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

Xiaomi’s Mi Cloud is a handy tool for backing up photos, contacts and settings, but not everyone wants to use it. The reasons range from wanting to save space on the device to concerns about data privacy. Unfortunately, the manufacturer does not make the process of disconnecting obvious – many sync functions work in the background even after deleting an account.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways Mi Cloud can be disabled, from basic account deletion to hidden settings that keep sending data to the cloud. You’ll learn how to stop backups, delete unwanted files from cloud storage, and what to do if the system persistently returns sync after rebooting. The instructions are relevant for all modern Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models based on MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS.

Warning: Some methods require a superuser’s permission (root) or can cause a reset.If you’re not ready for radical measures, start with the safe ways in the first sections.

1. Basic disabling of synchronization through settings

The easiest and safest way to do this is to disable sync directly from the Mi Cloud menu, which does not delete your account, but stops most background processes.

How to do this:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Mi Account (or Accounts) → Mi Cloud on new versions MIUI).
• ☁️ Select Mi Cloud and move the slider to the Off position at the top of the screen.
• 🔄 Scroll down and manually disable sync for each data type: Contacts, Notes, Photos, etc.
• 🗑️ Click Delete Data from the Cloud (if you want to clear up already downloaded information).

This method works on 90% of devices, but has a limitation: some system data (such as call history) can continue to sync, and Xiaomi sometimes resets settings after a MIUI update.

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If synchronization resumes itself after shutdown, check the AutoRun settings for the Mi Cloud application in the Battery menu → AutoRun applications.

2. Complete deletion of Mi Account from smartphone

If you want to get rid of your Mi Cloud attachment completely, you'll have to delete your Xiaomi account from your device, and that will lead to:

• ✅ Disable all cloud services (including Find Device).
• ❌ Losing access to Mi Store purchases and some Xiaomi features (such as themes).
• ⚠️ Reset your Mi Pay settings and other services linked to your account.

Instructions for removal:

1. Go to Settings → Mi Account → Account Management.
2. Select Delete Account (Password may be required).
3. Confirm the action via SMS or email (if two-factor authentication is enabled).
4. After removal, restart the device.

Important: on some models (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi Note 12) after deleting the account, a re-entry request may appear when you try to use the camera or gallery. MIUI, related DRM-protection.

Save contacts to local memory | Download important photos from the cloud |Remember passwords from associated services |Deactivate Find Device (if used)

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3. Disable Mi Cloud background processes via ADB

Even after deleting an account, some of the system components of Mi Cloud may remain active, and you will need to use ADB (Android Debug Bridge) to completely block their operation.

Warning: This method requires USB debugging enabled and basic command line knowledge, and incorrect commands can disrupt the system.

Steps to shut down:

1. Activate Developer Mode (7 times click on the MIUI version in Settings → About Phone).
2. Enable USB debugging in Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and execute commands: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.cloudservice adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.xiaomi.account

These commands remove the Mi Cloud and Mi Account apps for the current user without affecting the system files. Once the device is restarted, sync will stop, but some features (such as an air update) may disappear.

Yes, regularly |Tryed 1-2 times |No, but I want to learn |No and I don't plan on.

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4. Clean up cache and Mi Cloud data manually

If you don't want to delete your account, but you need to free up space that's occupied by cloud data, you can manually clear your cache and application files, and this won't turn off sync, but it will reduce the memory load.

How to clean:

• 🧹 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 Find Mi Cloud (or Xiaomi Cloud) in the list.
• 🗃️ Press Warehouse. → Clear the cache and Clear the data.
• 🔄 For a complete cleanup, repeat the action for the Mi Account app.

Once cleaned, some settings (such as themes or wallpaper) may reset to standard ones, and it’s also worth checking the MIUI/CloudBackup folder in the internal storage, where temporary backup files may remain.

5.Block access to Mi Cloud via firewall or DNS

For power users, there is a radical way to block Mi Cloud servers at the network level, which completely stops sharing data with the cloud, but can disrupt other Xiaomi services (such as updates or weather).

Methods of blocking:

• 🌍 Through DNS: Use AdGuard Home or Pi-hole to block domains: api.account.xiaomi.com cloud.xiaomi.net miui.com
• 🔥 Through Firewall: In Settings → The Internet and the Internet → Private DNS Please specify the address of the blocking server (e.g. dns.adguard.com).
• 🛡️ Through apps: Install NetGuard or AFWall+ Block Internet access for Mi Cloud and Mi Account.

This method does not require root rights, but it can cause some applications to fail, such as Mi Home, which will stop syncing data with smart devices.

6.Alternative cloud services for Xiaomi

If you have disabled Mi Cloud but want to keep backup, consider alternatives:

• 🖥️ Google Drive: Built into Android, supports automatic synchronization of photos and contacts.
• ☁️ Yandex Disk: Free 10 GB, there is an automatic photo upload.
• 📱 Syncthing: Local cloud with no volume limits (requires customization).
• 🔗 Nextcloud: Self-configuring Open Source Cloud.

To switch to another service:

1. Export data from Mi Cloud (contacts to.vcf, photos to folder).
2. Set up automatic sync in the new cloud (e.g. Settings → Google → Backup).
3. Remove old backups to Mi Cloud to make room.

Comparison of alternatives:

* Requires its own server or PC for storage.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

When you turn off Mi Cloud, users often experience problems, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

• 🔄 "Sync itself after restart": Reason: Mi Cloud system application has autorun rights.Solution: Disable autorun in Settings → Battery → Auto-launching applications.
• 🔒 "I can't delete my account - button is inactive": Reason: Find Device or Activation Lock is enabled on the device. Solution: Disable Find Device in Settings → Mi Account. → Mi Cloud → Find the device.
• ⚠️ "After deleting the account, asks to log in again when the camera is opened: DRM-Protection of certain models (Xiaomi) 12T, Redmi K50 Solution: Sign in to an empty account or use ADB to disable the check (requires root).

If none of the methods worked, check your device for viruses or malicious applications that could mimic the Mi Cloud. Use Malwarebytes or the built-in scanner in Settings → Security.

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On HyperOS devices (such as Xiaomi 14), the process of disabling Mi Cloud may be different: In newer versions of firmware, some of the cloud features are integrated into system services, and you will need to use ADB or Magisk to disable them.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions