How to access Xiaomi Cloud storage from your phone: all ways and solutions to problems

Xiaomi Cloud storage is an integral part of Xiaomi’s ecosystem that allows users to synchronize contacts, photos, notes and other data between devices. However, many owners of Redmi, POCO or Mi smartphones face difficulties when first logging into the cloud or restoring access after resetting. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to log into Mi Cloud, including bypassing typical errors and the nuances of working with two-factor authentication.

It is important to understand that storage access may vary depending on the MIUI version and the firmware region, for example, on global versions (Global ROM) you can sign in via a standard Mi Account, whereas on Chinese firmware (China ROM) you may need to link your phone number to +86. We will look at both scenarios and also tell you how to restore access if you forget your password or lose access to the linked number.

What is Xiaomi Cloud and Why You Need It?

Xiaomi Cloud (or Mi Cloud) is a cloud service from Xiaomi that automatically backs up data from your smartphone and syncs it between devices.

• 📱 Contacts and call log
• 📷 Photos and videos (with the option of quality selection)
• 📝 Notes and recordings from the Mi Notes app
• 🔄 System settings (wallpaper, Wi-Fi settings, screen brightness)
• 🎵 Recordings from the recorder and data from some third-party applications

By default, each Mi Account is given 5GB of free space, and if necessary, it can be expanded to 200GB for a monthly or annual subscription, and the main advantage of the service is the ability to restore all data to a new phone after resetting or replacing the device, even if physical access to the old smartphone is lost.

However, the service has limitations, such as Chinese firmware (China ROM) does not support foreign phone numbers, and on some models (such as the Redmi Note 12 Pro+), synchronization of photos in original quality is only available by subscription, and it is worth remembering that deleted files from the cloud can not be restored - they are permanently erased after 30 days.

Preparing for the entry into Xiaomi Cloud: what to check before authorization

Before you try to enter the storage, make sure your smartphone meets the minimum requirements:

• 📱 The device is running on MIUI 10 or later (on older versions, synchronization errors are possible).
• 🌐 There is a stable internet connection (preferably via Wi-Fi, as mobile traffic can quickly run out when backups are downloaded).
• 🔋 Battery charge of at least 30% (the synchronization process can take up to an hour with a large amount of data).
• 🔑 You remember the username and password from your Mi Account (or have access to the associated account). email/phone number).

If you haven’t used Mi Cloud before, check if sync is enabled in the settings:

1. Open the Settings. → Mi Account.
2. Go to the Mi Cloud section.
3. Make sure that the Synchronization slider is active (should be green).

Two-factor authentication (2FA) is a must. If it is enabled, not only will you need a password, but also a code from an SMS or authenticator app. If you lose access to the linked number, it will be extremely difficult to restore an account, since Xiaomi does not provide alternative ways to verify identity.

Method 1: Sign in to Xiaomi Cloud via the standard settings menu

It is the simplest and most versatile method that works on most Xiaomi, Redmi and other devices. POCO. The instructions are relevant to MIUI 12–14:

1. Open the Settings app (the gear icon on the home screen).
2. Scroll up and tap the Mi Account (or Mi Account in English firmware).
3. At the top of the screen, you'll see your profile. Click on Mi Cloud.
4. If you're not already logged in, the system will prompt you to enter an email or phone number associated with your account. Enter the data and click Login.
5. If you successfully log in, the cloud’s main page will open with information about the available space and a list of synchronized data.

If you see a message saying, "This account is not linked to a device," it means that a different Mi Account was previously used on the phone.

• Click Exit in the upper right corner (if there is an active session).
• Enter your account details again.
• Confirm the entry via SMS or email.

Some firmware (e.g. China ROM) may require you to enter a phone number in +86XXXXXXXXXXX instead of email. If you have a Chinese version of MIUI but do not live in China, we recommend you to reflash your device on Global ROM or create a new account via a VPN with Chinese IP.

Method 2: Browser Login (if the application is not working)

If for some reason you can’t log into Mi Cloud through your phone’s settings (for example, after a reset or sync error), you can use the web version of the service.

1. Open any browser on your phone (Chrome, Mi Browser, etc.).
2. Go to https://i.mi.com/.
3. Click Enter in the upper right corner.
4. Enter the email or phone number associated with your Mi Account.
5. Enter the password and check for the robot (capcha).
6. If two-factor authentication is enabled, enter the code from an SMS or authenticator application.

