Owners of budget smartphones like the Xiaomi Redmi 9 often notice applications on the system whose purpose is not obvious at first glance.One such service is Mi Drive, which is built into the MIUI shell by default. Users can see it in the menu or receive a space shortage notification associated with this cloud storage.
Understanding the functionality of this component is critical to effective memory management, not just a folder on your desktop, but a full-fledged tool for synchronizing data with your company's servers, and understanding how it works will help you avoid losing important photos and documents.
In this article, we will discuss in detail the architecture of the cloud service based on Android Go and standard MIUI. You will learn how to optimize the use of space and what hidden features are available in the settings of the Mi Account.
The essence and purpose of the cloud service Mi Drive
Mi Drive is a cloud storage device developed by Xiaomi for its ecosystem of devices, essentially analogous to Google Drive or Dropbox, but with deeper integration into the system processes of the MIUI shell. The main purpose of the service is to provide the user with secure remote backup space.
The main advantage is that you automate the save process, so you don't have to manually transfer files to your computer every time, but the system itself will offer to save new pictures or contacts when you sync it, and this creates an additional layer of protection against accidental deletion of information or smartphone breakdown.
The service is based on a unique Mi Account identifier, which means that without an account binding, the cloud functionality will be unavailable, which provides a high level of security, since access to your data is possible only after authorization, while the data transfer is encrypted, which minimizes the risk of interception.
⚠️ Warning: Free storage in Mi Drive is limited to 5GB. If you plan to store heavy video there in the future, you will be able to use it. 4K, The place may end faster than you expect, which will cause the synchronization to stop.
It is important to distinguish between local storage and cloud storage. Files uploaded to Mi Drive take up space on the server, but can be deleted from the device to free up internal memory. This is especially true for Redmi 9, where the volume of the built-in drive is often limited to 32 or 64 gigabytes.
Key features and features on Redmi 9
The app goes beyond simple file storage. On the Redmi 9 smartphone, the service offers a number of utilities for easy work with content, and the user gets access to managing documents, photos, and even backups of system settings.
One of the most useful features is sharing, where you can create a link to a file and send it to another person, even if they don't have a Xiaomi device, which makes it easier to transfer large amounts of data that you can't send through messengers because of the file size limit.
- 📸 Automatic upload of photos and videos from the gallery when connected to Wi-Fi.
- 📄 Scanning of documents by camera with subsequent saving in PDF cloud-shaped.
- 🔄 Synchronize contacts and notes between all devices tied to one Mi Account.
And the second space feature in the cloud, which is really interesting, is that you can set up sync only for certain folders, so that, for example, work documents will go to the cloud, and personal videos will only stay on the device, and that gives you the flexibility to manage your digital footprint.
Also worth mentioning is file manager integration, which is a separate partition for the cloud in standard MIUI Explorer, which allows you to work with deleted files as if they were on a memory card, and you can open text documents or play music directly from the network.
Instructions for setting up and activation
To get started, you need to log in. On Redmi 9, this usually happens at the initial setup stage of the phone, but you can do this later. Without authorization, the application will only work in the viewing mode of local files.
Go to your smartphone settings and find Mi Account. If you haven't signed in, enter your login and password. Once you've logged in, the system will suggest you turn on cloud services. This is where Mi Drive is activated.
☑️ Setup of Mi Drive
Next, you have to configure the download settings, you have to turn on Wi-Fi-only downloads by default, so you don't waste mobile traffic, but for critical documents, you can allow downloads over the mobile network, which ensures that the data is saved even when roaming.
In the app menu, you can manage versions of files. If you accidentally edit an important document and save the changes, version history will allow you to roll back to the previous state, a feature that often saves you from errors when working with texts.
Hidden Developer Settings
Memory management and tariff plans
The issue of disk space is key for Redmi 9 owners. The standard 5GB is quickly filled with modern high-resolution photos.The system will notify you when the limit is exhausted and suggest vacating space or expanding the fare.
Xiaomi offers multiple levels of subscriptions. The basic rate is free but limited. Paid subscriptions allow you to increase the volume to 200 GB or even 2 TB. Payment is made through the internal payment system Mi Pay or a tied card.
| Type of tariff | Memory capacity | Cost (example) | Additional functions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | 5GB | 0 rub. | Basic synchronization |
| Standard | 50GB | ~99 rub/mo | Priority support |
| Premium | 200GB | ~199 rub/mo | Extended Version History |
| Ultra | 2 TB | ~599 rub/mo | Family access |
It's worth noting that clearing up cloud space doesn't always mean deleting files from your phone. You need to watch your sync settings closely. If you delete a photo from the cloud, it can disappear from the device gallery if you enable two-way sync.
To save space, you can use the "Storage Optimization" feature, which automatically removes duplicate files and compresses images without noticeable loss of quality, which allows you to win several hundred megabytes of free space.
Comparison with Google Drive and other analogues
People often wonder, why do you need Mi Drive when you have Google Drive? The answer lies in the level of integration. Google works as a separate application, while Xiaomi is built into the core of the system, which allows you to back up your settings, desktop layouts and Wi-Fi passwords.
Speeds can also vary by region: Xiaomi servers can be optimized better for certain markets where the brand has the largest share, but Google offers more advanced tools for working with documents and spreadsheets.
- 🚀 Mi Drive: The best integration with MIUI, backup system settings, convenient for photos.
- 📊 Google Drive: Powerful Office Tools, 15GB Free, Cross-Platform.
- ☁️ Yandex.Disk: Good speed in the CIS, unlimited photo (with conditions), integration with the Yandex ecosystem.
The ideal strategy is combined use, and critical documents can be duplicated in Google Drive, and Mi Drive can be used for the gallery's daily backup, which ensures maximum data security.
⚠️ Note: When changing your smartphone from MIUI On pure Android (such as Motorola or Nokia), you won’t be able to access Mi Drive backups through the standard menu.
How to remove the application or disable synchronization
Complete removal of the system component of Mi Drive is impossible without obtaining superuser (Root) rights, however, this is not necessary, since the application does not consume resources if the synchronization is disabled.
To stop the service, just turn off sync. Go to Settings → Mi Account → Cloud and switch to off position, after which the new files will stop downloading, and the old ones will remain on the server.
If you want to completely clear your data, use the Delete Data button in your application settings, which will reset your cache and local settings, but will not affect files already uploaded to the cloud. To delete files from the cloud, you need to go to the web version of the service through the browser.
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Before you turn off sync, manually check the “Recently Deleted” folder in the cloud. Files are stored there for 30 days and take up space in the quota even if you deleted them from your phone.
For advanced users, there is the ability to disconnect through ADB. By connecting the phone to a computer, you can execute a command to hide the app from the menu, but it doesn't remove it physically from the system, it only makes it invisible to the user.
adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.cloudserviceUsing this command requires caution. Incorrectly disabling system services can lead to errors in the account. If you are not sure about your actions, it is better to simply ignore the application after you turn off sync.