Reservation and Recovery in Xiaomi Redmi: Everything you need to know in 2026

Why backup on Xiaomi Redmi is not a luxury, but a necessity

Xiaomi Redmi has become for many people not just a device, but a real store of life: here are photos from the last vacation, and correspondence with loved ones, and work documents, and even data of banking applications. But what happens if the phone suddenly stops turning on, gets lost or has to be repaired? Statistically, 34% of users lose important data precisely because of the lack of backups — and this does not include cases of theft, breakdowns or accidental resets.

In the MIUI ecosystem, data backup and recovery are surprisingly flexible, from automatic cloud backups via Mi Cloud to manually saved to a PC or external drive. However, many functions are hidden in the depths of the menu, and some require activation through the developer’s Settings. In this article, we will examine all available backup methods, from standard to little-known, and learn how to recover data even in the most difficult cases: after a reset, firmware or breakage.

We'll focus on MIUI's unique feature, Local Backup with Encryption, which allows you to create secure backups without being tied to the cloud, and this is true for users who don't trust cloud services or have limited Internet traffic.

1. Types of backup on Xiaomi Redmi: what, where and how to save

Before we get into the instructions, it’s important to understand what data can be stored on Redmi smartphones and what methods exist. MIUI has three main types of backups:

• 📱 Local backup – a copy is saved directly on the device (in internal memory or on the device). SD-Suitable for quick recovery, but at risk of getting lost with the phone.
• ☁️ Cloud backup – data uploaded to Xiaomi servers is secure but requires a stable internet and Mi Account.
• 💻 Backup on PC - via Mi PC Suite or manual (copy files) reliable, but it takes time and requires cable.

Each method has its pros and cons. For example, Mi Cloud automatically syncs contacts, notes and photos, but does not save SMS, call history and application settings without manually configuring. Local backup, in turn, can include almost everything from wallpaper to Wi-Fi passwords, but it must be manually run.

Also, it is worth considering that some data cannot be reserved by standard means, for example:

• 🔒 Application passwords (unless Mi Account or third-party managers are used)
• 🎮 Save in games (requires a link to a game account, such as Google Play)
• 📂 Files in the root folder /data (Available only with root rights)

2. Local reservation in MIUI: step-by-step instructions with hidden chips

Local backup is the fastest way to save data, but many Xiaomi Redmi users are unaware of its existence.

1. Open Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset (on some models, the path may be different: Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset).
2. Select "Local Backup".
3. Click "Create a backup" and tick the necessary data (contacts, messages, applications, etc.).
4. Set a password for encryption (optional, but recommended!).
5. Wait until the process is complete. The backup file is saved in the MIUI/backup/AllBackup folder.

Charge your phone at least to 50%|Release. 1-2 GB memory|Connect to Wi-Fi (if you copy a lot of data)|Remember the backup password (if you have installed it)-->

Important nuances:

• 🔄 Local backup does not include media files (photos, videos, music) – they must be copied separately!
• 🔐 If you set a password, it will be impossible to recover data without it (even through a PC).
• 📱 On some models (for example, Redmi Note 12 Pro)+) The option "Automatic reservation" is available - it creates copies on a schedule.

If you need to recover data from your local backup:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Local Backup.
2. Select the desired backup file (by date of creation).
3. Enter your password (if you have set it) and confirm the recovery.
4. Reboot your phone after the process is complete.

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If the backup is not restored, try renaming the backup file by removing the " " and "-" characters from the name. Sometimes MIUI will not recognize files with "incorrect" names.

3. Cloud reservation via Mi Cloud: settings and limitations

Mi Cloud is a cloud service from Xiaomi that allows you to automatically sync data between devices.

1. Register your Mi Account (if you haven’t already) in Settings → Mi Account.
2. Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Backup Mi Cloud.
3. Turn on the "Automatic backup" switch.
4. Select data for synchronization (contacts, notes, photos, etc.).
5. Click on "Sync Now" to manually start.

It is important to understand that Mi Cloud has limitations:

By default, Xiaomi provides 5 GB of free cloud storage. This is enough for contacts and notes, but for photos and videos you will either have to buy additional space (from 100 GB for ~300 rubles / year), or optimize your reservation:

• 📸 Turn off synchronization of photos in the original quality (replace with "High quality" in the Gallery settings).
• 🗑️ Clean your Recycle Bin regularly in Mi Cloud (files are stored there for 30 days).
• 🔄 Use Google Photos to back up your media files (15GB free).

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Mi Cloud does not encrypt server-side data. If you care about privacy, use local reservation with a password or third-party clouds (for example, Proton Drive).

4. PC Backup: Mi PC Suite and Manual Copy

If you don't trust the clouds, or if you want to have a physical copy of your data, you can do it by backing up your computer.

Method 1: Through Mi PC Suite (official utility)

Mi PC Suite is a software from Xiaomi that manages a smartphone from a PC, and it allows you to create backups, update firmware and recover data, and you can use it to:

1. Download and install Mi PC Suite from the official website.
2. Connect Redmi to the PC via USB-cable (enable file transfer mode in the phone notification curtain).
3. In the program, select the "Backup" section.
4. Tick the necessary data and click "Create a backup".
5. Wait until the end (time depends on the amount of data).

The advantage of this method is the ability to selectively restore (for example, only contacts or only photos). However, Mi PC Suite does not always work correctly with new Redmi models, so check compatibility on the Xiaomi website before using it.

Method 2: Manual copying of files

If you need to save only media files, documents or upload files of applications, you can do without additional software:

1. Connect your phone to your PC in File Transfer (MTP) mode.
2. Open the phone folder in Windows/macOS Explorer.
3. Copy the necessary data from folders: DCIM — Downloads photos and videos – uploaded files of Pictures, Music, Movies – media Android/data — Application data (root rights required for full access)

SMS Backup & Restore

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To copy hidden folders (such as with application settings), enable the display of hidden files in Explorer and use a root-access file manager (such as Root Explorer).

5. Data recovery after resetting or firmware

The most common cause of data loss is factory resets or phone flashing, in which case the recovery algorithm depends on which backup you have:

If there's a local backup:

1. After reset, go through the initial phone setup.
2. In the recovery menu, select Restore from local copy.
3. Specify the path to the backup file (it should be in the MIUI/backup folder).
4. Enter your password (if you have set it) and wait until it is completed.

If there is a backup in Mi Cloud:

1. Sign in to your Mi Account when you first set up your phone.
2. Select "Restore from Mi Cloud".
3. Check the necessary data and confirm the recovery.

Another useful feature is reservations via Recovery Mode, which is true if the phone does not turn on, but loads into recovery mode:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up to enter Recovery.
3. Select "Backup" (manage volume buttons, confirmation - power button).
4. Save the backup on SD-map (if inserted).

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Even experienced users sometimes have problems with reservations, and here are the most common mistakes and solutions:

Another typical situation:

⚠️ If you forget the password from the encrypted backup, it will be impossible to recover data! Xiaomi does not provide tools to reset the backup password, as this is contrary to the security policy. The only way out is to try to remember a password or use programs to select (for example, Elcomsoft Phone Breaker, but this is a long time and does not guarantee the result).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions