Xiaomi’s cloud storage is not just a backup space, but a full-fledged service for syncing photos, contacts, notes, and even messages between devices. If you’re actively using Redmi, POCO, or Mi smartphones, sooner or later you’ll face a restriction on free space in the Mi Cloud. In 2026, the company revised tariffs, added new options, and changed the terms for users from different regions. But how much does it actually cost to expand the cloud, and what pitfalls lurk behind the bright offers?
In this article, we will discuss:
- 💰 Current prices for additional seats in Mi Cloud for Russia, Europe and Asia
- 📊 Comparison of tariffs: which is more profitable - a monthly subscription or a one-time payment?
- 🔍 Hidden restrictions that Xiaomi doesn’t talk about in advertising
- 💡 Alternatives: When to Choose Google Drive or Yandex Disk instead of Mi Cloud
Spoiler: In 2026, Xiaomi quietly increased subscription costs by 15-20% for CIS users, but added bonus gigabytes for inviting friends.
How much does Mi Cloud cost in 2026: official tariffs
The basic free fare in the Mi Cloud provides 5 GB of space, which is only enough for backups of contacts and a few hundred photos. For everything else you will have to pay. Below are the current prices for users from Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Belarus (region is determined by IP or pegged card).
| Storage volume | Monthly cost (₽) | Cost per year (₽) | One-time payment (forever) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50GB | 59 | 589 (savings of 10%) | 1 490 |
| 200GB | 149 | 1,490 (savings of 15%) | 3 990 |
| 2 TB | — | 4,990 (annual fare only) | 9 990 |
⚠️ Note: Prices in the Mi Cloud app may vary 5-10% It's because of the exchange rate. 200 GB per month will cost in 790 Tenge, and in Ukraine — 69 Xiaomi pegs the value to the local currency, but the calculation is based on the company’s internal rate, which does not always coincide with the market rate.
Another nuance: one-time payments (buying a place for "ever") are technically valid for 20 years, after which Xiaomi reserves the right to revise the terms, which in practice means that in two decades you can be offered to renew the storage for a nominal fee or migrate to another tariff.
💡
If you buy storage through Mi Cloud on your smartphone, try it from your computer (cloud.mi.com web version), which sometimes offers discounts of up to 20% for new users.
How to buy additional space: step-by-step instructions
You can expand storage directly from your smartphone or through the web, and we recommend the second way, which is more options and sometimes cheaper.
- Open your browser and go to cloud.mi.com.
- Sign in to your Mi Account (the same login as your phone).
- Click on the profile icon in the upper right corner → Storage management.
- Select the desired rate and payment method (card, PayPal, local payment systems).
⚠️ Note: If you are buying storage for the first time, Xiaomi can offer a 30-day trial period for the 200GB tariff. But be careful: after the trial period expires, the money will be written off automatically if you do not turn off autorenewal in the settings.
Whether the region is correctly specified (price depends on the country)
Is there enough money on the card (Xiaomi blocks the amount in advance)
Is auto-renewal disabled if you do not plan to use it constantly?
Is important data synchronized (after payment, you may need to reboot)-->
Mi Cloud’s hidden limitations: what Xiaomi doesn’t advertise
At first glance, Mi Cloud looks like a regular cloud, but it has a few non-obvious downsides to be aware of:
- 🚫 File type restriction: Xiaomi blocks the download of executable files (.exe,.apk) and archives larger than 2 GB. Even if you have space, such files are not synced.
- 🕒 Sync limit: The first time you connect to the cloud, you can download no more than 500 files per hour.This is done to offload servers, but can stretch backups for days.
- 🌍 Regional locks: If you bought a storage facility in Russia and then moved to Europe, the fare may become unavailable for renewal, you may have to create a new account or pay at local prices (which are often higher).
- 🔄 No file version: Unlike Google Drive, Mi Cloud cannot restore a previous version of a document. If you accidentally saved the changes, you can't roll them back.
Another unpleasant thing is that when you delete a file from the cloud, it disappears from all synced devices, for example, if you delete a photo in the Gallery on your phone, it automatically deletes from both the Mi Cloud and the tablet, and you can turn it off in the sync settings, but by default it's active.
What happens if you don’t pay for the Mi Cloud?
Mi Cloud vs Google Drive vs Yandex Disk: Which is the Best?
