If you own a Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphone, you've probably noticed a standard service called Drive on the app menu, which many people confuse with Google Drive or don't even know why you need it, but in fact, it's the Mi Cloud, a brand-name cloud storage, which is a key tool for backing up, synchronizing data and remotely accessing files.
In this article, we will take a closer look at what the Disk app is on Xiaomi devices, how it is integrated into the MIUI ecosystem, and why it can be more useful than alternative solutions, how to properly configure sync, what data can be stored in the cloud, and how to avoid common errors when working with the service, and we will compare Mi Cloud with competitors and give practical tips on how to optimize usage.
What is the Disk app on Xiaomi and how does it work?
The Disk app is a client for Xiaomi’s Mi Cloud service, which is designed specifically for its devices, and unlike universal solutions like Google Drive or Dropbox, it is deeply integrated into MIUI firmware and offers unique features for smartphone, tablet and even smart device owners in the Xiaomi ecosystem.
The main objectives of the annex are:
- 📱 Backup of contacts, messages, notes, photos, and other data.
- 🔄 Synchronization between multiple devices (e.g., a smartphone and a tablet).
- 🌐 Remote access to files via a web interface or mobile application.
- 🔒 Data protection with encryption and two-factor authentication.
It’s important to understand that Drive is not just a file storage, it’s a complete ecosystem, for example, if you lose your phone, you can restore all contacts and photos on a new Xiaomi device in just a few clicks, and the service automatically optimizes the download of data depending on the speed of your Internet connection.
Mi Cloud Distinguishes from Google Drive and Other Cloud Services
Many users are wondering why you need a “Disk” from Xiaomi, when you already have Google Drive, Yandex Drive or iCloud?The fact is that Mi Cloud has several key advantages for owners of devices on MIUI:
| Function | Mi Cloud | Google Drive | Yandex Disc. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deep integration with MIUI | ✅ (Automatic synchronization of system data) | ❌ (requires manual adjustment) | ❌ |
| Free seat | 5-10 GB (depending on the phone model) | 15GB | 10GB |
| Backup of SMS and Calls | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Synchronization of notes and calendar | ✅ (with appendices Notes and Calendar) | ✅ (only via Google Keep and Google Calendar) | ❌ |
| Remote device control | ✅ (search, lock, reset) | ❌ | ❌ |
However, there are drawbacks to the Mi Cloud, such as free storage limited to 5-10 GB depending on the smartphone model (on flagships like Xiaomi 14 Ultra can be more), while Google Drive offers 15 GB. In addition, Xiaomi servers are located mainly in China and Singapore, which sometimes affects download speeds in some regions.
⚠️ Warning: If you use Mi Cloud to back up photos, make sure that the Storage Optimization option is disabled in the Gallery app settings, otherwise the original photos can be replaced with compressed versions without your knowledge.
How to set up the Disk app on Xiaomi: step-by-step instructions
To start using Mi Cloud, you need to follow a few simple steps: you will need a Xiaomi account (if you don’t have one, you can create it right during the setup process).
Instructions for setting:
- Open the Disk app (cloud icon on a blue background).
- Sign in to your Xiaomi account or register a new one.
- In the main menu, select Settings → Data Synchronization.
- Activate the switches against the data you want to sync (contacts, photos, notes, etc.).
- For backup, go to Settings → Backup and click Create Backup.
If you want to manually upload files to the cloud, open the Files tab in the app and click the + button in the lower right corner, where you can upload documents, images, videos, and even archives.
Wi-Fi connection (downloading large files via mobile internet can lead to additional costs)
A lot of free space in the Mi Cloud
Disabling battery saving mode for the Disk application
Correctly specified region in account settings (affects storage servers)-->
Note that the first sync can take several hours, especially if you have a lot of photos or videos, and it is recommended to do it at night or when the phone is connected to charging.
What data can be stored in Mi Cloud and how to recover it
The Disk app supports the storage and synchronization of the following types of data:
- 📞 Contacts (including call history)
- 💬 Communications (SMS and MMS).
- 📝 Notes from the Standard Notes app.
- 📅 Calendar and reminders.
- 📷 Photos and videos (with automatic download capability).
- 🎵 Audio files (records from recorder, music).
- 📄 Documents (PDF, Word, Excel, etc.)
- ⚙️ System settings (themes, wallpaper, network parameters).
To recover data from the cloud, do the following:
- On the new device, log in to the same Xiaomi account.
- Open Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset.
- Select the latest backup and click Restore.
- Wait until the process is complete (make sure the phone is connected to Wi-Fi).
⚠️ Warning: When you restore a backup to a device with a different version of MIUI, compatibility errors may occur. For example, if you backup a Xiaomi Mi 11 with MIUI 13 and restore it to a Redmi Note 12 with MIUI 14, some settings may not apply.
What to do if the recovery is suspended?
Common Mi Cloud Problems and How to Solve Them
Despite the convenience, users sometimes face difficulties when working with the Disk. Let's consider the most common problems and ways to fix them.
1. Data is not synchronized
If your contacts, photos or notes are not updated in the cloud:
- Check your Internet connection.
- Make sure that the Disk application settings have synchronization enabled for the desired data types.
- Update the app via Google Play or App Store (for POCO and global versions of MIUI).
- Reset the device.
2.There's not enough space in the cloud
The free Mi Cloud fare is limited, but there are several ways to free up space:
- Remove old backups in the Storage Management section.
- Clean the cart (files are stored for 30 days).
- Turn off automatic video downloads (they take up the most space).
- Buy extra space (tariffs start at ~$1 for 50GB per month).
3. Account login error
If the system gives a message “I failed to log in to the account”, try:
- Reset your password through account.xiaomi.com.
- Make sure that the device has an up-to-date version of MIUI installed.
- Disable VPN (some Xiaomi servers block suspicious IP)
- Sign in through the web version of Mi Cloud and check if your account is blocked.
💡
If you travel frequently, add your Xiaomi account to the battery-saving exemption list.This will prevent sync stoppages due to background optimization.
How to Improve Data Security in Mi Cloud
Because personal data is stored in the cloud, it is important to protect it, and here are some recommendations:
1. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA)
This will prevent unauthorized access to your account even if someone recognizes your password. 2FA:
- Go to account.xiaomi.com.
- In the Security section, select Two-Stage Verification.
- Link a phone number or an authenticator app (e.g. Google Authenticator).
2. Regularly update your password
Use complex combinations of letters, numbers and symbols, and avoid obvious passwords like your date of birth or name.
3. Check out active sessions
In the Xiaomi account settings, you can see all the devices that you signed in from. If there are unknowns among them, immediately terminate the sessions and change the password.
4 Encrypt sensitive files
Before uploading important documents to the cloud, you can archive them with a password (for example, through 7-Zip or WinRAR).
💡
Even if your smartphone is stolen, an attacker will not be able to access data in the Mi Cloud without a password from a Xiaomi account, but the 2FA phone number must be securely secured!
Hidden features of Mi Cloud, which few people know
In addition to the standard features, the “Disk” from Xiaomi hides several useful chips:
1. Remote control of the device
If you lose your phone, you can:
- 📍 To determine its location via i.mi.com.
- 🔊 Turn on a loud signal (even if the phone is silent).
- 🔒 Lock the device or erase all data.
2. Automatic download of screenshots
In the Screenshot settings, you can enable the option to automatically upload screenshots to Mi Cloud, which is convenient if you often share screens from other devices.
3. Synchronization of wallpaper and themes
If you use branded MIUI themes, they will automatically apply to all devices linked to a single account.
4. Backup of applications
Some versions of MIUI store not only application data, but also the APK- files themselves, which is useful if you want to quickly restore all programs after resetting.
5. Access to files from PC
Through the web version of i.mi.com, you can download and download files directly from your computer without connecting your phone via cable.