How to make a backup on Xiaomi Redmi Note 4: the complete guide

Owning a Xiaomi smartphone involves regular interaction with a huge amount of data, the loss of which can be a serious blow. the Redmi Note 4 device, despite its age, is still popular, and the issue of security on it is more relevant than ever.

Many users only remember to backup when the gadget suddenly stops turning on or requires a complete factory reset, at which point it becomes obvious that photos, correspondence and contacts can be lost forever. To avoid stressful situations, it is important to master the process of archiving data in advance.

In this article, we will take a look at all the ways you can save information on Redmi Note 4. You will learn how to use built-in MIUI tools, cloud services and third-party programs for PC. For Redmi Note 4 with an unlocked bootloader, a full backup of the Data partition via TWRP is available, which is impossible to do with standard tools without root rights.

Preparation of the device for the backup procedure

Before any data retention operations are started, you need to make sure that the smartphone is in good condition. Basic training includes checking the battery level, which should be at least 50-60%. If the Redmi Note 4 archive is unexpectedly turned off, the backup file may be damaged and become unreadable.

It is also critical to free up enough space in internal memory or on an SD card. The size of the archive depends on the amount of data stored: photos, videos and applications. It is recommended to have a spare space that exceeds the backup size by 1-2 GB.

A stable Wi-Fi connection is required if you plan to sync your data to a Mi Cloud or Google Drive cloud. Passing large amounts of traffic over a mobile network can take a long time and exhaust your data plan.

If the smartphone is unstable, hangs or spontaneously restarts, you should first try to eliminate software errors, and only after the operating system stabilizes, you can start creating an archive of important data.

Use of the built-in MIUI tool for backup

The easiest and most reliable way to save data on Xiaomi is to use the regular Security app or partition in the settings. This method allows you to create a full cast of the system, including contacts, messages, call logs and application settings. To access the feature, you need to go to the Settings menu → About Phone → Backup and Restore.

The interface will suggest you select the type of data to save, you can tick only contacts and messages if you only care about personal correspondence, or you can choose the full backup of the system, and after selecting the components, the system will request confirmation and the specified file size.

⚠️ Note: When creating a local copy through a standard menu MIUI, Applications and their data are not always stored correctly. For mission-critical applications, it is better to use their internal export functions.

The process of creating an archive can take from 10 minutes to an hour, depending on the amount of information. At this time, the smartphone screen may go out, but you should not interrupt the process by pressing buttons. Once completed, you will see a report on the successful creation of the backup file.

The finished file is usually saved via MIUI/backup/AllBackup in internal storage, and if you plan to reset, you need to transfer it to your computer or the cloud, as it will be deleted along with the rest of the data when formatted.

Synchronization with Mi Cloud and Google cloud services

Cloud technology automates the process of saving data without depending on a physical medium. Redmi Note 4 preinstalled services Google and Xiaomi, which offer various synchronization options. To activate, you need to log into your account through Settings → Account and Sync.

Mi Cloud service is deeply integrated into the MIUI shell and allows you to save not only contacts and notes, but also the layout of the desktop, alarm settings and even Wi-Fi access points. This is especially convenient when switching to a new Xiaomi smartphone, since recovery takes place almost instantly after login input.

• 📸 Gallery: Automatic upload of photos and videos to the cloud when connected to Wi-Fi.
• 📞 Contacts: Instant synchronization of the phone book with the server.
• 📝 Notes: Save text files and dictaphone records.
• 📱 Settings: Archiving system parameters and installed applications.

Google Photos and Google Drive are great alternatives or add-ons, and many users prefer to store media in the Google ecosystem because of their easy image search and integration with other services. It is important to keep an eye on the free space quota, as the free 15GB can run out quickly.

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Use the “Clear Memory” feature in the Google Photos app after successful synchronization to free up space on Redmi Note 4 without losing access to your images in the cloud.

Backup of multimedia to an external drive

Photos and videos take up the lion's share of memory on a modern smartphone. For owners of Redmi Note 4 with support for microSD cards, transferring media files to an external medium is the fastest way to free up space.

Standard conductor MIUI It makes it easy to move folders. DCIM/Camera, Select the files or folders you want, and select the option to move or copy. SD-This is a reliable method because the data is physically in your hands.

If the internal memory is not enough to create a full copy before flashing, using an external drive becomes a must. Remember to regularly check the performance of memory cards, as they have a limited resource of overwriting cycles.

Create a full copy through a computer and ADB

For advanced users who want to gain full control of Redmi Note 4 data, there is a method of copying through the Redmi Note 4. ADB (Android Debug Bridge.This method requires connecting your smartphone to your PC via a computer. USB-It allows you to upload data even from applications that are usually hidden from the user.

First, activate the developer mode. To do this, go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click on the MIUI build number seven times. After that, the “For Developers” menu will appear, where you need to enable Debugging over USB.

⚠️ Note: When connecting to a computer with debugging USB You'll see a request for confirmation on your smartphone screen. Make sure you tick "Always Allow" and press OK, otherwise your computer won't see the device.

To execute a backup command for the entire system (if it is not protected from backup by application developers), a command is used in the PC terminal:

adb backup -apk -shared -all -system -f full_backup.ab

This method creates a.ab file that contains almost a complete copy of the phone's status, but some modern applications block ADB backups for security purposes.

Recovery of data from backup

The recovery process depends on how the archive was created. If you used the built-in MIUI tool, then after you reset or buy a new phone, go to the same Settings menu → About Phone → Backup and select the tab “Mobile device” or “Computer”.

When you select a backup file, the system will suggest you enter a password if you set it when you created the copy, which is an important security element that protects your data from unauthorized persons, and once you log in, you will begin the process of unpacking and installing applications and settings.

Recovery from the cloud occurs automatically when you first log in to a Google or Mi Account account on the reset device, and the system will prompt you to select a restore point from available dates, a process that can take a long time with slow Internet, as the applications will be downloaded again from the Play Market store.

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Always check the integrity of the backup file immediately after it is created, trying to open it or review the contents so as not to encounter a broken archive at a critical moment.

If you have manually transferred photos and videos, simply copy the folders back to the appropriate internal memory directories or leave them on the memory card. The DCIM and Pictures folder structure must be saved to correctly display thumbnails in the gallery.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)