Backup on Xiaomi: Where to Look and How to Set Up the Right Way

Losing contacts, photos or important messages due to a setting reset or smartphone breakdown is every user's nightmare. Xiaomi smartphones (including the Redmi and POCO lines) offer several ways to back up, but finding these features is not always easy. Depending on the MIUI version and device model, menus may differ, and some options are hidden in non-obvious sections.

This article will help you understand where Xiaomi is backed up, how to use it, and what nuances are important to consider.We will look at the built-in MIUI tools, Xiaomi Cloud services, and alternative methods for reliable data storage.We will pay special attention to the differences between old and new firmware versions, which is critical for users who update devices with MIUI 12 to MIUI 14 or HyperOS.

1. Built-in backup in MIUI: where to look?

The most reliable way to save data is to use the built-in backup feature in MIUI, but its location has changed with the release of new firmware. Recent updates (starting with MIUI 13) have made the path more logical, but on older devices (such as the Redmi Note 8 or Mi 9T), it may be different.

To find backups on most modern Xiaomi smartphones, follow the following steps:

1. Open the Settings app (cog icon).
2. Scroll down and select the About Phone section.
3. Slip on the item Backup and reset (on some models - Backup and recovery).
4. Inside, you’ll see options like Local Backup and Cloud Backup.

On HyperOS devices (such as Xiaomi 14 or Redmi K70), the path may be different:

• 📱 Settings → Memory. → Backup
• ☁️ Settings → Accounts. → Xiaomi Cloud → Backup

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If you don't find the "Backup" section, try searching in the settings (the magnifier icon at the top). Enter the "Backup" request and the system will show a direct link.

Important: On some budget models (such as the Redmi A1 or POCO C50), the local backup function can be cut, leaving only cloud backup via Xiaomi Cloud.

2. Local backup: how does it work and where is it stored?

Local backup is making a copy of data directly on your phone or on a connected memory card, and its main advantage is that it doesn't depend on the Internet, and the minus takes up space in the memory of the device, and let's look at how to use it and where to look for the created files.

To make a local backup copy:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset.
2. Select Local Backup.
3. Click Create a backup and tick the data you want to save (contacts, messages, apps, etc.).
4. The location of the storage: internal memory or SD-card (if supported).
5. Confirm the action and wait until it is completed (may take 5-15 minutes).

Where is the backup stored?

• 📁 Internal memory: /MIUI/backup/AllBackup/
• 💾 SD-map: /MIUI/backup/AllBackup/ (if you chose a memory card)

Warning: Local backups are not encrypted by default. SD-You can have your data restored by anyone with access to the card. Use cloud backup with a password to protect sensitive information.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 14+ And HyperOS, local backups can be automatically deleted when memory is scarce, so to avoid this, transfer copies to your PC or cloud immediately after you create them.

3. Cloud backup via Xiaomi Cloud

Xiaomi Cloud is Xiaomi’s official cloud service that automatically syncs and saves data, with its main advantages: access from any device and password protection, but there are limitations — only 5 GB of memory is available for free.

To set up cloud backup:

1. Open Settings → Accounts → Xiaomi Cloud
2. Sign in to your Mi Account (if not authorized).
3. Select the backup of the device.
4. Activate the Automatic Backup Switch.
5. Select data for synchronization (contacts, notes, photos, etc.).

What can be saved in Xiaomi Cloud:

• 📞 Contacts and call log
• 💬 Communications (SMS and MMS)
• 📝 Notes and notes
• 📷 Photos and videos (optional)
• 🎮 Data from certain games (if supported)

Important: Xiaomi Cloud does not save installed applications (only their data if the application supports backup) and files from Download or DCIM folders are not synced unless you have manually enabled this option.

⚠️ Note: When changing devices (e.g., from Redmi Note 11 to Xiaomi) 13T) Data can only be recovered from the cloud within 30 days of the last sync, and then deleted from Xiaomi servers.

4.The difference between MIUI and HyperOS: where to look for a backup?

With the release of HyperOS (the new firmware for Xiaomi 14, Redmi K70, etc.), the backup interface has changed. If you are upgrading from the old version of MIUI, it is important to know where the usual settings went.

Comparison of backup location in MIUI and HyperOS:

HyperOS also has a new feature called Quick Backup, which allows you to create a compressed copy of your most important data (contacts, messages, system settings) in seconds, and you can find it in Settings → Memory → Quick Backup.

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On HyperOS, local backups take up 20-30% less space thanks to the new compression algorithm, but they can only be restored on devices with the same firmware version.

5. How to recover data from backup?

Backup is half the battle, and the key is to be able to recover data correctly, especially after resetting or buying a new smartphone, depending on the type of backup (local or cloud).

Recovery from local backup:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset (or a similar path for your version of MIUI).
2. Select Restore from backup.
3. Specify the backup file (if it is not in the standard folder, find it through the File Manager).
4. Select data for recovery and confirm the action.

Recovery from Xiaomi Cloud:

• 🔄 After resetting or on a new device, log in to your Mi Account.
• ☁️ In the Xiaomi Cloud section, select Recover Data.
• 📅 Please specify the date of the backup (if there are several of them).
• ✅ Tick the required data and click Restore.

Important: When you recover from the cloud, don't interrupt the process, which can lead to loss of some data. If you have slow Internet, use Wi-Fi.

⚠️ Note: When you restore from a backup to a new device, some data (such as lock screen settings or Wi-Fi passwords) may not be transferred due to hardware differences.

6. Alternative methods of backup

Xiaomi’s built-in tools don’t always cover all users’ needs, such as:

• 🎵 Music and playlists
• 📂 Files from user folders
• 🎮 Preservation of games (except supported ones)
• 🔐 Passwords from apps

In such cases, third-party solutions will help.

Top.-3 alternative:

1. Google Account: Syncs contacts, calendar, email and some settings. Set up in Settings → Accounts → Google → Sync.
2. Backup apps: Swift Backup (requires root) or Titanium Backup (for advanced users) allow you to save data applications.
3. Manual file copying: Connect your phone to your PC via USB and copy important folders (DCIM, Download, Documents) to your hard drive.

For POCO and Redmi owners with unlocked bootloaders, there is another option: backup via TWRP. This custom recovery allows you to create a complete image of the system, including all applications and settings. However, the method requires technical skills and can lead to a loss of warranty.

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Even experienced users sometimes have problems with backups, and let's look at common mistakes and how to fix them.

Problem 1: Backup is not created or interrupted

• 🔋 Check the battery charge (should be) >30%).
• 📶 Make sure there is enough free space (at least 1GB for local backup).
• 🛠️ Update. MIUI Up to the latest version - there are bugs in old firmware.

Problem 2: Data is not recovered from the cloud

• 🔄 Check your internet connection (better to use Wi-Fi).
• 🔑 Make sure you are logged in to the same Mi Account you were backing up from.
• ⏳ Wait – recovering a large amount of data can take hours.

Problem 3: Local backup damaged

• 🗃️ Do not edit backup files (.bak) manually.
• 💾 Transfer copies to the PC or cloud immediately after creation.
• 🔄 Try to create a new backup – it may have been a temporary mistake.

If none of these methods worked, try recovering data via Mi PC Suite (the official software from Xiaomi for controlling your phone from your computer).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions