Data Saving When Xiaomi Firmware: 7 Proven Ways

Xiaomi’s smartphone firmware is a procedure that can bring a device back to life or turn it into a brick if you approach it without preparation, and users’ main headache is the loss of personal data: photos, messages, contacts and even saves in games. Even if you are updated through the official OTA, The risk of failure always remains, and when manually firmware through Fastboot or Recovery reset to factory settings is almost inevitable.

In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to save data before firmware - from standard tools. MIUI You'll learn which files can be recovered after a reset and which are lost forever if you don't prepare in advance, and you'll focus on hidden folders with app settings and game cache that even experienced users often ignore. And yes, we won’t say the platitudes like “don’t turn off the power” – instead, you will get specific instructions tailored to the specifics of Xiaomi’s firmware for 2026.

1.Why Xiaomi firmware erases data: technical reasons

Any firmware is a rewriting of the system partition (/system) and, often, the data section (/data). Even if you are updating "over the air» (OTA), The system may require resetting when:

• 🔄 Downgrade version MIUI (downgrade) - for example, with MIUI 15. MIUI 14;
• 🛠️ Install custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience, etc.);
• 🔧 Manual update via Fastboot (fastboot flash userdata team erases everything);
• 🚨 Recovery after a soft breech (when the system does not boot).

And not all firmware requires resetting. OTA-Update through Settings → The phone. → Updating the system usually saves data if:

• 📱 Device not locked (Mi Account is not linked to Find Device account);
• 🔒 Version. MIUI It rises (upgrades) rather than decreases;
• 📦 The firmware is signed with the official certificate of Xiaomi.

⚠️ Note: On devices with an unlocked bootloader (unlocked bootloader) even OTA-Update may result in reset if modified files (e.g. Magisk or Xposed) have been previously installed).

To see if you will need a reset, check the type of firmware:

2.What to save before firmware: full checklist

Many users limit themselves to copying photos and contacts, but this is just the tip of the iceberg.

Contacts and call log

SMS and MMS-message

Photos and videos (including hidden folders) DCIM/.thumbnails)

Notes and entries in Mi Notes

Game Save (Cloud and Local)

Wi-Fi settings and passwords

Application data (cache, settings, logins)

Browser bookmarks and history

Files in the Download folder

Documents (PDF, DOCX) Mi Drive-->

Pay particular attention to:

• 🎮 Game Save: Many games (such as Genshin Impact or Honor of Kings) store progress locally in a folder. /Android/data. Without a backup, it will be impossible to restore it;
• 🔑 Wi-Fi Passwords: You Can Export Them Through Settings → Wi-Fi → Save networks (required root or ADB);
• 📱 Settings. MIUI: Themes, gestures, desktop markup, all reset. Save screenshots of the settings.

Don’t forget about the hidden data:

• 📁 folder /MIUI/backup/AllBackup — Here are stored backup copies created by standard means;
• 📁 folder /Android/obb/ — Additional game files (may weigh several gigabytes);
• 📁 folder /data/data/ — Here are the application settings (access only with root rights).

💡

Use a file manager with root support (for example, FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer to see hidden folders. Without root rights, many system data will not be available.

3. Standard means of backup in MIUI

Xiaomi offers a few built-in backup tools, but they have limitations. Let's take a look at them in detail.

1. Local backup (Mi Backup)

This is the easiest way, but it doesn't work on all devices.

1. Go to Settings. → The phone. → Backup and reset → Local backups;
2. Select data to save (contacts, messages, applications, etc.);
3. Click Create a backup and wait until it is completed.

The backup file will be saved in the folder /MIUI/backup/AllBackup/. It can be restored after firmware through the same settings section.

⚠️ Note: Mi Backup does not save: 🎵 Music and video (except downloaded via Mi Music); 📁 Files in the Download folder; 🔐 Wi-Fi passwords; 🎮 Save games (except those synced to Mi Account).

2. Cloud backup (Mi Cloud)

If your smartphone is linked to Mi Account, you can save some of the data in the cloud.

• 📇 Contacts;
• 💬 Communications (SMS);
• 📝 Notes (Mi Notes);
• 📷 Photos (if sync is enabled in Mi Cloud).

To enable synchronization:

1. Open the Settings. → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud;
2. Turn on the switches in front of the desired categories;
3. Wait for the sync to complete (check the free space in the cloud).

3. Export of contacts to VCF file

If you don’t trust the cloud, export your contacts manually.

1. Open the Contacts app;
2. Press three dots (menu) → Contact management → Imports/Exports;
3. Select Export to file and save.vcf to memory card or cloud.

💡

Standard facilities MIUI For full data storage (including apps and games), use third-party tools to save data (including apps and games.

4.Third-party tools for full backup

If embedded facilities MIUI You don't like it, you use third-party apps, and they let you save everything, including your application settings and your system files.

1.Swift Backup (requires root)

One of the most powerful backup solutions is to save:

• 📱 Appendices (.apk) + data);
• 🎮 Preservation of games;
• 📱 System settings (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc.);
• 📁 Folders on internal memory.

How to use:

1. Install Swift Backup from Google Play
2. Provide root access;
3. Select backup apps and click Backup;
4. Save the archive to a memory card or cloud.

2. Titanium Backup (Old but Works)

Legendary backup app, but requires root and hasn't been updated since 2018.

• 📦 Full backup of user applications;
• 🔄 Recovery after firmware;
• 🧹 Cleaning cache and unnecessary data.

