How to make an archive on Xiaomi: a complete backup guide

Creating an archive on Xiaomi devices is not just a recommendation, but a necessity for those who value their data. Losing contacts, photos or important documents due to resetting settings, phone theft or hardware failure can turn into serious problems, MIUI It offers a few built-in backup tools, and it also supports third-party solutions. But how do you choose the best way? And why standard cloud backup through Mi Account doesn't always work?

In this article, we will discuss all available archiving methods, from basic to advanced, including hidden functions. ADB and work TWRP. You'll learn how to save not only media files, but also system settings, application data, even call history, and what mistakes users often make when creating backups and how to avoid them. If you have ever lost data due to incorrect updates or “bricking” of your smartphone, this guide will help prevent the situation from recurring.

Standard instruments MIUI backup

The manufacturer has put several ways to create archives into Xiaomi's firmware, and most of them do not require root rights or special knowledge. → The phone. → Backup and reset. Three key features are available here:

• 📱 Local backup – saving data to the device itself or a memory card, suitable for a quick backup before resetting.
• ☁️ Cloud reservation via Mi Cloud syncs contacts, notes, photos and some settings.
• 🔄 Recovery from backup – allows data to be returned after a reset or on a new device.

The easiest way is to have a local backup.

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Local Backup.
2. Click Create a backup and select data categories (contacts, messages, call logs, etc.).
3. Specify the location of the storage: internal memory or microSD (if supported).
4. Wait until the process is complete (it can take 5 to 30 minutes depending on the amount of data).

Important: Local backup does not include installed applications and their data (except for some system ones).

2. Cloud reservation via Mi Cloud: pros and cons

Mi Cloud is Xiaomi's proprietary cloud storage that automatically syncs some of the data between devices, and it's activated by default, but many users don't even know it's possible. To check or configure the cloud backup:

1. Open your Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Sign in if you haven't already done so.
3. Turn on the switches opposite the categories you want to save (contacts, photos, notes, etc.).
4. To manually start the reservation, click Sync.

Advantages of Mi Cloud:

• 🔄 Automatic synchronization without user involvement.
• 🌍 Access data from any device via a web interface.
• 📦 Free 5GB of storage (can be expanded for a fee).

However, there are serious limitations:

⚠️ Note: Mi Cloud does not store data from most third-party applications (such as WhatsApp, Telegram or games) and is not stored in the cloud. SMS/MMS, If they're not transferred to Mi Messages, this method is not suitable for a full backup.

Another nuance: when you change your account region (for example, from Russia to Global), access to cloud data can be temporarily blocked, and to avoid losses, it is recommended to periodically create local copies.

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If you use two Xiaomi accounts (for example, personal and work), make sure that the backups are tied to the correct profile.

3. Complete backup with the help of ADB (advanced)

If you need to save all the data, including application settings, system files and even game data, standard tools MIUI It's not enough. It's here that help comes. ADB (Android Debug Bridge – a debugging tool that allows you to create a full system snapshot.

Warning: This method requires the inclusion of Debugging by USB installation ADB-It may not work on some models with a locked bootloader.

⚠️ Attention: Full backup through ADB It takes up a lot of space (up to 10-20 GB) and may contain personal data. Keep the archive in a secure location and do not share it with third parties.

Instructions for creating a backup:

1. Enable USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times, then go back to Additional Settings → For Developers).
2. Connect your phone to your PC and confirm your trust in your computer.
3. Open the command line (or Terminal) macOS/Linux) and do: adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f C:\backup.ab Where C:\backup.ab — archive-proofing.
4. On the phone screen, a confirmation request will appear - set a password (optional) and click Create a backup.

To recover data from such an archive, use the command:

adb restore C:\backup.ab

Cons of the method:

• ⏳ Long-term creation/recovery time (up to several hours).
• 🔒 On some firmware MIUI Backup may be incomplete due to manufacturer restrictions.
• 🖥️ A computer and basic knowledge of working with ADB.

4. Backup through TWRP (for devices with unlocked loader)

If your Xiaomi has an unlocked bootloader and installed custom recavery TWRP, You can create a complete system image, including a partition. /data (This method is suitable for enthusiasts who often experiment with firmware.

The advantages of TWRP-backup:

• 🔧 Stores all partitions of the device (including boot, system, data).
• 🛠️ Allows you to recover even after "bricking" (if the loader is not damaged).
• 📦 Archives can be compressed and encrypted.

Instructions:

1. Boot in. TWRP (usually clamping power + Volume up when the phone is off).
2. Go to the Backup section.
3. Select the sections to reserve (it is recommended to note everything except cache and android_secure).
4. Specify the location of the storage (internal memory or microSD).
5. Swipe to start the process.

Important: backup through TWRP It takes up a lot of space (from 5 to 30 GB depending on the model), and remember to update your archives after significant changes in the system (firmware updates, new applications installation, etc.).

5. backup of application data (WhatsApp, Telegram, games)

Standard instruments MIUI They do not store data from most third-party applications, such as WhatsApp’s correspondence history or game progress, which may be lost when reset. To avoid this, use built-in app features or specialized utilities.

