Where Xiaomi Stores Backups: Local Paths and Cloud Services

Backup on Xiaomi is not just a useful feature, but a real “go-ahead” when resetting, updating your firmware or switching to a new phone. However, many users face the problem: where exactly are these backups stored? Internal memory? Cloud? SD-The answer depends on what kind of backup method you used -- standard through MIUI Backup, manual export or third-party applications like Titanium Backup.

In this article, we will take a closer look at all possible locations where Xiaomi can save backups, from hidden folders in the system to Mi Cloud storage, and how to verify the integrity of the backup, restore it to another device, and what to do if the Suddenly files have disappeared. We will pay special attention to the difference between backups. MIUI Android, because they are stored in different places and have different formats.

If you've ever lost important data after a phone reset or upgrade, this information will help you avoid repeat errors. And for power users, we've prepared unique data on the backup folder structure in the backups. MIUI 14 and newer that are not dokumented in official manuals.

1. Standard backups MIUI: where and how they are stored

The main backup tool on Xiaomi is the built-in utility MIUI Backup (formerly called Backup & Reset) creates archives with system settings, applications and other features, SMS And call logs. Where to find these files?

By default, backups are stored in the phone’s internal memory along the way:

/sdcard/MIUI/backup/AllBackup/

In this folder you will find files with the extension.bak or.mbk (for new versions). MIUI). The file name usually contains the date of creation, for example:

mi_backup_20260515_123456.mbk

It is important to understand that:

• 📁 folder MIUI/backup To see it, enable the display of hidden files in any file manager (for example, in Mi File Explorer or Total Commander).
• 🔒 Backup files are encrypted and cannot be read without recovery through MIUI Trying to open them manually will lead to an error.
• 📱 On some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 13 Pro or Redmi Note 12) The path may be slightly different: /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/backup/ — synonymous /sdcard/.

If you don’t find the AllBackup folder, check:

1. Have you created a backup (go to Settings)? → The phone. → Backup and see the history).
2. Have you deleted files manually or through the “Dumpster Cleanup” in the Security App?
3. Did you put the backup on the backup? SD-map (about this in the next section).

Backup copies of the SD-map and external drives

MIUI allows you to save backups not only in internal memory, but also on removable media: SD-card USB-storage (through OTG-Adapter. This is convenient if the internal memory is small or you want to transfer the backup to another phone.

Way for backups to SD-map:

/storage/{SD_CARD_ID}/MIUI/backup/AllBackup/

Where {SD_CARD_ID} — unique card identifier, for example 1234-5678. To find out the exact path:

1. Connect. SD-phone-card.
2. Open the Mi File Explorer and go to the Devices section.
3. Click on your name. SD-Cards – its ID will be displayed on the way.

⚠️

Attention: If you extract SD-card without safely shutting down, backup may get damaged.Always use the "Extract" option in the notification curtain before physically deleting the card.

Outside. USB-storage devices (through OTG) The path will be similar, but instead of a sdcard or storage/emulated/0 A tome tag will appear, for example:

/storage/usb1/MIUI/backup/

Format the map in FAT32 exFAT

Check the vacant space (minimum) 2-3 GB)

Disable card encryption in the settings

Connect the card before starting the backup-->

3. Cloud backups in Mi Cloud

Mi Cloud is Xiaomi's official cloud storage that automatically syncs contacts, notes, photos and, when set up, full system backups. Where is this data stored?

Unlike local backups, files in Mi Cloud are not available for direct download as archives.

• 🔄 Recover data on another Xiaomi device through Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Recovery.
• 📥 Export individual categories (contacts, notes, photos) manually.
• 🖥️ View some data (photos, notes) through the web version of i.mi.com.

How to check if there is a backup in the Mi Cloud?

1. Open the Settings. → Mi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Scroll down to the “Device Backup” section.
3. Click on your phone name and the date of the last backup and its size will be displayed.

⚠️

Note: Free account Mi Cloud provides only 5 If the backup exceeds this limit, the old data will be automatically deleted. To avoid losses, regularly check the occupied space or purchase additional space (from the previous data). 100 GB for ~$2/month).

4. Manual backups: where to look for files from Titanium Backup and other applications

Standard. MIUI Backup does not store data of all applications (for example, games or instant messengers). For a full backup, many use third-party utilities like Titanium Backup, Swift Backup or OAndBackupX?

By default, these programs save backups to:

/sdcard/TitaniumBackup/

or

/storage/emulated/0/SwiftBackup/

The file format depends on the application:

• 📦 Titanium Backup: files with.tar.gz or.apk extension +.properties.
• 🔄 Swift Backup: folders with application packet names (e.g. com.whatsapp).
• 📱 OAndBackupX:.ob archives in folder /sdcard/oandbackup/.

⚠️

Note: These applications require root rights (most Xiaomi can get them through unlocking the bootloader and installing Magisk). Without root, the backup will be incomplete – only saved APK-Application files without user data.

If you use ADB Backup (adb backup command), files are saved to the computer in.ab format. MIUI Backup – Only through adb restore.

💡

Before creating a manual backup via Titanium Backup, turn off battery optimization for this application in Settings → Annexes → Battery management, otherwise the process may be interrupted due to background constraints. MIUI.

5. How to check the integrity of a backup before restoring

There's nothing worse than finding out that the backup is corrupted when you need it the most. How do you make sure that the backup file is intact?

For standard backups. MIUI Backup.mbk files):

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup.
2. Click on the right backup and select “View details”.
3. The system will show you what data is included in the archive, if there is an exclamation mark next to the category (⚠️), So some of the data is not preserved.

For hand backups (Titanium Backup, Swift Backup):

• 🔍 If the file is suspiciously small (e.g., 1 KB instead of a few MB), the backup is likely empty.
• 📂 Open the archive through the file manager. ZIP or TAR, There must be files inside.
• 🛠️ Use the built-in verification in the application. For example, Titanium Backup has the option “Enable Archive Check” (Menu). → Check backups).

If the backup is stored in the Mi Cloud, the only way to test its integrity is to try to restore it on a test device.Unfortunately, Xiaomi does not provide tools for pre-diagnosing cloud backups.

6 How to Transfer Backup to Another Xiaomi Phone

A backup transfer between Xiaomi devices is possible, but there are nuances depending on the type of backup.

For local backups (.mbk):

1. Copy the.mbk file from the folder /MIUI/backup/AllBackup/ on a new phone in the same directory.
2. On your new phone, go to Settings → The phone. → Backup.
3. Select “Restore” and specify the copied file.

⚠️ Warning: Restore backup from your phone to another model (e.g., with the Redmi Note 10 on Xiaomi 14) can cause crashes. MIUI.

For backups in Mi Cloud:

1. On the new phone, log in to the same Mi Account.
2. Go to Settings → Mi → Mi Cloud → Backup of the device.
3. Select the backup of the old phone and click "Restore".

For hand backups (Titanium Backup):

• 📲 Copy the folder. /TitaniumBackup/ new phone.
• 🔧 Install Titanium Backup and give it root rights (if required).
• 🔄 In the application, select "Package recovery».

💡

When transferring backup between phones with different versions MIUI (for example, MIUI 13 on MIUI 14) first upgrade the old device to the current firmware, then create a new backup.

7. Frequent backup problems and their solutions

Even with the right backups, Xiaomi users are facing typical problems, and we're going to look at the most common ones and how to solve them.

Problem 1: Backup is not created or interrupted

• 🔋 Check the battery charge (should be) >30%).
• 📶 Turn off mobile internet and Wi-Fi (sometimes background synchronization interferes with the process).
• 🗑️ Clear the app's cache MIUI Backup in Settings → Annexes.
• 🔄 Restart your phone and try again.

Problem 2: Cannot recover backup from Mi Cloud

• 🔑 Make sure you are logged in to the same Mi Account.
• 📡 Check your internet connection (backup won’t be restored via mobile data – only via Wi-Fi).
• 📅 Make sure the version MIUI New phone no older than old phone (otherwise conflict may occur).

Problem. 3: Backup files disappeared from the folder /MIUI/backup/

• 🔍 Enable the display of hidden files (possibly the folder has become hidden).
• 🗃️ Check the Recycle Bin in the File Manager.
• 🔄 If you used Garbage Cleanup in the Security App, the backup could be deleted as an "unnecessary file." Try recovering through Settings. → Memory. → Basket.

Problem 4: When you restore the backup, the phone freezes

• 🛠️ Wait 15-20 minutes (the process can take a long time).
• 🔋 Make sure the battery is charged (>50%).
• 📱 If the freeze lasts more than an hour, perform a hard reboot (clip the power supply). + Volume up for 10 seconds).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions About Xiaomi Backups