For example, in some countries, Mi Cloud may be limited or replaced with alternative solutions (for example, Google Drive on global firmware). 11T Pro to budget Redmi Note 12.
What is Mi Cloud and Why is it Necessary?
Mi Cloud is Xiaomi’s proprietary cloud storage integrated into the MIUI ecosystem. It automatically backs up:
- 📸 Photos and videos (including those deleted from the gallery)
- 📞 Contacts, SMS call-book
- 📝 Notes and recordings from the Mi Notes app
- 🔄 System settings (Wi-Fi passwords, wallpaper, application parameters)
- 🎵 Downloads and files from the File Manager
The main advantage is the free 5GB of space for each Mi Account, which can be expanded to 200GB per monthly subscription, but many users do not suspect that the cloud also allows:
- 🔍 Find your lost phone through Find Device
- 🔄 Sync data between multiple Xiaomi devices (e.g., a smartphone) + tablet)
- 📱 Restore the system after resetting or buying a new phone
Important: if you are not logged in to your Mi Account, all cloud features will be unavailable. When you first log in, the system will prompt you to create a backup copy - do not miss this step!
How to log into Xiaomi cloud storage via phone
The easiest way to view files in Mi Cloud is to use the standard Cloud app (or Mi Cloud on global firmware).
- Open the Settings app (cog icon).
- Scroll down and select Mi Account (or Mi Account).
- If you are not logged in, click Login and enter your login/password. If your account is already connected, tap your name.
- In the menu that opens, select Mi Cloud (or Cloud).
- Here you will see a list of all synchronized data. To view the files, click on the appropriate category (for example, Gallery or Notes).
Alternative path (for MIUI 14+):
Settings → Memory → Cloud storageCheck your internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile data)
Make sure that your Mi Account is confirmed by email/phone
Update the Cloud app in Google Play/Mi App Store
Free up space on your device (if you plan to download files from the cloud)-->
⚠️ Warning: If you see a message saying “Service is not available in your region”, it means that your device is running on global firmware with limited support for Mi Cloud. MIUI (But that would require unlocking the bootloader).
Viewing cloud storage through the web version of Mi Cloud
If you don’t have access to your phone or need to download files to your computer, use the Mi Cloud web version. The website interface allows you to:
- 🖥️ View photos in original resolution (without compression)
- 📁 Download file packets to ZIP-archive
- 🔄 Manage backup copies remotely
- 📱 Set up synchronization for other devices
Instructions for entry:
- Go to i.mi.com (it is recommended to use Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge).
- Select a region (China, Global or Russia – depending on your account’s link).
- Enter your username (email or phone) and password from your Mi Account.
- Confirm your login via SMS or email (if two-factor authentication is enabled).
- In the main menu, select the Cloud section.
What if you don’t have an SMS to enter?
⚠️ Note: When you first sign in from a new device or browser, the system may request confirmation via a previously authorized phone, and if you do not have one, restore access to your account through the recovery page.
How to manage files in Xiaomi cloud storage
Once you log in to Mi Cloud, you can not only view but also edit files. Here are the basic features:
| Action. | How to perform on the phone | How to execute in the web version |
|---|---|---|
| File downloading | Open the Cloud → Select Category → Press + → Download | Drag files into the browser window or click Download |
| Deletion of files | Select the files → Remove (remove to a basket where you store 30 days) | Check the files with ticks → Delete |
| Recovery from the basket | Cloud → Recycle Bin → Select files → Restore | Basket → Select → Restore |
| Foldering | Available only in Files and Notes categories | Click Create a folder in the top menu |
| File sorting | Click on the filter icon (top right) → select by date/size/type | Use the drop-down menu Sort by |
💡 Useful tip: If you need to make room in the cloud, first check the Recycle Bin folder - often there are unnecessary files that take up space.
💡
To speed up up uploading photos to the cloud, connect your phone to Wi-Fi and open the Gallery app. In the sync settings (Gallery → Settings → Cloud Sync), turn on the option to Download in original quality (but remember, this will quickly exhaust free space).
Solving problems with access to cloud storage
Sometimes users encounter errors when trying to log in to Mi Cloud, and here are the most common problems and solutions:
- 🔄 "Failed to sync data": Check your Internet connection. If the problem persists, restart your phone and update the Cloud app in the Mi App Store.
- 🔒 "Account blocked": This means that the system suspected suspicious activity. You can unlock the account through the recovery page, confirming the identity by passport or other document.
- 🌍 "Service not available in your region": Solution: change your Mi Account region to China or Russia (in profile settings.
- 📱 "Lack of cloud space": Remove unnecessary backups or buy extra space.Prices for 2026: 50GB — ~1$ a month, 200 GB — ~3$ monthly.
If none of the solutions worked, try:
- Sign out of the Mi Account and log in again.
- Clear the Cloud app cache (Settings → Applications → Cloud → Storage → Clear the cache).
- Update MIUI to the latest version.
💡
If the cloud doesn't recover data after the phone is reset, make sure you're logged in to the same Mi Account that was used to create the backup.
How to Recover Data from the Cloud to a New Xiaomi Phone
When you buy a new Xiaomi smartphone or after resetting, you can recover all the data from the Mi Cloud.
- Turn on the new phone and go through the initial setup to the Data Recovery screen.
- Choose Restore from Mi Cloud.
- Enter the username and password from your Mi Account.
- Select the latest backup (pay attention to the date of creation!).
- Check the data that you need to restore (contacts, photos, applications, etc.).
- Click Restore and wait for the process to complete (can take anywhere from 10 minutes to several hours depending on the amount of data).
⚠️ Note: If you missed the recovery step during the initial setup, you can do it later via Settings. → The phone. → Backup and reset → Restore from backup, however, in this case, some system settings (such as wallpaper or Wi-Fi settings) may not recover.
💡 Tip: Before you restore, make sure that there is enough free space on your phone. If the backup weighs 10 GB and the device is only free of 5 GB, the process will be interrupted with an error.
Mi Cloud Alternatives: When to Use Other Services
While Mi Cloud is convenient for Xiaomi’s ecosystem, alternative cloud storage options are worth considering in some cases:
- 🌐 Google Drive: The best choice if you use Google services (Gmail, Docs, Photos). Offers 15GB free and deep integration with Android.
- ☁️ Yandex Disk: Relevant for users from Russia - gives 10 GB for free and supports automatic upload of photos.
- 🍎 iCloud: If you have an Apple device, syncing via iCloud will be more reliable.
- 🔒 Proton Drive: For those who value privacy, open source encrypted storage.
How to transfer data from Mi Cloud to another storage?
- Download all files from Mi Cloud to your computer via the web version.
- Upload them to a new cloud (like Google Drive).
- On your phone, turn off sync with Mi Cloud and set up automatic booting to the selected service.