How to Remove Xiaomi Backup from the Cloud: 5 Ways to Remove Xiaomi

Xiaomi’s Mi Cloud cloud storage automatically backs up your data, from contacts to photos, but over time, it takes up precious space. If you no longer need old backups or want to make room for new files, you can delete them, but the process isn’t always obvious: some copies are hidden in the depths of the menu, while others are tied to your Mi Account and require additional action.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can delete backups, from standard methods through the Mi Cloud app to radical solutions like resetting your account, and learn why some backups don’t get deleted the first time and how to get around system limitations. The instructions are valid for all Xiaomi, Redmi and other devices. POCO base MIUI 12–14.

1.Why Xiaomi backups take up space in the cloud?

Xiaomi smartphones by default save not only contacts or notes in the Mi Cloud, but also full images of the system, applications and their data.

• 📱 System settings: wallpaper, sounds, network parameters, screen settings.
• 📞 Contacts and messages: history SMS/MMS, Call records (if included).
• 📷 Multimedia: Gallery photos (unless sync with Google Photos is disabled).
• 🎮 Application data: game saves, messenger cache, social network settings.
• 📄 Documents: files from Downloads or Documents folders.

By default, MIUI creates backups every 24 hours if the device is connected to Wi-Fi and is charging, and the volume of one copy can reach 5-15 GB depending on the number of applications installed and media, while Mi Cloud provides only 5 GB for free - the rest of the space has to be bought or vacated manually.

⚠️ Note: Removing backup from the cloud will not restore data on the device if it is already deleted locally. Backups in Mi Cloud are one-way synchronization: they do not duplicate files on the smartphone, but only store copies of them on Xiaomi servers.

2. Method 1: Remove via the Mi Cloud app on a smartphone

The easiest method is to use the official Mi Cloud app, pre-installed on all Xiaomi devices. MIUI 12–14:

1. Open the Mi Cloud app (white cloud icon on a blue background).
2. Sign in to your Mi Account if you are not automatically logged in.
3. Go to the Backup tab (or Backup in English).
4. Click on Manage Backups (or Manage Backups).
5. Select an unnecessary copy from the list (they are sorted by date of creation).
6. Slap on the basket icon 🗑️ or the Remove button.
7. Confirm the action in the dialog window.

If the removal button is inactive or missing, check:

• 🔄 Internet connection (required to synchronize with the server).
• 🔒 Account rights: You must be the owner of the Mi Account, not a guest.
• 📱 App Version: Update Mi Cloud via Google Play or App Store.

Once deleted, the copy will disappear from the list, but can remain in the Mi Cloud shopping cart for up to 30 days to delete it permanently:

1. Return to the Mi Cloud home screen.
2. Slip on the profile icon → basket.
3. Select unnecessary files and click Clear.

Method 2: Remove via the web version of Mi Cloud

If your smartphone doesn’t have access to an app or it doesn’t work properly, use the Mi Cloud web interface, which is also suitable for removing copies from your computer:

1. Go to i.mi.com in your browser.
2. Sign in under your Mi Account (login – email or phone number).
3. In the menu on the left, select Backup.
4. Click on Backup Management.
5. Tick away unnecessary copies and click Delete.

In the web version, additional options are available:

• 🔍 Device Filtering: You can only delete copies from a particular smartphone (useful if you have multiple gadgets on one account).
• 📅 Sorting by date: from old to new or vice versa.
• 📊 Size view: You can see how much space each copy takes up.

⚠️ Note: When removed via the web, some system backups (such as firmware copies) may remain in the cloud. → Memory. → Backup on the device itself.

Method 3: Remove via phone settings (hidden method)

Not everyone knows that backups can be managed directly in the system settings, bypassing the Mi Cloud application.

• 📱 Mi Cloud App Removed or Not Updated.
• 🔄 You need to remove a partial copy (for example, only photos or contacts).
• 🛠️ Resetting the synchronization settings.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset.
2. Tap Local Backup (if you need to delete copies from your phone) or Mi Cloud Backup.
3. Select Backup Management.
4. Click on the unwanted copy and hold it for 2 seconds until the menu appears.
5. Choose Delete and confirm.

This section may also include:

• 🔄 Disable Autosynchronization: Translate Slider Automatic Backup to Off position..
• 📂 Exclude folders: Click Backup Settings and uncheck unnecessary data (such as Downloads or Audio).

💡

If the copy list shows devices you don’t already have, it means they’re tied to your Mi Account. To delete them, untie the gadget in your account settings first (i.mi.com → “Devices”).

5. Method 4: Completely reset backups via Mi Account

If standard methods fail and copies still take up space, you’ll have to resort to a radical measure: resetting your Mi Account settings, which removes all backups, including hidden system files, but requires caution:

1. Go to account.xiaomi.com.
2. Log in and select Account Management → Security.
3. Scroll down to the Backup and Synchronization block.
4. Click Reset backup data.
5. Enter the password from the account and confirm the action.

After discharge:

• ✅ All backups will be immediately deleted from Xiaomi servers.
• ⚠️ Automatic synchronization will be disabled for all devices associated with the account.
• 🔄 With the next backup, you will have to reconfigure the reservation settings.

⚠️ Note: Mi Account data reset does not affect files in other Xiaomi services (such as photos in Mi Gallery or notes in Mi Notes).However, it deletes sync history, which can lead to conflicts when recovering data on new devices.

6. Method 5: Removal through Xiaomi technical support

In rare cases, backups can get stuck on servers due to sync failures. If you’ve tried all methods but still have space, contact Xiaomi for support:

1. Go to the support page of Xiaomi.
2. Select Mi Cloud from the category list.
3. Please contact us (or contact us).
4. Describe the problem by pointing out: 🆔 ID Your Mi Account (email or phone). 📱 Model of the device (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro). 📅 Backup dates that are not deleted.

Please include screenshots of errors (if any).

Support usually responds within 24 to 48 hours, and in most cases, the problem is solved manually through Xiaomi’s internal tools, and if the copies contain sensitive information, you can request a complete deletion of your account (but this will result in the loss of all data, including purchases from the Mi Store).

💡

Before contacting for support, check if the lack of space in the Mi Cloud is related to other files (such as automatically uploaded photos or videos). Use the Storage section in the i.mi.com web version to analyze the occupied space.

7.How to avoid re-creating unnecessary backups

To make sure that backups don’t take up space in the future, configure synchronization options:

Also useful:

• 📁 Exclude large files: in the Mi Cloud settings, uncheck the boxes from the Download folders, DCIM/Camera (If the photos are duplicated in Google Photos).
• 🔄 Clean the cart regularly: files in it take up to 30 days.
• 📊 Monitor Storage: Check Occupied Space in Mi Cloud once a month → Warehouse.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing Xiaomi backups