If you only need a cloud for smartphone backups, Mi Cloud may be more convenient than competitors thanks to deep integration with MIUI. But if you need storage for documents, videos or collaboration, it's worth considering alternatives.
| Parameter | Mi Cloud | Google Drive | Yandex Disk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free seat | 5GB | 15GB | 10GB |
| Cost 100 GB per year | 1 490 ₽ | 1 399 ₽ | 990 ₽ |
| Maximum file. | 2 GB (10 GB for backups) | 5 TB | 50GB |
| File versions | ❌ No. | ✅ Up to 100 versions | ✅ Up to 10 versions |
🔹 When to choose Mi Cloud:
- 📱 You need to automatically reserve. SMS, call-and-set MIUI.
- 🔄 You use multiple Xiaomi devices and want to sync photos, notes, calendar.
- 💳 You need a one-time payment without monthly charges.
🔹 When is the best time to choose alternatives:
- 📄 You need file versions or shared access (Google Drive).
- 🎥 You store large video files (Yandex Disk allows you to download videos up to 50 GB).
- 🌐 Cross-platform is important for you (Google Drive works on iOS, Android, Windows, macOS without restrictions).
💡
If you’re using a Xiaomi smartphone on MIUI 14+, backups in Mi Cloud take up 2-3 times less space than in Google Drive, thanks to compression.
How to save on Mi Cloud: life hacks and promo codes
Xiaomi rarely sells publicly on cloud storage, but there are a few ways to reduce costs:
- Invite friends: For each invited user who registers and buys a tariff, you get a free ticket. +10GB forever (maximum 100GB) The link to the invitation is in the Storage Management section. → Invite friends.
- Buy through promos: Sometimes Xiaomi gives discounts on one-off payments during major sales (for example, 11.11 or Black Friday).
- Use Family Rate: If you have multiple accounts (for example, personal and work), you can buy a large rate (2 TB) for one account and share access through Settings → Family Group.
- Pay through cashback services: Services like Cash4Brand or LetyShops refund up to 5% of your purchase from Mi Cloud.
⚠️ Note: Do not buy “cheap” accounts with extended storage on third-party platforms (such as AliExpress or Avito). Xiaomi actively blocks such accounts for suspicious activity, and you can lose access to all data.
💡
If you buy storage for a year, try paying for it in the first 5 days of the month, during which time Xiaomi sometimes gives a bonus of 5-10 GB for an annual subscription.
Frequent Mi Cloud Problems and How to Solve Them
Mi Cloud users often experience sync errors, missing files or payment issues, and here are the most common cases and ways to fix them:
1. Files are not uploaded to the cloud
Reasons:
- 📶 Low Internet speed (Mi Cloud requires a stable connection of 2 Mbps).
- 🔋 Battery Saving Mode Blocks Background Synchronization.
- 📂 File exceeds the limit (for example, video is more than 2 GB).
Solution: Go to Settings → Accounts → Mi Cloud and manually sync. If a specific file is a problem, break it down using an archiver (e.g., ZArchiver).
2. paid the fare, but no seat added
This is one of the most frustrating mistakes, and it's usually caused by:
- 💳 Delayed payment (bank may block the transaction).
- 🌐 Disparities between the account region and the payment method.
- 🔄 Application cache (data not updated).
Solution: Wait 2-3 hours – sometimes it takes time to enroll. If the money is written off, but the space is not added, write in support of Xiaomi via Settings → About the program → Review, attaching a screenshot of the payment.
3 Can't log in to Mi Cloud after changing phone
If you change your device or reset your settings, you may get an error, "Account is linked to another device," which is related to theft protection.
Solution: Log in on your old phone (if you have one) and untie your account in Settings → Mi Account → Security. If you don’t have an old phone, use the re-access via email or SMS.
What to do if Xiaomi has blocked your account?
FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions about Mi Cloud
Can I use Mi Cloud on iPhone or Android from other brands?
What happens to my files if I delete my Mi Account?
Can I transfer files from Mi Cloud to Google Drive?
Why does Mi Cloud eat up traffic even when I’m not using my phone?
Can I buy Mi Cloud as a gift?
Now you know all about the cost and nuances of the Mi Cloud in 2026. If you only need storage for smartphone backups, Xiaomi tariffs may be better than competitors thanks to close integration with MIUI. But if you need flexibility, file versions or cross-platform, consider Google Drive or Yandex Disk. Don't forget about bonus gigabytes for inviting friends and seasonal discounts!