Storing photos in the Xiaomi cloud is not only a way to free up memory on your smartphone, but also a guarantee that your photos will not be lost when your device breaks down or resets. However, many users face difficulties when logging in to the Mi Cloud or finding uploaded photos. Especially when it comes to Redmi phones, POCO or Xiaomi line 13/14, Where the interface may differ from standard Android.
In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to access the Xiaomi cloud – from authorization through the official application to login via the browser from another device, you will learn how to find old photos, download them to your phone or PC, and what to do if the system requires confirmation by using a new device. SMS We will focus on typical errors (for example, “I could not connect to the server”) and how to fix them.
What is Mi Cloud and how does it work on Xiaomi phones?
Mi Cloud is Xiaomi’s proprietary cloud storage integrated into firmware MIUI. It automatically syncs photos, contacts, notes and even SMS (The main difference from Google Photos is that it is linked to a Xiaomi account (account.xiaomi.com) rather than to Google.
By default on new Xiaomi smartphones (for example, Redmi Note 12 or Xiaomi) 13T) The cloud offers 5GB of free space. ~1500 high-quality photos, and if you exceed the limit, the system will offer to buy additional space (from 50 GB per seat). ~100 rubles/month).
- 📱 Automatic sync: photos are uploaded to the cloud when connected to Wi-Fi (configured in Settings) → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → gallery).
- 🔒 Encryption: Data is transmitted via protocol HTTPS, Xiaomi can theoretically view uploaded files (unlike end-to-end encryption in Google Photos).
- 🌍 Access from any device: you can enter the cloud not only from your phone, but also through the web version on your PC or even from your iPhone (via the browser).
⚠️ Note: If you reset your phone to factory settings without a Xiaomi account detachment, access to the cloud is blocked for 7 days.
Method 1: Sign in to Mi Cloud via the Gallery app on your phone
The fastest way to view photos in the cloud is to use the standard Gallery on a Xiaomi smartphone. MIUI 12-14, including Redmi 10C, POCO X5 and flagship models.
Instructions:
- Open the Gallery app** (an icon with multi-colored squares).
- Slip on three horizontal lines (☰) top-left.
- Select the Cloud section (or Mi Cloud).
- If the system requests authorization, enter the username (email or phone number) and password from the Xiaomi account.
To download the photo on your phone:
- Click on the Download icon** (down arrow) in the lower menu.
Internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile data)
Updating the Gallery app to the latest version
Absence VPN (It can block access to Xiaomi servers)
Free space on your phone (if you plan to download a photo)-->
⚠️ Attention: If in Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud has disabled Gallery sync, you won't see any new photos in the cloud.
Method 2: Authorization through the official Mi Cloud app
If the cloud partition is not in the Gallery (for example, after resetting), use a separate application "Mi Cloud"** (set by default on all Xiaomi), which provides advanced sync settings and access to all types of data.
Step-by-step:
- Find the “Mi Cloud” icon on the home screen or in the app menu** (a white cloud logo on a blue background).
- When you first start up, the system will prompt you to log in to your account (email/phone + password).
- If two-factor authentication is enabled, confirm the login via SMS or email.
- After authorization, go to the Gallery tab** - all uploaded photos will be displayed here.
Advantages of this method:
- 🔧 Ability to selectively enable/disable synchronization for certain file types (photos, videos, documents).
- 📊 Viewing statistics on the use of cloud space.
- 🔄 Manual synchronization with the “Update” button** (useful if photos are not displayed).
| Action. | Through the Gallery | Through the Mi Cloud |
|---|---|---|
| Viewing photo | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. |
| Synchronization management | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. |
| Access to other data (contacts, notes) | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. |
| Manual Cloud Update | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. |
Through the Gallery app
Through the Mi Cloud
Through a browser on a PC
I don't use the cloud.-->
Method 3: Sign in to Mi Cloud via browser (from phone or PC)
If you don’t have access to a Xiaomi phone (for example, it’s broken or lost), you can log in to the cloud via the web version of the Mi Cloud on any device, which is also useful for mass downloading photos to your computer.
Instructions for the telephone:
- Select a region (Russia or Global, depending on the account link).
Important: When you first sign in from a new device, the system can request confirmation via email or a linked phone number. If you don't remember the password, restore it via the "Forgot your password?" option on the login page.
To download the photo on your phone:
- Check the appropriate pictures.
- Click on the Download icon** (down arrow) in the top menu.
