How to completely disable Mi Cloud on Xiaomi: 5 proven ways

Why users want to disable Mi Cloud and when they really need to

Xiaomi’s Mi Cloud is marketed as a convenient solution for backing up, syncing data and protecting your device. However, many owners of Redmi, POCO or Mi smartphones face situations where the need to disable this service becomes critical. The main problem is that linking the device to your Mi Cloud account blocks access to your phone after resetting if you forget the login data.

Typical scenarios where deactivation is required: 1) Before selling or transferring the phone to another user, so that the new owner does not encounter a request for your credentials. 2) When resetting to factory settings, if you do not remember the password from your Mi Account (risk of getting a “brick”) 3 To improve privacy, Mi Cloud collects location, contacts and even call history data by default. 4 When switching to alternative cloud services (Google Drive, Yandex Disk). 5 If the service constantly consumes traffic or discharges the battery in the background.

It is important to understand the difference between disabling sync (data will no longer be updated, but the account will remain tied) and completely deleting the Mi Account (the device will unplug from the cloud, but lose access to Xiaomi’s branded services).

📊 Why do you want to disable the Mi Cloud?

Before the phone sale

Resetting settings without password

Savings in battery/traffic

Transition to another cloud service

Other

Method 1: Standard Mi Cloud sync disable (without deleting your account)

If you just need to stop transferring data to the cloud, but keep your account linked to your device (for example, to use Xiaomi’s proprietary apps), follow these steps:

Open Settings → Accounts and Sync → Mi Cloud
Enter the password from your Mi Account if the system requests it.
A list of synchronized data will open before you: Contacts, Messages, Gallery, Notes, etc. Turn off sliders next to unnecessary categories.
To completely disable synchronization, transfer the main slider Synchronization Mi Cloud to the off position.

⚠️ Warning: Even after you turn off sync, your device will remain tied to your account. If you reset your settings, you will still need to enter your username and password from Mi Cloud, otherwise your phone will be locked!

Save important data from Mi Cloud to another media

Make sure you have access to the email linked to your Mi Account

Disable two-factor authentication (if it interferes)

Remember your account password or save it in your password manager-->

This method is suitable if you temporarily want to stop transferring data to the cloud, but do not plan to sell or dump the phone, for example, before traveling abroad to save mobile traffic, or if you notice that Mi Cloud is consuming too much battery power.

Method 2: Completely delete your Mi Cloud account from your device

If you are determined to untie the phone from your Xiaomi account, consider: after this procedure:

📱 You will lose access to branded services: Mi Home (smart home), Mi Fit (fitness trackers), Themes and Cloud Storage.
🔄 The next time you log in to your Mi Account, this device may have a lock for 7-30 days (depending on the model).
📦 All data previously stored in Mi Cloud (photos, contacts, notes) will remain in the cloud, but sync with the phone will stop.

Instructions for deleting the account:

Go to Settings → About Phone → Additional → Delete your account (on some firmware, the path may differ: Settings → Accounts and Synchronization → Mi Account → Delete your account).
The system will request a password from the Mi Account. Enter it.
Confirm the deletion by clicking Delete account in the pop-up window.
Wait until the process is complete (it can take up to 1-2 minutes).

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 12 or later, after deleting the account, the protection against theft can be activated - the phone will be locked for 72 hours:

🔒 Log in to another Mi Account.
📱 Perform a reset settings.
🔄 Install custom firmware.

If you need to sell your phone, delete your account in advance!

What to do if the “Delete Account” button is inactive?

If the deletion button is not pressed, this means that one of the protections is activated on the device: 1. Protection against theft (activated after a recent reset settings). 2. Locking by the operator (if the phone is purchased on credit or lease). 3. Restriction of the region (on some models for China, deletion of the account is blocked at the firmware level). In such cases, try: - Wait 72 hours (if a reset has recently been performed). - Update the firmware to the latest version (sometimes bugs are fixed in new builds).

Method 3: Disable Mi Cloud via Settings Reset (if the password is forgotten)

Situation: You forgot your Mi Account password, but you need to reset your phone to factory settings. Standard Settings reset → Additional → Reset will lock your device to require you to enter data from Mi Cloud. To get around this, use Recovery:

Turn off the phone.
Press the button combination to enter Recovery: 📱 For most models Redmi/POCO: Loudness up + Nutrition. 📱 For Mi. 11/12/13 Series: Volume up + Loudness down + Nutrition.

Release the buttons when the Mi logo appears.

In the Recovery menu, select a language (if there is one), then go to Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.

Confirm the reset by selecting Confirm (use volume buttons for navigation, power button for selection).

After the reset is complete, select Reboot → Reboot to System.

⚠️ Warning: This method DOES NOT remove the binding to the Mi Cloud! After restarting, the phone will still require you to enter your account details:

Log in to your Mi Account (if you remember your password) and delete it through your settings.
Or use the official unlock tool (Mi Unlock Tool) if the phone supports this feature.

💡

If you are selling a phone and don’t remember the Mi Cloud password, honestly warn the buyer about the lock. Many models (for example, Redmi Note 10 Pro or POCO X3 Pro) can be unlocked through Xiaomi service centers by check or box.