3. Migrat (without root but with limitations)

If you do not have root rights, Migrat will help you transfer:

• 📱 Installed applications (.apk);
• 📁 Files from Download folders, DCIM, Pictures;
• 💬 SMS and log of calls (on some devices).

4. ADB Backup (without root, but difficult)

If you do not want to install third-party applications, use ADB:

adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f backup.ab

This team will create a full backup on the computer to recover:

adb restore backup.ab

⚠️ Attention: On new versions MIUI (14+) ADB Backup may not work due to security limitations, in which case use Swift Backup or Migrat.

5. Backup without root: circumventing restrictions MIUI

If you do not have root rights, but you need to save as much data as possible, use these methods:

1. Manual copying of folders

Connect your smartphone to your computer and copy:

• 📁 /DCIM/ — photo and video;
• 📁 /Pictures/ — screenshots and uploaded images;
• 📁 /Download/ — file-load;
• 📁 /Android/obb/ — game-file;
• 📁 /Android/data/ — save some games (such as Brawl Stars or Clash of Clans).

2. Export of data through applications

Many applications allow you to export data:

• 💬 WhatsApp: Settings → chat → Backup;
• 📝 Google Keep: syncs with Google account;
• 🎵 Spotify/YouTube Music: Keep Playlists in the Cloud.

3. Synchronization with Google

Google Account automatically saves:

• 📇 Contacts;
• 📅 Calendar;
• 💬 SMS (If included in Google Messages);
• 📍 Location history;
• 🔑 Passwords (via Google Smart Lock).

To check the synchronization:

1. Open Settings → Accounts → Google;
2. Select your account;
3. Make sure all the necessary options are included.

4.Conservation IMEI and modem data

On some Xiaomi devices (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro or POCO X3 Pro) may be reset after firmware IMEI or modem data, to avoid problems:

• Write it down. IMEI (dial *#06#);
• Save a backup copy of the folder /data/radio/ (root);
• Use it. QCN Rebuilder to recover modem data (if lost).

💡

If it's gone after the firmware. IMEI, Try to restore it via the engineering menu (#4636##) or using the Maui utility. META (cable and PC required).

6. How to recover data after firmware

After successful firmware Xiaomi, you have to return all data to place.

1.Recovery through Mi Backup

If you have a local backup:

1. When you first start up after the firmware, the system will prompt you to restore the data. Select Restore from a backup.
2. Point the path to the backup file (/MIUI/backup/AllBackup/);
3. Select the categories you want (contacts, messages, etc.) and confirm.

2.Recovery via Swift Backup

If you have used Swift Backup:

1. Install the application again;
2. Provide root access;
3. Select Restore and select the archive.
4. Confirm the recovery of applications and data.

3. Manual copying of files

Move the saved folders (DCIM, Download, etc.) back to the device via:

• 📱 Conductor MIUI;
• 🖥️ Total Commander or ES Conductor;
• 🔌 Connection to USB (file transfer).

4. Restoring game saves

For games like Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile:

• 🎮 If the game is linked to an account (Facebook, Google Play Games, Mi Account), just log in after installing it;
• 📁 If the saves are local, copy the game folder from the backup to /Android/data/ or /Android/obb/.

⚠️ Note: Some games (such as Clash Royale) block local save recovery due to cheating protection, in which case only account binding will help.

5.Setup of the system after recovery

After returning the data, do not forget:

• 🔒 Re-link Mi Account (if activation is reset);
• 🔑 Enter passwords from Wi-Fi;
• 📱 Set up gestures and desktop markup;
• 🔋 Calibrate the battery (discharge to 0% and charge to 100% without interruptions).

1. Correctness of paths to folders (for example, /Android/data/ It should be in the internal memory, not in the SD-map).

2. Application permissions (c Settings) → Annexes → Permits).

3. compatibility of the backup version with the current firmware (for example, backup with the MIUI 13 may not recover on MIUI 15).-->

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Even experienced users make mistakes when backing up.

1.Untested backup

Many people back up, but they don't check the integrity of the backup, so you can avoid problems.

• 🔍 Open the backup archive on your computer (if it is.zip or.ab);
• 📂 Make sure all the files are in place;
• 📱 Try to restore the backup on another device (if possible).

2. Ignoring hidden folders

Folders, sort of. /data/data/ or /MIUI/backup/ They can't be seen without root or guides:

• 📱 Use Root Explorer or FX File Explorer;
• 🖥️ Connect through ADB and execute the command adb pull /data/data/.

3. Version incompatibility MIUI

Backup made on MIUI 14, may not recover on MIUI 15 because of changes in the data structure:

• 📋 Use universal formats (e.g..vcf for contacts);
• 📦 Save not only the data of applications, but also their.apk files;
• 🔄 Check compatibility on forums before firmware (e.g, 4PDA or XDA-Developers).

4.IMEI loss after firmware

If it's gone after the firmware. IMEI mobile:

• 📞 Check it out. IMEI via *#06#;
• 🔧 Restore the folder. /data/radio/ from the backup (root required);
• 🛠️ Use Maui. META or QCN Rebuilder for reflashing modem.

5. Forgotten account passwords

After the reset, you will need:

• 🔑 Password from Mi Account (if the device was tied);
• 🔐 Password from Google Account (for data recovery);
• 🔒 Social media passwords (if the games are linked to Facebook or Facebook) VK).

If you forget your Mi Account password, restore it through the official Xiaomi website.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions