Xiaomi Cloud Gallery: what is this file, why you need it and how to delete it

You opened the storage of your Xiaomi smartphone and found a strange file or folder called Xiaomi Cloud Gallery? It takes up gigabytes of memory, but you do not remember knowingly creating it?

What is Xiaomi Cloud Gallery and how does it appear on your device?

Why a file can weigh several gigabytes and can it be compressed?

How to securely delete or transfer this file without losing the photo

The link between Cloud Gallery, Mi Cloud and Standard Gallery – and why they are confused.

If you notice that the memory on the Redmi phone, POCO Mi mysteriously decreases, and unknown folders appear in the file manager - this instruction will help to understand the cause and regain control of the storage.

What is Xiaomi Cloud Gallery and Why You Need It?

Xiaomi Cloud Gallery is a service folder or cache file that is created by the Gallery app to work with the Mi Cloud cloud storage.

• 📷 Photo miniatures – reduced copies of images for quick download in the application;
• ☁️ Synchronized data – information about files uploaded to Mi Cloud (metadata, previews);
• 🔄 Temporary files to speed up the work of the Gallery when viewing albums;
• 📁 Local copies of some cloud photos (if offline access is enabled).

This file is not a virus or malware, it is created by the system itself. MIUI But because of the implementation, it can grow to a few gigabytes, especially if you're looking at media:

• 📱 You are actively using Mi Cloud and upload photos there;
• 🔄 You often watch albums in the Gallery app;
• 📶 You have an unstable Internet connection (the cache file may be duplicated).

It is important to understand that Xiaomi Cloud Gallery is not your photos themselves, but only service information for displaying them. By deleting this file, you do not lose the original images, but you may experience a slowdown in the Gallery until the next synchronization.

Where is Xiaomi Cloud Gallery on your phone?

Xiaomi Cloud Gallery file or folder may be in different places depending on the version MIUI And the smartphone models. These are the most common ways:

To find the file manually:

1. Open any file manager (e.g., standard Explore or Solid Explorer)
2. Turn on the display of hidden files in the manager settings;
3. Then follow the path of the above.
4. Look for a folder or file with a name that contains a cloud or gallery.

If you don't find the folder in these ways, try searching for the cloud keyword in the file manager. Sometimes the file may be hidden under a different name, such as:

• 📁 com.miui.gallery.cloud
• 📁.cloud_gallery_cache (The beginning point means a hidden folder)
• 📄 gallery_cloud.db (cache-base)

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If you have root access, check the folder as well. /data/data/com.miui.gallery/ — Additional cache files may be stored there.

Why Xiaomi Cloud Gallery is so big

The main reason for the growth of the file Xiaomi Cloud Gallery is the incorrect cleaning of the cache with the Gallery app. Here are the key factors that cause the folder to weigh 1-5 GB or more:

⚠️ Note: If the file size exceeds 10 GB, this may indicate a malfunction in the Mi Cloud. In this case, it is recommended to first disable the synchronization of photos in the account settings, and then clear the cache.

• 🔄 Duplication of miniatures: New previews are created every time the Gallery opens, and old ones are not always deleted;
• ☁️ Offline Copies: If you turn on the "Save on Device" mode in Mi Cloud, the Gallery downloads full-size versions of the photos;
• 📱 Synchronization failures: When an Internet connection is broken, cache files may remain “suspended” and not be cleared;
• 🔧 Mistakes. MIUI: In some versions of the firmware (for example, MIUI 12.5 on Redmi Note 10) Gallery cache is not automatically optimized.

The file is especially strong for users who:

• 📸 Take a lot of high-resolution photos (for example, on the Xiaomi 13 Pro with a 200 MP camera);
• 🔄 Frequently switch between online and offline modes in Mi Cloud;
• 📶 Use mobile Internet with unstable signal (cache duplicated at each communication break).

To check how much space Xiaomi Cloud Gallery takes up on your device:

1. Open the settings → About the phone → Memory;
2. Click on the "Applications" section;
3. Find the Gallery app (Gallery);
4. Look at the size of Cash and Data.

Can I remove Xiaomi Cloud Gallery without any consequences?

Yes, the Xiaomi Cloud Gallery file can be deleted, but with reservations:

• ✅ Safe: Deletion will not damage your original photos (they are kept separately);
• ⚠️ Temporary inconvenience: After removal, the Gallery will take longer to load when it first opens (until it recovers the cache);
• ☁️ Synchronization: If you use Mi Cloud, you will have to re-download the thumbnails for offline viewing;
• 🔄 Auto-Recovery: The file will reappear in a few days (this is normal).

What happens after removal:

1. When the first launch, the Gallery will be loaded longer (up to 1-2 minutes);
2. Miniature photos from Mi Cloud will have to be reloaded.
3. If you have offline access enabled, some albums may temporarily appear blank.
4. After 1-3 days, the cache file will appear again, but in a smaller size (if there are no errors in the cache file). MIUI).

⚠️ Note: If you delete Xiaomi Cloud Gallery and immediately after that disable sync with Mi Cloud, some photos may temporarily disappear from the Gallery.

If you do decide to delete the file, follow the instructions in the next section, but first check:

• 📸 All important photos are saved to Mi Cloud or other device;
• 📱 Is there a backup of contacts and other data (in case of failure);
• 🔋 Battery charge greater than 50% (cleaning process may take time).

How to remove Xiaomi Cloud Gallery

There are three ways to clean up your Xiaomi Cloud Gallery file, and choose the right one depending on your situation:

Method 1: Clearing the cache through settings (the safest)

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management;
2. Find the Gallery app (Gallery);
3. Press "Storage";
4. Slip the "Clear the cache" button;
5. Confirm the action.

This method only deletes temporary files without affecting Mi Cloud data.

Method 2: Manually remove folder (for power users)

1. Open a file manager (such as Mi Explorer or Mi Explorer) FX File Manager);
2. Enable the display of hidden files in the settings;
3. Cross the path. /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.miui.gallery/;
4. Find the folder. cloud_gallery (or similar);
5. Keep your finger on the folder. → select "Delete";
6. Confirm removal.

If the folder is not deleted, try:

• 🔄 Reboot the phone;
• 🛠️ Use another file manager (e.g. Solid Explorer);
• 📱 Enable developer mode and give the manager permission to delete system files.

Method 3: Reset Gallery data (extreme case)

This method removes all settings in the Gallery, including albums, tags and cache, and only use it if the first two methods fail.

1. Open the Settings. → Annexes → gallery → Warehouse;
2. Click "Clear Data" (not cache!);
3. Confirm action;
4. Reboot the phone.

After that:

• 🔄 When the first photo is launched, the Gallery will scan all the photos again;
• ☁️ Reconnect with Mi Cloud (re-entering of password may be required);
• ⚙️ All custom settings (sorting, hidden albums) will be reset.

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If the Gallery is unstable after removing the Xiaomi Cloud Gallery, try updating the app via the Play Market or App Store (for global firmware).

How to prevent the re-growth of the file

To prevent the Xiaomi Cloud Gallery file from taking up gigabytes of memory again, follow these guidelines:

• 📱 Limit the Gallery cache: Go to Settings → Annexes → gallery → Permissions; Disable Storage permission (unless you use offline Mi Cloud mode); Turn it back on only when necessary.

Set up Mi Cloud:

• Open the Settings. → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → gallery;
• Turn off the option "Save on the device" (if you do not need offline copies);
• Set a limit on downloading over a mobile network.

Regular cleaning:

• Once a month, clean the Gallery cache through the settings;
• Use cleaning applications (such as CCleaner or CCleaner) SD Maid);
• Check the folder size. cloud_gallery file-manager.

If the problem is repeated despite all measures, try:

• 📱 Update MIUI to the latest version (new firmware corrected cache errors);
• 🔧 Reset the Gallery settings (see Method 3 in the previous section);
• 🛠️ Install an alternative gallery (e.g. Google Photos or Simple Gallery).

For users POCO Redmi with global firmware has additional advice:

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Install the MiXplorer module via Magisk – it allows you to manage system folders more flexibly, including the Xiaomi Cloud Gallery cache.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When working with the file Xiaomi Cloud Gallery users often make mistakes that can lead to data loss or malfunction of the phone.

Another common problem is that the file reappears in a few days. This is normal behavior, but if it grows too fast, check:

• 📶 Internet connection quality: In unstable Wi-Fi or mobile Internet cache duplicated;
• 🔄 Mi Cloud Settings: Make sure that you do not automatically upload photos in the original resolution;
• 📱 Gallery Version: In some assemblies MIUI 13 for Redmi Note 11 has a cache bug - update the firmware.