Video surveillance owners often face the need to expand memory to store records. Local memory cards tend to overflow or fail, which makes data vulnerable. Cloud storage solves these problems by ensuring that video files are safe even in the event of physical destruction of the camera itself. In the Xiaomi ecosystem, this process is as convenient as possible, but requires careful approach to settings of the tariff plan.
Integration with a remote server allows you to access the archive from anywhere in the world where there is Internet, which is critical for the security of your home or office. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to activate a subscription, what are the restrictions and how to avoid the typical errors when setting up a Mi Home service.
It’s worth noting that the basic functionality of the app allows you to view images in real time without paying. However, for event history and scheduling recordings, you will need a subscription. Different camera models may have different interfaces, but the logic of the cloud remains the same for the entire brand.
The advantages of cloud technology over local recording
Using remote servers to store video streams has some undeniable advantages over traditional microSD cards, most notably independence from physical media, where if an attacker steals a camera or it is damaged by a fire, the card entry will be lost, while in the cloud it will remain intact.
In addition, cloud services often use advanced compression and encryption algorithms, which means that your data is better protected from unauthorized access than files on a conventional flash card.
- 🛡️ Theft protection: Video recording is saved to a remote server instantly after the event.
- 🔄 Automatic cycling: Old records are automatically deleted, making room for new ones without user input.
- 📱 Easy access: viewing the archive is possible from any smartphone, tablet or PC without removing the memory card.
It's important to understand that the quality of the recording to the cloud can depend on the speed of your Internet channel. High-resolution video requires a stable channel with good bandwidth. With a weak signal, the camera can automatically lower bitrate.
⚠️ Warning: Continuous recording to the cloud requires a stable connection to the Wi-Fi network. If the connection is broken, the recording may be interrupted until the connection is restored.
Preparation of Mi Home account and selection of region
Before you start setting up, you need to make sure that you have a Xiaomi account, which is the key to all of the company’s services, including cloud storage, and without authorization in the Mi Home application, you can not activate paid functions.
The critical thing is to choose the right region when registering and settings for the app. Cloud storage services only work in countries where they are officially launched. If you choose the wrong country, the subscription option may not appear in the interface.
For users from CIS countries, the most relevant regions are Russia, Kazakhstan or China (depending on the version of the device), changing the region in the application can lead to the disappearance of previously added devices, so it is better to choose the right location immediately.
Check the application version. To work correctly all the features of Mi Cloud, it is recommended to use the latest version of the program from the official app store. Outdated versions may not support new encryption protocols or tariff plans.
Step-by-step instructions for connecting a subscription
The process of activating cloud storage is done directly through the mobile application interface, so you first need to open the Mi Home app and go to the list of your devices. Choose the camera you want to connect to.
In the main video stream viewing window, look for the settings button or cloud icon, which is usually located in the upper right corner or in the optional feature menu (three dots), and clicking on it will take you to the memory management menu.
☑️ Checklist of cloud activation
The system will offer to familiarize with the available rates, which can vary in the duration of storage of the archive (7, 15 or 30 days) and the number of cameras that can be connected to one subscription.
Payment is made in standard ways: bank cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay or mobile phone balance, depending on the capabilities of your region.
| Parameter | Basic tariff | Extended fare | Premium fare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Storage period | 7 days | 15 days | 30 days |
| Number of cameras | 1 pc. | Up to 5 pcs. | Up to 10 pcs. |
| Video quality | SD / HD | Full HD | 2K / 4K |
Configuring modes of recording and detection of movement
After paying for your subscription, it is important to set up the recording triggers correctly so that you do not waste resources, but also do not miss important events. In the camera settings, go to Storage Settings or Recording Settings.
You can choose between continuous recording and event recording, and cloud rates, the most efficient way to use a motion or human detection record is to save space and make it easier to find the right moments in the archive.
Motion sensor sensitivity is also available, and if the camera is installed in a high-activity location (such as near a road), it is best to reduce the sensitivity to avoid false positives on passing cars or rocking trees.
Secret Sensitivity Settings
Remember to check your schedule. You can set up the system so that you only record at certain times of the day, such as when you're not at home, and this will help optimize your use of the plan.
Alternatives: NAS and microSD memory cards
If you don't like a subscription, Xiaomi's ecosystem offers flexible alternatives, and one popular solution is to use microSD cards, which are installed directly into the camera and allow you to record locally.
A more advanced option for users with technical skills is to set up a record on network storage. NAS (Network Attached Storage? Xiaomi cameras support protocol SMB, This allows you to save the video archive directly to the hard drive of your home server or router from the USB-port.
- 💾 MicroSD: Cheap, simple, but there is a risk of card failure or theft along with the camera.
- 💻 NAS/SMB: A huge amount of memory, complete independence from subscriptions, requires separate equipment.
- ☁️ Cloud: Maximum reliability and availability, but requires monthly payment.
To set up NAS You need to go to the Settings in the application → Storage → Memory management → NAS - The vault. - Then enter. IP-Your server address, login and password, and the path to the folder must be correctly specified, for example, /video/camera1.
⚠️ Note: When using microSD cards, it is recommended to choose models with a speed class not lower than Class 10 and a High Endurance rewrite resource intended for video recorders.
Troubleshooting and Frequently Asked Questions
Users may experience a variety of problems during operation, such as the cloud not activating or recording interrupted, often due to an unstable Internet or an incorrect date on the device.
Check if the camera time is synchronized with the network. If the time is down, the server may reject the connection. Also try to reset the camera by turning off the power for 10 seconds. In some cases, re-assigning the account helps.
💡
If the cloud is not connected, try changing it. DNS-servers in your router's public settings (e.g., Google's 8.8.8.8) often solve problems with accessing Xiaomi servers in some regions.
If you have changed your Mi Home account password, you may need to re-sign in to the app on all devices, and make sure that the phone has the latest version of the app installed, as older versions may use outdated authorization methods.
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Most cloud connectivity problems are solved by simply restarting the router and camera, and checking the relevance of the date and time in the system.