How to Delete Data from Xiaomi Cloud: A Step-by-Step Guide

Xiaomi Cloud Cloud storage is a convenient tool for synchronizing data between brand devices, but sometimes users need to delete information from it. The reasons can vary from wanting to free up space to needing to protect sensitive data before selling a gadget. In this article, we will discuss all the available ways to delete data from the Mi Cloud, including backups, photos, contacts and even complete deletion of an account.

It is important to understand that the procedure for deleting depends on the type of information and device. For example, removing photos from the gallery on a smartphone does not always mean their disappearance from the cloud - this requires separate actions. We will also consider the nuances of working with different models of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO, since the interface and settings may differ slightly.

If you plan to sell or transfer a device to another person, it is not enough to simply reset the settings – the data in the cloud will remain available to the new owner when you log in to your account.

Why data stays in Xiaomi Cloud after deleting on your device

Many users are faced with the situation when files are deleted from the smartphone, they continue to appear in the cloud storage.This is due to the fact that Xiaomi Cloud by default syncs data in both directions: changes on the device are duplicated in the cloud, but not always the other way around.

The main reasons why data is stuck in the cloud:

• 🔄 Automatic sync: If the function is enabled, deleted files on the device can be restored the next time you connect to the Internet.
• 📁 Backups: Even after deleting files, copies of them can be stored in archives created by the system.
• 🔒 Application cache: some data (e.g. thumbnails of photos) is stored in cache and not deleted immediately.
• 📱 Multi-Device: If you use multiple gadgets under one account, data can be duplicated between them.

To permanently delete information, you not only need to clear the device’s memory, but also manually delete data from the Mi Cloud via a web interface or smartphone settings, and in the following sections we will discuss each of these methods in detail.

How to delete data from Xiaomi Cloud

There are several methods to clean up Xiaomi’s cloud storage, and the choice depends on the type of data and your goals. Below are the main options, indicating their features and limitations.

For most users, the best solution is a combination of the first three methods: a full account reset is only advisable in extreme cases, for example, when transferring all Xiaomi devices to another person, and before starting the procedure, it is recommended to create a local copy of important data on a computer or external drive.

Step-by-step: Delete data through the web version of Mi Cloud

The most reliable way to clean up cloud storage is to use the official Xiaomi Cloud website, which is suitable for deleting any type of file and works regardless of your device model.

Sign up for your Mi Account at i.mi.com

Prepare a list of files/folders to delete

Turn off automatic synchronization on your smartphone

Backup important data on your PC

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To start, go to i.mi.com and log in to your account, and then do the following:

1. On the left menu, select File Management, which shows all files uploaded to the cloud.
2. Check the files or folders you want to delete. For mass selection, use the combination Ctrl+A (Windows) or Cmd+A (Mac).
3. Click on the basket icon in the top panel or the Delete key. Confirm the action in the window that appears.
4. For complete removal (without the possibility of recovery), go to the Trash section and clean it.

Please note that some system files (such as backups) may not appear in the general list. To delete them, go to Backup and manually delete unnecessary archives. In this section, you can also disable automatic backup for specific applications.

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If you delete photos, first check if Google Photos or other cloud services are enabled, and the data can be duplicated in multiple storages at the same time.

Remove contacts, messages and notes from the cloud

Contacts, SMS-Messages and notes are synced to Mi Cloud separately from the main files, and you need to use special sections in your account settings to delete them, and it's important to understand that clearing this data in the cloud will result in deleting it from all connected devices.

To delete contacts:

1. Open the web version of Mi Cloud and go to Contacts.
2. Select all unnecessary contacts or click "Select All".
3. Click "Delete" and confirm the action. To remove completely, clear the basket in the same section.

To delete messages and notes:

• 📱 On your smartphone, go to Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud.
• 🔄 Turn off sync for "Messages" and "Notes" sections".
• 🗑️ Delete data directly in Messages and Notes applications, after which they will disappear from the cloud at the next synchronization.

⚠️ Note: If you use Mi Cloud to sync your contacts with your Google Account, removing them from the Xiaomi cloud will not affect Google Contacts.

How to Remove Device Backups from Xiaomi Cloud

Backups take up a significant portion of cloud storage, but many users don’t know how to delete them properly. Unlike regular files, backup archives don’t appear in the main file management section and require a separate approach.

To delete backup copies:

1. Go to the Mi Cloud web version at i.mi.com.
2. In the left menu, select the "Backup" section.
3. Click on the name of the device you want to delete the copy for, and the list of available archives will open.
4. Select the archive you don't need and click "Delete." Confirm the action.

If you want to disable automatic backup, do the following:

• 📱 On your smartphone, go to Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Backup.
• 🔄 Turn off the "Automatic backup" switch".
• 📴 Manually delete existing copies by clicking on each and selecting "Delete".

⚠️ Note: backups created on devices with MIUI 12 and later, may contain data about system settings, installed applications and even some passwords, their removal is recommended when transferring the gadget to another user.

Delete Mi Account and all data from the cloud

If you decide to completely abandon Xiaomi services or transfer all devices to another person, you can delete your Mi Account along with all data in the cloud.

• 🔴 Delete all files from the Mi Cloud.
• 🔴 Losing access to purchases in the Mi Store.
• 🔴 Uncoupling all Xiaomi devices from your account.
• 🔴 Losing warranties on some smart devices (if they are linked to an account).

To delete the account:

1. Go to the account management page: account.xiaomi.com.
2. In the "Account Security" section, find the "Delete Account" item.
3. Confirm your identity via SMS or email.
4. Wait for confirmation letter (can be received within 7 days).
5. Follow the instructions in the letter for final removal.

Once you delete your account, all data from Xiaomi Cloud will be permanently erased within 30 days, and it will be impossible to recover it, and if you plan to use Xiaomi devices again, it is recommended that you create a new account in advance and transfer important data to it.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When working with Xiaomi Cloud, users often make mistakes that lead to data loss or incomplete cloud cleanup, and the following are the most common problems and ways to solve them.

Another common mistake is trying to delete data directly from the device without disconnecting from the cloud, in which case files can be restored the next time you connect to the Internet, always turn off sync first, and then clear the data.

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Before you delete data from Xiaomi Cloud, make sure to create a local backup on your computer or external drive, which will protect you from accidentally losing important information.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions