Mi Cloud is Xiaomi’s cloud storage that synchronizes contacts, photos, notes and other data between brand devices. The service is integrated into MIUI firmware and is available on all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones, from budget models to flagships. However, many users face difficulties when connecting for the first time or are unaware of the hidden capabilities of the service.
In this article, you will find detailed instructions on setting up Mi Cloud, managing backups, recovering data after a reset, and solving typical errors (e.g., “I failed to connect to the server”). We will also discuss how to save traffic when synchronizing, what data can be excluded from backup, and how to transfer files from Mi Cloud to Google Drive or other clouds. MIUI 14/15 model 2020–2026 year-end.
What is Mi Cloud and Why is it Necessary?
Mi Cloud is the equivalent of iCloud for Xiaomi’s ecosystem.The service provides 5GB of free storage (with the option to expand to 2TB for a fee) and allows you to:
- 📱 Synchronize contacts, SMS, Calendar recordings between Xiaomi smartphones in real time.
- 📷 Automatically upload photos and videos to the cloud (analogue of Google Photos).
- 🔄 Recover data after resetting settings or switching to a new phone.
- 📱 Remotely control the device (locking, searching, erasing data).
- 📄 Store backups of applications, system settings and Wi-Fi passwords.
The main advantage of Mi Cloud over third-party services (such as Google Drive) is deep integration with MIUI. For example, when a phone is reset, the system will automatically prompt you to restore data from Mi Cloud, while Google will need to manually configure.
⚠️ Note: Files uploaded to Mi Cloud are not encrypted on the user side, which means that Xiaomi employees can technically access them (unlike Proton Drive or Cryptomator.
The service is available in all countries except China (there is a separate version – Xiaomi Cloud with different tariffs and restrictions). Russian users can use Mi Cloud without VPN, but some features (for example, payments via Mi Pay) may be limited.
Sign in and sign in to Mi Cloud on Xiaomi phone
To use Mi Cloud, you need a Xiaomi account (Mi Account), and if you don't have one, sign up for the phone:
- Open Settings → Xiaomi account.
- Click Create an account and enter an email or phone number.
- Confirm registration by SMS or letter.
- Create a strong password (at least 8 characters, with numbers and letters).
If you already have an account, but your phone is not connected to the Mi Cloud:
- Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
- Enter the login and password from the account.
- Confirm your login via SMS or email (if two-factor authentication is enabled).
- Allow access to contacts, photos and other data (optional).
Important: The system will suggest you back up the first time you log in, and we recommend you agree, but first check what data will be saved (for more on this in the next section).
Set up synchronization and backup
By default, Mi Cloud only syncs contacts and notes to add other data:
- Open your Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
- Press Data Sync.
- Turn on the switches next to the desired items: 📞 Contacts (on by default). 📅 Calendar and Notes. 📷 Gallery (photo and video). 🔑 Wi-Fi Passwords (useful when changing your phone). 🎵 Records of the voice recorder and browser settings.
photo
Autoboot
- 📶 Wi-Fi only (recommended for traffic savings).
- 🔄 When connecting to charging (additional condition).
- 📂 Exclusion folders (such as screenshots or memes).
- Click Create a Backup (the process can take 10–30 minutes).
Important: When you restore applications, some data may not be transferred (for example, save in games or chats in Telegram).This depends on whether the application supports backup through MIUI.
What to do if the recovery is suspended?
Storage Management: How to Clean Up Your Space in Mi Cloud
The free Mi Cloud tariff provides 5 GB, which is enough for 1-2 backups or ~2000 photos in compressed format. If the space ends, there are several ways to free it:
| Method | How do you do it? | How much free will you be? |
|---|---|---|
| Remove old backup copies | In Mi Cloud → Backup, select an unnecessary copy and click Delete | 1-3 GB |
| Clean the basket. | Files in the basket are stored for 30 days. Clean it in Mi Cloud → Recycle Bin | 0.5–2 GB |
| Turn off autoload video | In the Gallery → Autoload uncheck the box with Video | Savings up to 1 GB/month |
| Compress photos | In the autoload settings, select Average Quality instead of Original. | Save 30-50% of the space |
| Buying an extra seat | In Mi Cloud → Increase storage select the tariff (from 50 GB per ~100 ₽/month) | From +50GB |
Tip: Before you delete a backup, check what data it stores. To do this, click on the copy and see the list of saved items. If there are important SMS or application settings, export them manually first.
⚠️ Note: Files deleted from Mi Cloud cannot be recovered through Xiaomi Support. If you accidentally delete photos, try using data recovery software (such as DiskDigger) on the phone itself – but the chances are minimal if more than a day has passed.
Solving common problems with Mi Cloud
Mi Cloud users often experience sync errors, inability to log in or slow downloading of files. Consider the most common problems and their solutions:
1 "I was unable to connect to the server"
Causes: Internet problems, VPN blocking, malfunctions on Xiaomi servers.
Decision:
- 🔄 Reboot your phone and router.
- 🌐 Check your Internet connection (open mi.com in your browser).
- 🚫 Turn it off. VPN or proxy in Settings → Wi-Fi → Additionally.
- ⏳ Wait 1-2 hours (maybe there is a technical work to do).
2.There is not enough space in the Mi Cloud
Decision:
- 🗑️ Clean the basket (see previous section).
- 📁 Transfer old photos to Google Photos or to your computer.
- 💰 Buy extra space (tariffs start at 50GB per seat) ~100 ₽/month).
3.Synchronization is 99% down.
Decision:
- 🔋 Charge your phone to 100% and connect to Wi-Fi.
- 📴 Turn off the power saving mode for Mi Cloud in the battery settings.
- 🔄 Reboot the phone and re-sync.
- Upload the.vcf file to Google Contacts or another service.
3. Post-it notes
- 📝 Open your notes. → Settings → Export and save the file to your phone.
- 📤 Import it to Google Keep or Evernote.
Important: Backups of apps and system settings cannot be migrated to other clouds – they are only compatible with MIUI. If you switch to a phone of another brand (such as Samsung), this data will be lost.
Security and privacy in the Mi Cloud
Mi Cloud, like any cloud service, has data breach risks, and here's how to minimize them:
- 🔐 Enable two-factor authentication: Go to Settings → Xiaomi account → Select two-step verification and link a phone number or email.
- 📱 Do not store scans of documents (passports, rights), bank data or intimate photos in the cloud.
- 🔄 Change your Xiaomi account password regularly (every 3-6 months).
- 🛡️ Use it. VPN when entering Mi Cloud via public Wi-Fi (e.g. at a cafe or airport).
What to do if your account is hacked:
- Change your password immediately via account.xiaomi.com.
- Disable all active sessions in Settings → Xiaomi Account → Devices.
- Check if other people’s emails or phone numbers are added to your security settings.
- If the data is leaked, delete it from the Mi Cloud and report in support of Xiaomi.
⚠️ Warning: If you sell or transfer a Xiaomi phone, be sure to log out and reset the device to factory settings. Otherwise, the new owner will be able to access your data in the Mi Cloud! 💡Two-factor authentication is the only reliable way to protect your Xiaomi account from being hacked, even if an attacker recognizes your password without the code from the code. SMS He can't come in. FAQ: Frequent questions about Mi Cloud: Can you use Mi Cloud without a Xiaomi phone? Yes, but with limitations. You can access i.mi.com from any device, but upload files to the cloud only from Xiaomi, Redmi or phones. POCO. Also on third-party devices, contact synchronization is not available and SMS. How much does the extra space in Mi Cloud cost? Current rates (2026): 50GB — ~100 ₽/month ~1000 ₽/200 GB — ~200 ₽/month ~2000 ₽/2 TB a year — ~500 ₽/month ~5000 ₽/year. Pay by credit card, Mi Pay or mobile operator (in some countries). How to turn off Mi Cloud if it drains the battery? To reduce charge: Turn off autoload photos: Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → gallery → Autoboot. Limit work in the background: Settings → Battery → Optimization → Mi Cloud → Limit. Turn off synchronizing unnecessary data (e.g., voice recorder records). If Mi Cloud is not needed at all, log out of Xiaomi account in settings. Can you restore data from Mi Cloud to a different brand phone (Samsung, iPhone)? Partially. You can: 📞 Transfer contacts via export to.vcf file. 📷 Download photos to your computer and then upload them to Google Photos. 📝 Transfer notes through export to text file. However, application backups, SMS and system settings cannot be restored on Xiaomi’s non-smartphone – they are only compatible with MIUI. What happens to the data in Mi Cloud if I delete a Xiaomi account? When you delete an account, all data in Mi Cloud is deleted irrevocably after 30 days. This includes: Backups. Photos and videos. Contacts, notes, calendar. If you want to save data, export it in advance (see the section on porting to other clouds).