Smartphone owners Xiaomi often face a situation where the device’s built-in memory is critically full. The main culprits for this phenomenon are media files: high-resolution images and videos take up gigabytes of precious space. The system MIUI by default offers a solution in the form of synchronization with cloud storage, which allows you to free up space on the device by saving photos on the server.
However, over time, users find that they want to get rid of images completely, clearing not only the phone, but also the remote server. This process is not always obvious, since the logic of the gallery and cloud services can confuse an inexperienced user. Incorrect actions can lead to the loss of important memories or, conversely, to the fact that files will remain in the backup copy, continuing to take up space in the tariff plan.
In this detailed guide, we will look at all the nuances of managing a media library in the ecosystem. Xiaomi. You will learn how to correctly delete pictures from Mi Cloud, how to work with the service Google Photos, which is often preinstalled on global firmware versions, and how to avoid accidental data loss during cleaning.
Differences between a local gallery and a cloud one storage
Before proceeding with deletion, it is critical to understand the data storage architecture on your device. A smartphone Xiaomi can use two independent or interconnected services to work with images. The local gallery stores files directly on the internal memory card phone or on the SD.
Cloud services, such as Mi Cloud or Google Oneare remote servers. When synchronization is enabled, a mirror link is created between the phone and the server. This means that changes made in one place can automatically apply in another if certain security conditions are not met.
Users often confuse the concept of "freeing up space" with complete deletion. The free up space feature deletes the local copy, leaving the file in the cloud. A full deletion permanently erases the file from all synced devices. Understanding this difference will save your data from accidentally disappearing.
⚠️ Attention: Before mass deleting files, be sure to check the synchronization status. If it is active, deleting a photo in the Gallery application may erase it from your cloud account without the possibility of recovery.
To check the current status, go to your account settings. In the Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Gallery section you will see the synchronization status. If the switch is active, your actions will affect the remote storage. Disabling this function breaks the connection between the phone and the server.
Before cleaning, create a backup copy of your most important photos to an external hard drive or computer. This will create an additional level of security in case of errors.
Preparing for cleaning and checking synchronization
The cleaning procedure should begin with careful preparation. Chaotic deletion of files often leads to users erasing necessary documents or rare footage. First, analyze which service is taking up space. This could be a quota Mi Cloud or space in Google Drive.
If your goal is to free up space in the cloud, you will need a stable network connection Wi-Fi. mobile data may be unstable when downloading large albums to view before deleting. Also make sure that the battery charge is at least 30% so that the process does not stop suddenly.
It is recommended to define the selection criteria in advance. Will you delete screenshots, blurry photos or duplicates? System tools Xiaomi offer functions for automatically searching for similar images, which significantly speeds up the process.
☑️ Preparing to delete photos
It is important to distinguish between device models, as the interface may differ slightly. On older models with Android 9 the menu may look different than on new flagships with Android 13 or 14. However, the logic of the accounts remains the same for the entire ecosystem.
Deleting photos through the Mi Cloud service
The service Mi Cloud is a native solution for smartphones Xiaomi. File management here is carried out both through an application on the phone and through the web interface. The second method is often more convenient for mass cleaning, as it allows you to use a mouse and a large screen.
To delete via phone, open the application Gallery. Go to the tab Albums and find the section indicated by the cloud icon. It is usually called "Mi Cloud Photo" or simply "Cloud". All pictures uploaded to the server are displayed here.
Tap and hold your finger on the first photo you want to delete to activate selection mode. You can then drag your finger across the screen to select a group of files or select specific frames. After selection, click on the trash icon in the lower corner of the screen.
| Action | Result when synchronization is turned on | Result when synchronization is turned off |
|---|---|---|
| Delete in the Gallery application | The file is deleted from clouds and from the phone | The file is deleted only from the phone |
| Cleaning via i.mi.com | The file is deleted from the cloud (a copy may remain on the phone) | Does not affect the phone |
| Releasing places | The local copy is deleted, the cloud copy remains | The function is not available or does not make sense |
If you prefer to work through a browser, go to the website i.mi.com and log in using your own Mi Account. In the "Gallery" section you will see all the synced images. Selecting and deleting here is similar, but the interface is more suitable for working with large volumes of data.
What happens to deleted photos in Mi Cloud?
After deletion, the files end up in the cloud storage recycle bin. They are stored there for 30 days, after which they are permanently deleted. During this period, they can be restored.
Working with Google Photos on Xiaomi devices
On global firmware versions MIUI and HyperOS the service is often preinstalled Google Photos. Many users use it out of habit, without even noticing that synchronization occurs through the account Google, and not Xiaomi. This creates confusion when trying to free up space.
To delete a photo from the cloud Googleopen the appropriate application. Make sure you are signed in to the correct account. The backup status may be displayed at the top of the screen. If the cloud icon with a check mark is present, it means that synchronization is active.
The deletion process is similar to working with the native gallery: a long press on the photo activates the selection mode. However, there is an important feature here. If you delete a photo from the application Google Photos while synchronization is enabled, it will be deleted both from the cloud Google Driveand from the device.
There is a "Free up space" function that deletes from the device only those photos that are already securely stored in the cloud. This is an ideal option if your goal is to unload your phone's memory, but save the archive on the Internet. You can find this option in the profile menu or in the application settings.
⚠️ Attention: Deleting a photo from the Google Photos application while synchronization is enabled erases it everywhere. If the photo was only uploaded to the cloud (the local copy was deleted earlier), then when you delete it from the application, it will disappear from the cloud forever.
For complete control, it is recommended to periodically check the "Trash" folder inside the application Google Photos. The files are there for 60 days. Emptying the trash finally frees up space in your tariff plan Google One.
Cleaning duplicates and screenshots using system tools
Smartphones Xiaomi are equipped with powerful tools for analyzing media files. The application Security (or Security) contains a "Cleaning" section that automatically finds duplicate images, similar pictures and screenshots. This is the safest way to start cleaning.
Launch the application Security → Cleaning. The system will scan your memory and offer to delete unnecessary files. Pay attention to the "Similar Photos" section. Algorithms MIUI group frames taken in burst mode, allowing you to select the best one and delete the rest.
Screenshots deserve special attention. They often accumulate over years and occupy a significant amount of space. There is a special album in the Gallery application Screenshots. Go through it and delete outdated images of conversations, settings or temporary data.
Using system tools is preferable to third-party cleaner applications. Third-party software may request excessive permissions and contain advertising, while built-in utilities work at the system level and do not violate privacy.
System cleaning on Xiaomi is safer than third-party applications, as it has access to system folders without the risk of disrupting the operation of the OS.
Recovering deleted photos and working with the recycle bin
The human factor is inevitable, and sometimes important photos are deleted by mistake. Fortunately, both Mi Cloudand Google Photos provide a mechanism for protecting against such cases in the form of a virtual basket. The files do not disappear instantly, but are moved to temporary storage.
In the application Gallery on Xiaomi go to the tab Albums and scroll down the list. There you will find the item Deleted or Trash. This section stores files deleted in the last 30 days. You can select them and click the "Restore" button.
If you used the web version Mi Cloud, the cart is located in the side menu of the interface. There the shelf life is also 30 days. After this period, the files are deleted forever, and it will be impossible to restore them using official methods.
In the service Google Photos the storage period in the recycle bin is longer - 60 days. This gives more time to realize the error. However, it is worth remembering that files in the Recycle Bin continue to take up space in your cloud storage until they are permanently deleted or their lifespan expires.
Is it possible to recover a photo if the Recycle Bin is emptied?
If you emptied the Recycle Bin manually or the retention period has expired (30 or 60 days), recovery impossible using standard means. In some cases, specialized apps for recovering data from the phone's memory can help, but this requires root access and does not guarantee success, especially if the memory has been overwritten with new data.
Why are photos deleted from the phone when I clean the cloud?
This happens because two-way synchronization is enabled. The phone and the cloud are considered one. To avoid this, before cleaning the cloud, you need to disable synchronization in your account settings or use the web version of the service, having first disabled auto-upload on your phone.
How to delete photos from the cloud, but leave them on your phone?
The most reliable way: disable synchronization in the settings of your Mi Account or Google Photos. Then go to the cloud through a browser (i.mi.com or photos.google.com) and delete the files there. Since synchronization is disabled, the phone will not receive a command to delete local copies.
How much space does the free Xiaomi cloud provide?
Basic tariff Mi Cloud provides 5 GB of free space. This volume is often not enough for a complete backup of the gallery of a modern smartphone. The rest of the space can be purchased in a subscription or use alternative services.
What to do if photos are not deleted and there is an error?
An error during deletion may be due to synchronization problems or lack of Internet. Try switching from Wi-Fi to a mobile network or vice versa. It is also recommended to clear the cache of the Gallery application through Settings → Applications → Gallery → Storage → Clear cache.