Recovery of data from the Xiaomi cloud: full instructions for 2026

Losing sensitive data from a smartphone is a stressful situation that almost every user faces. Fortunately, owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and other devices are also the ones who have lost their smartphone. POCO have a built-in solution: the Mi Cloud service automatically saves copies of photos, contacts, notes and even SMS. But how do you properly recover that data when it's been deleted from your phone or when you reset? In this article, we'll look at all the current ways, from standard features to hidden features that aren't written about in the official instructions.

It’s important to understand that the recovery process depends on several factors: whether sync was enabled before data loss, what type of files to return, and whether they have expired in the cloud. We’ll look at options for different scenarios – from recovering individual photos to fully returning a backup to a new phone, you’ll learn how to get around common errors (for example, failed to connect to Mi Cloud) and what to do if the service requires an old password from a Mi Account account you don’t remember.

This article is relevant for all devices on MIUI 12–14 (including Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12, POCO F5 and older models, and also takes into account the latest changes in the data storage policy of Xiaomi 2026 If you are looking for a solution for a particular model, use a page search (Ctrl).+F) with the name of the device.

1.Preparation: Checking synchronization with Mi Cloud

Before you try to recover data, make sure it's stored in the cloud at all. Many users are frustrated to find that sync has been disabled. Here's how to check status:

• 📱 On the phone: go to Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud. This displays a list of data types (contacts, gallery, notes, etc.) marked Synchronized or Not Synced.
• 🌐 On PC: go to i.mi.com and log in. In the Cloud section, you will see available backups and files.
• ⏳ Storage period: Xiaomi stores deleted files in the cloud basket for 30 days (previously 60 – this is an important change in 2026.

If the sync is disabled, but you remember it used to work, try turning it on now and wait 10 to 15 minutes. Sometimes the system automatically recovers the latest data when you reconnect.

• 🔄 The device was previously linked to the same Mi Account.
• 📅 It has been no more than 3 months since the sync was turned off (after that, Xiaomi servers can delete backups).

⚠️ Note: If you reset your phone to factory settings and don’t remember the Mi Account password tied to the device, it’s impossible to recover data without accessing your account. In this case, contact Xiaomi with proof of ownership of the device (check, box).

2.Recover photos and videos from Mi Cloud

Photos are the most frequent type of data users try to return. In Mi Cloud, they are stored in the Gallery section, but the recovery process depends on whether the files are deleted only from the phone or also from the cloud.

Method 1: Recovery through the Gallery app

If the photos were deleted from the phone, but not from the cloud:

1. Open the Gallery app on your phone.
2. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner → Basket.
3. Select the files you need and click Restore.

If the cart is empty, but you are sure that the photos were in the cloud:

1. In the Gallery, go to the Albums → Mi Cloud.
2. Keep your finger on the desired file. → Download.

Method 2: Using the Mi Cloud Web Version

If your phone does not have access to your account or the app does not work:

1. Open i.mi.com in your browser.
2. Sign in and go to the Gallery section.
3. Select files and click Download (they will download in the ZIP-archive).

If the photos are not in the cloud, but you are sure that they were uploaded there, check:

• 🗑️ Cart of the cloud: on the site Mi Cloud go to the Gallery → The files are stored there for 30 days.
• 🔍 Filters: maybe files are hidden by date or album. Try resetting filters in the upper right corner.

💡

If the photos were taken on the phone’s camera but were not synced to the cloud, try using a file recovery software (such as DiskDigger or Recuva), but the chances of success drop dramatically if more than a week has passed after deleting or the phone has been actively used.

3. Reconciliation of contacts, SMS note-book

Contacts, messages and notes sync with Mi Cloud separately from photos, and recovery is usually easier, but there are nuances.

Contacts

If the contact is missing after a phone reset or error:

1. Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Make sure the switch opposite the Contact is on.
3. Tap on the contact. → Synchronize.

If synchronization does not help:

• 📱 Check if contacts are hidden in the Contacts app (Group section).
• 🌐 Export contacts from Mi Cloud via web version: Contacts → Export (VCard), then import the file to your phone.

SMS and call history

This data is restored only if it was enabled to synchronize before loss:

1. In Mi Cloud, enable synchronization for Messages and Call Log.
2. Wait 5-10 minutes and restart your phone.

If SMS They haven't recovered, try:

• 🔄 Disable and turn on synchronization again.
• 📧 Use third-party applications (for example, SMS Backup & Restore if you have a local backup.

Notes

Notes from the Notes app are automatically restored when synchronization is enabled.

1. Open your notes. → Click on the avatar in the top corner → Synchronize.
2. If notes don’t appear, try uninstalling and reinstalling the app from Google Play.

Make sure sync is enabled in Mi Cloud

Check for contacts in the web version of i.mi.com

Export a backup copy (VCard) in case of failure

Reboot the phone after synchronization-->

4. Full recovery from Mi Cloud backup

If you reset your phone to factory settings or buy a new device, you can restore the entire system from a backup, which returns settings, apps (with some of them), wallpaper, and even the location of icons on your desktop.

Important: Backup is created manually or automatically (if the function is enabled in Settings). → Additionally. → Backups: Automatic copies are saved once a week when connecting to Wi-Fi and charging.

Step-by-step:

1. When you first turn on your phone, select Restore from backup and log in to Mi Account.
2. If the phone is already set up, go to Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Restore from backup.
3. Select the latest backup from the list (check the date of creation!).
4. Confirm the recovery and wait until it is completed (may take up to 30 minutes).

What is restored from the backup:

⚠️ Note: If you restore a backup to another phone model (for example, with the Redmi Note 10 on Xiaomi 13), some settings may not work correctly.In this case, after recovery, it is recommended to reset the network settings (Settings) → Connections → Resetting the network).

5. Solving Typical Recovery Errors

When you're working with Mi Cloud, you're often faced with errors, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

Error: “I couldn’t connect to the Mi Cloud”

Causes and solutions:

• 🌍 Internet problems: switch from mobile data to Wi-Fi or vice versa. Check if the connection is blocking VPN firewall.
• ⏱️ Server failures: check Mi Cloud status on Downdetector.If Xiaomi services are not available, wait 1-2 hours.
• 📅 Incorrect time/date: Reset your time settings in Settings → Additionally. → Date and time → Autodetermination.

Error: Mi Account Password is incorrect

If you do not remember the password of the account linked to the phone:

1. Try to restore your password via account.xiaomi.com (access to the email or phone number specified during registration is required).
2. If recovery doesn’t work, contact Xiaomi with a photo of the phone box (it shows you) IMEI) and check-in.

The problem is that there is not enough space in the cloud.

Xiaomi provides 5GB for free, but that's often lacking.

• 🗑️ Clean the cart in Mi Cloud (files there take up space!).
• 📁 Remove unnecessary backups in Settings → Additionally. → Backup.
• 💳 Buy an additional seat (from 200 rubles / month for 50 GB).

6. Alternative methods of data recovery

If Mi Cloud doesn’t help or the data is outdated, try these methods:

Local backups

Xiaomi creates local copies on the phone that can be used even without the Internet:

1. Connect your phone to your PC via USB (in file transfer mode).
2. Go to MIUI → Backup → AllBackup.
3. Copy files with the.mbk extension to your computer.
4. Use the official Mi software to restore PC Suite (download from pcsuite.mi.com).

Third-party services

If the data is not synced with Mi Cloud but is stored in other services:

• 📧 Gmail: Contacts and calendar could be synced to Google Account. → Accounts. → Google.
• ☁️ Google Photos: If Autoboot is enabled, photos can be there.
• 💬 Telegram: Many save important files in saved messages.

Recovery programmes

To recover deleted files directly from your phone’s memory (unless they’ve been overwritten):

• DiskDigger (Android) – downloaded from Google Play, does not require root rights for photos.
• Recuva (Windows) – if you connect your phone as a drive.

Chances of success:

• 🟢 High if files are recently deleted and the phone is not actively used.
• 🟡 Average if 1-7 days have passed.
• 🔴 Low if more than a week has passed or the phone memory is almost full.

💡

If you use recovery software, don't save the recovered files to the same phone - this can overwrite the remaining data. Always copy them to a PC or other drive.

7. How to avoid future data loss

To avoid the problem again, follow these tips:

• 🔄 Enable automatic synchronization: Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Include all necessary items (contacts, gallery, notes).
• 📅 Set up regular backups: Settings → Additionally. → Backup → Enable Automatic Backup.
• ☁️ Use multiple clouds: duplicate important data in Google Drive or Yandex Drive.
• 📱 Export contacts: once a month, save a backup of contacts to a VCard file (in the Contacts app) → Settings → Exports).
• 🔐 Remember your account information: write down your Mi Account login and password in a secure location (such as a password manager!

Also pay attention to these hidden settings:

• In Mi Cloud, you can enable Wi-Fi autoboot for photos so that they only load when connected to the network.
• In the backup settings, there is an option to copy on a schedule - select a convenient time (for example, at night).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi data recovery