Downloading source files to Xiaomi: how to remove and avoid unnecessary costs

If your Xiaomi smartphone suddenly starts consuming more mobile traffic or internal memory, the reason for this may be the automatic download of source files — so-called raw data that the device downloads for backup, synchronization or updates — a feature that often works in the background, consuming gigabytes of traffic and taking up space on the drive, especially for users with limited tariffs or small internal memory.

In this article, we will explain why Xiaomi downloads source files, which services are responsible for this, and most importantly, how to completely disable or limit this process. MIUI (including the latest versions), and for individual applications (Mi Cloud, Gallery, Notes), which are most often guilty of unauthorized downloading data, and you will learn how to check which files are taking up space, and what to do if disabling does not help.

What are the “source files” and why Xiaomi downloads them

The term “source files” (or raw files) in the context of Xiaomi generally refers to two types of data:

• 📁 Backups – Automatic backups of photos, contacts, messages and settings created by Mi Cloud or local sync services.
• 🔄 Update cache – temporary firmware, security patches, and application update files that are downloaded before installation.
• 📸 Raw media files – original versions of photos (in format.DNG or.ARW) Videos that are saved in parallel with optimized copies.

The main reasons why Xiaomi downloads these files are:

1. Automatic sync with Mi Cloud (even if you didn’t explicitly enable it, some features are activated by default when you first set up your device).
2. Background updates to the system and applications through Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
3. Optimize media in the Gallery – for example, creating thumbnails or backups in the cloud.
4. Diagnostic data that is sent to Xiaomi to analyze the operation of the device (you can disable the Settings) → Memory. → Autoboot).

The most insidious feature is that many of these processes are triggered without notification, especially if the device is connected to Wi-Fi. Users often only detect the problem when:

• 📉 Mobile traffic ended (if downloaded through the 4G/5G).
• 🚨 There was a warning about a lack of memory.
• 🔋 The battery is quickly down due to background activity.

How to Check What Files Are Downloaded to Your Xiaomi

Before you turn off functions, you need to identify the culprit. MIUI:

1. Checking the consumption of mobile traffic

Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Traffic consumption. You'll see here:

• 📊 Total expenditure for the current period.
• 📱 List of apps consuming traffic (sorted by descending).
• ⚠️ Background traffic – Pay attention to Mi Cloud, Gallery, Notes and System Update.

If Mi Cloud or Sync is the leader, the problem is cloud backups, and if the traffic goes to Downloads or File Manager, manual downloads or update cache are to blame.

2. Analysis of occupied memory

Open the Settings. → Memory and diagrams. Click on "Other Files" or "Cache" -- they're often hidden:

• 🗑️ Temporary update files (folder) Download/rom).
• 🖼️ Duplicate photos (originals) + optimized copies).
• 📄 Logs and dumps (daddy) MIUI/debug_log).

For detailed analysis, use File Manager:

1. Open the Files app.
2. Go to Categories → Large files.
3. Sort by date of change – fresh files size >100 MB is probably the source".

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If you see a folder in the list of large files MIUI/backup or DCIM/.thumbnails — They're thumbnail cache and old backups that the system doesn't automatically clean.

Disable downloading source files in Mi Cloud

Mi Cloud is the main traffic and memory eater on Xiaomi. Even if you haven't used the cloud consciously, some features (like synchronizing contacts or notes) can be activated by default.

1. Complete synchronization shutdown

Go to Settings. → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud and:

• 🔄 Turn off the "Synchronization" slider at the top of the screen.
• 📱 Disable individual items: Contacts, Notes, Gallery, Records.
• 🗑️ Click on Clear Data (will remove already downloaded backups).

⚠️ Note: Once sync is disabled, no new contacts or notes will be saved to the cloud. If you want to back up, use alternatives like Google Contacts or Dropbox.

2. Limit download only over Wi-Fi

If you don’t want to give up Mi Cloud altogether, but want to save mobile traffic:

1. Go to Settings. → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Settings.
2. Activate the option "Download only over Wi-Fi".
3. Set a download limit (e.g., “Only when connected to a charger”).

3. Delete already downloaded source files

To clear the memory of unnecessary backups:

• 📂 Open the File Manager and go to MIUI/backup.
• 🗑️ Delete the date folders (e.g. 20260515 – backup from May 15, 2026).
• 🔍 Check the folder. DCIM/.thumbnails — There could be gigabytes of miniatures.

Gallery settings: how to avoid duplicate photos

Xiaomi Gallery automatically creates duplicate photos in two cases:

1. Preservation of originals and optimized copies (e.g,.DNG +.JPG filming RAW).
2. Automatic backup to Mi Cloud or Google Photos.

To avoid this:

1. Disabling Conservation RAW-file

Unless you are a professional photographer,.DNG-You don't need the files:

1. Open the chamber.
2. Touch it. ⚙️ "Settings" → "Photo format".
3. Choose "JPEG" instead "RAW + JPEG".

2. set up backup in the Gallery

Go to the gallery. → ⚙️ "Settings" → "Backup” and:

• 🔄 Turn off "Automatic backup".
• 📁 Select “Only on Wi-Fi” if you want to leave backups.
• 🗑️ Click "Clear Cache" (will delete temporary files).

3. Manual removal of duplicates

To find and remove unnecessary copies:

1. Open the gallery. → "Albums" → "RAW" (if).
2. Select all files and press 🗑️ "Delete".
3. Check the folder. DCIM/Camera Files with the same name (for example, IMG_20260515_123456.jpg and IMG_20260515_123456.dng).

How to disable automatic download of system updates

Xiaomi aggressively downloads firmware updates in the background, even if you don't plan to install them.These files can weigh 1-3 GB and take up space on the internal drive to control the process:

1. Disabling automatic booting

Go to Settings. → The phone. → Updating the system and:

• ⚙️ Press on. ⋮ (three-point) → "Settings".
• 🔄 Turn off Automatic booting via mobile network".
• 📴 Select “Only by Wi-Fi” or “Ask before downloading".

2. Remove downloaded but not installed updates

If the update has already been downloaded but not installed:

1. Open File Manager.
2. Move to the Download/rom.
3. Delete the file with the.zip extension (for example, miui_HMNote11Pro_V14.0.1.0.TKCCNXM_20260510.0000.00_12.0_cn.zip).

⚠️ Warning: Do not delete update files if you plan to install them. If you interrupt the download or delete the file during unpacking, the system may damage.

3. Restriction of background activity

So MIUI You have not downloaded updates without your knowledge:

• 🛡️ Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management → Updating the system.
• 🚫 Select "Limit background activity".
• 📵 Turn off Auto Start".

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Disabling automatic updates does not block critical security patches, but it is important to check manually for updates every 1-2 months.

Additional Ways to Save Traffic and Memory

Beyond the basic settings, there are less obvious ways to reduce memory and traffic loads:

1. Disable diagnostics and error reports

Xiaomi collects data about the device usage, which also consumes traffic.

• 📊 Go to Settings. → The phone. → User feedback.
• 🔄 Turn off "Automatic reporting".
• 🗑️ Click "Clear the data of the reports".

2.Restriction of background traffic for applications

Some apps (such as Mi Video or Mi Browser) download data in the background to prevent this:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (such as Mi Browser).
3. Click on "Mobile Network Data" → "Ban background traffic".

3. Use of lightweight versions of applications

Replace the “heavy” standard Xiaomi applications with lightweight analogues:

4. Set up traffic restriction

V MIUI There is a built-in traffic limit:

• 📊 Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Traffic consumption.
• 🔄 Enable "Set a traffic limit".
• ⚠️ Set a threshold (e.g. 10 GB) after which traffic will be blocked.

What to do if nothing helps

If Xiaomi continues to download the source files after all the settings, the reasons may be deeper:

1. Network resetting

Sometimes, a mobile network or Wi-Fi malfunction causes the data to be reloaded to reset the settings:

1. Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings.
2. Confirm the action (this will erase the list of Wi-Fi networks and passwords).

2.Verification for viruses and malware

Some viruses disguise themselves as system processes and download data in the background.

• 🛡️ Install Malwarebytes or Dr.Web Light.
• 🔍 Run a full check.
• 🗑️ Remove suspicious applications (especially those with AutoRun rights").

3. Manual firmware update

If the system is damaged, flashing can help:

• 📥 Download the official firmware for your model from the Xiaomi Firmware website.
• 🔧 Use the settings. → The phone. → Updating the system → ⋮ → Select the update file.
• ⚠️ Before the firmware, make a data backup!

⚠️ Note: If after all the manipulations, the problem remains, it may be the fault of the hardware (for example, a faulty memory module.

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If your smartphone keeps uploading data despite all the settings, check it for root rights or custom firmware. They can bypass system restrictions.

FAQ: Frequent questions about downloading source files to Xiaomi