After successful login, you will see a cloud control panel where you can:

• 📁 View and download backup copies.
• 🔄 Enable/disable synchronization for individual data types.
• 🗑️ Delete unnecessary files to free up space.
• 🔒 Change the security settings of the account.

The web version of Mi Cloud supports all the basic features, but some options (for example, data recovery to the phone) are available only through the mobile application. Also, you should consider that when downloading large files through the browser, errors are possible - in this case, it is better to use the official Mi Cloud application from Google Play.

Solving problems when logging into Xiaomi Cloud

Even with the right data entry, users often encounter authorization errors, and let’s look at the most common problems and ways to fix them:

If you see a message saying, "This account is linked to another device," it means that another Mi Account was previously logged in on the phone and its data remained in the system.

1. Go to Settings. → Mi Account.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Exit.
3. Confirm your exit and log in again with your account.

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If you change devices frequently, back up the recovery code for two-factor authentication, which can be found in the Mi Account security settings.

The “Device locked” error occurs when the phone is linked to a Mi Account with Find Device enabled and then reset to factory settings without undrafting, in which case you can only unlock the device through the official Xiaomi service by providing a purchase check.

How to Restore Access to Xiaomi Cloud if You Forgot Your Password

If you don't remember the Mi Account password, you can restore it via email or phone number.

1. On the Mi Cloud login screen, click Forgot your password.
2. Choose the method of recovery: via email or SMS.
3. Enter the email address or phone number associated with the account.
4. Get the confirmation code (by email or SMS) and enter it in the appropriate field.
5. Create and enter a new password (minimum 8 characters, with capital letters and numbers).

If you don’t have access to your email or phone number, it’s extremely difficult to restore your account, because Xiaomi doesn’t provide support for restoring your accounts through passport details or other documents, so the only way to do that is to create a new account and manually transfer data from your old device.

If you remember a password but can’t sign in due to two-factor authentication and don’t have access to an authenticator application (like Google Authenticator), try:

• Use backup codes (if you saved them when you set up 2FA).
• Restor access to the authenticator application through a backup copy (if it was created).
• Contact Xiaomi to disable 2FA (confirmation of ownership of the device is required).

How to transfer data from Xiaomi Cloud to a new phone

If you have bought a new Xiaomi smartphone and want to recover data from the cloud, follow this instruction:

1. Turn on the new phone and go through the initial setup to the account login screen.
2. Sign in with the same Mi Account that was used on the old device.
3. Once logged in, the system will prompt you to restore the data from the backup. Select Restore.
4. Specify what data to transfer: contacts, messages, applications, etc.
5. Wait for the process to be completed (it can take anywhere from 10 minutes to several hours depending on the amount of data).

If the automatic recovery does not work, you can manually transfer the data:

• 📱 Contact and SMS: Open the settings. → Mi Cloud and enable synchronization for the right categories.
• 📷 Photos: Download them via the web version of Mi Cloud or use the Gallery app (Cloud section).
• 🎵 Notes and Records: Open the Notes or Recorder app and update data via the sync menu.

Important: if the old phone was enabled to sync applications, on the new device they will install automatically, but only those available in Google Play or Mi App Store. Pirate or removed from the store applications will not be able to restore.

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When you transfer data from Android to iPhone (or vice versa), sync through Mi Cloud will not work, in which case use alternative services, such as Google Drive or iCloud.

Data Security in Xiaomi Cloud: What You Need to Know

While Xiaomi Cloud provides handy backup tools, it’s important to keep in mind the security risks:

• 🔐 Encryption: Data in the cloud is encrypted, but Xiaomi could theoretically access it at law enforcement request.
• 🌍 Xiaomi servers are located in China, Singapore and the United States, which can create privacy problems for users from some countries.
• 🚫 Delete data: files deleted from the cloud cannot be recovered (even through support).

To improve safety:

• 🔑 Enable two-factor authentication in your account settings.
• 📱 Check the list of authorized devices regularly and remove unknown devices.
• 🔄 Backup important data not only in Mi Cloud, but also on physical media.

If you’re worried about personal data leakage, you can turn off sync for specific categories (like call or message logs) and use alternative cloud services like Google Drive or Dropbox to store highly valuable information.

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Before selling or transferring your phone to another person, make sure to log out of Mi Account and reset to factory settings, otherwise the new owner will be able to access your data in the cloud!

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi Cloud