Method 4: Bypassing Mi Cloud lock after reset (for advanced users)

If the phone is locked after being reset due to being tied to Mi Cloud and you don't remember your account details, there are several ways to bypass the lock.Caution: these methods may violate Xiaomi's terms of use and result in a loss of warranty.Use them at your own risk!

Method	Suitable for	Difficulty	Risks.
Mi Unlock Tool (official)	Models with support for unlocking the loader	Medium	Requires waiting 7-15 days, it is possible to block the account
EDL-mode (via testpoint)	All models, but you need soldering skills	Tall.	Risk of damage to the fee, loss of IMEI
Bypassing ADB	Devices with enabled debugging over USB	Low.	It doesn't work on all firmware.
Service centre	All models.	Low.	Paid service, a check is required

Consider the most affordable way – bypassing through ADB (works if the phone was enabled debugging over USB before locking):

Connect the locked phone to the PC via USB.
Install ADB and Fastboot Tools on your computer.
Open the command prompt (Win + R → enter cmd) and execute the commands: adb shell am start -n com.android.settings/.Settings This should open the phone's settings bypassing lock.
Go to Settings → Accounts → Mi Cloud and delete your account.

Instructions:

Download the Mi Cloud Disabler module for Magisk (available on the XDA Developers forum or in the Magisk Modules repository).
Install the module via Magisk Manager: 1. Open Magisk. 2. Click Modules → Install from Storage. 3. Find "Mi Cloud Disabler" and install. 4. Reboot the phone.
After the reboot, check if the Mi Cloud partition has disappeared in the settings.

Alternatively, you can remove system applications via ADB or TWRP:

adb shell


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

⚠️ Note: Removal of system components may result in:

🔄 Cyclical reboot (bootloop).
📵 Communication loss (if the modules responsible for the network are removed).
🔧 Impossibility of updating firmware.

Before experimenting, make a full backup through TWRP!

What to do if the Mi Cloud continues to work after shutdown

Sometimes, even after deleting your account or disabling sync, Mi Cloud continues to waste traffic or battery.

🔄 Background processes (com.xiaomi.cloud.service).
📱 Residual files in the cache.
🔒 Security policies MIUI, Restore the service after the update.

Decisions:

Clear the cache and data of the Mi Cloud application: Settings → Applications → Application Management → Mi Cloud → Storage → Clear the cache / data.
Turn off auto-start: Settings → Apps → Permissions → Auto-run → Find Mi Cloud and turn off.
Block network access: Settings → Applications → Mi Cloud → Mobile data and Wi-Fi → Ban background traffic.
Remove updates (if Mi Cloud has been updated via Google Play): Settings → Annexes → Mi Cloud → ⋮ (menu) → Remove updates.

If nothing works, check your phone for viruses or spyware that masquerades as Mi Cloud. Use antiviruses like Malwarebytes or Kaspersky.

💡

To get rid of Mi Cloud forever, install firmware based on Android One (for example, on Xiaomi Mi A2/A3) or go to LineageOS without Xiaomi’s proprietary components.

FAQ: Frequent questions about disabling Mi Cloud

Can I disable Mi Cloud without a password from my account?

No, the standard Mi Account deletion always requires a password. If you forgot it, try it: 🔑 Restore password through the official website (you need access to the email or phone associated with the account). 📧 Contact Xiaomi with proof of ownership of the device (check, box, IMEI). 🛠️ Use Unblocking Service Methods (EDL, Testpoint, but it's risky. Without a password, you can only turn off sync, but you can still have your account linked to your device.

What happens to your Mi Cloud data after you delete your account from your phone?

The data in Mi Cloud is stored on Xiaomi servers and is not deleted when the device is untieable: 🌐 Through the web version: i.mi.com. 📱 From another Xiaomi device, where you log in to the same account. To completely erase data from the cloud, go to the account settings on the Xiaomi website and select Delete account (this will delete all information irrevocably).

How to check if Mi Cloud is turned off on your phone?

To make sure Mi Cloud is actually deactivated: Check Settings → Accounts and Sync → Mi Cloud – there should be an Unconnected status. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management and find Mi Cloud. If the application is missing or disabled, the service is not working. Use ADB to check active processes: adb shell ps | grep -i cloud If the command does not return results, the Mi Cloud background processes are not running.

Can I use a Xiaomi phone without the Mi Cloud?

The phone will work, but with limitations: ✅ It's working: calls, SMS, Internet, most applications. ❌ Not working: Sync with Mi Band or other Xiaomi devices.branded themes and wallpaper from Mi Theme Store.air firmware updates (OTA) For full operation without Mi Cloud recommended: 🔄 Set up a Google Account to sync contacts and calendar. 📁 Use alternative cloud services (Google Photos, Yandex Disk). 🛡️ Disable background activity of Xiaomi system applications through ADB.

How to disable Mi Cloud on a phone with a locked bootloader?

If the bootloader is blocked, your options are limited: 🔧 Standard methods: you can only disable synchronization (see Method 1), but the account binding will remain. 🔓 Official Unblocking: Apply for Unblocking via Xiaomi website (requires a wait of 7-15 days). 🛠️ Service center: some models (e.g. Redmi) 9A or POCO M3) You can unlock through authorized SCs by check. ⚠️ Note: Attempts to bypass the lock through EDL Fastboot on a blocked bootloader leads to complete data loss and the risk of “bricking” the phone.