Backup on Xiaomi Mi A2 Lite: 5 Ways to Save Data Before Resetting or Firmware

Smartphone Xiaomi Mi A2 Lite (codenamed daisy) is still popular with users due to its balance of price, performance and custom firmware support, but its key feature – and weak point – is the limited amount of internal memory (16/32 Data loss is more painful here than on flagships with 256 And system updates, factory resets, or firmware experiments without backup often end in tears.

In this article, we will analyze all the current ways of backup for Mi A2 Lite, including official tools MIUI And Android One, cloud services, and advanced methods for users with unlocked bootloaders, and we'll focus on the nuances of the model: why standard backup through Settings. → The system doesn’t always work, how to bypass memory limitations, and what to do if the phone doesn’t turn on after a failed firmware.

Let's warn you right away. A2 Lite is a hybrid firmware device (originally Android One, later translated to Android). MIUI The availability of certain backup functions depends on the software version. For example, Android One does not have built-in backup of Xiaomi Cloud, but there is integration with Google Drive. → The phone. → Version. MIUI/Android.

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

Before you start backup, follow three mandatory steps:

✅ Estimate the amount of data. A2 Lite with 16 GB of free space memory often remains less than 5 GB MIUI Google can take up to 3 to 8 GB (depending on the number of apps and media files), and if there is not enough memory, you will have to use an external drive or cloud.

✅ Check the firmware version. on Android One (versions before) MIUI 10) some backup functions are missing, for example, backup SMS The Google Calls log only works on MIUI 11+. Clarify your version in Settings → The phone.

✅ Connect to a stable network. Cloud backups (like Google Drive) require high-speed Internet. 3G Or an overloaded Wi-Fi process may be interrupted, leaving you with an incomplete copy.

⚠️ Warning: If you plan to reset your phone to a factory setting, make sure the backup is complete before the procedure begins. After a reset, it will be impossible to restore data without a backup copy – even specialized programs like Dr.Fone or Tenorshare UltData do not guarantee 100% results.

For convenience, we have compiled a checklist of preparation:

Charge your phone at least 50 times%|Release 5+ GB memory|Connect to Wi-Fi|Write it down. IMEI (in case of recovery after firmware)|Disable antivirus (can block backup)-->

2. Method 1: Backup through MIUI (base-fix MIUI)

If you don't. A2 Lite works on the MIUI 10 or later, use the built-in backup tool:

• 📱 Contacts, SMS call-book
• 📁 System settings (Wi-Fi, wallpaper, brightness, etc.)
• 🎵 Multimedia (photo, video, music - by choice)
• 📦 Installed applications (without data!

How to make a backup:

1. Open Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset.
2. Press Local Backup.
3. Select the data to save (we recommend that you note all items except the "Application" - they take up a lot of space and are restored without data).
4. Click Create a backup and wait until it is completed.

The backup file will appear in the folder MIUI/backup/AllBackup Important: this file has the.mbk extension and cannot be read on other devices without it. MIUI. You will need the same Mi to recover. A2 Lite with the same firmware version.

⚠️ Note: If you plan to flash your phone to custom firmware (like LineageOS), backup through MIUI It's going to be useless. TWRP (Method 4) or cloud services (Mode 3).

Advantages of the method:

• ✔️ Quickly and without additional programs.
• ✔️ Stores system settings (such as Wi-Fi passwords).

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Does not store application data (e.g. game progress).
• ❌ The backup file takes up a lot of space and is not transferred to other devices.

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If the backup is interrupted due to lack of memory, transfer some files (photos, videos) to the SD-A computer or card and then repeat the procedure.

3. Method 2: Backup via Google Account (for Android One and Google Account) MIUI)

This method is universal and works on any version of your Mi software. A2 Lite. Google automatically saves:

• 📇 Contacts (synchronized with Google Contacts)
• 📅 Calendar and tasks
• 📱 Device settings (wallpaper, languages, Wi-Fi passwords)
• 📲 List of installed applications (without data!)

How to enable backup in Google:

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

How to recover data:

1. When you first set up your phone after resetting, select Restore Data.
2. Log in to the same Google account from which the backup was made.
3. Select the last backup copy.

Limitations of the method:

• 🚫 It's not: SMS, call log, photos, music, application data.
• 📉 The volume of free storage in Google Drive is 15 GB (total for mail, photos and backups).

For a full backup, we recommend combining this method with others (for example, save a photo in Google Photos, and SMS — through specialized applications).

Method 3: Backup SMS, Calls and applications using third-party utilities

If you need to save application data (for example, game progress, messaging settings) or SMS/call log, standard tools MIUI Google won't do it. It's a specialty program:

📌 For SMS call:

• 📱 SMS Backup & Restore – saves.xml messages to a memory card or cloud.
• 📞 Call Logs Backup & Restore – similar to call magazine.

📌 For applications and their data:

• 🛠️ Titanium Backup (requires root) – Stores all application data, including settings and cache.
• 🔄 Swift Backup (alternative to Titanium with a simpler interface).

