Mi Drive – Xiaomi Cloud Storage: Opportunities, Setup and Secrets of Use

If you own a Xiaomi smartphone, you probably noticed in the list of applications mysterious service Mi Drive. Many users mistaken it for an analogue of Google Drive or iCloud, but in fact it is a unique solution from Xiaomi with its own features. Unlike standard cloud services, Mi Drive is deeply integrated into the ecosystem. MIUI It offers features that competitors don’t have, from automatic backups. SMS Before synchronizing notes from the native Mi Notes app.

In this article, we’ll break down what Mi Drive really is, how it works from a security perspective, what fares it offers and why it’s often confused with Mi Cloud (though these are two different services!). You’ll also learn how to set up automatic sync, which files are better not to store in the Xiaomi cloud, and how Mi Drive differs from similar solutions to Google or Yandex. If you have ignored this application before, after reading it, you definitely want to use it!

What is Mi Drive and why it is needed in Xiaomi smartphones

Mi Drive (or Mi Cloud in Russian localization) is a proprietary cloud storage from Xiaomi, which is part of the ecosystem. MIUI. Unlike universal services like Google Drive, it is optimized specifically for the brand’s devices and offers unique features:

• 📱 Automatic backup of contacts, SMS, call logs and even system settings (for example, wallpaper or themes).
• 📝 Sync notes from the Mi Notes app – changes immediately appear on all devices under your Mi Account.
• 🔄 Sharing files between devices without using third-party messengers (for example, you can send a photo from a smartphone to a Xiaomi tablet in one click).
• 🔒 Data protection through two-factor authentication and encryption during transmission.

It's important to understand that Mi Drive is not just a disk in the cloud, but part of the broader Mi Cloud ecosystem, which includes Mi Cloud Photos (for photo/video), Mi Cloud Backup (for system backups), and other services, but Mi Drive is responsible for storing user files - documents, archives, music, etc.

Interestingly, Xiaomi originally planned to make Mi Drive completely independent from Google Drive, but after the blocking of Google services in China, the priorities shifted.

Mi Drive vs Mi Cloud: What’s the difference and why they’re confused

One of the most common questions is, "Mi Drive and Mi Cloud are the same?"

Simply put, Mi Drive is a subdivision of Mi Cloud that handles files you upload manually, and Mi Cloud is the entire infrastructure of Xiaomi’s cloud services, including automatic backups, photo syncs, and even health data from the Mi Band.

⚠️ Note: If you delete a file from Mi Drive via the web version, it will disappear on your smartphone (if sync was enabled.

To avoid confusion, remember:

• 📁 Mi Drive = Your personal files (like Google Drive).
• ☁️ Mi Cloud = all Xiaomi cloud services (like Google Account with Drive, Photos, Contacts, etc.).

How to use Mi Drive: step-by-step instructions for beginners

The Mi Drive setup takes less than a minute, but there are a few nuances that are not mentioned in the official documentation.

1. Sign in to Mi Account Without Xiaomi account, Mi Drive is not available. Go to Settings → Mi Account and log in with your details. If you do not have an account, register (it is advisable to link a phone number to restore access).
2. Open the Mi Drive app Find it in the app menu (cloud and folder icon) or go on the Settings path → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Mi Drive.
3. Set up automatic sync In the Mi Drive settings, enable Auto Sync over Wi-Fi so that files are updated without you. Note: only Documents and Downloads are synced by default. To add others, click Select folders for Sync.
4. Download the first files Press + → Download and select files from the device's memory. Alternatively, in any file manager (e.g., Google Files), find the file you want, click Share. → Save it to Mi Drive.

Check Wi-Fi connection (mobile traffic is eaten quickly)

Make sure you have enough space (at least 100MB free)

Disable battery optimization for the Mi Drive app (in battery settings)

Remember the password from Mi Account (without it, it will be difficult to restore access to files)-->

Important: if you plan to store large files in Mi Drive (for example, videos in the video) 4K), Check the plan beforehand. Free 5GB fills up very quickly - especially if you have automatic synchronization of photos from the Gallery enabled.

⚠️ Note: When you first log in to Mi Drive, the system may suggest backing up your device. Don't confuse this with file synchronization! Backup saves system and application settings, and Mi Drive is for personal data. These functions use a single cloud space but are managed separately.

