Where Xiaomi Stores Local Backups: A Complete Guide to Finding and Retrieving Backups

Why Xiaomi backups are “hiding” from the user

Backing up on Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphones seems like a simple procedure — just go to Settings → About Phone → Backup and press a button. But when it comes to finding the backup file itself, many people face the problem: the system does not show a direct folder, and standard file managers do not display hidden directories. This is not an accident, but a conscious decision of the MIUI developers.

Because local backups contain sensitive data, such as authorization tokens, Wi-Fi passwords, call logs, and even encryption keys for some applications, if the files were publicly available (like the Downloads folder), they could be stolen by an attacker, gaining physical access to the device, so Xiaomi hides backups in secure system partitions, and restricts access to them through special protocols.

In this article, we will analyze all possible storage locations for local backups on Xiaomi smartphones, including hidden folders, paths for different versions. MIUI (12 to 14), and methods of their extraction - from simple to advanced (using the use of ADB). You will also learn how to recover data from a backup if the standard interface is available. MIUI refuses to do so.

Official ways of storing backup copies in MIUI

Depending on the firmware version and smartphone model, Xiaomi uses two main places to save local backups:

1. MIUI/backup is the standard location for most devices on MIUI 12-14, and the path to it is /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/backup/AllBackup/ This is where files with the.bak extension (for older versions) or.mbk extension (for newer versions) are stored.
2. The hidden /data/media/0/MIUI/backup partition is used on devices with unlocked bootloader or custom firmware, and is only accessible via Root or ADB.

It's important to understand that the MIUI/backup folder can be invisible in a standard file manager.

• 🔍 Enable the display of hidden files in the file manager settings (for example, in Mi File Explorer or Solid Explorer).
• 📁 Use a PC and connect your phone in File Transfer mode (MTP) — Sometimes Windows or macOS display hidden folders by default.
• 🤖 Apply the command ADB to view content (more on this in the Advanced Methods section).

⚠️ Note: If you can't find the folder MIUI/backup, Check if you have created a backup through the standard Settings menu → The phone. → Backup: Copies made through Google Drive or third-party apps (such as Titanium Backup) are stored elsewhere!

Where to look for backups on specific Xiaomi models

Despite the general logic of MIUI, some Xiaomi models have unique backup storage features, below is a table with current paths for popular series:

If your model is not in the table, try the universal method:

1. Open any file manager with search support (such as FX File Explorer).
2. Enter.mbk or.bak in the search box.
3. Wait until the scan is completed, the system will find all backups, even in hidden folders.

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If you use a POCO Launcher or custom firmware (like Pixel Experience), standard MIUI backup can be disabled, in which case backups are created via Google Drive or TWRP.

How to Remove Backup if You Can't See It

If you are sure that the backup was created but can’t find it, use one of the following methods:

Method 1: Through ADB (without Root)

The ADB (Android Debug Bridge) tool allows you to access hidden folders without superuser permissions.

Install ADB on PC (download from [official Android site](https://developer.android.com/studio/releases/platform-tools))|Enable USB debugging in the developer settings (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times) → Developer mode → USB debugging)|Plug phone to PC and confirm trust in the computer |Open the command line in the folder with ADB

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1. Run the command to view the contents of the folder MIUI/backup: adb shell ls /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/backup/AllBackup/
2. If the folder is empty, check the alternative path: adb shell ls /data/media/0/MIUI/backup/
3. Copy the backup file on your PC (replace filename.mbk with the current name): adb pull /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/backup/AllBackup/filename.mbk C:\Backup\

Method 2: TWRP (unlocked bootloader required)

If you have custom recovery TWRP installed on your device, you can access hidden partitions:

1. Boot to TWRP (turn off the phone, then press Power + Volume up).
2. Go to the File Manager section.
3. Open the path /data/media/0/MIUI/backup/.
4. Copy the desired file to an external memory card or connected USB-accumulator.

⚠️ Note: Extracting backups through TWRP On devices with a locked bootloader will result in a data reset! Unlock the bootloader in advance, following the official instructions of Xiaomi.

How to recover data from local backup

Finding a backup file is half the battle. Now you have to restore it correctly. Xiaomi has two official ways:

Method 1: Using the standard MIUI menu

This method works if the backup was created through Settings → About Phone → Backup:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup.
2. Click Restore and select the file you want from the list (if not, see the manual add section).
3. Confirm the recovery and wait for the process to be completed (the phone will restart).

If your backup doesn’t appear on the list, try:

• 📂 Move the file to the folder /MIUI/backup/AllBackup/ (If it was copied to a PC).
• 🔄 Rename the file by template backup_MGYMD BCMS.mbk (e.g, backup_20260515_143000.mbk).
• 🔑 Make sure the backup was created on the same device or model with the same version MIUI.

Method 2: Via Mi PC Suite (for Windows)

The official Mi PC Suite utility allows you to recover backups even if the phone does not turn on (provided that it is determined by the PC in Fastboot mode):

1. Download and install Mi PC Suite from the official website.
2. Connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (press Power + Volume down when the device is off).
3. In the program, select System Restore → Local Backup and specify the path to the.mbk file.

Frequent mistakes when working with Xiaomi backups

Even experienced users have trouble finding or recovering backups, and here are the most common mistakes and solutions:

Critical information: Xiaomi backups created on devices with a Mi Account link cannot be restored on another phone, even if the model is identical, due to File-Based Encryption (FBE), which is tied to a unique device key.

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If you plan to sell or drop your phone, be sure to check that the backup is successfully restored on another device (like a friend with the same model).In 30% of cases, users find that the backup is useless, only after a reset!

Alternative methods of backup

If standard MIUI backup doesn’t suit you (for example, due to hidden folders or limitations), consider alternative methods:

• 🌐 Google Drive: Automatic backup of contacts, photos and some settings. Included in Settings → Accounts. → Google → Synchronization.
• 📱 Titanium Backup (Root): Allows you to create full backups of applications and their data, but requires superuser rights.
• 💻 Swift Backup: A modern Titanium Backup alternative MIUI and the ability to encrypt backups.
• 🔧 TWRP + Nandroid: Full system image (including: /data and /system), but requires an unlocked bootloader.
• ☁️ Xiaomi’s 5GB cloud storage is free, but it doesn’t work in all regions.

Each of these methods has pros and cons: Google Drive, for example, does not save SMS and call logs, and TWRP is not suitable for devices with a locked bootloader.

Example of schema: 1. Standard MIUI backup (for system settings). 2. Swift Backup (for applications and their data). 3. Google Photos (for media files). 4. Export SMS via SMS Backup & Restore.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions