Cloud storage Xiaomi Cloud (or Mi Cloud) automatically backs up photos from smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO, But many users have difficulty migrating these images to a computer, and the problem is compounded by the fact that the official web interface of the cloud is often changed, and the mobile app does not always offer convenient tools for mass download. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways of downloading photos โ from standard to little-known workarounds, including solutions for cases when the cloud blocks exports.
Xiaomi Cloud is very well integrated with the ecosystem. MIUI: Photos can be stored in the main cloud and in the Gallery section. โ The cloud is on the smartphone itself. It creates confusion, because users don't always know where their images are, whether they're on Xiaomi servers or just in the local cache of the phone, and we're going to clarify this point and show you how to guarantee that you can download the originals, not the reduced previews.
Important: if you use Google Photos in parallel with Mi Cloud, some of the images can be duplicated or stored in different resolutions. FAQ-The section where we deal with such cases.
1. Download via the web version of Xiaomi Cloud (official way)
The most obvious method is to use the browser version of the cloud on i.mi.com. However, there are pitfalls: the interface is often updated, and in some regions (for example, in Europe) functionality can be reduced due to the use of the Internet. GDPR. Here's how to do it right:
- Sign in with the same Mi Account that is linked to your smartphone. If you use two-factor authentication, confirm your login via the phone. SMS email.
- Go to the Gallery section (or Photos in English) and you will see all synchronized photos, including screenshots and images from messengers.
- For selective loading: ๐ Check the desired photos (in the mobile version of the interface, you may need to keep your finger on the image). ๐ฅ Press Download button (usually in the upper right corner). ZIP-archive.
- For mass downloading: ๐ Use a date or album filter (such as Camera or Screenshots). โก Click Select All (in some versions of the interface, this option is hidden under the tether โฎ).
Limitations of the method:
- ๐ซ Maximum size ZIP-archive โ 2 GB (if the photos are larger, they will have to download parts).
- ๐ In some regions (for example, India), downloading via the browser is completely disabled - instead of the Download button, you will be asked to use a mobile application.
- โณ Download speed is limited by Xiaomi servers (especially noticeable with a large number of files).
Check if you are using an account linked to your phone.|Turn it off. VPN (It can block access to the cloud)|Update your browser to the latest version|Prepare enough disk space (photos take up more space than you think)-->
2.Use of the Mi Cloud mobile app on your phone
If the web version is not working or limited, you can download photos directly from your smartphone and then transfer them to your PC. This method is suitable for users who have Mi Cloud sync photos in the background.
- Open the Mi Cloud app (white cloud icon on a blue background). If it's not available, download it from Google Play or AppGallery.
- Go to the Gallery section โ Cloud (or Cloud) All uploaded photos will be displayed here.
- Select the desired pictures (hold your finger for multiple selection) and click Download (down arrow icon). The photos will be saved to the Download or MiCloud folder on your phone.
- Connect your smartphone to your PC USB (File Transfer mode) and copy the photos to your computer.
Important nuances:
- ๐ฑ On some firmware MIUI (for example, MIUI 14 for global version) The Cloud section may not be available in the gallery, in which case use a separate Mi Cloud app.
- ๐ If the photos are not displayed, check the sync settings: Settings โ Xiaomi account โ Mi Cloud โ Gallery, make sure the switch is active.
- โ ๏ธ Note: when downloaded via the mobile application, some metadata (for example, the date of the shooting) may be reset. PC Suite.
Through the web version of Xiaomi Cloud|Through the Mi Cloud mobile app|Through Mi. PC Suite|Synchronizing with Google Photos|Another way.-->
3. Synchronization through Mi PC Suite (official PC software)
Mi PC Suite is Xiaomi's official utility for controlling your smartphone from your computer, and it allows you not only to download photos from the cloud, but also to backup, update firmware, and even restore deleted files:
| Advantages | Deficiencies |
|---|---|
| ๐น Supports mass uploading of photos without size restrictions | ๐ธ It works unstable on macOS (it is better to use Windows) |
| ๐น Maintains original quality and metadata | ๐ธ Requires phone connection by USB (It's not remotely working) |
| ๐น You can selectively download albums or folders | ๐ธ Interface in English/Chinese (not fully Russified) |
| ๐น Automatically sorts photos by date | ๐ธ Sometimes it gets stuck with a lot of files (>5000) |
Step-by-step:
- Download Mi. PC Suite from the official Xiaomi website (link: pcsuite.mi.com). Install the program on your PC.
- Connect your smartphone to your computer through USB-cable (use the original cable for connection stability).
- Turn on the phone mode File transfer (in the connection notification) USB).
- Run the Mi PC Suite and wait for the program to recognize the device.
- Go to the Photos section โ Cloud. All photos from Mi Cloud will be displayed here.
- Select the photos you want and click Export (or Download in the Russified version). Specify the folder on your PC to save.