For WhatsApp:

1. Open WhatsApp. → ⋮ → Settings → chat → Backup copy.
2. Click Create a copy (the data will be saved to Google Drive or locally).
3. To restore, install WhatsApp again and log in with the same number.

For Telegram:

• ☁️ Cloud sync enabled by default – your messages and media are stored on Telegram servers.
• 📁 For local backup, use bots like @BackupBot.

For games and other applications:

• 🎮 Use Google Play Games (automatic progress synchronization for supported games).
• 📲 Titanium Backup is suitable for root devices (saves data of any applications).
• 🖥️ You can use Helium on PC (requires a connection to the USB).

⚠️ Note: Some applications (e.g. banking) block work on devices with root or modified firmware. TWRP, After recovery, it may be necessary to reinstall such applications.

🔹 Create a local backup in MIUI

🔹 Check sync with Mi Cloud

🔹 Save the data WhatsApp/Telegram

🔹 Copy photos and videos on PC/cloud

🔹 Write down important passwords (if you don’t use a manager)

🔹 Make sure there are no locks on Xiaomi account-->

6. How to Automate Archive Creation

Manual backup creation is a tedious process, especially if done regularly. Fortunately, there are ways to automate backup on Xiaomi:

Task planner in the MIUI:

• 📅 Go to Settings. → The phone. → Backup and reset → Local backups → Settings.
• Enable Automatic Backup and select the frequency (daily, weekly).

Automation through Tasker (for advanced):

Tasker allows you to create complex automation scenarios, such as:

• Copy photos daily in Google Photos.
• Weekly backup SMS email.
• Automatic creation ADB-Backup when connecting to home Wi-Fi.

Third-party annexes:

• 📱 Swift Backup (for root devices) – creates backups of applications and data on a schedule.
• ☁️ FolderSync – synchronizes selected folders with cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.).

Example of Tasker Automatic Backup Task:

Profile: Daily backup


Condition: Time (23:00) + Connect to Wi-Fi "Home network"




Task:




1. Run shell command: adb backup -f /sdcard/backup_ $(date +%Y%m%d).ab -apk -obb -shared -all




2. Send notice: "Backup completed"




3. Upload the file to Google Drive via FolderSync

Automation is especially useful if you are frequently experimenting with firmware or installing beta versions. MIUI. In this case, regular backups will help you quickly roll back to the working version.

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Even if you use automatic backups, check their integrity periodically, for example, try to recover several files from the archive to make sure the process is working correctly.

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Many Xiaomi users have trouble recovering data from backup, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to prevent them:

1. "Backup is in place, but data is not being recovered":

• 🔹 Possible cause: The archive is damaged or created on another version MIUI.
• 🔹 Solution: Check the integrity of the file (e.g., through the ADB: adb restore --verify C:\backup.ab). If the archive is damaged, create a new one.

2. "Mi Cloud does not sync photos":

• 🔹 Possible reason: not enough space in the cloud or the option Sync photos is disabled.
• 🔹 Solution: Check the settings in Mi Cloud → Gallery and clear the place if necessary.

3. “After the restoration of TWRP phone doesn't load":

• 🔹 Possible reason: backup from another model or version was restored MIUI.
• 🔹 Solution: always create backups separately for each firmware. If the device doesn't boot, try to restore only the data partition, leaving the system and boot unchanged.

4. "ADB Does not create backup for some applications":

• 🔹 Possible reason: Apps use Android Backup Service or have copy protection.
• 🔹 Solution: For mission-critical applications (e.g. banking) use their built-in backup tools.

5. “No recovery has been made since discharge SMS":

• 🔹 Possible cause: in MIUI default SMS Not included in the cloud backup.
• 🔹 Solution: Export before dumping SMS manually through the Messages app (⋮ → Settings → Additionally. → Export of communications).

If you often encounter problems in recovery, keep a backup log: write down the date of creation, version MIUI And a list of stored data, which will help you quickly find a working copy in case of a failure.

8. Alternative methods of backup

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

1. Google Account:

• ☁️ Syncs contacts, calendar, some settings and app data (if the developer supports Android Backup Service).
• 🔧 Included in Settings → Accounts. → Google → Synchronization of the account.

2. Third-party cloud services:

• 📁 Google Photos – Automatic uploading of photos and videos.
• 📄 Dropbox/OneDrive — manual or automatic copying of files.
• 💬 Sync.com – Secure Storage for Confidential Data.

3. Local copying on PC:

• 🖥️ Put the phone on. USB file transfer (MTP) and manually copy important folders (DCIM, Downloads, Documents).
• 🔍 To access hidden folders (for example, WhatsApp/Databases) You may need a file manager with root rights.

Physical carriers:

• 💾 Use it. OTG-flash-drive.
• 📀 For long-term storage, external storage is suitable HDD or SSD.

The choice of method depends on your needs:

• 🔹 For a regular user, Mi Cloud is enough. + Google Photo.
• 🔹 For enthusiasts who often change firmware, it is better to combine TWRP and ADB.
• 🔹 For maximum reliability, use the rule. 3-2-1: 3 copies of the data, on 2 carrier, 1 house-house.

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Don’t store a single copy of the backup on your phone’s memory card, and if you steal or break your device, you’ll lose both the original data and the backup.

FAQ: Frequent questions about backup on Xiaomi