Instructions for SMS Backup & Restore:

For Titanium Backup (with root only):

1. Install the application and provide root access.
2. In the main menu, select Backup/Restore.
3. Tick the desired applications and click Save button (floppy disk icon).
4. Backup files will appear in the TitaniumBackup folder on internal memory.

⚠️ Note: When using Titanium Backup on Mi A2 Unlocked bootloader Lite: Some system applications may not recover correctly. TWRP (if you use custom Recovery).

🔹 Comparison of backup programs:

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

If you plan to install custom firmware or experiment with system files, the only reliable way is to backup through the system. TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project: This method keeps a full copy of all parts of the phone, including:

• 📱 Boot (core and loader)
• 🗃️ System (firmware)
• 📄 Data (applications and user data)
• 🔧 EFS (IMEI Network settings – critical to restoring communication!)

Requirements:

• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (unlocked bootloader).
• 🛠️ Established custom recaveri TWRP.
• 💾 Memory card or OTG-drive (backup takes 8-15 GB).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off your phone 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 location for saving (recommended by MicroSD or OTG).
5. Swipe to start the backup and wait for the completion (it will take 10–30 minutes).

How to recover backup from TWRP:

1. Enter in. TWRP and select Restore.
2. Specify the folder with the backup and select the desired sections.
3. Swipe for recovery.

⚠️ Attention: Restoration of section EFS on Mi A2 Lite can lead to loss IMEI, If the backup is made on another version of the firmware. IMEI After recovery, type *#06#. IMEI Missing, use the tool QCN Rebuilder or contact the service center.

🔹 Where to download TWRP for Mi A2 Lite (daisy):

The official version can be found on twrp.me. Use the command to install:

fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.7.0_9-0-daisy.img

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Backup through TWRP — The only way to bring the phone back to life is to have a "brick" without it, and only in a boxing service center can you recover it (JTAG).

6. Method 5: Manual backup of important files to your computer

If you don't need a full copy of the system, but only personal files (photos, videos, documents), the easiest way to copy them to a PC is to:

• 🔌 ADB (If the phone is not defined as a storage device).

How to copy files through USB:

If the phone is not defined as a storage device:

Use it. ADB (Requires the debugging on-line USB In Settings → For developers):

adb pull /sdcard/DCIM/ C:\Backup\MiA2Lite\Photos

This team will copy all the photos from the folder. DCIM in the specified directory on the PC.

🔹 What folders are worth saving:

⚠️ Beware of copying system folders like this Android/obb or system – they take up a lot of space and are useless without a full backup through TWRP.

7. Data recovery after resetting or firmware

If you have already done a backup but don’t know how to return data to your phone, follow these steps:

🔄 For backup through MIUI:

1. After resetting the phone, go through the initial setup.
2. In the Settings section → Additionally. → Backup and Reset Select Restore from Local Copy.
3. Enter the.mbk file and wait until it is completed.

🔄 For backup via Google:

1. When you first turn on after reset, select Copy Data.
2. Log in to the Google account from which the backup was made.
3. Select the latest backup and confirm the recovery.

🔄 For backup through TWRP:

1. Load to TWRP (Loudness Up + Nutrition).
2. Select Restore and specify the folder with backup.
3. Mark the desired sections and swipe for recovery.

🔄 For hand backup (photo, video):

Just copy the files back to your phone through USB cloud.

⚠️ Note: If after recovery, TWRP The phone is getting stuck on the Xiaomi logo or rebooting in a loop, so the firmware version in the backup doesn't match the current one. TWRP And make a Wipe. → Advanced Wipe (mark Dalvik, Cache, Data) Restore the backup, but without the System partition. If it doesn't work, run your phone with clean firmware through Fastboot.

8. Frequent errors and their solutions

🔴 Problem: Backup through MIUI It is interrupted with the error "Insufficient memory".

🔹 Decision:

• Free up space by deleting unnecessary files or transferring them to a memory card.
• Use a cloud backup (Google Drive or Mi Cloud).
• Break the backup into pieces (for example, save contacts first, then multimedia).

🔴 Problem: After recovery through TWRP no net (missing) IMEI).

🔹 Decision:

• Restore the section EFS separately (if he was in the backup).
• Use the tool. QCN Rebuilder or Maui META repair IMEI.
• Contact the service center if you are not sure about your actions.

🔴 Problem: Google is not restoring SMS call-book.

🔹 Decision:

Google does not retain Google SMS And call in the standard backup. Use specialized applications (SMS Backup & Restore or Titanium Backup (with root).

🔴 Problem: Phone does not turn on after a failed firmware.

🔹 Decision:

• Try to log in to Fastboot Mode (Loudness Down) + Power) and flash the original firmware through the Mi Flash Tool.
• If not, contact the service - you may need to flash through EDL Mode (requires an authorized Xiaomi account).

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If after restoring the backup applications constantly fly out, clear their cache in Settings → Annexes → [Title of the annex] → Warehouse → Clear the cache.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions