Backup on Xiaomi Phone: A Complete Data Saving Guide

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

Imagine if your Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 or POCO X5 suddenly stopped turning on after a crash, or you accidentally reset the settings to factory settings through Settings → About Phone → Reset. Last vacation photos, Telegram correspondence, saved passwords from Google Chrome — everything disappeared forever. This happens to thousands of users every day, and most of them did not even suspect that backing up on Android takes less than 10 minutes.

Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones offer a number of backup options, from the built-in MIUI Backup tool to cloud services like Google Drive or Mi Cloud. But not all of them are equally reliable. For example, MIUI Backup doesn’t store data from some third-party apps (like WhatsApp or Viber) unless they’re integrated into the system. And cloud-based backups may not be available when you change your account or have regional restrictions. In this article, we’ll look at all the current methods, from the simplest to the professional ones, and learn how to recover data even after the brick.

Ways to backup on Xiaomi: a comparative table

Before we get to the instructions, let's determine which method is right for you, and here's a comparison of the key parameters: speed, data storage, and setup complexity.

As you can see, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. If you want to save all the data without exception (including game progress or application files), you have to combine methods, for example, use MIUI Backup to set up the system + Google Drive for contacts + TWRP for the full image.

MIUI Backup: Standard Local Backup Tool

The built-in MIUI Backup is the easiest way to save basic data. It is available on all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones with MIUI 10 firmware and later. The main advantage is that it does not require registration in the cloud or a PC connection. Minus – the copy is stored only on the device or memory card, so if the phone breaks, it will be impossible to restore data.

To create a backup copy:

1. Open Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Local Backup.
2. Click Create a backup and select the data to save (contacts, SMS, apps, etc.).
3. Specify the storage location: internal memory or microSD card (recommended).
4. Wait for the process to be completed (it can take 5 to 30 minutes depending on the amount of data).

The backup file will have the.mbk extension and will be stored in the MIUI/backup/AllBackup folder. To recover data, go to the same settings section and select Restore.

⚠️ Attention: MIUI Backup does not store media files (photos, videos, music) or data from some applications (such as WhatsApp or banking programs.

Cloud Backup: Mi Cloud vs Google Drive

If you're afraid of losing your phone or you don't want to mess with local copies, cloud services are your choice. Xiaomi has its own Mi Cloud, and Google has Google Drive. Let's look at both.

Mi Cloud: Simple but limited

Mi Cloud is integrated into MIUI firmware and automatically syncs contacts, SMS, notes and photos to enable it:

1. Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Sign in to your Xiaomi account (or create a new one).
3. Activate switches next to data types (e.g. Contacts, Gallery).
4. Press Sync.

The free tariff gives 5 GB of space. If you need more, you will have to buy a subscription (from 100 rubles / month for 50 GB).

Google Drive: Universal, but with nuances

Google Drive offers 15GB for free and saves not only contacts but also some apps’ data (if they support Android Backup Service).

1. Open Settings → Google → Backup.
2. Turn on the backup switch in Google Drive.
3. Click Create a backup copy now.

Important: Google Drive does not save SMS on all Xiaomi models (depending on the version of MIUI), and it may not backup application data if the developer has not implemented this feature.

Full backup via TWRP: for advanced users

If you need to keep the entire system (including apps, their data, and even MIUI settings), you’ll need custom recovery — TWRP. This method requires unlocking the bootloader and installing TWRP, which voids the warranty and can lead to a “brick” if you do something wrong.

Advantages of TWRP:

• 🔹 Maintains a complete system image (including: /data, /system and /boot).
• 🔹 It works even if the phone is not turned on (if you have access to recovery).
• 🔹 Allows selectively restore individual sections.

Instructions for creating a backup in TWRP:

1. Install TWRP for your model (see instructions on XDA Developers or 4PDA).
2. Boot into recovery: Turn off the phone, then press Power + Volume up.
3. In the main TWRP menu, select Backup.
4. Check the Boot, System, Data and EFS sections (important for IMEI!).
5. Select the location of the save (preferably on the microSD card).
6. Swipe for confirmation and wait for completion.

⚠️ Attention: Backup in TWRP takes up (10-30 GB) and may not be compatible with other firmware, such as if you backed up on MIUI 14, and then upgraded to HyperOS, the data may not be restored.

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Before creating a backup in TWRP, check the recovery version! out-of-date builds may not support new Xiaomi models or the F2FS file system.

ADB Backup: An Alternative for Users Without Root

If you don’t want to unlock the bootloader but need a more complete copy than the MIUI Backup offers, use the ADB tool (Android Debug Bridge), which allows you to create a backup directly from a computer without superuser rights.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB and Fastboot.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap the version, then go back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).

Instructions:

1. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
2. Open the command prompt (or Terminal on Mac/Linux) and type: adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f C:\backup.ab Where C:\backup.ab is the path to the backup file on your PC.
3. On the phone will appear a request for confirmation – enter the lock password (if any) and click Create a backup.
4. Wait until it is completed (may take a while). 10-60 minute).

To recover data, use the command:

adb restore C:\backup.ab

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ADB Backup does not store data from some system applications (e.g. MIUI settings) and may not work on phones with a locked bootloader (e.g., new Xiaomi models for the Chinese market).

How to recover data after a phone reset or breakage

Let's say the worst has already happened: the phone has been dumped, broken, or stolen. How do you get your data back? The algorithm depends on what backup method you used.

Recovery from MIUI Backup

If you have a.mbk file:

1. Copy it to the MIUI/backup/AllBackup folder on your new phone.
2. Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Local Backup.
3. Select the right backup and click Restore.

Recovery from Mi Cloud or Google Drive

When you first set up a new phone, the system will suggest recovering data from the cloud.

• For Mi Cloud: Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Restore.
• For Google Drive: Settings → Google → Backup → Restore.

Recovery through TWRP

If you have a backup TWRP:

1. Install TWRP on your new phone (preferably the same version).
2. Copy the backup folder to the memory card.
3. Load to recovery, select Restore and specify the desired backup.
4. Check the recovery sections (usually Data and EFS).
5. Swipe for confirmation.

⚠️ Note: When restoring through TWRP On another phone (even the same model) you may have problems with the IMEI Or the operation of the communications module. Always check the backup. EFS pre-recovery!

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

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

• 🔴 MIUI Backup is not created: check the free space on the device (needs at least 1 GB). VPN — It can block access to system functions.
• 🔴 Google Drive does not sync data: make sure that in Settings → Accounts. → Google has enabled sync for the right apps, sometimes it helps to reconnect your account.
• 🔴 TWRP Does not see the memory card: format it in FAT32 Or exFAT over PC. Some versions. TWRP not working NTFS.
• 🔴 ADB Backup is interrupted: Use the original cable and port USB 2.0 (sometimes) USB 3.0 causes crashes. Also check if the adb.exe antivirus is blocking.

If none of these methods worked, try specialized data recovery software like Dr.Fone or EaseUS MobiSaver, which can pull files from a damaged phone, but can’t guarantee 100% results.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions