Xiaomi's Mi Cloud cloud storage automatically stores your photos, freeing up space on your smartphone. But what if you want to permanently remove unnecessary images from the cloud? Simply erasing your phone doesn't always work -- files can stay in the cloud for years, taking up precious space. In this article, we'll look at all the current ways to delete your photos, including hidden settings and solutions for cases where standard methods don't work.
The Mi Cloud is integrated not only into the Xiaomi gallery, but also into system sync services, which means that even after removing photos from the device, they can continue to be stored on Xiaomi servers in archive form for up to 30 days — if you do not use the right settings. We tested all methods on models from the Redmi Note 10 to Xiaomi 14 Ultra (2026) and identified those that work steadily.
Why photos stay in Mi Cloud after being deleted from your phone
Many users are faced with a situation where, after cleaning the gallery, files still take up space in the cloud, the reason is the backup mechanism:
- 🔄 Auto Sync: By default, Mi Cloud saves copies of all photos, even if the originals are deleted from the device.
- 🗑️ Cloud Recycle Bin: Deleted files are placed in a special section and stored there for up to 30 days (some accounts up to 60).
- 📁 Hidden Albums: System folders (e.g.,.thumbnails or MIUI/Screenshots) They can be synchronized separately.
- 🔗 Account binding: Photos are tied to Mi Account, not the device, and even after the phone is reset, they will remain in the cloud.
Another trap is the "Storage Optimization" feature in the gallery settings, where when you activate it, the original photos are replaced with thumbnails, and the full-size versions are left only in the cloud, and the user thinks he deleted the photo, but actually just freed up space on the phone.
Method 1: Remove through the mobile application Gallery
The most obvious, but not always effective, method is suitable for users who have only gallery sync enabled (without backups).
- Open the Gallery app on your Xiaomi.
- Go to Mi Cloud or Cloud (depending on the MIUI version).
- Select the necessary photos (long press → tick).
- Click on the basket icon (or "Delete").
- Confirm the action in the pop-up window.
⚠️ Note: This method only removes photos from the visible part of the cloud. If you have Backup enabled in Mi Account settings, files can be saved to archive. To check this, go to Settings. → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Backup and see if gallery option is included.
Autosynchronization in the Gallery is turned off|Mi Cloud Recycle Bin checked for old files|Is backup in Mi Account disabled?|Is it possible to export important photos to another medium?-->
Method 2: Cleaning up via the web version of Mi Cloud
If you can't delete a photo on your phone (for example, because of synchronization errors), use a web interface that works even if your device is lost or reset.
- Go to i.mi.com and log in to your Mi Account.
- In the menu on the left, select the Gallery or Photos section.
- Mark the files you want (you can use filters by date or album).
- Click Remove → Confirm the action.
- Go to the table and clean it up completely.
The advantage of the web version is the possibility of mass removal (up to the 500 And you can see hidden system folders that don't show up in the mobile gallery. MIUI/Camera It can contain duplicate photos taken by system applications.
| Action. | Mobile Gallery | Web version of Mi Cloud |
|---|---|---|
| Mass removal | ❌ Limited (up to 100 files) | ✅ Up to 500 files at a time |
| Access to hidden folders | ❌ Standard albums only. | ✅ All system folders are visible. |
| Cleaning the basket | ✅ There's an option. | ✅ There is an option (with a delay of up to 30 days) |
| Work when blocking the device | ❌ Unlocking required | ✅ Access from any device |
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If the web version of Mi Cloud doesn't open, try using incognito mode in your browser or clearing the cache. Sometimes problems cause extensions to block ads.
Method 3: Disconnect synchronization and complete cloud reset
If you need to completely clear all photos of Mi Cloud (for example, before selling your account or device), follow these steps:
- Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
- Turn off sync for Gallery and Backup.
- Go back to the Mi Cloud main menu and select Storage Management.
- Click Clear all data (optional only available if sync is disabled).
- Confirm the action via SMS or password from the account.
⚠️ Warning: This method permanently removes all data from the cloud, including contacts, notes and calendar entries. Before you do it, export important information. Also note that after cleaning, it will be impossible to recover photos - even through Xiaomi support.
If the Clear All Data option is inactive, at least one sync function is enabled on your account.
Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Synchronization
Settings → Additional → BackupTurn off anything related to gallery, photos and media files.
What to do if the Mi Cloud is not shut down?
Method 4: Delete via File Manager (for hidden files)
Some photos (such as screenshots or system shots) are stored in hidden folders and are not displayed in the standard gallery.
- Open the File Manager app (or any other file manager with hidden file support).
- Activate the display of hidden folders: File Manager settings → Show hidden files
- Go to /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/Gallery/cloud or /storage/emulated/0/Pictures/.thumbnails
- Delete unnecessary files manually (they may have.jpg,.png, or.nomedia extensions).
- Clean the cart in File Manager.
Important: The cloud folder contains cached versions of the photos from the cloud. Deleting them will not affect the originals in the Mi Cloud, but will free up space on the device. To completely clean the cloud, use this method together with Method 2 (web version).
If you use Xiaomi with global firmware (MIUI Global), the path to cloud files may be different.
- XiaomiCloud
- MiCloudSync
- com.xiaomi.cloud
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File Manager does not replace cleaning Mi Cloud, but it is two different storages: local (on the phone) and cloud (on Xiaomi servers).
Method 5: Calling for Xiaomi Support (for complicated cases)
If standard methods do not work (for example, photos are not deleted due to sync error or account lock), you can contact official support.
- 🔒 Blocked Mi Accounts (for example, due to suspicious activity).
- 🔄 Hanging synchronization processes (photos "stuck" in the status "Delete...").
- 📂 Loss of access to the cloud after region or firmware changes.
- 🛡️ Suspicions of account hacking (extraneous photos in the cloud).
To contact the support team:
- Go to mi.com/global/support.
- Select the Mi Account & Cloud Services section.
- Fill out the problem form (specify the device model, MIUI version, and steps you’ve tried).
- Please include screenshots of errors (if any).
Response time ranges from 24 hours to 3 working days, and in most cases, support requests:
- IMEI devices (dial *#06#)
- Error logs (can be obtained through the application "Feedback" in MIUI)
- Confirmation of ownership of the account (checks, data of the linked card)⚠️ Note: If your Mi Account was created in China (China Mainland), support can only be provided in Chinese.In this case, use Google Translate or contact Xiaomi forums (for example, c.mi.com).
Frequent mistakes and their solutions
When you delete a photo from Mi Cloud, users face typical problems, and here are the most common ways to fix them:
| Mistake. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| "Failure to delete file" | Synchronization failure or low internet speed | Switch to Wi-Fi or try again later |
| Photos returned after being deleted | Backup enabled in Mi Account | Turn off gallery backup in account settings |
| "No access to Mi Cloud" | Obsolete version of the application or blocking by region | Update Mi Cloud via Play Market or use VPN |
| The basket is not being cleaned. | Server error or account limitations | Clean the cart through the web version or contact for support |
| "Inadequate rights." | Account not confirmed (no linked phone number) | Add a number to your Mi Account settings and confirm it |
If you still have photos in the cloud after all the manipulations, check:
- Is Auto-Download enabled in Google Photos (it can duplicate files)
- Whether you use third-party backup apps (like Dropbox or Yandex Drive).
- Is your Mi Account connected to other devices (tablet, second phone) that can sync photos back?
Xiaomi models with MIUI 14+ firmware (2023-2026) introduced the Smart Cleanup feature, which automatically removes duplicate photos.
Settings → Warehouse → Cleaning → Smart Cleaning → EnableThis option helps to get rid of repetitive images, but does not replace the complete cleanup of the cloud.