How to make a backup Xiaomi Mi 9: complete methods of data storage

Despite its age, the Xiaomi Mi 9 remains a popular device that users are slow to change to new models. However, as time passes, the need to reinstall the operating system or replace the device itself becomes more real. At this critical moment, the issue of the safety of personal information comes to the fore. Backup is the only way to ensure that your contacts, photos and correspondence do not disappear forever.

Many Mi flagships neglect to create copies until they encounter a critical system error or physical breakdown. It is important to understand that standard synchronization methods can work incorrectly without properly configuring an account. In this article, we will discuss all the available ways to create a backup, paying attention to the nuances of the MIUI shell.

We'll look at both the built-in tools and third-party solutions that allow you to create a complete cast of data, and you'll learn how on-premises is different from cloud-based, and what you'll find in your situation, and a smart approach to archiving data will save you hours of nerves and time in the future.

Preparing your device and Mi Account before copying

Before you start the immediate process of storing information, you need to make sure that the device is ready to go.The flagship Xiaomi Mi 9 has a powerful processor, but for stable operation of system utilities redundancy requires free space. Check the available amount of memory in the storage settings, as creating a full backup can require a significant amount of gigabytes.

A key element of the ecosystem is the Mi Account, which connects your device to the company's cloud services. If you're not already logged in, do it immediately. Without an account binding, many of the automatic synchronization functions of contacts and notes will not be available, which is critical for data security.

⚠️ Warning: Make sure the battery level is at least 50-60%. The process of creating a full backup can take considerable time and intensively use the resources of the processor, which leads to a quick discharge.

It is also recommended to check the stability of the Internet connection if you plan to use cloud services. For the transfer of large volumes of media, it is better to use a Wi-Fi network, since mobile traffic can be quickly exhausted. A stable communication channel will prevent errors when downloading data to the server.

Use of the built-in local reservation MIUI

The fastest and most reliable way to save settings and applications is to use the native system function. The MIUI shell implements a powerful tool that creates a compressed archive of selected data categories right in the phone’s memory, ideal for quick migration to another Xiaomi smartphone or for recovery after a reset.

To start the process, go to the settings menu and find the About Phone section. You will need to click on the MIUI version several times to activate additional features, but in new versions the path is more often through Advanced Settings. Look for "Reserve and Restore." The system will prompt you to select categories to save.

You can select specific applications, system settings, calls and SMS. After selecting, click the Backup button. The process will take 5 to 20 minutes depending on the amount of data. It is important to note that the local backup is stored in internal memory by default, so it is critical to transfer it to a computer or external media.

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After creating a local copy, copy the file immediately. backup_all_date_time.tar.gz to the computer or to the cloud storage, so as not to lose data in the event of a breakdown of the smartphone itself.

The location of the backup file is usually along the MIUI/backup/AllBackup path.If you don't move this file, it will disappear along with the phone book when you format the device. Use the file manager to copy the archive to an external hard drive or send it via FTP to your PC.

Sync with Mi Cloud and Google Services

Cloud technology allows you to forget about manually creating archives. Mi Cloud is deeply integrated into the system and allows you to automatically synchronize contacts, messages, voice recordings and gallery. To activate, go to the Mi Account settings and turn on the necessary sync sliders.

In parallel with Xiaomi’s ecosystem, you need to set up a Google Account, an industry standard that stores the list of installed apps, passwords in your Chrome browser and your activity history, and the two services provide maximum protection against loss.

Cloud-based features require a stable Internet connection, and if you have a lot of high-resolution photos, it can take hours to download the first one, and it’s recommended that you turn this feature on overnight by connecting your phone to charge and Wi-Fi.

The combination of Mi Cloud for system settings and Google Drive for documents and multimedia creates a reliable insurance policy, and if one of your accounts is blocked, you will have access to important information through another channel.

Backup via Mi PC Suite on your computer

For users who prefer to keep data under full control, there is the Mi PC Suite, the official PC software that allows you to create complete system images, but it is worth considering that support for this utility for new versions of Android and MIUI may be limited.

The connection process requires USB debugging mode to be enabled. Go to About Phone and press the build number 7 times to activate the developer menu. Then, in advanced settings, enable USB debugging. Without this option, the computer will not be able to access the deep file system.

Settings -> About Phone -> (7 clicks according to MIUI) -> Settings -> Advanced Settings -> For Developers -> Debugging by USB

Once you connect the cable, select Backup mode in the program interface on your computer. You can select the sections to save: contacts, messages, call logs, apps, and multimedia. Data transfer speeds over USB 3.0 (which supports Xiaomi Mi 9) are much faster than over Wi-Fi.

⚠️ Attention: When using Mi PC Suite may be on the screen of your smartphone requesting permission to access, you must confirm the action, otherwise the process will be interrupted.

This method is especially useful if you need to transfer data to a device that is not yet configured, or if cloud services are not running smoothly.The backup file created is stored on the computer's hard drive, eliminating the risk of data loss due to server problems.

Working with Multimedia Files and Gallery

Photos and videos take up the lion’s share of the memory of a modern smartphone. Xiaomi Mi 9 has a high-quality camera, so files can weigh a lot. Automatic synchronization can be long, so for large amounts of data, it is better to use manual method or specialized applications.

It is recommended to use the Google Photos app with the option “Save space” enabled or original quality, if subscription allows. However, for full control, it is better to periodically connect the phone to the PC in file transfer mode (MTP) and copy the DCIM folder manually.

Pay attention to the Screenshots and MIUI/backup folder. Often users forget that screenshots and local backups also take up space and require special attention. Regular cleaning and archiving of these folders helps maintain order in the file system.

For 4K video recordings that the Mi 9 supports, cloud storage can be too slow. Using an external USB-C SSD drive is the fastest solution. You can directly connect the drive to your smartphone and copy heavy files in minutes.

Recovery of data from backup

Copy-making is only half the battle. Recovering information correctly is a key skill. If you've used a local MIUI backup, the recovery process is done through the same Reservation and Recovery menu. Select the Recovery tab, enter the file, and start the process.

When using cloud services, you just need to log in to your account on a new device or after a reset, and the system itself will suggest that you recover data from the last save point, which takes longer, because it requires you to download content from the Internet, but is completely automated.

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Always check the integrity of the backup immediately after it is created, trying to restore at least one contact or photo to make sure the archive is working.

If you use the Mi PC Suite, the reverse creation process is: select a file on your computer and click Restore. Make sure the versions of MIUI on your creation and recovery device are compatible to avoid setting conflicts.

Remember that app recovery can take time, as the phone will need to re-download installation packages from the Play Market store or GetApps. Make sure you’re connected to Wi-Fi so you don’t waste mobile traffic.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)