- Files will be saved to Download folder on the device.
💡
If you enter through the browser error "I failed to connect to the server", try to change the region to Global or use the VPN Connecting to a country where Xiaomi services are officially supported (e.g. India or Singapore).
Why photos don’t show up in the Xiaomi cloud: typical problems and solutions
Sometimes users find that photos do not appear in the Mi Cloud, despite the synchronization enabled, and consider the main reasons and ways to eliminate them.
1.Syncs off
Check the settings:
- Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
- Make sure the slider opposite the Gallery is turned on (blue).
- Slip on the Gallery** and check if the option “Wi-Fi Autosynchronization” is enabled.
2. Not enough space in the cloud
If the free 5GB is full, the new photos will not sync.
- 🧹 Delete unnecessary files (go to Mi Cloud) → Storage management).
3. Internet problems
The synchronization only works with a stable connection.
- 📶 Connecting to Wi-Fi or mobile data.
- 🚫 Absence VPN Firewall that blocks access to Xiaomi servers.
- ⚡ Internet speed (uploading photos requires at least 2-3 Mbps).
4. Mi Cloud server error
If you get a message saying, "Service temporarily unavailable," the problem is on Xiaomi's side.
- 🔄 Reboot the phone.
- ⏳ Wait 10-15 minutes and try again.
- 🌐 Check the status of the services on the site status.mi.com.
What to do if Mi Cloud asks for an old password after a change
How to Download All Photos from Mi Cloud to Your Phone or Computer
If you need to back up photos from the Xiaomi cloud, there are several ways to download them. Let's take a look at them in detail.
Method 1: Through the web version of Mi Cloud (for PC)
The most convenient method for downloading a large number of photos:
- Open your browser on your computer and go to i.mi.com.
- Sign in to your Xiaomi account.
- Go to the Gallery section**.
- Check all the necessary photos (or click Ctrl).+A to highlight all).
- Click "Download" and wait for the archive to form.
- Unclose the downloaded file (usually in.zip format).
Method 2: Using the Mi Cloud app on your phone
On a smartphone, mass downloads are limited, but it is possible:
- Open the "Mi Cloud" app.
- Go to the Gallery.
- Slip on the "Select" icon** (usually in the upper right corner).
- Mark the photo and click "Download".
- Files will be saved to the Mi Cloud folder on the internal drive.
⚠️ Note: When you download a large number of photos (more than 500) through the browser, the Xiaomi server can block the request as suspicious.
Method 3: Google Photos (if sync is enabled)
If you simultaneously enable synchronization with Google Photos and Mi Cloud, you can transfer photos between services:
- Open Google Photos on your phone.
- Tap on the profile avatar. → «Photo settings»** → «Backup».
| Method | Max. Number of photos at a time. | Speed. | Convenience |
|---|---|---|---|
| Web version of Mi Cloud (PC) | Unlimitedly | ⚡ Quickly. | ★★★★★ |
| Mi Cloud app (phone) | ~50 at a time. | 🐢 Slowly. | ★★★☆☆ |
| Google Photo | Unlimitedly | ⚡ Quickly. | ★★★★☆ |
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For mass downloading photos from Mi Cloud, it is better to use the web version on your computer - it is faster and more reliable than through a mobile application.
Data Security in Mi Cloud: What You Need to Know
Storing photos in the Xiaomi cloud is convenient, but raises privacy questions.
- 🔐 Data Encryption: Xiaomi is using the HTTPS It's designed to transfer files, but it doesn't use end-to-end encryption (unlike Proton Drive or Tresorit), which means that technically, employees can view your photos.
- 📍 Storage on servers: Data is stored on servers in Singapore, India and the United States (depending on the region of the account.
- 🛡️ Two-factor authentication (2FA): It is recommended to enable in the account settings (Settings) → Xiaomi account → This will protect you from unauthorized access even if someone knows your password.
- 🗑️ Delete data: When you delete a photo from the cloud, it goes to the Recycle Bin and is stored there for 30 days.
If privacy is critical (such as keeping personal documents or intimate photos), consider alternatives:
- 🔒 Google Photos with backup enabled.
- 🔐 Proton Drive or Tresorit (end-to-end encryption).
- 💾 Local storage on the external SSD flash-drive.
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Before uploading important photos to Mi Cloud, back them up to a physical medium (such as a microSD or external hard drive) to protect you from data loss when a cloud crashes or an account is blocked.