Xiaomi Cloud: what kind of application is in your Xiaomi smartphone and why you need it

You opened the list of apps on your Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphone and found a strange Xiaomi Cloud app? It is pre-installed on all the brand devices, but many users do not understand what it is for and whether it can be removed. This article will examine all the nuances of working with the Xiaomi cloud service — from basic functions to hidden features that are not written about even in the official documentation.

The big question is that Xiaomi Cloud is not just “another unnecessary app,” but a full-fledged cloud service for backup, data synchronization, and remote device management, integrated into the MIUI ecosystem and running on all of the brand’s smartphones since the Xiaomi Mi 3 (2014), but why are so many users trying to disable or uninstall it? The fact is that the service has its own hidden autosynchronization settings that can be imperceptibly draining traffic and battery power.

What is Xiaomi Cloud and Why You Need It?

Xiaomi Cloud (or Mi Cloud in older versions) is a cloud storage from Xiaomi, similar to Google Drive or iCloud.

• 📱 Backup of smartphone data (contacts, SMS, photos, notes).
• 🔄 Sync between devices (for example, photos from the phone will automatically appear on the Xiaomi Pad tablet).
• 🔍 Device search in case of loss or theft (Find Device function).
• 📊 Remote control (locking, resetting, sound playback).
• 🔐 Storage of passwords and application data (for example, Mi Fit for fitness bracelets).

It’s important to understand that Xiaomi Cloud is not just a “drive on the Internet”, but part of the Xiaomi ecosystem. If you have other gadgets of the brand (for example, Yeelight smart lamps, Mi Robot robot vacuum cleaner or AirDots headphones), then the cloud allows you to control them from one account, for example, you can set up automation so that when you return home (determined by the geolocation of the smartphone), the lights turn on and the vacuum cleaner starts.

But it also has hidden flaws: By default, it can automatically upload photos to the cloud (even if you don’t want to), and sync SMS and call logs, raising questions about privacy.

How Xiaomi Cloud works: Technical details

From a technical point of view, Xiaomi Cloud consists of three key components:

1. The server part is Xiaomi data centers in China, Singapore, India and the United States (depending on the region of the account).
2. Client application – pre-installed software on a smartphone that controls synchronization.
3. Developer APIs – allows third-party applications (such as Mi Home) to integrate with the cloud.

All data is transmitted via an encrypted channel (HTTPS protocol), but there is a caveat: by default, backups are stored on servers in China, even if your account is tied to another region. This is due to the fact that Xiaomi is a Chinese company and the main servers are located there.

The synchronization speed depends on:

• 📶 Internet connection quality (with a weak signal, uploading photos can take hours).
• 📱 Smartphone models (on flagships like Xiaomi 14 synchronization works faster than on the budget Redmi) 10A).
• 🔋 Power saving mode (if enabled, the cloud may pause loading).

Fun fact: Xiaomi Cloud uses data deduplication, which means that if you upload the same photo from two different devices, it will only be saved to the cloud once, saving space, but this mechanism doesn't work perfectly, because sometimes duplicates do appear.

💡

If you travel frequently, turn off automatic uploading of photos to the cloud via mobile Internet. To do this, go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Gallery → Sync settings and select the option “Only via Wi-Fi”.

What data is synchronized by Xiaomi Cloud by default

Many users are surprised to find that Xiaomi Cloud already syncs their data — even if they have never manually configured it — because when you first turn on your smartphone, the system prompts you to automatically log in to (or create) your Xiaomi account, and the default is basic sync.

Here is a complete list of data that may be synchronized without your knowledge:

The most controversial feature is SMS synchronization. Many users do not want their private messages stored on Xiaomi servers, especially given that the company is obliged to provide data to the Chinese authorities on request (under Chinese law), which, fortunately, can be disabled manually.

⚠️ Note: If you use Xiaomi Cloud for backup SMS, When you restore data on a new device, messages may be duplicated or displayed in the wrong order. MIUI, which has not yet been corrected.

How to set up Xiaomi Cloud: step-by-step instructions

If you decide to use Xiaomi Cloud, the first thing you need to do is to set it up correctly to avoid unnecessary traffic and battery consumption.

1. Create or sign in to Xiaomi: Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account and follow the instructions. If you don’t have an account, the system will prompt you to create one. Importantly, when registering, specify a real email — it will be needed to restore access.
2. Select the server region: By default, the server can be assigned in China. To change it, go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Settings → Region and select the nearest one (for example, Europe or Russia).
3. Set up sync: In the Mi Cloud section, select which data to sync. We recommend leaving only contacts, notes and gallery (if necessary). SMS and call log are better to disable.
4. Set a traffic limit: To prevent the cloud from eating up mobile internet, go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Sync settings and select the Wi-Fi Only option.

If you want to completely disable sync but still keep access to the cloud (like Find Device), do the following:

Open Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud

Disable all switches (Contacts, Messages, Gallery, etc.)

Leave only Find Device enabled (if necessary)

Reboot your smartphone to apply changes-->

After setting up, check your traffic consumption. Go to Settings → Connections and Sharing → Traffic Use and find Mi Cloud Sync. If the application consumes more than 50-100 MB per month without active use, then there is still background sync enabled somewhere.

How much does Xiaomi Cloud cost and how to increase the space

By default, Xiaomi Cloud provides 5GB of free space, enough to back up contacts, notes and a few hundred photos, but if you plan to store videos or full system backups, you’ll have to buy more space.

Current tariffs (for 2026) for Russian users:

You can pay by credit card, Google Pay or Mi Pay. Importantly, if you don't renew your subscription on time, the data won't be deleted immediately, but you won't be able to add new files until you clear space or pay the rate.

There are also ways to get a free seat:

• 🎁 Shares from Xiaomi (sometimes handed out) +5GB for participating in surveys or feature testing).
• 📱 Buying new devices (for example, when buying Xiaomi) 13T give 100 GB for a year).
• 🤝 Invitation of friends (for each new user who has registered on your link, you can get before the date of the registration). +1GB).

⚠️ Note: If you delete files from Xiaomi Cloud, they will also be deleted from all synced devices (if the option is Delete everywhere enabled).To avoid this, first disable sync for a specific type of data.

Xiaomi Cloud Security: Can You Trust the Storage?

One of the most common questions is, "How secure is data stored in Xiaomi Cloud?" The answer is ambiguous: On the one hand, Xiaomi claims that all data is encrypted according to the AES-256 standard (the same as banks use), and on the other, there are several critical points:

1. As mentioned, the main servers are located in China and local laws require companies to provide data to the authorities on request, which means that in theory your photos, messages or contacts can be shared with third parties without your knowledge.
2. Data leaks in the past: In 2020, Xiaomi got into a scandal over the Mi Browser browser and Xiaomi Cloud collecting data on the sites visited by users.The company said it was a mistake, but trust was undermined.
3. Default weak passwords: Many users don’t change the password from their Xiaomi account after signing up, and standard combinations like 123456 or qwerty are easily hacked.

To improve safety, follow these guidelines:

Enable two-factor authentication (Settings → Xiaomi Account → Security)

Use a complex password (at least 12 characters with numbers and special signs)

Disable SMS and call log synchronization

Check active sessions regularly (Settings → Xiaomi Account → Devices)

Do not store scans of documents (passport, rights, bank cards) in the cloud)-->

If you are critical to privacy, consider alternatives:

• 🔒 Proton Drive is a cloud with zero-knowledge encryption (even administrators can’t read your files).
• 📁 Nextcloud – Self-hosted cloud (you can install it on your server).
• 📱 Local backups (for example, to an external hard drive via a MIUI Backup).

How to remove Xiaomi Cloud and what happens if you do it

Many users want to remove Xiaomi Cloud from their smartphone completely, but there are some nuances:

Method 1: Disconnect (without deleting)

The safest option is to simply turn off synchronization:

1. Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Turn off all switches (Contacts, Gallery, Messages, etc.).
3. In the Settings section, turn off Autosynchronization.

This method retains access to features like Find Device, but stops uploading data to the cloud.

Method 2: Removal via ADB (for advanced)

If you want to completely uninstall the app, you will need ADB rights:

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


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

⚠️ Note: After deleting Xiaomi Cloud will stop working: Find Device feature (find phone when lost). Synchronize notes and contacts between Xiaomi devices. Air firmware updates (OTA) In some regions, to get it back, you'll have to reset your smartphone to factory settings.

Method 3: Replacement with Google Drive

If you only need backup, you can use Google Drive:

1. Go to Settings → System → Backup.
2. Select Google Drive instead of Mi Cloud.
3. Set up automatic copying (it is recommended to enable only over Wi-Fi).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi Cloud