Today’s Xiaomi, Redmi, and POCO smartphones are equipped with high-quality cameras that allow you to shoot high-resolution video, and powerful processors for installing demanding games. However, even devices with a large built-in drive over time fill up, and users begin to think about how to increase the memory available for their data. The cloud service Mi Cloud becomes a key tool in solving this problem, offering not just backup, but full expansion of the digital space.
Rather than permanently deleting old photos or clearing messenger cache, it’s wiser to use cloud technologies that automatically save your files to the company’s servers, freeing up gigabytes on the device itself, while still retaining access to media files at any time via the Internet. In this article, we’ll take a look at all the available storage expansion options, current pricing plans, and synchronization tweaks for different versions of the MIUI and HyperOS shell.
Many gadget owners do not know that the base volume of 5 GB can be significantly increased for a nominal fee, gaining access to functions that are not available in the free version. Only paid subscriptions Mi Cloud allow you to store full-size original photos and videos without compression, which is critical for maintaining the quality of images. Understanding the principles of the cloud will help you correctly organize data and forget about the messages “memory is full”.
Basic functionality and limitations of free account
When you first turn on a Xiaomi smartphone, you automatically access a 5GB cloud storage. This space is distributed among different types of data: contacts, messages, voice recordings, notes and, of course, a gallery. By default, the system offers to synchronize only the most important data, such as a phone book, so that you do not lose them when you change your device.
However, for the multimedia content that takes up the most space, 5 GB is extremely small. Modern high-resolution photos weigh 3-5 MB each, and a minute of video in 4K can take up to 400 MB. If you actively use the camera, the free limit will last only a few days or weeks of active use, after which the synchronization stops.
It is important to understand the difference between a Gallery in the cloud and full folder sync. A free account often limits the user's ability to upload large-sized video files or download files. RAW-In addition, deleted files end up in a basket, which also ranks in the overall quota until it is manually cleaned.
⚠️ Note: Don’t rely solely on local storage. If your smartphone is lost or damaged, it won’t be possible to recover information without a cloud copy, even if you have a large amount of internal storage.
To check the current state of the storage, you need to go to your account settings, and you'll see a detailed diagram of the space allocation, which will help you understand what is eating up your gigabytes — most often photos and video archives that can be safely moved to the cloud.
Tariff plans Mi Cloud: comparison and selection of the best
If the built-in capacity is not enough, the service offers several levels of memory expansion, the choice of a specific tariff depends on the intensity of use of the smartphone and the amount of content created. For most users, moving to the first paid level is the most rational solution, ensuring a comfortable experience throughout the year.
Payment is made through a linked bank card or mobile account (depending on the region and the payment methods available on Google Play or through the Mi Account interface). the subscription is automatically renewed, but it can be canceled at any time, after which access to the additional volume will remain until the end of the paid period.
Below is a table with current rates that allow you to significantly increase the available space:
| Tariff plan | Memory capacity | Estimated price (mo) | Who's right for? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | 50GB | ~139 rub/$0.99 | For users who store photos and contacts |
| Standard | 200GB | ~229 rub/$2.99 | For family use and 4K video lovers |
| Premium | 2 TB | ~699 rub/$9.99 | For professionals, archiving the entire smartphone and work |
It’s worth noting that 200GB is often more profitable to buy as part of a family subscription if you have multiple Android devices, which allows you to share space between family members, which saves money. In addition, large amounts of memory (2TB) open up access to advanced backup functions of the entire system, including settings and app location.
Instructions for connecting and expanding the storage
The process of activating the paid tariff and increasing memory takes only a few minutes and does not require complex technical knowledge. All actions are performed directly in the smartphone interface. Before starting the operation, make sure that your device is connected to a stable Wi-Fi network to avoid the cost of mobile traffic when you first download data.
First, you need to log in to your Mi Account, and if you haven't already, the system will suggest you create a new profile or log in through an existing email, and that's where the space you've purchased will be linked.
Follow the step-by-step algorithm:
- 📱 Open the Security app or go to Settings» → «Mi Account».
- ☁️ Click on “Mi Cloud” or “Cloud” and then select “Storage Management».
- 💳 In the menu that opens, select the appropriate tariff plan and click on the button “Subscribe” or “Change the plan».
- ✅ Confirm payment via the payment system pop-up (Google Play or Mi Pay).
Once the payment is successful, the amount of memory available will be updated instantly, and you can immediately start forced synchronization so that the smartphone starts uploading accumulated files to the cloud, depending on the speed of the Internet and the amount of data, this process can take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours.
☑️ Pre-payment checks
Synchronization setting and smart place management
Just increasing memory is not enough – it is important to properly configure what data will be sent there. In the Settings menu → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Synchronization, you will find a full list of applications and system functions that support cloud storage.
It is recommended to activate sync for Gallery, Contacts, Messages and Notes. Free space is available for Gallery: after successfully uploading photos and videos to the cloud, copies of them are deleted from the device's internal memory, freeing up precious gigabytes. Files remain available in the Gallery app, but are marked with a cloud icon.
Also worth paying attention to the Wi-Fi sync settings. By default, large files (especially videos) are only downloaded when you connect to a wireless network. If you need to save data urgently on a trip, this option can be temporarily disabled in the Sync Settings menu → Using the mobile network, but monitor traffic.
⚠️ Note: When you enable the Free Space function, make sure that the sync is successful (all files have a cloud icon). Deleting local files before downloading is complete will result in data loss.
Special attention should be paid to synchronizing desktops and system settings, which allows you to automatically restore the familiar environment when you switch to a new Xiaomi smartphone: application icons, wallpaper, Wi-Fi passwords and system preferences, which greatly speeds up the migration process to a new device.
Alternative methods of cleaning and optimization
Even with an extended cloud, additional cleaning is sometimes required. The built-in MIUI and HyperOS tools offer powerful mechanisms to analyze the space occupied. The Security app has a Cleanup section that finds duplicate photos, large files, and remnants of remote applications.
Another effective method is to use Virtual RAM if your smartphone supports it. Although this does not increase file space, the system uses some of the permanent memory as RAM, which allows you to keep more applications open in the background without rebooting. You can find this option by Settings → Additional settings → Expand memory.
Remember messaging. Telegram and WhatsApp often store thousands of images and videos that take up gigabytes, and the app settings have data and memory sections where you can clear your cache or autodelete your media files.
What is the "Other" in the vault?
Regular maintenance helps keep the device running, and once a month, it is recommended to check the Downloads folder, which often includes APK installation files and documents that are no longer needed.
Frequent questions and solutions to synchronization problems
Users often experience syncs that freeze or files don't load, most often due to an unstable Internet connection or an outdated version of system components, and updating the "Mi Cloud" service via GetApps or Google Play often solves the problem.
If you change your Mi Account password, sync on all devices will stop before you re-authorize, and it is also worth checking whether the subscription has expired, since when you miss a payment, downloading new files is blocked, although access to already downloaded files is saved for 60 days.
For advanced users who want to fully control the process, there is the possibility of manually managing files through the i.mi.com web interface. From a computer you can conveniently sort photos, create albums and delete excess, which frees up space on the smartphone at the next synchronization.
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Use the web version of Mi Cloud to download photos from your computer, which is faster than sending files over a cable, and immediately backs up.
In conclusion, increasing memory through the Mi Cloud is not just about buying gigabytes, but investing in the safety of your personal data. Properly setting up the tariff and regularly monitoring synchronization will provide peace of mind and space for new experiences.
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Optimal strategy: tariff 50-200 GB + autodelete local copies of photos after download = eternal memory on a smartphone.