Data loss on Xiaomi’s smartphone is stressful, but 90% of the time, it can be returned via Mi Cloud. Xiaomi’s cloud service automatically backs up contacts, photos, notes, and even some of the system’s settings. However, not everyone knows how to properly restore a device from the cloud, especially if it’s about unlocking after a reset or breakage.
In this article, we will discuss all the ways to recover data from the Mi Cloud, from basic contact returns to full flashing of the device through the cloud backup. We will focus on unlocking Xiaomi through the cloud if you forgot your password or pattern lock. We will also consider typical errors (for example, “failed to restore backup”) and how to fix them.
Important: Restore procedure depends on the device model (Redmi, POCO, Mi), MIUI version and Mi Account status. If your smartphone is released before 2018, some features may not be available – check compatibility in the table below.
1 What can be recovered from the Mi Cloud
Mi Cloud does not store all data from the device, but only those for which synchronization is enabled.
- 📱 Contacts (including groups and tags)
- 📷 Photos and videos from the gallery (if the option "Shoot up" is enabled")
- 📝 Notes (Annex Notes)
- 🔄 Log of calls (last 30 days)
- 📍 Communications (SMS/MMS, if synchronization is enabled)
- ⚙️ System settings (Wi-Fi, wallpaper, sound profiles)
But they don't stay in the cloud:
- 🎮 Installed applications (list only, no data)
- 💳 Passwords from Wi-Fi and banking applications
- 📁 Files in Download or Documents folders (if not manually downloaded)
- 🔒 Data from third-party messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram)
To check what data is being synced on your device, go to Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Sync. This shows the status of each data type and the date of the last backup.
2.Recovery preparation: Account and backup verification
Before you start recovery, make sure that:
- You have access to the Mi Account attached to the device, and if you have forgotten your password, restore it through the official website.
- The device is synced to Mi Cloud. You can check this in Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud.
- There is a stable Wi-Fi connection (recovery via mobile internet can take hours and waste gigabytes of traffic).
- The device is charged at least 50% (the recovery process can take up to 1-2 hours).
If you are recovering data on a new device, first perform the initial setup (select language, connect to the network) and log in to your Mi Account.
☑️ Preparing for recovery from Mi Cloud
Critical error: If you log in to your account and see a message saying, “Device is not linked to this account,” you have not synced before, in which case you cannot recover data through the cloud – you will need to use local backups or third-party utilities (for example, Dr.Fone).
3. Step-by-step: Recovery of data from Mi Cloud
The recovery process depends on whether you want to return individual data (contacts, photos) or a full backup (including system settings).
Recovery of individual data (contacts, photos, notes)
This method is suitable if you accidentally delete some of the data or transfer it to a new device.
- Open the Settings. → Mi Account → Mi Cloud.
- Select the data type to restore (e.g. Contacts).
- Click Sync or Restore (depending on the MIUI version).
- Confirm the action, wait for the process to be completed.
For photos:
- Open the Gallery app.
- Go to the Albums section. → Mi Cloud.
- Select the desired files and click Save on the device.
3.2 Full recovery from Mi Cloud backup
This method is used after resetting the device to factory settings or when setting up a new smartphone.
- Perform the initial device setup (select language, connect to Wi-Fi).
- At the login stage, select Restore from backup.
- Log in to your Mi Account.
- Select the most recent backup from the list (check the date of creation!).
- Confirm the recovery and wait until it is completed (may take up to 1 hour).
⚠️ Warning: When fully restored, all current data on the device will be deleted. If there are important files on the smartphone, manually save them first.
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If the backup weighs more than 2 GB, restore data via Wi-Fi 5 GHz – this will speed up the process 2-3 times.
4. unlock Xiaomi via Mi Cloud (if you forgot your password)
If you have forgotten the pattern lock, PIN-The code or password from the device, but remember the Mi Account, you can unlock your smartphone through the cloud:
- 🔗 The device is tied to the Mi Account.
- 📶 Mobile Internet or Wi-Fi enabled on the smartphone (to communicate with Xiaomi servers).
- 🔋 Battery level above 20%.
Instructions for unlocking:
- On the lock screen, click Forgot Password? (or Forgot Password).
- Select the option to Unblock through Mi Account.
- Enter the username and password from your Mi Account.
- Confirm the action via SMS or email (if two-factor authentication is enabled).
- Set a new password or pattern lock.
⚠️ Note: If a device has been stolen and you are trying to unlock it through the Mi Cloud, Xiaomi may block the account on suspicion of fraud.
5.Typical errors in recovery and their solutions
Even with the right actions, users often encounter errors, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.
| Mistake. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Could not recover the backup copy | A damaged backup file or incompatibility with the MIUI version. | Try to restore an older copy or update the firmware. |
| The device is not linked to this account. | The device has not previously logged in to this Mi Account. | Check the correct login/password or use another account. |
| Not enough space on the device | A backup copy weighs more than a free space in memory. | Clean up your memory or restore data selectively. |
| Network error | Unstable Internet connection or VPN blocking. | Connect to another Wi-Fi network or turn off the VPN. |
If none of these methods worked, try:
- 🔄 Restart the device and try again.
- 📱 Recover data through Mi PC Suite (official software for Windows).
- 📧 Contact Xiaomi with error logs (how to get them – see spoiler below).
How to Get Error Logs to Support Xiaomi
6. Alternative methods of data recovery
If recovery through Mi Cloud is not possible (e.g., an account is deleted or a backup is corrupted), alternative methods can be used:
Local backups
Xiaomi automatically creates local backups in the MIUI/backup/AllBackup folder to recover data:
- Connect the device to the PC via USB.
- Copy the AllBackup folder to the root of the new device’s internal memory.
- Go to Settings → Additional → Restore and Reset → Local Backup.
6.2 Third-party utility
To restore deleted files (photos, messages) you can use:
- 🛠️ Dr.Fone (Recovery of data from Android)
- 🖥️ EaseUS MobiSaver (Scanning Internal Memory)
- 📱 DiskDigger (application for searching for deleted files)
⚠️ Warning: Third-party utilities can only recover data that has not yet been overwritten by new files. The faster you start recovering from deletion, the better the chances of success.
7. How to avoid future data loss
To avoid the problem of data loss, follow these guidelines:
- 🔄 Enable automatic sync with Mi Cloud for all critical data (contacts, photos, notes).
- 📅 Regularly (once a month) create local backups through Settings → Additionally. → Backup.
- 🔐 Use two-factor authentication for Mi Account to avoid hacking.
- 📱 Before selling or resetting your device, untie it from your Mi Account in Settings → Mi Account → Security.
It's also useful to know:
- 📌 Xiaomi stores backups in the cloud 30 days from the last sync.If you haven't logged in for longer, the data can be deleted.
- 📊 Free storage in the Mi Cloud is 5 GB. If you exceed the limit, old backups are automatically deleted.
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Regular backups to Mi Cloud and locally are the only reliable way to protect data from loss when a device breaks down, is stolen or reset.