Xiaomi Cloud – what is it and do you need it on your phone?

Why is Xiaomi Cloud so much of a question?

You just unpacked the new Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO, So we turned it on, and we saw the notification that we were connecting to Xiaomi Cloud, or we noticed that the battery was running out faster than usual, and there was an unknown cloud service on the app list. What is this software? Why is it installed by default? And most importantly, can it be removed without consequences for the phone?

In this article, we’ll take Xiaomi Cloud under a microscope, from technical details to real user feedback, learn how Xiaomi’s cloud storage differs from Google Drive or iCloud, what data it syncs (and whether it’s worth celebrating), and get a checklist for customizing the service for your needs. Spoiler: you can turn off the Cloud, but there are 3 critical points about which no one warns.

What is Xiaomi Cloud and how does it work?

Xiaomi Cloud is a proprietary cloud storage from Xiaomi, integrated into all smartphones of the brand (including Redmi, POCO It's basically a Google Drive or iCloud analog, but with unique features for the Xiaomi ecosystem, it automatically syncs your data between devices, backs up and lets you recover information when you reset or replace your phone.

Technically, Cloud runs through Xiaomi servers located in China, Singapore, India and Russia (for local users). HTTPS, But there are some nuances to encryption, and we'll talk about that in the security section:

• 📱 Synchronize contacts, messages, notes and calendar between Xiaomi devices.
• 📷 Automatic upload of photos and videos to the cloud (analogue of Google Photos).
• 🔄 Backup of settings, applications and system data.
• 🔍 Search for lost phone via i.mi.com web interface.
• 🎵 Synchronization of music and recordings from the Mi Music app.

Important: Xiaomi Cloud is not a separate application – it is a system service built into firmware MIUI. It can't be deleted without root rights, but you can disable or restrict access to data.

What data is synchronized by Xiaomi Cloud? full list

Many users are worried that Xiaomi Cloud is gathering too much information, so let's look at what's in the cloud by default and how to control it. Here's a full list of data that can be synchronized:

Backup is particularly noteworthy, and when this function is activated, the following are uploaded to the cloud:

• 📱 List of installed applications (but not their data!).
• 🔧 Settings MIUI (themes, fonts, gestures).
• 📡 Connected device data (e.g. Mi Band or Xiaomi Smart Home).
• 🔑 System logs (may include information about errors and failures).

Xiaomi Cloud is not synchronized:

• ❌ Data from third-party messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram).
• ❌ Passwords from banking applications or Google Account.
• ❌ Manually downloaded files (such as documents or APK).

Do you need Xiaomi Cloud on your phone? Pros and cons

Now the big question is, should you use the Xiaomi Cloud or should you turn it off right away? Like any service, it has its advantages and disadvantages. Let's go through them in detail.

✅ The Benefits of Xiaomi Cloud

• 🆓 5 GB is free (for comparison: iCloud gives also 5 GB, and Google Drive – 15 GB, but for all Google services together).
• 🔄 Automatic synchronization between Xiaomi devices (for example, contacts from the phone will appear on the Xiaomi Pad tablet).
• 🛡️ Recovery after reset – you can quickly return all settings and applications to a new phone.
• 📍 Searching for a device through a website (works even if the phone is turned off but has been connected to the internet).
• 📱 Integration with the ecosystem: if you have a Mi Band, smart lamp or robot vacuum cleaner from Xiaomi, Cloud syncs their settings.

❌ Cons of Xiaomi Cloud

• 🔋 Battery consumption: Constant synchronization in the background can eat up to 5-10% of the charge per day.
• 🌍 Servers in China: Even if you choose a Russian region, some of the data may be stored on Chinese servers (privacy questions).
• 📶 Traffic: Automatic upload of photos and videos "eats" mobile Internet (if you do not configure the restrictions).
• 🔒 Link to Mi Account: without it you can not use some functions of the phone (for example, theme). MIUI orthose).
• 🛑 Locking when reset: If you forget the password from your Mi Account, the phone can turn into a “brick” after reset (solved through support, but it is a long process).

The bottom line: Xiaomi Cloud is useful if you’re actively using the Xiaomi ecosystem (multiple devices, smart home) or want reliable backups, but if you have enough Google Account and don’t trust Chinese servers, you can turn it off.

💡

If you sell or give a phone, be sure to log out of your Mi Account and turn off Cloud, otherwise the new owner will be able to recover your data!

Xiaomi Cloud User Reviews: What Do Owners Say?

To objectively evaluate Xiaomi Cloud, we analyzed reviews on forums (4PDA, Mi Community, on Google Play and social media. Here are the key observations:

👍 Positive feedback

• 🔄 "Switched from Redmi Note 10 to POCO F4 — Everything recovered in 10 minutes, even the wallpaper and camera settings. Super! (Source: Mi Community)
• 📷 "I have an automatic upload to the Cloud. One day my phone drowned, but all the pictures were saved: 4PDA)
• 🆓 "5GB is enough for backups and contacts. I don't see any point in paying for Google One. (Source: Reddit)

👎 Negative reviews

• 🔋 "After updating MIUI Cloud started eating the battery. It turned it off, it lived a day longer: 4PDA)
• 🌍 "I don't like the data going to Chinese servers. I've moved to Nextcloud. (Source: Xiaomi Telegram chat)
• 🛑 "I sold my phone, forgot to log out, and the customer restored my contacts and photos, and had to delete it remotely via i.mi.com: VK-Xiaomi)
• 📶 "The Cloud was not warned that it was uploading photos over the mobile Internet, and it was eating 3 GB of traffic overnight)

Fun fact: among owners of flagship models (Xiaomi 13, Mix Fold) the share of positive reviews is higher (65%), while users of budget Redmi are more likely to complain about battery consumption and traffic (negative reviews). ~40%).

💡

If you choose to use Xiaomi Cloud, set up a mobile traffic restriction to sync. → Xiaomi Cloud → Synchronization settings → Use only Wi-Fi.

How to disable or remove Xiaomi Cloud: step-by-step instructions

If you decide that you don’t need Xiaomi Cloud, you can disable it or restrict it. You can’t completely remove the service without root rights (since it is sewn into the system). MIUI), You can stop syncing and delete data from the cloud.

🔧 Method 1: Completely shutting down synchronization

1. Open the Settings. → Xiaomi Cloud.
2. Click on the icon. ⚙️ (Settings) in upper right corner.
3. Select Data Sync and turn off all switches.
4. Go back and click Out (this won’t delete your account, but will stop syncing).

🗑️ Method 2: Delete data from the cloud

To erase your data from Xiaomi servers:

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in.
2. Select the Cloud tab → Storage management.
3. Click Clean next to unnecessary categories (photos, contacts, etc.).
4. To delete your account completely, go to Profile → Account settings → Delete the account.

⚠️ Important warnings

⚠️ If you delete your Mi Account, you will lose access to all Xiaomi services, including the:

• 📱 Brand themes and wallpaper in MIUI.
• 🔍 Search for your phone via i.mi.com.
• 🏠 Smart Home Management of Xiaomi Smart Home Devices.

⚠️ On some models, the Redmi Note 11, POCO X4) After leaving the account, Mi may reset DRM-keyboard L1, Why Netflix and Disney are+ Stop working at Full HD. To return L1, You'll need a phone reset.

Download backup of contacts in file VCF|Save important photos to your computer or Google Photos|Write down Wi-Fi passwords (they are synced via the Cloud)|Unlock Xiaomi smart devices (if any)|Check if you are using Mi Store purchases-->

Xiaomi Cloud Alternatives: Where to Move Data?

If you're not using Xiaomi Cloud, it's logical to choose a replacement. Here are the best alternatives for different tasks:

For maximum privacy, consider independent solutions:

• 🖥️ Nextcloud or OwnCloud – your cloud on your home server or VPS.
• 💾 Syncthing – Synchronize files between devices without a cloud.
• 📱 App Backup & Restore (from Google Play) – Backup applications locally.

Tip: If you choose Google Photos to store your photos, set up automatic download only over Wi-Fi so you don’t waste mobile traffic. → Settings → Backup and synchronization → Backup settings → Only through Wi-Fi.

Frequent problems with Xiaomi Cloud and how to solve them

Even if you choose to leave Xiaomi Cloud, you may have a problem, and here are the most common problems and solutions.

🔴 Problem 1: Cloud is not syncing data

Causes and solutions:

• 🌐 No Internet: Check the connection to the network.
• 🔄 Server failure: check status at status.mi.com.
• 📱 An outdated version MIUI: Update the firmware in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 🔒 Firewall locking: if you use VPN or firewall (e.g. NetGuard), add Xiaomi Cloud to exceptions.

🔴 Problem 2: The cloud is rapidly running out of space.

How to make room:

1. Remove unnecessary backups: Settings → Xiaomi Cloud → Storage management → Backup copies.
2. Clean the cart: In the web version of i.mi.com, go to the Recycle Bin and click Clean.
3. Turn off automatic photo uploading: Gallery → Settings → Cloud synchronization.

🔴 Problem 3: Phone asks for password from Mi Account after reset

It's a protection against theft, but it can get in the way of selling a phone.

1. Before reset, log out of your account: Settings → Mi Account → Exit.
2. If you have forgotten your password, restore it through account.xiaomi.com.
3. If your phone is locked, contact Xiaomi with a check to buy.

On some models, Redmi 9, POCO M3) After the reset, the error "This device is linked to another account" may appear, which means that the previous owner did not log out of the Mi Account.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions About Xiaomi Cloud