How to make a backup on Xiaomi Android-smartphone: all the ways of 2026

Losing data on a smartphone is one of the most frustrating situations for any user. Holiday photos, important WhatsApp messages, customer contacts or saved passwords can disappear in an instant due to a system failure, device theft or a failed update. Xiaomi smartphones based on MIUI offer several built-in backup tools, but not all users know how to use them correctly - or even about their existence.

In this article, we will discuss 5 Proven ways to create a backup on Xiaomi, from standard features MIUI Advanced methods with the use of TWRP and ADB. You will learn how to save not only multimedia, but also system settings, application data (including games with progress) and even SMS/MMS. We will pay special attention to the nuances for models with HyperOS - a new firmware that has replaced the new model. MIUI 14 into 2026 year.

⚠️ Warning: Some methods (e.g. backup through TWRP) They require unlocking the bootloader, which resets all data on the device and cancels the Xiaomi warranty. If you are not ready for this, use cloud or built-in methods.

Why a standard backup through Google Account is not enough

Many users mistakenly believe that syncing with a Google Account completely protects their data, in fact, this method only stores some of the information:

• ✅ Contacts – sync automatically if the option is enabled in the settings.
• ✅ Calendar and notes – only if you use standard Google apps.
• ✅ Photo/Video – only if Google Photos are enabled (and there is space in the cloud).
• ❌ SMS/MMS — Google does not save default messages (third-party apps are needed).
• ❌ System settings – themes, wallpaper, sounds, network parameters are not reserved.
• ❌ Application data – progress in games, history of chats in Telegram/Viber, Xiaomi Home settings.

In addition, recovery from Google Accounts is often unstable, with users complaining of missing contacts, duplicates or sync errors, so it’s better to use a combined approach to reliability – combining cloud services with a local backup.

Method 1: Built-in backup in MIUI/HyperOS

This is the simplest method that does not require additional programs or root rights. the feature is available on all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones with MIUI 12+ or HyperOS firmware.

How to make a backup copy:

1. Open Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Local Backup.
2. Click Create a backup and select data to save: 📱 System data (wi-fi settings, wallpaper, sounds). 💬 Communications (SMS/MMS, But not messenger chats!). 📞 Call magazine. 📁 Applications (only their list, without data).

Internal memory.

SD-map

Start the process and wait until it is completed (it can take 5-15 minutes).

The backup file will have the.mbk extension and will be saved in the MIUI/backup/AllBackup folder, and can be copied to a PC or cloud for security.

How to recover data:

Go to the same menu and select Restore. The system will suggest selecting a.mbk file and specifying which data can be returned. Attention: when you restore some settings (such as Wi-Fi passwords) may not be applicable, you will need to enter them again.

⚠️ Important: In HyperOS (firmware) 2026 The path to the backup has changed: now the files are in the MIUI/backup/HyperOS. Also disappeared option to reserve installed applications – now only their list for re-downloading from the Play Market.

Make sure there is enough space on your phone (needs ~1-3 GB)

Connect charging (process drains battery)

Disable battery optimization for the "Backup" application

Remember the password from the Mi Account (required for recovery)-->

Method 2: Cloud backup via Mi Cloud

Mi Cloud

Xiaomi

5GB free of charge

Advantages of Mi Cloud:

• ☁️ Automatic synchronization of contacts, notes, photos and messages.
• 🔄 The ability to recover data on the new Xiaomi smartphone at the first turn on.
• 📲 Access files via i.mi.com web version.

How to set up:

1. Go to Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Enable synchronization for the desired categories: 📇 Contacts (required!). 📝 Notes (if you use a standard application). 📷 Gallery (photos and videos, but takes up a lot of space). 💬 Communications (SMS/MMS). 📱 Settings (wallpaper, sounds, network parameters).

Synchronize

Limitations:

• ❌ No data from third-party apps (e.g., Telegram chats or game progress) is stored).
• ❌ Photos are stored in compressed format (quality is deteriorating).
• ❌ If you change your account region (for example, from Russia to Global), access to the cloud may disappear.

⚠️ Note: If you are using HyperOS, check the Mi Cloud version in Settings → Telephone: in some regions (e.g, EEA) Cloud Backup Feature Could Be Shut Down Due to Data Protection Legislation.

Method 3: Backup via Google Drive (for these applications)

If you need to save app data (such as game progress or Xiaomi Home settings), use the built-in backup feature in Google Drive.This method works on all smartphones with Google Mobile Services (including Xiaomi for the global market).

How to turn on:

1. Open Settings → Google → Backup.
2. Activate the Backup Switch in Google Drive.
3. Click Create a backup copy now.

What persists:

• 📱 Application data (if the developer supports backup).
• 📞 Call magazine.
• 📱 Device settings (Wi-Fi, wallpaper, brightness).
• 📁 List of installed applications (but not APK-file).

What is NOT saved:

• ❌ Photo/video (you need Google Photos for this).
• ❌ Communications SMS/MMS (Only if you use Google Messages).
• ❌ Files on internal memory (music, documents).

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi smartphones for the Chinese market (without the GMS) Instead of Google Drive, use Mi Cloud or third-party solutions like Swift Backup.

💡

Before resetting your phone to factory settings, check the date of the last backup on Google Drive. If it is older than 2-3 days, run backup manually - automatic updates sometimes fail.

Method 4: Full backup via TWRP (for advanced users)

TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project)

picture

- All the data applications.

- MIUI/HyperOS settings.

- Core and firmware.

- Internal memory data (optional).

This method is suitable if you:

• 🔧 You plan to stitch custom firmware (for example, LineageOS).
• 🛠️ Want to make a backup before unlocking the bootloader.
• 📦 All data must be saved without exception.

Step-by-step:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi tool. This will delete all data from the phone!
2. Install TWRP for your model (download the image from twrp.me).
3. Boot to TWRP (on the phone turned off, press Power + Volume up).
4. Go to Backup and select the sections to reserve: 📁 System (firmware). 📁 Data (applications and settings). 📁 Boot (core). 📁 EFS (IMEI and serial numbers - necessarily!).

Swipe to Backup

TWRP

Recovery: Load to TWRP, select Restore, and specify the backup folder.

⚠️ Note: If you restore the Data backup to another version MIUI/HyperOS, The phone might get stuck on bootloop, and you'd have to reset the data via Wipe. → Format Data.

💡

Backup via TWRP is the only way to save all the data without exceptions, including IMEI and NFC module settings. However, it requires unlocking the bootloader, which resets the phone and voids the warranty.

Method 5: Manual backup on PC via ADB

If you don't want to unlock the bootloader but need a robust backup, use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a method that allows you to copy data from phone to computer without root permission.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS.
• 📱 Included Debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times to activate the developer mode, then additionally → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 USB-TypeC Cable (preferably original).
• 🛠️ Utility. ADB (download from the official website).

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and confirm your trust in the computer on your smartphone screen.
2. Open the command prompt (cmd) in the folder with ADB.
3. Follow the command to create a backup: adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f C:\backup_xiaomi.ab -apk — retain APK-file. -obb — includes additional game data. -shared — file-back SD-map. -all — all applications and settings.

Create a backup copy

.ab

How to restore:

Use the command:

adb restore C:\backup_xiaomi.ab

Limitations:

• ❌ Not all apps support backup through ADB (For example, WhatsApp or Banking applications).
• ❌.ab file is not encrypted – keep it in a safe place.
• ❌ On HyperOS, some system settings may not recover.

adb pull /sdcard/ C:\Xiaomi_Backup\

This will copy all files from internal memory on the PC (except application data).-->

Additional backup tips

1.Preserving chats of messengers

Standard methods do not reserve data from WhatsApp, Telegram or Viber. For each messenger there is a different way:

• 💬 WhatsApp: Settings → chat → Backup (saves to Google Drive).
• 📌 Telegram: Enable Settings → Data and memory → Auto-preservation media + Export Chats through History Export.
• 💰 Viber: Settings → Account. → Backup (saves to Google Drive or iCloud).

2. Photo and video backup

• ☁️ Google Photos: Auto download in original quality (if available).
• 📁 Local Copy: Connect your phone to your PC and copy the folder DCIM.
• 🔒 Encryption: Use Cryptomator or VeraCrypt to protect your backup.

3. Backup automation

To remember to back up, set up automatic execution:

• 🤖 Tasker: Create a task for weekly backup through ADB termux.
• ☁️ Mi Cloud: Enable autosynchronization in account settings.
• 📅 Google Drive: Set up automatic backup in Settings → Google → Backup.

FAQ: Frequent questions about backup on Xiaomi