Users of brand smartphones Redmi often encounter confusion when searching for a built-in service for data backup. This is due to the fact that the company uses its own ecosystem, which is deeply integrated into the MIUI or HyperOS shell, but has several entry points. Unlike the standard Xiaomi uses its own ecosystem Mi Cloud, which is deeply integrated into the MIUI or HyperOS shell, but has several entry points. Unlike standard Google Drive, pre-installed on any device with Android, the proprietary solution of the Chinese manufacturer offers a closer connection with system functions, such as finding a lost phone or synchronizing a gallery.
Cloud storage on your device is not a separate application in the usual sense, which can simply be opened with one click from the desktop without preset. Most often, it is accessed through system settings or specialized gallery and explorer applications. Understanding the architecture of data storage will help you avoid losing important photos, contacts and notes if the gadget breaks down or is replaced with a new model.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the possible ways to access the cloud, the difference between local and remote storage, as well as the nuances of working with different versions of the operating system. You will learn how to activate hidden functions and optimize the use of the phone's internal memory.
Main entry through system settings
The most reliable and functional way to manage cloud space lies deep in the system menu. All the key switches responsible for what data will be loaded onto the company’s servers are concentrated here. First, you need to open the application Settings and find the section responsible for accounts.
Depending on the firmware version, the path may differ slightly. On modern devices with a shell HyperOS or a fresh one MIUI you need to go to the menu Xiaomi accountwhich is usually located at the very top of the list of settings. If you are not yet authorized, the system will require you to enter your Mi Account or register a new one. Without this step, using the branded cloud is impossible.
After logging into your account, the control panel will open in front of you Mi Cloud. This is where the service activation switch is located. By default, gallery synchronization is often disabled to save traffic, so it must be enabled manually. In this section you will see a list of data categories: contacts, messages, voice recorder, notes and browser. You can flexibly configure what exactly is sent to the cloud and what is left only in the device memory.
⚠️ Attention: Make sure that you are using the same account region that was selected when you initially set up your phone. Changing the region in the settings may result in cloud storage becoming unavailable or data not being displayed correctly.
The settings interface may look different on different models. On some budget devices Redmi Go or older versions of Android, the menu may be simplified. In this case, look for the item Synchronization inside your account profile. This is a central hub where the current download status and the amount of used space are displayed.
Access through the Gallery application
For most users, the most popular cloud functionality is saving photos and videos. The developers Xiaomi made access to this data as simple as possible by integrating it directly into the application Gallery. This allows you to view media files that are physically deleted from the phone but stored on the server, saving precious gigabytes of internal memory.
To get to the cloud gallery, open the standard photo viewing application. At the top of the screen, usually next to the Albums and General tabs, you will find a tab with a name Cloud or a cloud icon. Clicking on it will switch the interface to the mode for viewing deleted data. All pictures downloaded from this account are displayed here, regardless of what device they were taken on.
The Freeing up memoryfunction available in this section is one of the most useful. It automatically deletes from the device those photos and videos that have already been successfully uploaded to the cloud and are protected from loss. This allows you to free up space for new shooting without the risk of erasing important frames forever.
It is important to note that for the “Cloud” tab in the gallery to work correctly, synchronization must be enabled in the account settings, which we discussed above. If the switch is turned off, the tab may appear blank or not appear at all in the application interface.
Integration with Explorer and File Manager
In addition to photos, users often need access to documents, archives and other types of files. The standard file manager MIUI or HyperOS also has built-in support for cloud storage, although it is implemented less obviously than in the gallery. Files are accessed through a special section in the side menu or on the main manager screen.
Open the application Explorer or Files. In the side navigation panel (which is called by swiping from the left edge or clicking on the menu icon) you should see an item Mi Drive or Cloud drive. This is a direct analogue of a folder on your computer, but located on the Internet. Here you can manually drag and drop any files for their safe storage.
The functionality of this section allows you not only to store files, but also to share them. You can generate a link to access the document and send it to a friend without sending the file itself via instant messengers, which is especially convenient for large videos or archives. Preview of many document formats directly from the cloud without downloading is supported.
☑️ Checking the synchronization status
It is worth considering that the amount of free space in Mi Drive often differs from the limits for gallery synchronization. The free plan usually provides 5 GB, but terms may vary depending on the region and current company promotions. To store large amounts of data, you may need to purchase a subscription.
Differences between Mi Cloud and Google Drive
On smartphones Redmi two cloud ecosystems coexist, and it is important for the user to understand the difference between them so as not to duplicate data and not get confused in the settings. Google Drive is part services Google and serves primarily for working with documents, application backups and Android system settings.
Mi Cloud, in turn, is designed for deep integration with hardware Xiaomi. Its key benefits include Find My Device, remote screen locking, and synchronization of system settings such as desktop icon layout or call history. Google Drive cannot save your desktop layout or system Wi-Fi passwords as effectively as the manufacturer's native solution.
Below is a table that helps compare the main features of the two services on Redmi devices:
| Function | Mi Cloud | Google Drive / Photos |
|---|---|---|
| Synchronization of desktop layout | Yes | No |
| Search for a lost phone (blocking) | Native support | Through the Find My service Device |
| Synchronization of contacts and SMS | Full | Contacts only |
| Storing arbitrary files | Mi Drive (limited) | Full support |
| Free volume | 5 GB (basic) | 15 GB (shared with mail) |
The ideal use strategy is to combine both services. Use Mi Cloud for system settings, contacts and quick synchronization of the gallery between phones Xiaomi. A Google leave services for backing up applications, documents and as additional insurance for the most important photos.
What to do if you run out of space in Mi Cloud?
If the free 5 GB is full, the system will offer to buy a subscription. However, you can temporarily disable video synchronization, since they take up the most space, leaving only photos. It is also recommended to empty the trash in the cloud, as deleted files are stored there for another 30 days.
Manage subscriptions and tariff plans
The free 5 GB is often not enough for an active user who takes a lot of high-resolution photos or records 4K videos. In this case, there is a need to expand the storage. Subscription management is carried out directly in the account menu Xiaomi.
Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud. This section displays the memory fullness scale. By clicking on it or the button Change plan, you will see the available tariffs. Typically there are several tiers offered: 50 GB, 200 GB and 2 TB. Payment is made monthly or annually, depending on the selected region and available payment methods.
You can pay for the extension from a linked bank card or through your phone balance, if the operator supports this option in your region. After successful payment, the storage capacity increases instantly, and synchronization resumes automatically if it was paused due to lack of space.
⚠️ Attention: Tariff plans and prices may vary for accounts registered in different regions (for example, Russia, India, Europe). If you do not see available tariffs, check the region of your account in your profile settings.
It is also worth remembering that the subscription is tied to your account, and not to a specific phone. If you buy 200 GB, this volume will be available on all your devices Redmi, Xiaomi and POCOwhere you are logged in using the same login.
Data recovery and device search
One of the critical functions of cloud storage Xiaomi is the ability to remotely control the device. This function only works if the option Find the deviceis enabled in the settings. If your phone is lost or stolen, you can go to the official website of the cloud service from any computer or other smartphone.
Login using your own Mi Account on the i.mi.com website. In the interface of the web version of the cloud, you will see a map with the last known location of your gadget. Three main commands are available from here: play sound (even if the phone is in silent mode), lock the device with a message displayed on the screen, and completely delete all data.
In addition, you can restore deleted contacts or notes through the web interface. In the section Contact or Notes on the site there is a function for viewing the history of changes. You can roll back the state of your contact list to any date in the last 30 days, which saves the situation in case of accidental deletion of the entire phone book or synchronization failures.
Before selling your phone, be sure to do a full reset and log out of your Mi account. Otherwise, the new owner will not be able to activate the device due to activation lock.
To restore data on a new phone, simply log into your account during the first setup. The system itself will offer to restore the backup copy of settings, application layout and media files from the cloud. This process may take some time depending on the speed of the Internet connection and the amount of data being restored.
Possible problems and solutions
Despite the convenience of the service, users sometimes encounter synchronization errors. The most common problem is the cloud icon with an exclamation mark or endless loading. Most often this is due to an unstable Internet connection or server failures.
The first thing to do is check your network settings. Make sure your synchronization settings are not set to "Wi-Fi only" if you are trying to download data over a mobile network. Clearing the application cache Services and feedback or Mi Cloud in the application management menu will also help.
If the problem is not solved, try logging out of your account and logging in again. This will force the authorization tokens to be refreshed and restart the data reconciliation process. In rare cases, changing the DNS servers in Wi-Fi settings to public ones from Google (8.8.8.8) or Cloudflare helps.
Regularly checking the synchronization status in your account settings will help you identify problems with loading data in time and avoid losing it.
Where exactly is the button to turn on the cloud on Redmi?
The power button (switch) is located along the path: Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud. There you need to move the main toggle switch to the active position, and then select the categories of data to synchronize.
Is it possible to access Mi Cloud from a computer?
Yes, there is an official web portal for this, i.mi.com. Through the browser, you can view photos, contacts, notes, and also use the device search function.
What will happen to the data in the cloud if I reset the phone to factory settings?
Data that was successfully synchronized with Mi Cloud (photos, contacts, notes) will be saved on the server. After re-logging into your account on a reset or new device, they can be restored.
Why are some photos not uploaded to the cloud?
This may be due to lack of space on the free plan, synchronization disabled in the settings, or a file format that is not supported by the gallery. Also check if the power saving mode is enabled, which may limit background loading.
How to free up space on Mi Cloud for free?
You can delete unnecessary duplicate photos, empty the cloud trash (files are stored there for 30 days) or disable synchronization of heavy video files, leaving only photos.