Backup on Xiaomi Redmi 4X: Complete instructions for data retention in 2026

Xiaomi Redmi 4X (The codename santoni is still a popular budget smartphone, but owners often face the need to make a backup before resetting to factory settings, firmware or battery replacement. 4X Does not support automated cloud backups MI Cloud on new versions MIUI, And standard Android tools are limited. This article will help you keep your contacts, SMS, Photos, applications and system settings without loss.

We will look at all the current ways of backup for Redmi 4X into 2026 year: from built-in functions MIUI before hand copying through ADB and custom recovery TWRP. We will pay special attention to the nuances associated with the outdated version of Android 6.0/7.1 and memory limitations on 16/32 GB: If you plan to flash your smartphone, sell it, or just secure your data, this is the guide for you.

1. Backup preparation: What you need to know before you start

Before you start backup on Redmi 4X, Check out a few key points:

• 🔋 The battery must be at least 50% charged. TWRP or ADB It can take up to 30 minutes, and discharge during the operation will lead to failure.
• 📱 Free space: for a full backup through MIUI need 3-5 GB on internal memory or SD-Check the available space in Settings → Memory.
• 🔑 Is the bootloader unlocked? If you plan to use it TWRP, Make sure the bootloader is unlocked (otherwise recovery won’t start).
• 🔗 USB-Debugging: for backup via PC, enable it in Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Press 7 times, then Settings → Additionally. → For developers.

On the Redmi. 4X firmware MIUI 9 and below the built-in backup via Settings → Additionally. → Backup only saves data to a local folder /MIUI/backup/AllBackup It doesn't support the cloud, which means that when you reset your smartphone, the backup file will be deleted unless you copy it to your PC or SD-map.

⚠️ Attention: If your Redmi is 4X It works on Android 6.0 (MIUI 8), backup through Google Account will not save SMS and call logs – these data will have to be exported separately (see Section 3).

Method 2: Local backup through built-in function MIUI

The easiest method is to use a standard backup tool in MIUI. It's suitable for conservation:

• 📞 Contacts (if linked to a Google Account or SIM-map)
• 📸 Photos and videos (from the gallery only) MIUI Gallery)
• ⚙️ System settings (Wi-Fi, wallpaper, sound)
• 💬 Communications (only) SMS, messengerless)
• 📥 Installed applications (without data)

How to make a backup:

1. Open Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset → Local Backup.
2. Click Create a backup and select the data to save (we recommend to note all points).
3. The location of the storage: internal memory or SD-map (if installed).
4. Confirm the action and wait until the completion (may take a while) 5-15 minute).

The finished backup will be in the folder. /MIUI/backup/AllBackup in.mbk format to recover data after resetting:

1. Copy the.mbk file back to the same folder on your smartphone.
2. In the backup menu, select Restore and specify the desired file.

⚠️ Attention: Backup recovery MIUI You can only use the same firmware version if you upgraded Redmi. 4X more recent MIUI, The.mbk file may not open.

3. Method 2: Export of contacts, SMS and call logs

Built-in backup MIUI It is not always reliable. SMS And call logs, especially on older versions of Android. For reliability, export them separately:

Contacts

If your contacts are synced to your Google Account, they will be restored automatically after you sign in, to save them locally:

1. Open the Contacts app.
2. Press. ⋮ → Contact management → Imports/Exports → Export to device.
3. Select the.vcf format and save the file to a convenient location (for example, on the file). SD-map).

3.2. SMS call-book

For export SMS and magazines use a third-party application SMS Backup & Restore (available on Google Play):

1. Install and open the application.
2. Press Backup and select SMS and Call Logs.
3. Please indicate the place of conservation (recommended) SD-map or Google Drive).
4. Once completed, copy the.xml file to your PC.

For recovery:

1. Transfer the.xml file back to your smartphone.
2. In the app, select Restore and confirm the action.

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If you don't. SD-Maps, connect Redmi. 4X PC-only USB file transfer (MTP) And copy the backups manually to the computer.

4. Method 3: Complete backup through TWRP (for advanced users)

If you're on your Redmi. 4X established custom recovery TWRP, You can create a complete image of the system, including:

• 📱 Boot and Recovery (Boot Partitions)
• 🗃️ System and Data (firmware and user data)
• 🔧 EFS (IMEI and network settings)

This is the most reliable method, but requires an unlocked bootloader and installed TWRP. Instructions:

1. Turn off your smartphone and press Volume Up + Power to enter TWRP.
2. In the main menu, select Backup.
3. Check the boxes: Boot, System, Data, EFS.
4. Select a place of preservation (recommended) SD-map).
5. Swipe to start the backup and wait for the completion (10-20 minute).

Backup files will be saved in the folder /TWRP/BACKUPS/{serial number} in.win and.tar format:

1. Enter TWRP.
2. Select Restore and specify the folder with backup.
3. Mark the desired sections and swipe for confirmation.

⚠️ Attention: Backup through TWRP It's not compatible between different versions of firmware. MIUI 9, and you restore it to MIUI 10, possible errors or system freezes.

5. Method 4: Backup via PC ADB

If you do not want to install TWRP, But you need a reliable backup, use it. ADB (Android Debug Bridge: This method is used to save:

• 📱 All user data (/data)
• 📁 Installed applications and their settings
• 🔧 System settings (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc.)

Instructions for Windows:

1. Download and install ADB Tools.
2. Get Redmi on board. 4X PC and allow. USB-debugging.
3. Open the command line (Win + R → cmd) and type:

adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f C:\backup_redmi4x.ab

Where:

• -apk — retains installed applications;
• -obb – includes additional application data
• -shared — data-driven SD-map;
• -all — backup;
• -f C:\backup_redmi4x.ab — backup file path and name.

A confirmation request will appear on your smartphone — enter your password (if any) and click Create Backup. The process can take up to 30 minutes.

To restore, use the command:

adb restore C:\backup_redmi4x.ab

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Backup through ADB does not store data from certain system applications (for example, MIUI Gallery or Security: use separate methods for these (see section 2).

6. Method 5: Cloud Backup via Google Account

Thought Redmi 4X running on an outdated version of Android, Google Account can still sync some of the data:

• 📞 Contacts;
• 📅 Calendar;
• 📎 Notes (if you use Google Keep);
• 📸 Photos (via Google Photos with manual uploading).

How to turn on synchronization:

1. Open Settings → Accounts → Google.
2. Select your account and tick the data for synchronization.
3. Press. ⋮ → Synchronize now.

For photos:

1. Install Google Photos from the Play Market.
2. Open the app and enable Backup and Sync.
3. Choose quality (Original or High) and wait for the download.

⚠️ Attention: On Redmi 4X Android 6.0 Google Photos may not support automatic download over mobile network. Use Wi-Fi or upload photos manually.

7.How to recover data after a reset or firmware

After resetting to factory settings or installing a new firmware, restore the data in the following order:

1. Contacts and accounts: Log in to Google Account and wait for sync.
2. SMS and call log: Use SMS Backup & Restore (see section 3).
3. Photos: Copy the folder DCIM From PC or restore via Google Photos.
4. Applications and settings: For backup MIUI: Transfer the.mbk file to /MIUI/backup/AllBackup and restore through the settings → Backup backup. TWRP: log in to recovery and select Restore. ADB: Connect to your PC and execute the adb restore command.

If after recovery some applications do not work:

• 🔄 Reinstall them from the Play Market;
• 🔧 Clear the cache in Settings → Annexes;
• 📱 Reboot your smartphone.

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If after the recovery of the backup MIUI Smartphone began to slow down, reset the settings of applications: Settings → Additionally. → Resetting application settings.

8. Frequent errors and their solutions

When creating or restoring a backup on Redmi 4X Users often face the following problems:

If none of these methods worked, try:

• 🔧 Reflash your smartphone with full cleaning (fastboot) -w);
• 📱 Use alternative backup applications (e.g. Titanium Backup for rooted devices);
• 💻 Contact a service center if the problem is iron related (for example, damaged memory).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions