Backup on Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus: A Complete Backup Guide

Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus (codenamed vinci) is still a popular budget smartphone, but owners often face the problem of data loss when resetting settings, updating firmware or breaking a device. According to service center statistics, 68% of users lose important files precisely because of the lack of an up-to-date backup. This article will help to avoid this situation: we will analyze all working ways of backing up for Redmi 5 Plus, including hidden MIUI functions, cloud services and PC connection.

The Redmi 5 Plus features limited internal storage (32/64GB) and no memory card slot in some versions, which makes the backup issue even more critical: when the storage is overflowed, the system can automatically delete old files, including backups. In this guide, you will find not only standard methods, but also unique solutions for circumventing the limitations of MIUI 9/10, which are relevant for this model.

Why the Redmi 5 Plus Backup Is Important: 3 Critical Situations

Many users put off backup until the last moment, without realizing the risks, and here are the real-life scenarios where the backup will save your data:

• 🔄 Update of the firmware: When switching from MIUI 9 MIUI 10 or custom firmware (like LineageOS) has the risk of a device breeze. Without a backup, it will be impossible to recover data.
• 📱 Theft or loss of a phone: According to the Interior Ministry, more than 1.2 million smartphones were stolen in Russia in 2023. the device is returned only in 15% of cases, but data from the cloud is recovered in 98%.
• 🔧 Hardware glitch: Redmi 5 Plus is known for a memory controller problem (E:Can't mount error) /data), This results in the total loss of user files.

It's important to understand that even if you've never dropped your phone or installed custom firmware, there's always a risk of data loss, for example, if a com.android.providers.contacts app crashes, all contacts can disappear, and without a backup, it can take hours to recover them.

Method 1: Local backup via MIUI (without PC and Internet)

The easiest method is to use the built-in MIUI backup feature, which is available even on Redmi 5 Plus stock firmware and allows you to save:

• 📞 Contacts and call log
• 💬 Communications (SMS/MMS)
• ⚙️ System and application settings
• 📁 Selected files from internal memory

Limitation: This method does not save installed applications (.apk files), data of certain games (for example, progress in the game). PUBG Mobile) and files from folders DCIM/Camera, if they weigh more 2 GB: To get a full backup, you'll have to combine this with other methods.

Open Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset

Click Local Backups

Select items to save (we recommend marking all ticks)

Click Create Backup and wait until it is completed (may take 5-15 minutes)

Check the backup file in the MIUI/backup/AllBackup folder

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The backup file will have a.bak extension and will take anywhere from 500MB to 2GB depending on the amount of data, and you can copy it to a PC or a memory card for added security. Importantly, don't rename the file or change its structure, otherwise you can't recover the data.

⚠️ Note: If you use the Redmi 5 Plus with an unlocked bootloader, the local backup may not recover after firmware is installed on the custom recavator (for example, TWRP). Use method 4 (backup through the ADB).

Method 2: Cloud backup via Mi Account (with synchronization)

Cloud backup from Xiaomi allows you to automatically save data on the company’s servers and restore them on any device with MIUI.

• ☁️ Access to data from any device
• 🔄 Automatic synchronization (can be set to schedule)
• 📱 Restore to a new smartphone when replacing the Redmi 5 Plus

Disadvantages: limited free cloud storage (5GB), no backup of some system settings, and no selective recovery of individual files (only a full backup).

To turn on the cloud backup:

1. Go to Settings. → Mi Account and log in.
2. Select Mi Cloud → Backup of the device.
3. Activate the Automatic Backup Switch.
4. Click Start Backup and wait until it is completed.

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If you don’t have enough space in the Mi Cloud, remove old backups of other devices or buy additional storage (from 100GB for 99).₽/month).

Method 3: Backup through Google Account (for contacts and apps)

If you use Google services (Gmail, Google Photos, Play Store), this method will save:

• 📇 Contacts (synchronization with Google Contacts)
• 📅 Calendar and tasks
• 📱 List of installed applications (but not their data!)
• 🖼️ Photos and videos (via Google Photos with compression)

The advantage over the Mi Cloud is free storage of 15 GB (versus 5 GB for Xiaomi) and a more reliable recovery system, but Google does not save SMS, call log and MIUI settings — you will have to use other methods to do this.

How to set up:

1. Open Settings → Accounts → Google.
2. Select your account and click on account sync.
3. Activate synchronization for Contacts, Calendar, Disk and other necessary services.
4. For backup photos, install the Google Photos app and enable Backup and Sync.

⚠️ Note: If you use Redmi 5 Plus with custom firmware (like Pixel Experience), sync with Google may not work smoothly. → Annexes.

Method 4: Complete backup via TWRP or ADB (for advanced)

If you need to save all the firmware, including system files, data apps and settings, you will need a custom TWRP recap or ADB tool.

• 🛠️ Custom firmware installations
• 🔧 Recovery from the "brick"
• 📦 Transfer data to another Redmi 5 Plus

For backup via TWRP:

1. Install TWRP for vinci (instruction: XDA Developers).
2. Load into the recavery (hold the power + volume up).
3. Select Backup → Select Storage (recommended Micro SD Card).
4. Tap the Boot, System, Data sections and click Swipe to Backup.

For backup via ADB (no root):

adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f C:\redmi5plus_backup.ab

This team will keep all applications (-apk), data (-obb), file SD-map (-shared) and settings (-all) file redmi5plus_backup.ab on your PC.

Method 5: Manual backup of important files on PC

If you don't need a full backup, but only a photo, video, document, and music, you can copy them manually to your computer, which is the most reliable method, because it doesn't depend on cloud services or system failures.

How to copy files:

1. Connect Redmi 5 Plus to PC via USB-cable (use the original cable for a stable connection).
2. On your phone, select File Transfer (MTP) mode in the connection notification.
3. On PC, open the folder This computer → [Name of your phone].
4. Copy important folders: DCIM — Download photos and videos - uploaded Documents files - documents WhatsApp/Media — messenger media

To speed up the process, use programs like Xiaomi PC Suite or AirDroid (wireless transfer). If the phone is not detected on a PC, install the Mi PC Suite drivers from the official Xiaomi website.

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A manual backup on a PC is the only way to save files in their original quality without compression (important for photographers and videographers).

Frequent Backup Mistakes on Redmi 5 Plus and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced users have trouble creating backups. TOP-5 mistakes and their solutions:

If you see an error that failed to back up MIUI, check:

• 📶 Internet connection stability (for cloud backup)
• 🔋 Battery level (should be) >20%)
• 📁 Free space on the device (minimum 1 GB)

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Backup Questions on Redmi 5 Plus