You can keep the mi cloud disabled...
I never activated mine on the pocophone.
Also on Android phones, I prefer to use Google apps rather than the device apps (for example, I use Keep rather than the device Notes app) that's because it will be easy to switch stuff to a new device if I decide to change brand. I learnt it the hard way when I wanted to switch from Samsung to Xiaomi and I had an hard time moving all my notes.
I don't use any of the Mi apps which came with my pocophone (except the Mi Fit app, but that's because I have a Mi Band)
As a gallery app I use Simple Gallery
As a file manager I use Solid Explorer
For Contacts, Google Contacts app
For Weather, DarkSky
For Camera, *no-support-for-this-app-on-this-forum*
Photo backup, Google Photos
I never activated mine on the pocophone.
Also on Android phones, I prefer to use Google apps rather than the device apps (for example, I use Keep rather than the device Notes app) that's because it will be easy to switch stuff to a new device if I decide to change brand. I learnt it the hard way when I wanted to switch from Samsung to Xiaomi and I had an hard time moving all my notes.
I don't use any of the Mi apps which came with my pocophone (except the Mi Fit app, but that's because I have a Mi Band)
As a gallery app I use Simple Gallery
As a file manager I use Solid Explorer
For Contacts, Google Contacts app
For Weather, DarkSky
For Camera, *no-support-for-this-app-on-this-forum*
Photo backup, Google Photos