Where to look for files in Xiaomi Cloud: A complete guide to finding data in 2026

Xiaomi Cloud (or Mi Cloud) is not just a backup location, but a full-fledged tool for synchronizing data between Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices. However, many users face the problem: files are downloaded, but where to look for them? Where did backups go after a phone reset? Why are photos from the gallery not displayed in the cloud?

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can search for data in Xiaomi Cloud, from standard folders to hidden partitions that you can’t see at first glance, how to find backups of messages, contacts, notes, voice recorders, and even data from apps, and what to do if files are missing or out of sync.

Important: Xiaomi regularly updates the cloud interface, so the instructions are up to date for 2026 and cover both the web version and the mobile app. If you use a device older than MIUI 12, some menu items may differ.

1. Where to look for main files in Xiaomi Cloud: Storage Structure

Xiaomi's cloud is organized not as a single folder, but as a set of separate partitions for different types of data, and this is often confusing: the user searches for photos in the Gallery, and they are in Albums, and backups of messages are hidden in Apps.

• 📁 Gallery – Photos and videos synced with the Photos app (not to be confused with Google Photos!).
• 📄 Files - documents, APK, archives and other manually downloaded files.
• 📱 Backups – full backups of the system (including settings, applications, and data).
• 👥 Contacts – a phone book synchronized with a Mi Account.
• 💬 Communications — SMS and MMS (if synchronization is enabled).
• 📝 Notes - data from the Mi Notes app.
• 🎤 Recorder – audio recordings from the standard application.
• 🔧 Applications – data of third parties (for example, WhatsApp backups or game saves).

The most common mistake is to search for photos in the Files section. They are not stored there! The photos automatically enter the Gallery if you sync the camera settings. But screenshots and images downloaded from the browser can end up in Files → Images.

⚠️ Note: If you delete a file from the cloud on one device, it will disappear on the rest. Xiaomi Cloud does not have a "basket" - deletion is irreversible (except for backups that are stored for 30 days).

2.How to find Xiaomi backups in the cloud

Full backups are a separate story, they don't show up in the main parts of the cloud and require special access. Here's a step-by-step guide to finding them:

1. Open the web version of Xiaomi Cloud and log in.
2. Go to Backup (or Backup in English).
3. Select the device for which you need to recover data.
4. Click Restore or View to see the backup contents.

In the Mi Cloud mobile app, the path is different: Profile → Backups → Select a device → View details.

Important: Backups are only stored for 30 days from creation, and then they are automatically deleted. If you need to keep the backup for a long time, download it to your PC via the web version.

Is there enough space on the device?

Is the phone connected to Wi-Fi (backups weigh gigabytes)

Is the battery at least 50% charged?

Antiviruses are disabled (they can block the process)

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3. Search for photos and videos: why they are not in the cloud and how to fix it

If you upload a photo to your phone, but it doesn't appear in the Xiaomi Cloud, the problem is sync settings. Here are common reasons and solutions:

• 🔄 Sync is disabled: Go to Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Gallery and switch on.
• 📶 No Internet: Sync only works on Wi-Fi (default). To allow the use of mobile data, turn on the option to Sync over the mobile network.
• 📂 Photos saved in a non-standard folder: The cloud only syncs folders DCIM Photos from Telegram or WhatsApp need to be moved manually.
• 🔒 Size limit: Xiaomi does not sync files larger than 20MB in free rate.

To force sync: Open Gallery → Click on three points → Settings → Sync with Mi Cloud → Sync now.

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If photos are missing from the cloud after the MIUI update, try clearing the Gallery app cache in your phone settings, often solving the problem with displaying albums.

If the photos never show up, check the hidden folders: Mi Cloud → Gallery → Albums → Hidden.

Media files marked as “private” in the phone settings fall there.

4. Where application data is stored (WhatsApp, games, notes)

Many users are unaware that Xiaomi Cloud can store data from third-party apps, from WhatsApp to game saves, which are not displayed in the main sections, but can be found and restored.

For WhatsApp:

Backups of chats are stored in Mi Cloud → Apps → WhatsApp. To recover:

Delete WhatsApp → Install Again → Select “Restore from Mi Cloud” when you sign in

For game saves (such as Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile):

Some games support synchronization via Mi Cloud.

Mi Cloud → Applications → [game name]

If it is empty, it means that the game uses its own cloud service (eg, Google Play Games).

For Mi Notes (Notes):

Notes are synced automatically if you have Settings enabled → Mi → Mi Cloud Account → Notes to find them in the cloud:

Mi Cloud → Notes → Select the entry

⚠️ Note: Application data in Xiaomi Cloud is stored in encrypted form. If you reset your phone to factory settings and log into another Mi Account, it will not be possible to restore it. Always check that you are logged in to the same account from which you backup was made!

5. How to search for files through the web version of Xiaomi Cloud (i.mi.com)

The Mi Cloud mobile app is stripped down in functionality. To get full access to files, use the web version. It has advanced search, filters by date and file type, and the ability to download bulk.

Search instructions: Authorize → Go to the Files section → Enter the name in the search bar → Filter by date / size.

Advantages of the web version:

✅ You can download entire folders like ZIP-archive.

✅ Change history (who and when downloaded the file).

✅ Supported hot keys (e.g. Ctrl)+F for search).

Limitations:

❌ No preview video (only photos).

❌ You can’t restore backups directly – just through your phone.

6.What to do if files are not displayed or missing

If you’ve definitely uploaded files to the cloud but they’ve disappeared, check out these common reasons:

• 🔄 Sync stuck: Reboot your phone and check the Internet connection. Sometimes it helps to log out of your Mi Account and log in again.

If files are missing after the MIUI update, try: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → Press 7 times on “Kernel Version” → Enable “Developer Mode” → Return to “Additional” → Restore and Reset → Restore from backup.

If nothing helps, contact Xiaomi support via: Mi Cloud → Profile → Feedback.

Attach screenshots with proof that the files were (e.g. download history from notifications).

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Before resetting your phone, always make sure that the cloud backup is successful. Open Mi Cloud → Backups to make sure the date of the last backup is up to date.

7. Alternative ways to access Xiaomi Cloud

Besides the official app and web version, there are some non-obvious methods of working with the cloud:

• 🤖 File Manager: Open the standard Explorer on your phone → Mi Cloud → All synced files (except backups) will be displayed here).
• 💻 Through WebDAV: Xiaomi Cloud supports WebDAV protocol. Connect the cloud as a network drive on a PC via https://dav.i.mi.com/dav/ (You need a login/password from your Mi Account).
• 📱 Through third-party applications: Applications like Solid Explorer or FX File Manager can connect to Mi Cloud as a cloud storage.

To connect via WebDAV on Windows: This computer → Connect network drive → Specify the address https://dav.i.mi.com/dav/ → Enter the username/password from the Mi Account.

Restriction: WebDAV does not provide backups and application data, only files from the Gallery and Files sections.

FAQ: Frequent questions about file search in Xiaomi Cloud