Fares and prices: how much is the space in Mi Drive in 2026

By default, each Mi Account gets 5GB of free space, which is distributed among all Mi Cloud services (including Mi Drive, backups and photos). For most users, this is only enough for basic synchronization of contacts and notes. If you need more space, Xiaomi offers the following rates (relevant for Russia and the CIS for 2026):

You can pay for extra space directly in the Mi Drive app via Settings → Storage management → Payment options are available by credit card, Qiwi, YooMoney and other means (depending on the region).

An important nuance: when paying an annual tariff, Xiaomi often gives bonus gigabytes (for example, for example, the company pays a bonus rate, +10GB to 50GB. Follow the promotions in the Promo section inside the app.

Compare the prices of Mi Drive with the competitors:

• 💰 Google Drive: 100GB per ~139 ₽/Cheap (but not very integrated with) MIUI).
• 💰 Yandex Disc: 100 GB for ~149 ₽/There are bonuses for activity, but there is no automatic synchronization SMS/contact).
• 💰 iCloud: 50GB per ~59 ₽/Mes (only for Apple devices).

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If you need to temporarily vacate space, delete old backups in Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Managing backups. They take up a lot of space, but they're rarely needed.

Security and privacy: can you trust Mi Drive?

One of the main questions users are concerned about is, "How secure is it to store personal files in Mi Drive?" The answer depends on what data you plan to upload. Here's what we know about the security of the service:

• 🔐 Encryption: All files are transmitted using a secure protocol HTTPS, Xiaomi servers are encrypted, but unlike Proton Drive or Tresorit, there is no end-to-end encryption, meaning that Xiaomi employees can theoretically access your data at the request of law enforcement agencies.
• 📍 Server localization: for users from Russia and CIS, the data is stored on servers in Singapore and Hong Kong, which means that it does not fall under the jurisdiction of the Federal Law of the Russian Federation.-152 (Personal data, but access to them is limited by the Russian authorities.
• 🛡️ Two-factor authentication (2FA): You can also use it in the Mi Account settings (Security) → Two-step verification. Without it, you can access your account only with your password.

What not to store in Mi Drive:

• 🔑 Passwords, scans of documents (passport, TIN, bank cards) – it is better to use specialized managers like KeePass or 1Password.
• 💳 Bank account or cryptocurrency wallet data.
• 🎭 Personal correspondence or compromising material (even if the folder is marked as “private").

For additional protection:

1. Use a complex password for Mi Account (at least 12 characters with numbers and special signs).
2. Turn it on. 2FA And link backup email.
3. For critical files, create an encrypted archive (.zip with a password) before uploading to the cloud.

⚠️ Note: If you lose access to your Mi Account (for example, forget your password and fail to recover it through the linked number), all data in Mi Drive will be irretrievably lost.

Hidden features of Mi Drive, which few people know

Most users use Mi Drive only for basic file storage, but the service has a few hidden features that make it much more convenient:

• 📂 Shared folders: You can create a folder and share it with other Mi Account users. → Share. → Choose a contact from a list, which is convenient for sharing documents or sharing photos with family.
• 🔄 File versions: Mi Drive saves the history of document changes (up to 30 days at a free rate). → More. → History of versions.
• 📱 Auto-upload photo: If you enable Auto-upload photos in the Gallery settings, all new photos will be duplicated in Mi Drive (Camera folder.
• 🔍 Search by content: Unlike Google Drive, you can search not only by file name, but also by text inside documents (.docx,.pdf,.txt).

Another useful feature is offline access, so if you're often offline, you can label important files as "offline available":

1. Open the file in Mi Drive.
2. Press More. → Make it available offline.
3. The file is downloaded to the device and will be available without connecting to the network.

For owners of Xiaomi devices with MIUI 14+ Mi Drive is available in Explorer. Once activated in the settings, the Mi Drive folder appears directly in the standard file manager as a local drive, which is convenient for quickly moving files between the cloud and the device's memory.

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Mi Drive can be used as a free analogue of AirDrop for Xiaomi devices: just select a file in any application, click Share and select Mi Drive. → Send it to your device. The file will instantly appear on all the gadgets under your account.

Mi Drive Alternatives: When to Switch to a Different Service

Despite the advantages, Mi Drive is not suitable for everyone, and here are some of the options you should consider:

If you do decide to switch to another service, don’t forget to export your data from Mi Drive:

1. Open the web version of i.mi.com.
2. Select the files you need. → More. → Download.
3. Archive the downloaded data and upload it to a new storage facility.

Note that you can't export your Mi Cloud Backups -- they're tied to a particular device and account. If you're selling a smartphone, first reset it to factory settings through Settings. → The phone. → Resetting settings to remove all data from the cloud.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions about Mi Drive