Xiaomi Cloud Reservations: A Complete Guide to 2026

What is cloud redundancy on Xiaomi and why you need it

Imagine if you drop your smartphone in a puddle, it stops turning on, and you have all the photos from your last vacation, your family and your work documents on it, and Xiaomi's cloud-based reservation is designed to save you from these situations by automatically storing critical data on remote servers. But how does it work in practice? And why do so many users still distrust the cloud?

Xiaomi’s backup technology integrated at firmware level MIUI It is available on most of the brand’s devices, from budget Redmis to Xiaomi’s flagship 14. Unlike on-premises backups (where a copy is created on a memory card or computer), cloud backup syncs data with the company's servers, allowing it to be recovered even if the device is lost completely, but there are pitfalls: From scope limitations to privacy issues.

In this article, we will discuss:

• 🔍 How Xiaomi Cloud Backup Works (and How It Differs from Google Drive)
• 📊 What data is saved and what is not (spoiler: not everything is so rosy)
• 💰 How much extra space costs and how to get it for free
• ⚠️ 5 Real Risks That Are Not Revealed in Official Instructions

How to turn on cloud reservation on Xiaomi: step-by-step instructions

You can activate the function in 3 minutes, but there are some nuances: first, you will need a Mi Account (if you don't have one, register in advance), second, the device should have enough free space to create a temporary copy before uploading to the cloud, and third, the process can take several hours on the first run, depending on the amount of data and Internet speed.

Instructions for MIUI 14/13/12:

1. Open the Settings. → Mi Account → The Mi cloud.
2. Sign in if you request a password.
3. Select Backup → Backup of the device.
4. Click Create a backup and select the data to save (not all are marked by default!).
5. Confirm the action and wait until the process is completed (don’t interrupt!).

Connect your device to Wi-Fi (mobile traffic is not recommended)

Charge your smartphone at least 50%

Release me. 1-2 GB of memory on the device

Check that the Mi Account has a valid email link

Turn it off. VPN (It can block access to Xiaomi servers)

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Important: If you use Xiaomi with custom firmware (like LineageOS), cloud redundancy may not work or create incomplete copies. ROM) without prior release of the loader.

What data is stored by the cloud backup Xiaomi – the full list

Many people mistakenly think that the Xiaomi cloud copies the entire contents of the smartphone, but in fact the list is limited, and this is one of the main disadvantages of the service. APK-Application files (only their settings and data), music, videos and documents in folders that are not associated with system applications:

To fully redundant media, you’ll need to use Mi Cloud Gallery (a separate service) or third-party solutions like Google Photos, but Wi-Fi passwords, on the other hand, are saved automatically, which is one of the advantages compared to a local backup.

How much is Xiaomi cloud storage and how to get a place for free

The base rate of Mi Cloud provides 5 GB for free - that's enough. 1-2 Backups of your smartphone (no photos) For comparison: Google Drive gives you a free phone 15 GB, and iCloud is everything. 5 GB, but with more flexible tariffs. Xiaomi offers expansion through subscription:

• 💎 50GB — ~150 rub/month or ~1200 rubles per year
• 💎 200GB — ~300 rubles/month or ~2400 rubles per year
• 💎 2 TB — ~1000 RUB/month (annual plan only)

There are also legal ways to get an extra seat for free:

1. Attach to the account a new device Xiaomi – will give +1 GB (once).
2. Activate Mi Cloud+ In the Mi Home app - bonus +5GB for 3 months.
3. Participate in promotions (for example, registration on the Mi Community forum is sometimes given). +2 GB).

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Before buying a subscription, check if you have a discount promo code. They are often handed out in official Xiaomi groups on Telegram or in the Telegram. VK.

Lifehack: If you need to temporarily vacate space, delete old backups in Settings → Mi Account → The Mi cloud → Backup management. The system shows the date of creation and the size of each copy so you can delete the largest volumes of copies.

Cloud vs Local Backup: What’s Best for Xiaomi in 2026

The choice between cloud and on-premises depends on your priorities.

When to choose a cloud:

• 📱 You change your smartphone frequently (like getting a new Redmi every year).
• 🌍 Traveling and afraid of losing your device.
• 🤖 You don’t want to mess with cables and computers.

When is the best local backup:

• 📁 You have a lot of photos and videos (the cloud will run out quickly).
• 🔐 Work with confidential information (e.g. business documents).
• 💾 Use custom firmware or root access.

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The best option is to combine both methods: store critical settings and contacts in the cloud, and store photos and documents on a local disk.

5 Hidden Risks of Xiaomi Cloud Redundancy That Are Not Talked About

The manufacturer emphasizes the convenience of the cloud backup, but does not mention the possible problems.

⚠️ Note: If you reset your smartphone to factory settings without detaching Mi Account, data recovery from the cloud may be blocked from the device. 7-30 It's a security measure, but it often works falsely.

1. Account binding forever

Cloud copies are tightly tied to Mi Account. If you forget your password or your account is blocked (for example, for suspicious activity), access to backups will be lost. It is extremely difficult to restore it through Xiaomi support, you will need device documents and confirmation of purchase.

Region-specific restrictions

Mi Cloud servers are physically located in China, Singapore and India, and if you are in Europe or Russia, sync speeds can drop to as low as the speed of the sync. 1-2 In addition, in some countries (for example, Indonesia), access to the cloud is limited by local laws.

3. Incomplete copies on custom firmware

If you use an informal firmware (e.g., Pixel Experience), the cloud backup can:

• 🚫 Do not save settings for certain modules (e.g. Xiaomi Eu).
• 🚫 "Forget" application data installed not from the Mi Store.
• 🚫 Create copies that cannot be restored on stock firmware.

4. Problems with two-factor authentication

If you have it on. 2FA in Mi Account, when recovering data from a new device, the system may request SMS-If the SIM card is no longer available (for example, when changing the operator), access to the backup will be blocked.

⚠️ Attention: In 2023, Xiaomi users 12T Massively complained about the loss of cloud backups after upgrading to MIUI Official decision: create a new copy after each major update.

5. Data leaks

In 2021, Check Point researchers discovered a vulnerability in the Mi Cloud that allows attackers to access backups through the swapping of authentication tokens. Although the hole has been closed, the risk remains: Xiaomi does not encrypt end-to-end backups (unlike iCloud or Proton Drive).

How to Recover Data from Xiaomi Cloud to a New Smartphone

The recovery process seems simple, but there are pitfalls. For example, if you move from the Redmi Note 11 to the Xiaomi 13 Ultra, some of the settings may not be moved due to differences in firmware.

1. Turn on your new smartphone and go through the initial setup to the Mi Account sign-in screen.
2. Sign in under the same account that was used for backup.
3. On the Data Recovery screen, select the latest backup (check the date!).
4. Check the appropriate categories (for example, Contacts and Messages).
5. Confirm the recovery and wait until it is completed (do not interrupt!).

Frequent mistakes and decisions:

• 🔄 Synchronization error (code 40305) → Check if the backup has expired (stored for 6 months without activity).
• 🔄 Not enough space. → Remove old copies or buy an extra volume.
• 🔄 The device is not supported → Update. MIUI last-minute.

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If the recovery is 99 percent dead, restart your smartphone and repeat the process, which usually helps.

After recovery, be sure to check:

• 📞 Contacts in the Phone application.
• 📅 Events in the Calendar.
• 🔑 Saved Wi-Fi passwords in Settings → Wi-Fi.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions About Xiaomi Cloud Redundancy