Solving common problems:
- ๐ If the program can't see the phone: Try another one USB-cable (preferably original from Xiaomi). Install Mi Phone Manager drivers manually (you can download on the official website). USB In the developer settings (if it was enabled).
- ๐ข If downloading is too slow: Close other programs that use the Internet (torrents, streaming). Connect your PC to the network via cable instead of Wi-Fi.
๐ก
If Mi PC Suite does not recognize your smartphone, try to turn on the phone settings mode USB-debugging (Settings) โ The phone. โ Version. MIUI, press 7 times โ Developer settings โ Debugging by USB).
4. Alternative method: synchronization with Google Photos
If you have a photo autoload enabled in Google Photos in parallel with Mi Cloud, you can use this service as an intermediary for downloading to your PC.
- ๐ You are in a region where Mi Cloud is limited.
- ๐ You need to download the photo in original quality without compression.
- ๐ You want to automate backups.
Instructions:
- Open the Google Photos app on your smartphone and make sure that sync is enabled: Settings โ Backup and synchronization.
- Go to your PC at photos.google.com and log in with the same Google account as you do on your phone.
- Choose the photos you want (you can use filters by date or album).
- Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Download. ZIP-archive.
Important: Google Photos defaults to compress images if you run out of space in the cloud.
- Go to Settings. โ Storage management.
- Choose Original Quality (if available) If the option is not available, you will have to vacate space or buy additional storage.
What if Google Photos donโt show all the photos?
5. Bypasses: downloading through API and third-party instruments
If standard methods don't work (e.g., due to regional constraints or server errors), informal methods can be used, they take longer, but often save in difficult situations.
Method 1: Use the Mi Cloud bootloader
This is open source software that automates downloading photos through API Mi Cloud is suitable for users who have thousands of photos and do not have time to download them manually.
- Download the utility from GitHub (repository: BlackHole1/mi-cloud-downloader).
- Install Python 3.8+ and dependencies on the requirements.txt file (command: pip install) -r requirements.txt).
- Log in to Mi Cloud via your browser and copy cookies (use the EditThisCookie extension for Chrome).
- Run the script with the command: python mi_cloud_downloader.py -u your e-mail@mi.com -p password --cookie "your cookies"
- Specify the folder to save and wait for the download to be completed.
Warnings:
โ ๏ธ Note: Using third-party tools may violate Xiaomiโs user agreement. Do not enter data from the main account if it is tied to payments or important data. Create a separate Mi Account for tests.
โ ๏ธ Note: Script may not work if Xiaomi changed API. Before using, check issues on GitHub for relevance.
Method 2: Export through ADB (for advanced users)
If photos are stored in the local cache of the Mi Cloud on the phone, they can be retrieved through the phone. ADB (Android Debug Bridge. This method is suitable if:
- ๐ฑ Web version of cloud is not available in your region.
- ๐ง You can't log in to Mi. PC Suite.
- ๐ Photos are displayed in the phone gallery, but not downloaded through the cloud.
Instructions:
- Turn on the phone to debug. USB (Settings โ The phone. โ Version. MIUI, press 7 times โ Developer settings โ Debugging by USB).
- Connect your phone to your PC and confirm your trust in the device.
- Open the command line (Windows) or the terminal (macOS/Linux) and do: adb pull /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/Gallery/cloud/ C:\Photos\XiaomiCloud (switch the path).
- If the cloud folder is empty, try the alternative paths: adb pull /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.miui.gallery/files/cloud/
๐ก
ADB-This method is only suitable for photos that are already cached on the phone, and if the cloud doesn't sync the images locally, it won't work.
6. Frequent errors and their solutions
When you download photos from Xiaomi Cloud, users face typical problems, and we have collected the most common ways to fix them:
| Mistake. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| "Can't upload photos" in the web version | Xiaomi servers are overloaded or blocked by the provider | Use it. VPN (For example, ProtonVPN or try it later. |
| Photos are downloaded in low quality | In the cloud settings included compression to save space | Open the Mi Cloud Settings โ gallery โ Download quality and select Original |
| No โDownloadโ button is visible in the mobile application | Outdated version of the application or regional restrictions | Update Mi Cloud in the App Store or use Mi PC Suite |
| ZIP-archive damaged during downloading | Interrupted connection or server error | Try to download the archive again or break the download into parts of 1 GB |
| I canโt log in to Mi Cloud. | Two-factor authentication or account locking | Check it out. SMS/email If your account is blocked, contact Xiaomi for support. |
Additional advice:
- ๐ If photos are missing from the cloud, check the Recycle Bin in Mi Cloud โ files are stored there for 30 days.
- ๐ To speed up download, sort photos by year and download them in separate archives.
- ๐ If you are looking for a specific photo, use a keyword search (e.g., โbeachโ or โ2023").