Xiaomi Cloud app: what it is, why it is necessary and whether it is possible to remove it without consequences

If you've ever looked at the installed app list on a Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphone, you've probably noticed the Xiaomi Cloud system app, which is pre-installed on all the brand's devices, but not everyone understands its purpose, some consider it useless "garbage", others are afraid to delete due to possible malfunctions in the phone. So what is this service really? Should it be left or can be safely deactivated?

In this article, we will look at the specific features of Xiaomi Cloud, how it affects the smartphone, and most importantly, whether it can be removed without risk to the system, you will also learn how to properly disable sync, what data is stored in the cloud, and what to do if the application starts to “glut”, and for those who decide to get rid of it, we have prepared a step-by-step instruction with all the nuances.

Note right away: Xiaomi Cloud is not just “another unnecessary app”; it’s Xiaomi’s official cloud service that is integrated into the MIUI ecosystem and is responsible for backing up, syncing data between devices, and even some smart home features, but its real utility depends on how you use your smartphone.

📊 You use Xiaomi Cloud for backup?

Yeah, regularly.

Contacts/photos only

Never set up.

Delete the app.

I don't know what it is.

What is Xiaomi Cloud and Why You Need It?

Xiaomi Cloud (or Mi Cloud) is a cloud storage service developed by Xiaomi for owners of its devices, which allows you to automatically back up important data, synchronize it between smartphones, tablets and even smart devices of the Mi Home ecosystem, essentially analogous to Google Drive or iCloud, but with a link to a Mi Account.

The main functions of the service:

📱 Backup – saving copies of messages, contacts, notes, call history, and even some system settings.
📷 Synchronization of photos and videos – automatic upload of media files to the cloud (analogue of Google Photos).
🔄 Cross-platform access – data is accessed from any device linked to a single Mi Account.
🏠 Smart Home Integration – Managing the settings of Mi Home devices (such as cameras or lamps).
🔒 Data protection – the ability to lock or reset your phone through the web interface when lost.

By default, the service offers 5 GB of free cloud storage. This is enough for backups of contacts and photos, but for a full backup system will have to buy space (prices start from ~$1 for 50 GB per month).

But here comes the logical question: if I already have a Google Account with Google Drive, why do I need another cloud service? The answer is simple: Xiaomi Cloud is more deeply integrated into MIUI and can reserve data that Google does not store (for example, the settings of the theme or the data of some system applications).

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If you use a Xiaomi smartphone without a Mi Account, the Xiaomi Cloud will take up space in memory, but it will not actually work.

What data is stored by Xiaomi Cloud and how to check it

Many users fear that Xiaomi Cloud collects excess information or transfers data to third parties, in fact, the service only stores data that you have explicitly consented to backup.

To find out what data is synchronized with the cloud:

Open the Xiaomi Cloud app (or go to Settings → Mi → Mi Cloud Account).
Slip on the backup item.
Select Backup Settings – here will be a list of all categories of data (messages, contacts, gallery, etc.) with ticks.

By default, Xiaomi Cloud can save:

Data category	What exactly is being preserved	Volume (about)
Contacts	All the numbers from the phone book	1-5 MB
Communications	SMS and MMS (without media files)	5-50 MB
gallery	Photos and videos in original quality	1 GB (depending on the amount)
Notes	Text notes from the Notes app	1-10 MB
System settings	Themes, wallpaper, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth settings	10–100 MB

Important: Xiaomi Cloud does not store passwords, banking application data, or browser history (unless you have manually enabled Mi Browser sync), but it can reserve call logs and data from some system applications (such as Mi Fit or Mi Home), which can be critical for smart devices to work.

What happens if you delete your backup from Xiaomi Cloud?

When you remove the backup from the cloud, you lose the ability to restore data on the new device. However, this will not affect the current files on the phone - they will remain intact. Exception: if you manually enabled the option "Delete local files after downloading to the cloud" (it is disabled by default).

Can you remove Xiaomi Cloud without any consequences?

