How to delete data from Xiaomi Cloud only: do not touch files on your phone

Xiaomi Cloud cloud storage is a handy tool for backing up photos, contacts, notes and other data. However, over time, it fills up with unnecessary files, and free 5 GB (or 10 GB for some regions) quickly run out. The main problem is that when files are deleted through standard settings, they often disappear from the phone, which is not always convenient. How to clean the cloud while saving local copies? This guide is a proven way for all versions of MIUI (including MIUI 14 and HyperOS).

We’ll discuss how to delete sample files (photos, videos, documents), clean up your backups entirely, or turn off automatic sync for specific data types. We’ll focus on the hidden nuances of why some files aren’t deleted the first time, how to recover accidentally erased data, and what to do if the cloud is frozen during cleaning. The instructions are relevant for all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models, from the budget Redmi Note 12 to Xiaomi 14 Ultra flagships.

Warning: Before mass deletion, check if the setting Save local copies is enabled in Settings → Xiaomi Cloud → Sync. Otherwise, the files will disappear from the phone!

Why are files deleted from the cloud and from the phone?

By default, Xiaomi Cloud works on a mirrored principle: everything you delete in the cloud automatically erases on the device, and vice versa.

• 📷 Gallery (photo and video)
• 📞 Contacts and call log
• 📝 Notes and notebooks
• 🎵 Recorder recordings

The only exception is backups, which can be deleted without affecting your phone, and to turn off mirror removal, you need to manually change the sync settings for each type of data, more on this in the next section.

Important: If you deleted a file from the cloud and it was lost from your phone, check the Recycle Bin folder in the Gallery or File Manager, and you can recover the data within 30 days of deleting it.

How to turn off synchronization before removal

To keep files on your phone after clearing the cloud, first turn off automatic sync for unnecessary data types.

Method 1: Through Xiaomi Cloud Settings

1. Open the Settings. → Xiaomi Cloud.
2. Select the Synchronization section.
3. Turn off sliders in front of unnecessary categories (such as Gallery or Notes).
4. Confirm the action by clicking Disable.

Method 2: For individual applications

Some applications (such as Gallery or Notes) have their own cloud settings:

• 🖼️ In the Gallery: Settings → Cloud synchronization → Shut down.
• 📄 In Notes: Settings → Synchronization → Xiaomi Cloud → Shut down.

Turn off sync for unnecessary data |Check out free space on your phone |Create a local copy of important files |Make sure your phone is connected to Wi-Fi

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⚠️ Warning: Once sync is disabled, new files will no longer automatically upload to the cloud. To resume backup, turn on the sliders back.

Step-by-step: How to delete files from the cloud only

When sync is disabled, you can start cleaning, and consider two scenarios: selective removal (of individual photos, notes) and complete cleanup (of all backups or categories of data).

Selective removal via the web version of Xiaomi Cloud

The most reliable way is to use the official Xiaomi Cloud website:

1. Sign in with the same Mi Account as you do on your phone.
2. Select a category (e.g. Gallery or Files).
3. Tick the unnecessary files and click Delete.
4. Confirm the action in the pop-up window.

The advantage of this method is that you can see all files in the cloud, including those that have already been deleted from your phone, for example, if you deleted a photo from your device a year ago but it remained in the cloud, it can only be deleted via the web version.

Deletion of backup copies

Backups (backups) take up the most space, but they are easy to clean:

1. Go to Settings → Xiaomi Cloud → Backup.
2. Select the device you want to remove.
3. Click Delete backup and confirm.

⚠️ Note: If you delete the backup of a device you no longer use (such as selling an old Redmi 9), untie it from your Settings account first. → Mi Account → Devices, otherwise the new owner can recover your data.

How to remove data from the cloud if it is not deleted

Sometimes files get stuck in the cloud and don't want to be deleted either through the phone or the web.

If none of these methods worked, try Forced Synchronization:

1. Open the Settings. → Xiaomi Cloud.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Sync.
3. After the synchronization is complete, repeat the deletion.

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If the file is still not deleted, try renaming it (add a character at the end of the name) via the web version of the cloud, after which it is usually available for removal.

How to Free Up Space in Xiaomi Cloud Without Deleting Files

You don't always have to delete data to make room. Here are the alternatives:

• 📁 File Archiving: You can create a cloud in the web version ZIP-Archives of folders (like old photos) that reduce space by 10 to 30 percent%.
• 🔄 Compression of backup copies: in Settings → Xiaomi Cloud → Backup: Enable the option to Compress Backups (not available on all devices).
• 🗑️ Recycle Bin: Deleted files are stored in the Recycle Bin for 30 days and take up space. manually clean it in the web version of the cloud.
• 🔗 Transfer to Google Drive: Some files (such as documents) can be automatically synced to Google Drive via the Files app.

Also check the Other files in the cloud section, where temporary data from applications (such as Xiaomi Community cache or Mi Video) are often stored.

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If you're using HyperOS, a new option called Storage Optimization has been introduced in the cloud settings, which automatically removes duplicates and compressed copies of files without you.

What to do if you accidentally delete files from the cloud

If you've erased important data, don't despair -- you have 30 days to recover.

Method 1: Recovery from the basket

1. Open the web version of Xiaomi Cloud.
2. Go to the basket section (the bin icon in the side menu).
3. Select the files you need and click Restore.

Method 2: Restore backup copy

If the deleted files were part of a backup:

1. Go to Settings → Xiaomi Cloud → Backup.
2. Select the device and backup date where the files were still.
3. Click Restore and select the desired categories (e.g. Gallery only).

⚠️ Attention: when you restore the backup, the current data on the phone will be overwritten by the ones in the copy. For example, if you restore contacts from the backup from a month ago, all the numbers added during this time will disappear. VCF.

How to Disable Xiaomi Cloud Completely

If you choose to abandon the Xiaomi cloud in favor of Google Drive, Yandex Drive or physical drive, it can be completely disabled.

• ⚠️ All data stored only in the cloud will be deleted without recovery.
• 📱 Functions like Finding a Device or Transferring Files Between Devices will stop working.
• 🔄 Automatic backup of applications and settings will turn off.

To deactivate the cloud:

1. Go to Settings. → Xiaomi Cloud.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Exit.
3. Confirm that your Mi Account is disconnected from cloud services.

If you want to save data before turning it off, manually download it first:

• 📥 For photo/video: Use the Export function in the web version of the cloud.
• 📋 For contacts: export them to the file VCF via Contact → Settings → Exports.
• 📝 For Notes: Open each note and save as a text file.

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Before you completely shut down the cloud, check if other Xiaomi services are tied to it (such as Mi Home for smart devices or Mi Fit for fitness bracelets).

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning up Xiaomi Cloud