Where Xiaomi Backup is Stored: Cloud, Phone and Computer – Full Guide 2026

Have you ever lost important data on Xiaomi and tried to recover it from a backup, but couldn’t find out where it was stored, POCO And Mi. Xiaomi backups can be saved in multiple places at once, from the Mi Cloud cloud storage to hidden folders on the device's internal memory, and if you backed up through your computer, your files could end up in unexpected Windows or MacOS directories.

In this article, we will discuss all possible storage locations for Xiaomi backups, including:

• 📱 Local copies on the smartphone itself (including hidden system folders)
• ☁️ Cloud storage Mi Cloud and its features for different regions
• 💻 Backups to PC via Mi PC Suite, ADB and third-party utilities
• 🔄 Automatic and manual backups: where to look and how to distinguish

We pay special attention to hidden folders. MIUI/backup and Xiaomi/backup, And we'll also find out why backups sometimes disappear after an update. MIUI And how to fix it.

1. Local backup storage on Xiaomi phone

The most obvious place to look for backups is the internal memory of your smartphone, but there are a few nuances:

First, standard backups. MIUI (Created through Settings → The phone. → Backups) are stored in a folder:

/storage/emulated/0/MIUI/backup/AllBackup/

Second, if you’ve used Google Backup (for contacts, apps, and settings), that data isn’t stored locally — it goes straight to Google Drive cloud.

/storage/emulated/0/Xiaomi/backup/

The third important point: after the update MIUI (especially 12-14+) For example, in newer versions, application backups can be stored here:

/data/media/0/MIUI/backup/

But access to this folder requires root rights, since it is in a protected partition. /data.

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If you can't see the folder MIUI/backup via a standard file manager, try connecting your phone to your PC and using Windows Explorer or Mi program PC Suite.Sometimes hidden system files are only displayed when connected to the system. USB.

2.Mi Cloud Cloud Storage: Where and How to Look for Backups

Mi Cloud is Xiaomi’s official cloud storage that automatically backs up your data when the feature is activated.

• 🌍 Regional restrictions: users from Russia and Europe may not have access to the full functionality of the Mi Cloud due to sanctions, in which case backups can be created, but not synchronized.
• 📅 Free accounts have a 5GB limit, and old backups (over 6 months) can be automatically deleted.
• 🔄 Incomplete copies: Some data (such as Wi-Fi passwords or lock screen settings) are not saved to Mi Cloud by default.

To check if you have backups in Mi Cloud:

1. Open your Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Check the backup section of the device.
3. If there is a copy, you will see the date of the last backup and the place occupied.

Important: If you reset your phone to factory settings and didn't link the same Mi Account when you first set up, access to old backups in the cloud will be lost!

3. Hidden folders and system backups: how to access

Many users are unaware that Xiaomi creates hidden backups even without your knowledge, which are usually stored in system partitions and not available through a standard file manager.

To view these folders without root rights, you can use ADB-For example, to view the contents of the commands. /data/app-backup/:

adb shell


su




ls -la /data/app-backup/

⚠️ Note: Deleting or modifying files in these folders may cause the system to fail.If you are not sure about your actions, it is better to create a full backup through the system. TWRP before experimentation.

4. Computer backups: Mi PC Suite and alternative methods

If you've ever connected your Xiaomi to a computer and used official software, backups could have been saved to your hard drive.

• 🖥️ Mi PC Suite (official utility): The Way: C:\Users\[Your name]\Documents\Xiaomi\MiPhone\Backup\ File format:.mbk (encrypted archives)
• 🔧 ADB Backup (via command line): Path: indicated when creating a backup (usually C:\Users\[Your name is.ab (Android Backup)
• 📁 Manual copying of files: Folders DCIM, Download, Pictures can be duplicated on PC when connected to MTP.

To recover data from a.mbk file, you need to:

1. Install Mi. PC Suite of the latest version.
2. Connect the phone and select Restore from the backup.
3. Specify the path to the.mbk file.

⚠️ Note:.mbk files are linked to a specific device and version MIUI. If you are trying to restore a backup on another model or after a major upgrade (for example, with a new model). MIUI 12 on MIUI 15), the process may end with an error.

Make sure the Mi version is PC The Suite is the same as the version MIUI phone-on

Connect the phone in the mode "File transfer" (MTP)

Disable the antivirus (it can block access to backups)

Charge your phone at least 50%

Create a fresh backup of current data (in case of a failure)-->

5. How to distinguish automatic backups from manual

Not everyone knows that Xiaomi creates two types of backups:

1. Automatic – are formed by the system without your participation (for example, when connecting to Wi-Fi or charging).
2. Manuals are the ones you run yourself through the settings menu.

Here's how to tell them apart:

If you need to disable automatic backups (for example, to save space in the cloud), do the following:

1. Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Select the backup of the device.
3. Turn off the automatic backup option.
4. In manual mode, click Delete old copies to clear unnecessary files.

6.Recovery of backups after resetting or updating MIUI

One of the most common problems is that the backup is there, but the phone doesn't see it after it's reset or upgraded, and it happens for a couple of reasons:

• 🔑 Change your Mi Account: If you are logged in to another account, access to old backups in Mi Cloud will be blocked.
• 📱 Phone model change: Backups with Redmi Note 10 are not always compatible POCO X5, Even if they're on the same version MIUI.
• 🔄 Update MIUI: When transitioning MIUI 13 on MIUI 14+ Backup structure changes and old files may not recover.

To increase the chances of a successful recovery:

1. Before reset, write down: Version MIUI (In Settings → Phone model (e.g. Redmi Note 11 Pro)+ 5G). Login and password from the Mi Account.

Don't set up the phone.

Mi

Mi Cloud

• Restore the backup through the Mi PC Suite on PC.
• Use it. ADB manually.

⚠️ Warning: If you unlocked the bootloader or installed custom firmware, the standard Mi Cloud backups may not recover. TWRP and create a complete image of the section /data.

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If the phone after the reset asks for a password from the old Mi Account, but you do not remember it - do not try to bypass the protection through the reset! This can lock the device forever. Contact Xiaomi with proof of purchase (check, box).

7. Alternative ways to create and store backups

If standard methods do not suit you, consider alternative options:

• 📱 Google Backup: Keeps Contacts Save, SMS, Wi-Fi settings and app list. No backup photos (you need to turn on Google Photos separately) Available in Settings → Google → Backup.
• 🔧 TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project: Allows you to create a complete system image (including: /data, /system, /boot). Requires an unlocked bootloader. The backups are stored on a memory card in a folder. TWRP/BACKUPS/.
• ☁️ Third-party cloud services: Yandex Drive, Mega or Dropbox for manually copying important files. Apps like Swift Backup for backup applications.

For maximum reliability, we recommend using a combined approach:

1. Mi Cloud – for system settings and contacts.
2. Google Photos for media files.
3. TWRP or ADB — For the full system image (if there is root).
4. Local copy on PC – for critical data.

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If you frequently reflash your phone, create a separate folder on your PC with the model name (e.g., a folder on your phone, Redmi_K50_Pro_Backups) And keep all the backups there, so that you can avoid any confusion when you restore them.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi backups