This is the most popular question among Xiaomi smartphone owners. Answer: yes, you can, but with reservations. The Xiaomi Cloud application is system-based, so you just can’t remove it — you need superuser rights (root) or use ADB. However, there are more secure ways:

Options for action:

🔄 Disable synchronization – leave the application, but prevent it from working (the safest way to do so).
🗑️ Remove Updates – Return the app to the factory version (saves space, but doesn’t remove it completely).
🛠️ Remove through ADB — Requires PC and command line connectivity (suitable for power users).
🚫 Disable via Settings – disable autostart and notifications (not deleted, but reduced load).

A critical nuance: if you use smart home features or synchronization between Xiaomi devices, removing Xiaomi Cloud could disrupt their operation, such as stopping updating data from cameras or lamps.

Also consider:

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T or Redmi Note 11) Xiaomi Cloud application is associated with the Mi Account module. its deletion can lead to errors when logging in or resetting your password.

Make a backup copy of important data|Disable synchronization in settings|Check the operation of smart devices (if any)|Make sure there are no tethered services on your phone (Mi Pay, Mi Fit)|Have access to a PC for ADB (If you plan to remove it completely)-->

How to Disable Xiaomi Cloud Without Deleting (The Safest Way)

If you don't want to risk system stability, but you don't use the cloud, just turn off sync, and this will stop the background activity of the application and save battery life.

Step-by-step:

Open the Settings. → Mi Account → Mi Cloud.
Slip on the backup item.
Turn off the automatic backup slider.
Go back and select Synchronization.
Turn off sync for all unnecessary categories (contacts, gallery, etc.).
Then go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
Find Xiaomi Cloud, open its settings and select: 🚫 Disable autostart 🔔 Disable notifications 📵 Limit background activity

After that, the app will stop consuming the phone, but it will stay on the system, and if you ever need to restore data, you can turn on the sync again.

⚠️ Note: On some firmware (for example, MIUI 14 for global version) disabling Xiaomi Cloud may result in a notification "Mi Cloud Services are disabled" It can be hidden through the notification settings, but completely remove it only after removing the application.

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Disabling sync does not delete data already uploaded to the cloud, but will remain available through i.mi.com’s web version until you manually delete it.

How to Remove Xiaomi Cloud (For Power Users)

If you're determined to get rid of the app, there are two reliable ways to do this: through ADB or through root rights, the first one is safer, because it doesn't require unlocking the bootloader.

Method 1: Removal via ADB (without root)

You'll need:

🖥️ Computer with drivers installed ADB and Fastboot.
📱 Included debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap to unlock the developer's settings).
🔌 USB Type C C Cable (original).

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command prompt (or PowerShell).


2. Enter a command to check the connection:




adb devices




(Your device serial number should appear).




3. execute the command to remove Xiaomi Cloud:




adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.cloudservice




4. Reboot the phone.

If the command fails, try an alternative package:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.xiaomi.cloud

Method 2: Removal with root rights

If you have a bootloader unlocked and you have Magisk or another root manager installed, you can uninstall the application through any file manager with superuser rights (such as Root Explorer).

Open the manager and go to /system/priv-app/CloudService or /system/app/Cloud.
Remove the entire folder or rename it (for example, in the CloudService_bak).
Reset the device.

⚠️ Note: Some models (Xiaomi 13 Pro, Redmi) K50) Removing Xiaomi Cloud could lead to an update error MIUI through OTA. In this case, you will have to install the firmware manually through Fastboot.

What to do if there are problems after removal

Most of the time, Xiaomi Cloud is uninstalled, but sometimes users are affected by bugs, and here are the most common problems and solutions:

Problem 1: Mi Account Login is not working

If you can’t log in to your Mi Account after you delete the app, try:

🔄 Reinstall Xiaomi Cloud through ADB: adb shell cmd package install-existing com.miui.cloudservice
📱 Reset your account settings in Settings → Mi Account → Delete your account (data from the cloud will not be deleted).

Problem 2: Smart home data has stopped being updated

If you have Mi Home devices (like a robot vacuum cleaner or camera), their settings may not sync.

🏠 Install the Mi Home app manually from Google Play (if it was removed with the cloud).
🔄 Reconnect devices to your account through Settings → Smart home.

Problem 3: There were errors when updating MIUI

Some firmware requires Xiaomi Cloud to verify the license. If the upgrade via Settings → System Update gives you an error, download the firmware manually from en.miui.com and install it through Recovery.

⚠️ Note: If after removing Xiaomi Cloud, the phone starts to warm up or run out quickly, check the activity of other system applications (for example, MiuiDaemon or SecurityCenter.

Xiaomi Cloud Alternatives: How to Replace Xiaomi Cloud

If you have removed Xiaomi Cloud but still want to back up data, there are a few proven alternatives:

For backup:

☁️ Google Drive – 15 GB free, Android integration.
📱 Swift Backup – Creates local backups of applications and data.
💾 Titanium Backup is a classic backup solution (root rights are also needed).

For synchronization of photos:

📷 Google Photos – Unlimited Storage for Compressed Photos.
🖼️ Amazon Photos – Free Photo Storage (for Prime owners).
🔒 Syncthing – Open source software for synchronizing files between devices without a cloud.

For the smart home:

🏡 Home Assistant – an open platform for managing smart devices.
🔌 Tuya Smart – Mi Home Alternative for Tuya-enabled Devices.

If you use multiple Xiaomi devices, the best alternative is Google Account + Google Drive, as they cover most of the features of Xiaomi Cloud without being tied to the MIUI ecosystem.

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Before switching to alternatives, check if the new app supports SMS backup and call logs – these details are often ignored by third-party backup solutions.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi Cloud

❓ Can you restore data from Xiaomi Cloud after deleting the application?

Yes, but you'll have to reinstall Xiaomi Cloud (via ADB or phone reset) and the data is stored on Xiaomi servers and not deleted when you uninstall the application. To restore it: Install Xiaomi Cloud back. Log in to your Mi Account. Go to Settings → Mi → Mi Cloud → Restore. If the application is removed irrevocably (for example, with firmware), you can restore the data via the web version: i.mi.com (Subsection "Backups").

❓ How much space does Xiaomi Cloud take up on your phone?

The app itself weighs about 20 to 50 MB, but its cache and data can take up to 100 to 300 MB (depending on the amount of data being synchronized).To clear the cache: Go to Settings → Applications → Xiaomi Cloud → Storage. Press Clear cache and Clear data. This won't delete backups from the cloud, just local temporary files.

❓ Why Xiaomi Cloud is constantly running in the background and drains the battery?

The reason is usually automatic sync or upload of photos/video. To fix this: Open Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Sync and disable unnecessary categories. In the Xiaomi Cloud app settings, turn off Autoboot over Wi-Fi and Mobile Data. Limit background activity through Settings → Annexes → Xiaomi Cloud → Battery → Limit background activity. If the problem persists, check to see if the cloud is conflicting with other applications (e.g. Google Photos or Dropbox).

❓ Can you use Xiaomi Cloud without a Mi Account?

No, Xiaomi Cloud only works with a tied Mi Account. Without it, the application will take up space, but it will not be able to synchronize data. If you do not want to register, you should completely disable or delete the service. Exception: on some firmware (for example, MIUI for Russia), some of the cloud functions can work through Google Account, but this is an informal feature and it is unstable.

❓ Is it safe to store data in Xiaomi Cloud?

Xiaomi claims that data in the cloud is encrypted and stored on servers in Singapore and the United States: 🔐 Encryption: Data is transmitted by HTTPS, Xiaomi could theoretically access them (as any cloud provider would). 🌍 Jurisdiction: Servers are subject to the laws of China and Singapore, which may be critical for sensitive data. 🛡️ Two-factor authentication: Enable it in your Mi Account settings to protect your account from being hacked. For maximum security, sensitive data (passwords, documents) is best stored in encrypted containers (such as Cryptomator or VeraCrypt).