How to Delete Files from Xiaomi Cloud: 5 Ways to Delete Your Files

Xiaomi’s Mi Cloud cloud storage has become an integral part of the brand’s ecosystem, automatically backing up photos, contacts and user documents. However, over time, even free 5GB is filled up, and removing unnecessary files becomes a non-trivial task. Unlike local smartphone storage, where you just click “Delete”, working with the cloud requires knowledge of synchronization, shopping cart and cross-platform access.

This article will reveal all the current ways to clean up Mi Cloud, from basic deletion through a mobile application to hidden web features and forced synchronization. We will examine why files sometimes “return” after deletion, how to circumvent data recovery restrictions, and what to do if the cloud stopped responding.

Why files are not deleted from the Xiaomi cloud: 3 hidden reasons

Many users are faced with a situation where, after clicking Delete, files disappear only visually, but continue to occupy storage space, due to the Mi Cloud architecture, which is sharpened for reliable backup, here are the key mechanisms that prevent complete cleanup:

• 🔄 Automatic sync: If backup is enabled on the phone (path: Settings) → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Synchronization: Deleted locally files can be restored in the next synchronization session.
• 🗑️ Hidden Recycle Bin: Unlike Google Drive, where the shopping cart is visible to the user, it is hidden in Mi Cloud. Files are stored there for up to 30 days, taking up a quota.
• 📱 App cache: Mi Cloud app on Android caches thumbnails and metadata, creating the illusion that files are left (although they are no longer on the server).

Compounding the problem, Xiaomi does not provide tools to force the cloud cache to be cleaned, and the only radical way is to reinstall the com.miui.cloudservice app, which will temporarily lose access to backups.

⚠️ Note: If you use the AutoSync Photos feature in the Xiaomi Gallery, deleting images through the standard Files app will not affect their cloud copies. → Photo Photo.

Method 1: Delete files via the Mi Cloud mobile application

The most obvious method is to use the official app pre-installed on all Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones.The interface is intuitive but has pitfalls:

1. Open the Mi Cloud app (white cloud icon on a blue background).
2. Sign in with the same account to which the storage is attached.
3. Go to Files or Gallery (depending on the type of data).
4. Select files with a long tap, then click Delete (basket icon).
5. Critical Step: Return to the home screen of the app and click Sync (button in the upper right corner), otherwise the changes will not apply.

The problem is that the app doesn't show the actual amount of space that's been vacated until the synchronization is complete, so you can check the results.

1. Close the application through the recent ones.
2. Open Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Storage.
3. Wait for the statistics update (it can take up to 5 minutes).

Long pressing is made to select files |

Remove button (basket) |

Forced synchronization started |

Checked storage in account settings-->

Method 2: Cleaning through the web version of i.mi.com (for PC and phone)

The Mi Cloud web interface offers enhanced features over a mobile app, including access to hidden folders and mass deletion.

1. Go to i.mi.com in your browser (Chrome or Edge is recommended).
2. Sign in with your Xiaomi account (linked to your phone).
3. In the left menu, select the Files or Gallery section.
4. Use date/type filters to quickly find unnecessary data.
5. Tick the files and click Delete (or Delete key on the keyboard).

Advantages of the web version:

• 🖥️ Mass allocation of files (Ctrl)+A to pick all of them).
• 🔍 Advanced search for metadata (e.g. files sized) >100MB).
• 📁 Access to system folders hidden in the mobile application (for example, MIUI/Backup).

⚠️ Note: When deleted via the web version, files are placed in the same hidden bin for 30 days. To free up space immediately, after deleting, go to Settings → Recycle Bin (in the web interface) and clean it manually.

1. disable VPN/proxy (Mi Cloud blocks some IPs).

2. Clear the browser cache for the i.mi.com domain.

3.Use the incognito mode.-->

Method 3: Forced synchronization and cache reset

If files are deleted but the storage is not released, the problem is the inconsistency between the local cache and the server.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find Mi Cloud (or Mi Storage on newer versions of MIUI).
3. Click Warehouse → Clear the cache and Clear the data.
4. Reboot the phone.
5. Open the Mi Cloud app and wait for full sync (the indicator at the top of the screen).

For Xiaomi 12/13/14 and Redmi Note 11/12 models with MIUI 14+, a hidden cloud diagnostic mode has been added:

Enter the phone code in the app: ##3646633##


CIT → Cloud Service → Force Sync

Method 4: Remove via File Manager (for power users)

Hidden cloud files are stored in the system folder /data/data/com.miui.cloudservice, but access to it requires root rights. If your phone is unlocked, use Root Explorer or MiXplorer:

1. Open a file manager with root access.
2. Go to /data/data/com.miui.cloudservice/files.
3. Delete folders: cache – temp thumbnail cache – temporary thumbs files – image preview

Reboot the phone.

Without root rights, the alternative is to use ADB:

adb shell


su




rm -rf /data/data/com.miui.cloudservice/files/cache/*




rm -rf /data/data/com.miui.cloudservice/files/temp/*

⚠️ Note: Deleting Mi Cloud system files without backup can result in loss of account binding.On Xiaomi 14 Ultra models and later, this blocks access to Find Device and Mi Pay.

Through the Mi Cloud| mobile app

Web version of i.mi.com|

File Manager with root rights |

ADB-team|

Do not delete files from the cloud-->

Method 5: Calling for Xiaomi Support (for unsolvable cases)

If files are not deleted by any means, official support remains, Xiaomi provides 3 communication channels:

• 📧 Email: Email support.global@xiaomi.com The theme is "Mi Cloud Storage Issue" and the phone model and version. MIUI. Screenshot of the Storage section in Mi Cloud. Application Logs (can be obtained through Settings) → The phone. → Debugging → Log collection).
• 💬 Chat: In GetApps (or Mi Community) go to Profile → Support → Online chat.
• 📞 Telephone: For Russia — 8 800 555-05-65 (call-off).

The response time for email is 72 hours, but to speed up the process:

• The letter reads: "Urgent: Mi Cloud quota not released after deletion."
• Attach a screenshot of the error (if any) with a time stamp.
• Use an account linked to a cloud problem.

💡

Xiaomi support can delete files on its part, but only if they violate the rules of storage (for example, pirated content).

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even following the instructions, users make errors that lead to data loss or account lockdown.-5 problems and solutions:

1. Insufficient rights error: This occurs when you try to delete files that have been downloaded from another device, and the solution is to log in to the same phone that downloaded them.
2. Files are returned after deletion: The fault is the sync enabled in the Gallery or Notes. Turn it off in the settings of the corresponding applications.
3. Recycle Bin Won't Clean: In the web version, go to Settings → Recycle Bin → Clean Everything. On your phone, this section is hidden - use ADB: adb shell content delete --uri content://com.miui.cloudservice.trash
4. Request limit exceeded: When you delete more than 500 files at a time, the server blocks the action for 24 hours. Break the operation into parts of 200-300 files.
5. Account blocked: If you delete too much data in a short period, bot protection is triggered. Unblocking will require an SMS confirmation.

Pay special attention to Xiaomi models with MIUI for Russia (for example, Redmi 10C or Poco M5).

• The maximum size of one file to download is 2 GB (vs. 10 GB in the global version).
• Automatic compression of images when synchronized (quality is reduced to 85%).
• No access to Mi Cloud+ (Extended Storage)

FAQ: Answers to popular questions