How to Clean Up Completed Cloud Albums on Xiaomi: 7 Ways to Work

Xiaomi cloud albums are a handy tool for automatic photo and video backup, but sooner or later users are faced with a notification: “Memory is full.” The reason is not always lack of space – often due to duplicates, cached thumbnails or unoptimized synchronization settings. In this article, we will discuss how to effectively clean cloud albums on Redmi, POCO and Mi smartphones without losing important files, and consider alternative ways to store media files.

The problem of crowded cloud is relevant for all Xiaomi models, from the Redmi Note 8 Pro to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra. Even if you use the Mi Cloud with an extended tariff (50 GB or 200 GB), over time, the space is clogged with unnecessary data. Especially acute is the issue for users who shoot video in 4K or 8K — such files take hundreds of megabytes each. In this article you will find not only standard cleaning methods, but also hidden features that are not written in the official documentation.

1.Why are Xiaomi's cloud albums filling up quickly?

Before we start cleaning, it's important to understand the root of the problem.

• 📸 Automatic synchronization of all photos and videos without filtering (including screenshots, memes and duplicates).
• 🔄 Duplication of files during editing (original) + The edited version is saved separately).
• 🗑️ Cached thumbnails and temporary files that are not automatically deleted.
• 🎥 High-resolution video (e.g., video, 4K@60fps Xiaomi 13 Pro takes over ~400 MB/min).
• 📁 Synchronize folders from other applications (for example, WhatsApp or Telegram).

Duplicates are especially insidious: if you edited photos in the Xiaomi Gallery or third-party apps (like Snapseed), the system saves both versions, the original and the processed, while the cloud syncs them as two separate files, the same thing happens with screenshots that are often taken in series (for example, when you save a long chat).

2. Method 1: Manually remove duplicates and unnecessary files

The most reliable, but laborious method is manual sorting.

1. Open the Gallery app on your Xiaomi smartphone.
2. Go to the Albums section. → The cloud (or Mi Cloud).
3. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner and select Control or Select.
4. Sort files by Date or Size to quickly find the largest ones.

To speed up the process, use filters:

• 🖼️ Screenshots: usually don't need backup. delete them in packs.
• 🎬 Video: Sort by size and remove repetitive videos (like take from TikTok or Instagram).
• 📂 Folders from messengers: files from WhatsApp/Telegram They are rarely needed in the cloud, and are best stored locally.

💡

In the Xiaomi Gallery, there is a hidden function of grouping duplicates: press your finger in any photo and select Find similar ones - the system will show possible duplicates.

Important! When you delete files from the cloud, you delete them from all the devices that are connected to your Mi Account, and if you want to save a copy, you first download the files to your PC or external drive.

Method 2: Optimization of synchronization settings

By default, Xiaomi syncs all media files, including those that are not needed, to reduce the cloud load:

1. Go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Mi Cloud.
2. Choose a gallery (or photo).
3. Turn off sync for unnecessary folders: 📱 Screenshots 📥 Downloads. 🤖 Messenger folders (WhatsApp, Telegram, etc.)

Synchronize only over Wi-Fi

Additionally, you can limit the quality of uploaded photos:

• 📷 In the same Mi Cloud settings, select Download Quality.
• Set the Medium or Original (compressed) instead of the Original (complete).

Method 3: Using the web version of Mi Cloud for mass cleaning

The Gallery mobile app is not always convenient for working with large amounts of data, and it is much more effective to use the web version of Mi Cloud:

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in.
2. Select the Gallery section.
3. Use the filters: 🔍 Date search: Delete old photos (e.g., older than 1 year old). 📊 Sort by size: Delete the heaviest files. 🖼️ File type: filter out screenshots or GIF.

Delete

The advantage of the web version is that it can be mass-selected (for example, all files over a certain period), and it is also easier to work with folders: you can delete entire albums (for example, Screenshots-2022) with one click.

Download backup of important files on PC|Check if sync with other devices is enabled|Sort files by date/size|Delete the largest files first.-->

5. Method 4: Clearing cache and temporary files

Even after the photo is removed from the cloud, cached data can take up space on the device to clear it:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the Gallery and select the Warehouse.
3. Click Clear Cache (not to be confused with Clear Data – it will delete all settings!).

For deep cleaning, use the built-in optimizer:

1. Open the Security (or Security) app.
2. Select Cleanup. → Deep cleaning.
3. Check the Garbage Files section and delete the unnecessary.

Critical detail: Mi Cloud cache can weigh several gigabytes, but it doesn't show up in standard settings. To clear it, you need to delete the Mi Cloud app data (Settings → Applications → Mi Cloud → Storage → Clear Data) and then you need to re-enter your account.

Method 5: Transfer the photo to another cloud or physical media

If the space in the Mi Cloud is constantly running out, consider alternative storage options:

For data transfer:

1. Download all photos from Mi Cloud to PC (via the web version).
2. Upload them to the selected cloud or copy them to an external drive.
3. Remove the originals from the Mi Cloud.

💡

If you’re a photographer or you shoot 4K video often, even 200GB in the Mi Cloud will run out quickly, and the best solution is a combination of cloud storage (for quick access) and physical media (for archive).

7. Method 6: Resetting cloud albums (last resort)

If the cloud is littered with debris and files take too long to sort, you can do a complete reset.This method will remove all data from the Mi Cloud, so use it only after you have created a backup!

1. Go to i.mi.com.
2. Log in and open the gallery.
3. Click on the gear icon (⚙️) → Settings.
4. Choose Clear all data and confirm the action.

After discharge:

• 🔄 Set up sync again by eliminating unnecessary folders.
• 📁 Upload only important photos to the cloud (such as family photos or documents).
• 📱 Turn off automatic download of screenshots and videos from messengers.

⚠️ Attention! Cloud albums are irreversible. Deleted files cannot be recovered through the trash, they will be lost forever. If you're not sure, export data to your PC first.

8. Method 7: Automating cleaning with third-party applications

For those who don’t want to manually sort photos, there are third-party utilities that help manage the cloud:

• 📱 Files by Google: Finds duplicates and large files, suggests to delete them.
• 🖼️ Gallery Doctor (from Xiaomi): analyzes the gallery and offers to optimize the storage.
• 🔍 SD Maid: Clears cache and temporary files, including from Mi Cloud.

Example of Files by Google:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Open the Cleanup section.
3. Select Large Files or Duplicates.
4. Mark the unnecessary files and delete them.

⚠️ Attention! Some applications (such as Clean Master) can delete files without confirmation.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi cloud albums