Users of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones often have to migrate data to a new device or want to protect themselves from the accidental loss of important information. The standard procedure for creating an archive through the built-in system tools is quick, but when the time comes to restore, many are lost. The logical question is where exactly the system recorded this data set and whether it can be copied to a computer for safety. Understanding the structure of the Android file system in the shell of MIUI or HyperOS is key to solving this problem.
Unlike cloud services, where files are stored on remote servers, having a local copy of the physical resides on your device's internal drive creates certain risks: if the device is mechanically damaged or a critical firmware failure occurs, access to this data can be lost forever, which is why knowing the exact folder address and working with file managers become critical skills. We will take a look at not only standard paths, but also nuances that are often overlooked when working with redundancy.
It is worth noting that file location can vary slightly depending on the operating system version and regional firmware. However, the logic of organizing directories in a Chinese vendor’s products has remained fairly conservative for many years. Local backup creates a specific data packet that the system recognizes only in a specific place. Trying to move this archive to an arbitrary folder will lead to the fact that the restore point simply “does not see” the file, even if it is physically present in memory.
The Standard Way to Backup Files in MIUI
By default, Xiaomi's Android shell-installed operating system uses a strictly defined directory hierarchy to store system data. Once you've completed the backup process through the settings menu, the system automatically places the archive in internal memory. The path to this location is static and does not change without superuser rights. You'll need any file manager to access this data, such as a standard Explorer or a more advanced MI File Manager.
The main directory you want to look for stored data is called MIUI, which is at the root of the device's internal memory, and inside it is the backup folder, which in turn contains the AllBackup subdirectory. This is where all the archives you've created are stored. It's important to understand that this is the internal memory, not the SD card, even if it's installed in the phone. The default system ignores external drives when creating local copies.
⚠️ Attention: Folder MIUI Do not manually delete the folder itself or its contents through third-party explorers without understanding the consequences, as this can disrupt system applications and update services.
The complete structure of the path is as follows:
/storage/emulated/0/MIUI/backup/AllBackup/Inside the AllBackup folder, you'll find several files and folders with dates of creation. Each date corresponds to a specific time when the system was taken. The files have the extensions.bak and.des. The first contains the data itself, the second contains the description and metadata of the archive. Both files are necessary for successful recovery. If you plan to transfer the backup to your computer, copy the entire folder with the corresponding date in its entirety.
☑️ Pre-copying check
How to find hidden folders through the file manager
Often users can't find the right directory for one simple reason: modern versions of Android and the MIUI 12/13/14 shell or HyperOS by default hide the system folders from the user's eyes. This is done for security reasons to prevent the accidental deletion of critical files. If you've gone to the root of memory and you can't see the MIUI folder, you need to activate the hidden object display. Without this step, the search will be unsuccessful.
In Xiaomi’s standard Explorer app, you’ll go to the Folders tab. Then click three dots in the top right corner of the screen and select Settings. In the menu that opens, find the Show Hidden Files switch and activate it. Then, the internal memory root will display translucent folders, including the MIUI we need. In third-party managers like Total Commander or FX File Explorer, this feature is usually called by a combination of buttons or is also in display settings.
There is another nuance about access rights: Starting with Android 11, access to the Android folder and some system directories is limited. Although the MIUI folder usually remains available, in some cases the system may request additional permission to access files the first time it opens, and the permission to access must be confirmed, otherwise you will see an empty folder or a read error.
- 📂 Open the “Conductor” app on the main screen.
- 👆 Click on the menu icon (three bars or dots) in the interface corner.
- ⚙️ Select “Settings” and activate the “Show hidden files” switch».
- 🔍 Go back to the root of the memory and find the folder. MIUI.
💡
If a standard explorer doesn’t show a folder even after you’ve enabled hidden files, try installing the Files by Google or Solid Explorer app – they often have broader default permissions to display the directory structure.
Backup file structure and purpose
Once you've figured out the location, you'll have to go into the AllBackup folder, and it's in order, dictated by the algorithm itself, and each backup is a set of files that you can't edit individually, and understanding the structure will help you navigate the space you're occupying, and you can choose which data to store on the external medium and which to delete.
Inside the date folder, you'll find files with different extensions. The bulk of the data is.bak files. These are binary archives that contain direct information: contacts, messages, call history, system settings and application data. Next to them is always the.des file. This is a text description file that contains information about the version of MIUI, the date of creation, the size of the archive and the type of data reserved. The system checks this file when you try to restore it.
Also, the folder may contain files with the.pwd extension if you set a password to the backup. Without this file, it will be impossible to uncivilize data, even if you know the password, since it contains cryptographic keys. Below is a table describing the main types of files that you will find in the backup directory.
| File extension | Description of the contents | Importance for Recovery |
|---|---|---|
| .bak | Main archive with user data | Critically important |
| .des | Description file and metadata archive | Mandatory. |
| .pwd | Encryption key file (if password is set) | Necessary for encryption |
| .tmp | Temporary files of the creation process | Can be removed |
Note the size of the files. If you've made a full copy of the system with the applications, the volume can reach tens of gigabytes. Storing such volumes of data on a single device without duplication to an external medium or to the cloud is a risky strategy. The F2FS or ext4 file system used in phones is sensitive to physical damage, and losing a sector can make the entire archive unreadable.
Transferring backup to your computer or the cloud
Knowing the exact path, you can manually copy the backup folder to your computer, which is the most reliable way to save data in case your smartphone breaks. USB-cable, select the "File Transfer" mode» (MTP) In the notification on the phone screen. Then go on the path Internal memory. → MIUI → backup → AllBackup and copy the desired folder with the date to the hard drive of the computer.
Alternatively, you can upload backup files to Google Drive, Yandex.Disk or Xiaomi Cloud. However, it is worth considering that downloading large amounts of data can take a long time and require a stable Wi-Fi connection. In addition, some cloud services may incorrectly display files with.bak extensions, marking them as corrupted, when in fact they are simply not intended for human viewing.
When transferring to a computer, make sure that the entire folder is copied, including hidden files. Interrupting the copying process can damage the archive. After copying to a PC, it is recommended to check the integrity of the files by comparing their size to the original. If the sizes are the same, then the copy is made successfully and ready for storage.
⚠️ Warning: Do not edit file names or folders inside the backup archive on your computer. MIUI expects to have a strict name match when searching for available restore points.Renaming will make the file invisible to the Recovery function».
Recovery of data from local archives
Recovery from a local copy is as simple as creating it, but requires care. If you have transferred the backup from your computer back to your phone (for example, after resetting settings), you need to manually recreate the folder structure. Copy the folder with the date back on the way Internal Memory → MIUI → backup → AllBackup. Make sure that access rights allow the system to read these files.
Next, go to the phone settings. The path may vary slightly depending on the firmware version, but it usually looks like this: Settings → About Phone → Backup and Restore → Mobile Device. In some versions of HyperOS, this menu is displayed in a separate Tools app or located in the Advanced Settings section. The system will scan the AllBackup folder and offer available recovery dates.
Pick the date you want to return, tick the data you want to return, and you can only restore contacts and messages, leaving your system settings intact. This is especially useful if you upgrade to a new version of Android and some system settings may conflict, and it will take a few minutes to reboot the phone.
- 📲 Connect the phone to a power source (preferably).
- 🔓 Unlock the device and go to the recovery menu.
- 📂 Select a backup file from the list of discovered archives.
- ✅ Confirm the start of the operation and wait until the completion.
What if the system does not see the backup file?
Typical problems and ways to solve them
Despite the fact that the process is fine, users sometimes encounter errors. One of the most common problems is the message "failed to recover" or "file corrupted." This often happens if you used the FAT32 file system when you copied to your computer, which has a limit on the size of one file to 4 GB. If your backup is larger, it will be trimmed. Use NTFS or exFAT file systems for external drives.
Another problem is when you try to restore a backup made on a newer version of MIUI to an older version of the device. The system blocks the backup version from rolling back to avoid database conflicts. In this case, only a full reset or use of special tools for editing descriptors, which requires advanced skills. Also make sure that there is enough free space on the phone - it requires a volume equal to the size of the backup plus another 20-30% on top to unpack the archive.
If you use device encryption, access the folder MIUI/backup It can be locked until the first time you unlock it after you turn on your phone. This is standard Android security behavior. Don't be alarmed if the Explorer doesn't show files right after you restart -- just unlock the screen. PIN-fingerprint.
💡
Compatibility of firmware versions is a critical factor: restoring the backup from the newer MIUI to the older version is often impossible with regular means and requires a complete reset of the device.