Mi Drive on Xiaomi: what is this cloud storage and how to use it in 2026

If you own a Xiaomi smartphone, you've probably noticed in your settings or Files app that Mi Drive** is the company's proprietary cloud service, and many people confuse it with Google Drive or Mi Cloud, not realizing why you need another disk or how it differs from its peers. In fact, Mi Drive is not just a double of other cloud storage, but a specialized tool for working with files inside the Xiaomi ecosystem, and it has unique chips.

In this article, we will discuss in detail what Mi Drive is, how it works on Redmi smartphones, POCO And Xiaomi, how it differs from Mi Cloud, and why it should or shouldn't be used. And you'll find step-by-step instructions for setting up, syncing files, and solving typical problems. If you're looking for a way to free up memory on your phone or automatically back up photos, here are the answers.

Mi Drive and Mi Cloud: What's the Difference?

The main source of confusion is two cloud services from Xiaomi with similar names: Mi Cloud and Mi Drive.

• 📱 Mi Cloud is a cloud storage for backing up your entire device: contacts, SMS, Notes, call history, even system settings, tied to a Xiaomi account, and works like iCloud for iPhone.
• 📁 Mi Drive is a file storage system, like Google Drive or Yandex Disk, where you can manually upload documents, photos, videos and share them by link, and it doesn't back up system data, but it's integrated with the Files app.

Simply put, Mi Cloud is for phone backup, Mi Drive is for file storage and sharing. Both services use the same Xiaomi account but occupy different shelves in the cloud, for example, if you delete a photo from Mi Drive, it will remain in Mi Cloud (if it was uploaded there automatically).

Another key difference is that Mi Drive is not available in all regions, and in Russia and some CIS countries it can be disabled by default or work with restrictions.

The main functions of Mi Drive: what can be done?

Mi Drive is not just a file storage drive, it has some unique features that distinguish it from its competitors:

• 🔄 Automatic synchronization of selected folders (for example, downloads or DCIM/Camera) Files are loaded in the background, saving you time.
• 🔗 Sharing a link with an expiration date (from 1 day to 30) and password. You can send a file even to a user without a Xiaomi account.
• 📱 Integration with MIUI: Files from Mi Drive are displayed directly in the Files app in the Cloud section as if they were lying on your phone.
• 🔍 Search for content (including text in documents and PDF). It works faster than Google Drive, thanks to optimization MIUI.
• 📊 Usage statistics: the service shows which types of files take up the most space (photos, videos, documents, etc.).

One of the most useful features is Smart Cleanup.** If your phone runs out of memory, Mi Drive can automatically delete local copies of files, leaving only the cloud versions (like Google Photos).This works for photos, videos and documents that you manually or automatically upload to the cloud.

Mi Drive also supports file versioning: if you accidentally changed a document, you can restore the previous version (up to 10 saved copies), this feature is only available for files up to 100 MB in size.

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If you share files with colleagues or friends often, create a folder in Mi Drive that has permanent access to the link, so you don't have to generate a new link every time.

How to turn on and configure Mi Drive on Xiaomi

By default, Mi Drive can be disabled or hidden in settings, especially on smartphones for the Russian market.

1. Open the Files app (the folder icon on the desktop).
2. Go to the Cloud tab (if there is none, tap on three horizontal lines in the upper left corner and select Mi Drive).
3. Click Login and log in through your Xiaomi account (if not, sign up).
4. After logging in, agree to the terms of use and confirm access to the files.

If there is no Cloud tab at all, check the region of your Xiaomi account:

1. Go to Settings. → Xiaomi account → Personal data.
2. If you're looking at the Region field, if you're looking at Russia or Ukraine, the service may be limited.
3. To unlock Mi Drive, change the region to India, Indonesia or Hong Kong (via the app). VPN or change the region in the account settings).

After activation, we recommend setting up automatic synchronization:

1. In the Files app, go to Mi Drive. → Settings (⚙️).
2. Enable Auto Sync and select backup folders (such as Camera or Screenshots).
3. Set a traffic limit for the mobile network (we recommend only on Wi-Fi).

Sign in to your Xiaomi account|Change the region (if necessary)|Enable autosynchronization|Select folders for backup|Limiting mobile traffic-->

How much space does Mi Drive give and how to increase it?

By default, each Xiaomi user gets 5GB of free space in Mi Drive.This is less than Google Drive (15GB) or Yandex Disk (10GB), but enough to store important documents or contact backups.However, if you plan to upload photos or videos, 5GB will run out quickly.

The amount of free storage depends on the level of Xiaomi account:

Points to improve the level are accumulated for activity in the Xiaomi ecosystem: purchases in the Mi Store, participation in surveys, use of services (for example, Mi Fit or Mi Home).

• 💰 50GB — ~150 rubles/month or ~1200 rubles/year.
• 💰 200GB — ~300 rubles/month or ~2400 rubles/year.
• 💰 2 TB — ~900 RUB/month (for business users only).

Important: payment is possible only through Mi Pay or a linked card in the Xiaomi account. In Russia, due to sanctions, there may be restrictions - check availability before buying.

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To get more space in Mi Drive for free, link your Xiaomi account to social networks (Facebook, Twitter) and confirm your phone number. +1GB.

Typical Mi Drive Problems and How to Solve Them

Despite its convenience, Mi Drive sometimes doesn't work well, and here are the most common bugs and ways to fix them:

⚠️ Note: If Mi Cloud stopped working after changing the region, return the settings. Some Xiaomi services conflict when changing the location of the account.

If Mi Drive doesn’t start at all, try the following:

1. Clear the Files app cache in Settings → Apps → Application Management.
2. Remove and reinstall the File update via the Mi App Store.
3. Check if the access is blocked by an antivirus or firewall (such as Avast or built-in Security in the Internet). MIUI).
4. Reset network settings in Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings.

If nothing helps, contact Xiaomi via the official website or chat in the Mi Community app. MIUI A screenshot of the error will speed up the solution.

Data Security in Mi Drive: Should You Trust?

Many users are questioning how securely personal files are stored in Mi Drive, according to Xiaomi, the data is encrypted using the protocol. AES-256 There are a few nuances, however, when it's transferred and stored, which is in line with banking standards:

• 🔐 Two-factor authentication (2FA) It's available, but you need to manually enable it in your account settings, and without it, anyone who knows your password can access your files.
• 🌍 The servers are located in China, Singapore and India, which means that for users in Russia, the data may be subject to local laws (for example, a request for disclosure from the authorities).
• 📜 Xiaomi’s privacy policy allows you to analyze downloaded files to “improve services.” This doesn’t mean your data is read manually, but automated algorithms can scan content.

If you store confidential information (document scans, passwords, financial data) in Mi Drive, we recommend:

1. Encrypt files before downloading (e.g., by using the 7-Zip password-wise).
2. Turn on 2FA in the settings of the Xiaomi account.
3. Do not store the originals of important documents in the cloud – only backup copies.
4. Regularly check active sessions in the account (Settings) → Xiaomi Account → Devices and safety).

For maximum security, it is better to use Mi Drive only for non-critical files (photos, music, game backups), and keep documents in encrypted containers or locally on the device.

⚠️ Warning: If you delete a file from Mi Drive, it will be in the Recycle Bin and stored there for 30 days, and then it will not be possible to restore it - even through Xiaomi support.

Mi Drive Alternatives: Which is the Best Way to Use?

If Mi Drive is not suitable for you (for example, due to region or small volume restrictions), consider alternatives:

If you want to automatically sync photos, the best choice is Google Photos (free storage in compressed quality) or Yandex Photos (no limit for photos up to 16 MP). For documents and backups, Google Drive or Dropbox is more convenient.

If you are fully immersed in the Xiaomi ecosystem (using Mi Fit, Mi Home, etc.), Mi Drive can be more convenient due to deep integration, for example, files from Mi Drive can be opened directly in Xiaomi applications without downloading.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Mi Drive