How to transfer all data from Xiaomi Redmi Note 4X on the computer: the complete guide to backup

Xiaomi Redmi Note 4X

Backup of data

Many users mistakenly believe that synchronization with Mi Account or Google Drive completely solves the backup problem. In practice, cloud services do not always keep a full copy of the system, and recovery through them can take hours. Local copying on a PC gives full control over data and saves traffic. In this article, we will discuss 5 working methods, including official utilities from Xiaomi, developer tools and custom solutions.

Features of the Redmi Note 4X (codename mido, which supports unlocking the bootloader and installing custom firmware, opens up additional backup options, but requires caution. If you plan to experiment with software, back up in advance – some operations (such as unlocking bootloader) erase all data without the ability to restore it.

1.Preparing the phone for the backup: what to do before copying

Before you start backup, follow 4 mandatory steps to avoid errors and data loss:

✅ Check the free space on PC.Redmi Note backup 4X 32GB of memory can take anywhere from 5GB to 15GB depending on the number of applications and media. Make sure there is enough space on the hard drive, especially if you plan to create a full system image through the use of a computer. TWRP.

✅ Charge your phone to at least 50%. Interrupting the copying process due to battery discharge can damage your backup files.

✅ Turn off battery optimization for system applications. Go to Settings → Battery and productivity → Battery optimization, find Mi Cloud, Contacts and Settings, select "No Limits" to prevent automatic shutdowns during backup.

✅ Make sure you're stable. USB-Use the original Xiaomi cable or a certified USB-Type C. Connect your phone directly to the port USB 2.0/3.0 on PC (no hubs or extensions) to avoid connection breaks.

⚠️ Note: If you are using Windows 10/11, temporarily turn off Battery Savings mode in power settings. This feature may interrupt data transmission over the power USB low-charge laptop.

To speed up the process, it is recommended to clear the application cache before backup.This will reduce the size of the backup and reduce the risk of errors. → Memory. → Clean up and perform quick optimization.

2. Method 1: Backup through Mi PC Suite (official method)

Mi PC Suite is a proprietary utility from Xiaomi for managing a smartphone from a computer. It allows you to back up contacts, messages, notes, photos and some system settings, but does not store installed applications and their data.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔹 Does not require unlocking the bootloader or root rights
• 🔹 Supports recovery on another Xiaomi phone
• 🔹 Automatically determines the Redmi Note model 4X

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Does not copy application data (e.g. saves in games)
• ❌ It doesn't work with custom firmware.
• ❌ Sometimes "hangs" during the preparation stage

Step-by-step:

1. Download Mi PC Suite from the official website and install it on PC.
2. Connect the Redmi Note 4X computer-to-computer USB, Select the File Transfer Mode (MTP).
3. Launch Mi. PC Suite, wait for device recognition.
4. Go to the "Reserve Copying" section" → "Create a backup copy".
5. Select data categories (contacts, messages, photos, etc.) and click “Start”.
6. Wait until the process is completed (it can take 10 to 30 minutes).

The finished backup is saved in the folder C:\Users\[Your name]\Documents\MiPhoneBackup. Do not change the folder structure – this can disrupt the integrity of the backup.

Debugging mode is on. USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI 7 times → For developers → Debugging by USB)

Drivers installed ADB PC (if Windows does not recognize the phone)

Antivirus disabled (can block access to files)

At least 20% of the memory on the PC system disk is free-->

3. Method 2: Full backup through TWRP (for advanced users)

If you're on your Redmi Note. 4X established custom recovery TWRP, You can create a complete image of the system, including applications, their data and settings, and this method is suitable for those who are planning firmware experiments or want to keep the current state of the phone as it is".

What's copied in the backup TWRP:

• 📱 Boot - Boot section
• 📱 System - System files and firmware
• 📱 Data – User data and applications
• 📱 Cache and Dalvik Cache – Temporary Files

Requirements:

• ✔ Unlocked bootloader (bootloader)
• ✔ Established TWRP Recovery (Mido version)
• ✔ Memory card or enough space on internal memory

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone, press the volume up. + Food to enter TWRP.
2. Go to the backup section.
3. Select the sections to copy (it is recommended to note everything except Modem and EFS, if not sure).
4. Specify the location of the storage (internal memory or SD-map).
5. Swipe for confirmation and wait for completion (the process will take place) 20-40 minute).
6. Copy the folder. TWRP/BACKUPS PC-on-phone.

⚠️ Warning: Don't keep the backup TWRP If you reset to factory settings or damage your memory, you lose your backup. Always transfer it to your PC or cloud.

How to recover backup from TWRP:

1. Copy the backup folder back to TWRP/BACKUPS phone-on.
2. Boot in. TWRP, Choose "Restore".
3. Specify the desired backup and swipe for recovery.

Method 3: Backup through ADB (rootless)

ADB (Android Debug Bridge is a debugging tool for Android devices that allows you to create a backup of applications and their data without superuser rights. MIUI, but requires the debugging on USB.

What can be saved through ADB:

• 📲 Application data (for example, game saves, messenger settings)
• 📲 APK-file
• 📲 Some system settings

What is NOT copied:

• ❌ Photos and videos (they are easier to copy manually)
• ❌ SMS and calls (use Mi) PC Suite)
• ❌ Data of some protected applications (banks, messengers)

Step-by-step:

1. Download Platform Tools (includes) ADB and Fastboot) and unpack into a folder C:\platform-tools.
2. Enable USB debugging on your phone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (tap 7 times) → For developers → USB debugging.
3. Connect the Redmi Note 4X To PC, type in the command line: adb devices If the device is displayed, go further.
4. Create a backup: adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f C:\backup_RedmiNote4X.ab On the phone, confirm the beginning of copying (do not set the password!).
5. Wait until the.ab file appears in the specified folder.

How to restore the backup:

adb restore C:\backup_RedmiNote4X.ab

⚠️ Attention: Backup through ADB It may not work with applications that use data encryption (such as WhatsApp or banking programs.

adb backup -f C:\backup.ab com.whatsapp com.facebook.orca

This will only copy data for WhatsApp and Messenger.-->

5. Method 4: Manual copying of files (photo, video, music)

If you only need to save multimedia files,.vcf contacts, or documents, it’s easier to manually copy them through Windows Explorer or Mac Finder. USB.

What data can be copied manually:

How to copy files:

1. Connect the Redmi Note 4X PC-only USB, Select the File Transfer Mode (MTP).
2. Open "This Computer" in Explorer, find the device (usually Redmi Note) 4X).
3. Go to the Internal Memory folder and copy the necessary data to the hard drive.
4. For contacts: open the "Contacts" app" → "Settings" → "Imports/Exports" → "Export to file".

Advantages of the method:

• 🔹 No need to install software
• 🔹 It works on any firmware.
• 🔹 Allows selective copying of only the necessary files

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Does not save application data and their settings
• ❌ Requires manual control (you can skip important files)

💡

Manual copying is the most reliable way to save photos and documents, but it does not replace a full backup system. Combine it with other methods for maximum data protection.

6. Method 5: Cloud Backup via Mi Cloud and Google Drive

If you can't connect your phone to a PC, you can use cloud services from Xiaomi and Google, which is convenient for automatic backup, but has limitations in volume and speed.

Mi Cloud:

• 🔹 Free 5GB (can be expanded to 200GB for a fee).
• 🔹 Saves: Contacts, messages, notes, photos, call records.
• 🔹 Does not copy: apps, data, music (except for purchases in Mi Music).

How to turn backup on Mi Cloud:

1. Go to Settings. → Mi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Sign in to your account or create a new one.
3. Activate sliders next to data categories ("Contacts", "Messages", etc.).
4. Press "Sync."

Google Drive:

• 🔹 Free – 15 GB (shared with Gmail and Google Photos).
• 🔹 Saves: contacts, calendar, photos (in compressed quality), some application settings.
• 🔹 Don't copy: SMS, Call records, most game data.

How to set up a backup in Google:

1. Open Settings → Google → Backup.
2. Enable "Backup to Google Drive".
3. Click on "Create a copy now."

⚠️ Attention: Cloud backups can slow down your phone during sync. If you have weak internet (less than 10 Mbps), the process can take hours. Connect to 5 GHz Wi-Fi to speed up.

Important: After recovering from the cloud, some applications (such as Telegram or Viber) may require re-authorization, even if their data has been copied, due to the peculiarities of encrypting messengers.

7. Comparison of backup methods: which one to choose?

Each backup method has its pros and cons, and below is a comparison table that will help you choose the best option for your tasks.

Selection recommendations:

• 🔹 For regular users: the combination of Mi PC Suite (for contacts and messages) + manual copying (for photos and documents).
• 🔹 For advanced users: TWRP (backup) + ADB (data-based).
• 🔹 For automatic backup: Mi Cloud or Google Drive (but check what is saved!).

8. Frequent errors and their solutions

When creating a backup, Redmi Note users 4X They often have typical problems. Here's a list of mistakes and how to fix them:

🔴 Mi PC Suite doesn't see the phone:

• 🔹 Install Xiaomi drivers manually.
• 🔹 Check if the mode is on. MTP (in the notification curtain when connected USB).
• 🔹 Try another one. USB-cable.

🔴 ADB The error is "device unauthorized":

• 🔹 The phone will be asked for debugging permission - confirm it.
• 🔹 If the request does not appear, check if debugging is enabled by USB developer-setting.
• 🔹 Restart your phone and PC.

🔴 TWRP It does not create a backup (failed to mount error) /data"):

• 🔹 Your Data partition is encrypted. The solution is to format Data (see spoiler above).
• 🔹 Make sure you have the latest version. TWRP mido.

🔴 Backup in Mi Cloud is interrupted:

• 🔹 Check the stability of the Internet connection (better use Wi-Fi).
• 🔹 Free up space in the cloud (remove old backups).
• 🔹 Turn it off. VPN Proxies – they can block synchronization.

🔴 Backup files take up too much space:

• 🔹 Exclude from copying the cache folder (/Android/data/ and /Android/obb/).
• 🔹 Squeeze the backup to the.zip archive or.7z (For example, through WinRAR).
• 🔹 For photos, use lossless compression (for example, Google Photos in High Quality mode").

💡

If the backup is interrupted by half, don't try to restore it partially, which can lead to data loss. Start over.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions