How to make a desktop backup on Xiaomi

Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones often face the need to transfer data when changing devices or after resetting the system. Desktop is not just a background, it is a complex structure of icons of applications, widgets and folders, the location of which the user is accustomed to find automatically. Losing this structure can seriously reduce productivity and cause discomfort with daily use of the gadget.

Fortunately, the MIUI shell and the newer HyperOS provide powerful backup tools for the interface. Keeping the launcher configuration allows you to instantly restore the familiar environment after reinstalling the firmware or buying a new device. It is important to understand that standard methods of backup contacts or photos do not affect the location of items on the screen, so a separate approach is required.

In this article, we will take a closer look at all the ways you can save your desktop settings, learn about sync through the Mi Cloud, create local copies, and use third-party solutions, and use these tools to ensure that your digital experience remains the same regardless of the operating system.

Why keep the desktop configuration

Many users underestimate the value of the saved desktop structure until data is lost. Launcher stores information about each shortcut, each folder and their exact location on the screen grid. When resetting to factory settings or switching to a new phone without a backup, you will have to manually arrange dozens of applications and configure widgets again, which takes a considerable amount of time.

This is especially true for those who use widgets to monitor the weather, currency, or smart home management, which often require complex initial setups, and avoids re-authorizing and configuring each module, which is critical for complex smartphone use cases for work or professional purposes.

In addition, backups are an insurance against system failures. Sometimes, after an Android update or a heavy security patch is installed, errors in the rendering of the interface can occur. Having a fresh copy of the settings allows you to quickly roll back changes or restore the system to work without losing user preferences.

⚠️ Note: The standard backup of photos and contacts through Google does NOT save icons and widgets. Full interface restoration requires a separate system data backup procedure.

Also worth mentioning is customization: users who have spent hours installing unique theme, fonts and icons risk losing all that beauty when flashing, and maintaining a desktop configuration often goes hand in hand with preserving the theme, allowing them to recreate a unique visual style of the device in a couple of clicks.

Synchronization through Mi Cloud: Cloud Method

The most convenient and modern way to save data is using the proprietary Mi Cloud, which requires a Mi Account account and an active Internet connection, the main advantage is automation: you can configure the system so that changes in the desktop structure are stored in the background without your involvement.

To activate the function, you need to go to your smartphone settings. Find the account and sync section. This is where the key switches that control the safety of your data are hidden. Make sure you select the right region, because cloud storage servers can vary depending on your geographic location.

The adjustment process is as follows:

• 📱 Open Settings and go to the top block with the account name.
• ☁️ Select Mi Cloud and log in if you haven’t done so before.
• 🔄 Find the Synchronization or Storage Management section.
• ✅ Activate the switch opposite Desktop or Launcher.

Once this option is enabled, the system will start uploading your screen structure to the cloud.The amount of data occupied by the desktop configuration is usually minimal, so it has little to no effect on the 5GB free storage quota the company provides. However, if you use widgets with a lot of graphics, the volume may be slightly higher.

⚠️ Warning: When recovering from Mi Cloud, make sure the new device has the same shell version installed. MIUI It's like HyperOS, which is the same as the old version, and variations in versions can cause widgets to display incorrectly.

Local backup of settings

For users who do not trust cloud services or do not have stable Internet access, the local backup method is ideal. Local copy is stored directly in the internal memory of the device, which allows you to create a full picture of the system status, including the launcher settings, without transferring data to third-party servers.

To create a local backup, use the built-in system tool, which is in the Advanced Settings section, which is especially useful before performing risky operations such as unlocking a bootloader or installing custom firmware.

Instructions for creating a local copy:

• 📂 Go to Settings. → The phone.
• ⚙️ Click on the version. MIUI HyperOS multiple times (7 times) to open a hidden menu.
• 📑 In the menu that appears, select the Reservation tab.
• 📱 Check the item System data and inside it Desktop.
• 💾 Press the Reservation button and wait for the process to be completed.

By default, it is stored in the hidden folder MIUI/backup/AllBackup. Once you have created a copy, it is strongly recommended to copy this file to your computer or external drive, so as not to lose it in the event of a breakage of the smartphone itself.

Using the Mi Mover app for migration

If your goal is to migrate desktop settings to a new Xiaomi phone, the best tool is the Mi Mover app, which is pre-installed on most of the brand’s devices and allows you to transfer data over Wi-Fi Direct at high speeds, a solution that is ideal for switching from an old smartphone to a new one.

Mi Mover can transfer not only photos and contacts, but also desktop structure, icons and widgets. The transfer process takes place directly between devices, bypassing the Internet, which ensures privacy and speed. The algorithm automatically recognizes compatible data and prompts it to be transferred.

Procedure for migration:

• 📲 Launch the Mi Mover app on both smartphones.
• 👤 On the new device, select the role of “Recipient”, on the old one – “Sender».
• 🔗 Scan it. QR-code.
• 📂 In the data list, select the System Data category and mark the Desktop.
• 🚀 Click “Send” and wait for the synchronization to complete.

Once the process is complete, the new device may need to restart, and the system will automatically apply the settings it receives, and you will see the familiar interface, which is the most seamless way to transition, keeping the user's habits intact.

Comparison of data backup methods

The choice of the method depends on your goals, the availability of the Internet and the version of the operating system, and below is a table that compares the main characteristics of the methods considered, which will help you determine which option is suitable for your situation.

As the comparison shows, local backup benefits in speed and network independence but requires manual intervention. Mi Cloud is convenient for its automation but depends on servers. Mi Mover is a highly specialized migration tool that is not suitable for regular data archiving on a single device.

For maximum reliability, it is recommended to combine methods, such as keeping sync with Mi Cloud for daily minor changes and making a full local copy once a month before major system updates, which provides dual insurance.

Data recovery after resetting

The recovery process depends on the backup method you used before, and if the data is in the cloud, just log in to your Mi Account when you first set up your phone or after you reset it, and the system will suggest that you recover the data from the last available recovery point.

If you use a local copy, the algorithm is different. You need a backup file that was previously stored in internal memory or on a computer. If the phone was completely reset, you need to first return the file to the device memory, to the folder. MIUI/backup/AllBackup.

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If you restore data from a local copy on Android, a newer version, some widgets may not work immediately. Try to delete and add them again manually after you restore the folder structure.

To start recovery from the local file:

• 🔍 Open the Safety app (green icon with lightning).
• 📉 Scroll down to the Reservation and Recovery section.
• 📂 Select the Mobile Device or Local Reservation tab.
• 📅 Select the desired date of creation of a copy from the list.
• ▶️ Click Restore and Confirm Action.

Once the process is complete, the phone can automatically reboot. This is normal behavior, because the system applies changes at a deep level. Important: don't interrupt the recovery process and don't turn off the screen until the progress bar reaches 100%. Interruption can damage the launcher database.

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Regularly backing up desktop settings saves hours of time when you change your device or crash, keeping your personal digital environment unchanged.