How to Download Data from Xiaomi Cloud: All Ways to Upload Photos, Contacts and Backups

Why users want to download data from Mi Cloud and what risks it carries

Xiaomi Cloud (or Mi Cloud) cloud storage automatically syncs photos, videos, contacts, notes, and even backups of your smartphone settings. However, many users face the need to upload this data to a local device — whether it’s switching to another brand, freeing up space in the cloud, or simply wanting to have a backup on their hands. Unlike Google Drive or iCloud, where downloading files is intuitive, the Mi Cloud interface often raises questions.

The main reasons for data uploading: 1) Migration to a device from another manufacturer (for example, from Redmi Note 12 to iPhone 15), where synchronization with Mi Cloud is impossible. 2) Limited cloud space - free tariff offers only 5 GB, which quickly ends with active camera use. 3) Fear of data loss when the phone is reset or broken. 4) The desire to edit photos in third-party programs (for example, Lightroom or Photoshop), where direct access to the Xiaomi cloud is absent.

But there are pitfalls:

⚠️ Speed restrictions – when downloading large volumes (for example, video files in the 4K) The server can artificially slow down the loading.

⚠️ File format – application backups (.xapk) and system settings are downloaded in encrypted form and cannot be read without special software.

⚠️ Geo-blocking – in some regions (e.g. the EU), Mi Cloud functionality may differ due to local data retention laws.

In this article, we will cover all the current ways to upload data, from the official web interface to workarounds for tech-savvy users, and how to avoid typical errors, such as 403 Forbidden or 99% interruption of downloads.

Method 1: Download from the official Mi Cloud website

The easiest and most secure method is to use the browser version of the cloud, which is suitable for uploading photos, videos, contacts and notes, but does not allow you to download application backups or system settings.

Step-by-step:

1. Sign in to i.mi.com under your Mi Account (same as your phone) If you have two-factor authentication enabled, confirm your sign-in via the phone. SMS email.
2. In the main menu, select the section from which you want to download the data: 📷 Gallery - photos and videos. 📞 Contacts - phone book. 📝 Notes - texts from the Mi Notes app. 🔄 Backups – only a list of backups will be displayed here, but not their contents!
3. To download photos/video: Tick the files you want (or click Select All). Press Download (cloud icon with a down arrow). Files will be packed into a.zip archive (maximum 2 GB per download). If the volume is larger, the archive will break into pieces.
4. To download contacts: Press Export → Select the.vcf format (for importing in the Android/iOS) or.csv (for Excel) The file is automatically downloaded to your browser's Downloads folder.

⚠️ Note: If you see an error when downloading photos "Exceeded limit of requests", try it:

⚠️ Note: Use your browser in incognito mode or clear cache.Mi Cloud server can block IP If you have frequent requests, check if it's on. VPN — Some proxy servers are suspicious of Xiaomi’s security system.

Disable VPN/proxy

Clear the browser cache

Use Google Chrome or Firefox (Edge may not display the interface correctly)

Check free disk space (archives take up more space than the source files)-->

Method 2: Upload data through the Mi Cloud mobile application

If the web version seems inconvenient, you can download files directly from your phone through an official app, a method that is suitable for quickly uploading individual files, but is ineffective for large volumes (for example, thousands of photos).

How to do this:

1. Open the Mi Cloud app on your smartphone Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO.
2. Sign in under the same account as on the website.
3. Go to the Gallery section (or another one where you need to download the data).
4. Select files, click More (three dots in the upper right corner) → Download.
5. Files will be saved to the Download folder of internal memory or SD-map (if installed).

🔹 Pros of the method:

• 📱 You don’t need to use a computer – everything is done from the phone.
• 🔒 Data is downloaded over a local network, which is faster than over the Internet.
• 📂 Only the necessary files can be selectively downloaded.

🔸 Cons of the method:

• 🐢 Slow speed with a large number of files (the application can "hang").
• 🚫 No batch download function – you have to choose files manually.
• 📵 If the phone is connected to the mobile Internet, the download will go through traffic (risk of additional costs).

💡

If the Mi Cloud app doesn’t display all files, try upgrading to the latest version in Google Play or Mi App Store. Older versions may not support new file formats (e.g., update to the latest version in Google Play or Mi App Store, HEIC photo).

Method 3: Export backups through Mi PC Suite (for Windows)

If you need to download a full phone backup (including settings, SMS, Call log and application data, web version and mobile application won't help. Here comes the official software from Xiaomi - Mi PC Suite.

⚠️ Note: This method only works on devices on MIUI (not suitable POCO with global firmware or custom builds, you also need to disable the lock OEM in the developer settings (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI (press 7 times) → Developer settings → Unlocking OEM).

Instructions:

1. Download and install Mi. PC Suite from the official website: For the Chinese version MIUI: pcsuite.mi.com For the European/Global Version: Use the Global Version.

original USB-cable

File Transfer (MTP)

Mi PC Suite

Backup

Backup

Restore

Restore

Export

Exports

.mbk

.zip

🔹 What can be unloaded:

• 📱 System settings (wallpaper, sounds, Wi-Fi settings).
• 💬 SMS and call log (in.xml format).
• 📁 Application data (such as game saves or Mi Fit settings).

❌ What can't be unloaded:

• 🔒 Encrypted data (e.g. passwords from Mi Browser).
• 📱 Backups created on another device (linked to) IMEI phone).
• 📂 Files deleted from the cloud more than 30 days ago.

Method 4: Alternative methods for experienced users

If standard methods fail (e.g. due to account lockdown or regional restrictions), informal methods may be used, requiring technical skills and carrying risks, but sometimes being the only way out.

Method 1: Use of the API Mi Cloud (for developers)

Xiaomi provides undocumented API It can be used to automate file downloads, for example, through a Python script.

Example of code for downloading photos:

import requests


Authorization (you need a token from browser cookies after login on i.mi.com)



cookies = {'userId': 'YOUR_USER_ID', 'serviceToken': 'YOUR_TOKEN'}




headers = {'User-Agent': 'Mozilla/5.0'}




Obtaining a list of files



response = requests.get('https://cloud.mi.com/v1/feed/albums', cookies=cookies, headers=headers)




albums = response.json()['data']['albums']




Download photos from the first album



for photo in albums[0]['photos']:




url = photo['url']




r = requests.get(url, cookies=cookies, headers=headers)




with open(f"{photo['id']}.jpg", 'wb') as f:




f.write(r.content)

⚠️ Xiaomi may block an account for excessive number of requests to API. Use this method only for personal purposes and with delays between requests (time.sleep(2)).

Method 2: Bypassing regional restrictions VPN

In some countries (e.g. India or the EU), Mi Cloud functionality is being curtailed due to local laws.

1. Connect to VPN with a server in China or Singapore (ExpressVPN or NordVPN is recommended).
2. Clear the browser cache and reload the i.mi.com page.
3. If you see a captcha in Chinese, use Google Translate to solve it.

Official website of Mi Cloud

Mobile application Mi Cloud

Mi PC Suite for Windows

Alternative methods (API, script)

I haven't tried it yet)-->

Table of comparison of methods of downloading data from Mi Cloud

💡

For most users, the best solution is a combination of the web version (for photos and contacts) + Mi PC Suite (for backups) Alternative methods should only be used in extreme cases.

Typical errors and their solutions

When downloading data from Mi Cloud, users often encounter errors, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

1. The error is "403 Forbidden" or "Access Denied"

The reason: Xiaomi server blocks your IP - suspicious activity (for example, too frequent requests or use) VPN).

Decision:

• 🌍 Turn it off. VPN/proxy.
• 🔄 Reboot your router to change IP.
• 🕒 Wait 1-2 hours and try again.
• 📧 If the error persists, write in support of Xiaomi with your Mi Account. ID (You can find it in the account settings).

2. Download interrupted by 99%

Reason: This is most often due to an unstable internet connection or server-side restrictions.

Decision:

• 📶 Connect to the network via cable (if you download on PC).
• 🔌 Disconnect all other devices from Wi-Fi to free up the channel.
• 📥 Use a download manager (such as Internet Download Manager) to resume an interrupted download.
• 📦 If you download a large archive, break it down into parts (for example, 1 GB).

3.The files are downloaded but not opened

Reason: It is possible that files are encrypted or have a non-standard format (e.g.,.mbk or.xapk).

Decision:

• 🔓 For.mbk, use Mi. PC Suite (see Method 3).
• 📂 For.xapk (app backups), try renaming it.zip and unpacking it.
• 🖼️ If the photos are in.heic format, install the codec. HEIF Image Extensions from Microsoft Store (for Windows).

4.I can't see all the files in the cloud.

Reason: It is possible that the sync is disabled on the phone or files have been deleted.

Decision:

• ⚙️ Check the synchronization settings: Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Synchronization of data.
• 🔍 Enable the display of hidden files in the Mi Cloud settings (web version).
• 🗑️ Check the Recycle Bin folder in the cloud – files are stored there for 30 days.

💡

If you downloaded a backup copy through Mi PC Suite, but can’t restore it on a new phone, try to roll back to the same version first. MIUI, The different versions of the firmware may not be compatible.

FAQ: Frequent questions about downloading data from Mi Cloud