How to make a backup on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro: the full guide 2026

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro is still one of the most popular smartphones among users who appreciate performance and functionality. However, even the most reliable device is not immune to failures, accidental deletions or the need to reset to factory settings. In such situations, a data backup becomes a lifeline - it allows you to restore contacts, messages, photos and app settings in minutes.

In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to create a backup on the Redmi Note 8 Pro: from built-in tools MIUI Advanced methods using custom recavery TWRP We will focus on the nuances that are often overlooked in standard instructions โ€“ for example, how to save WhatsApp data or games with progress, why the cloud backup may not work on some firmware, and what to do if the phone does not turn on, but you need to save files.

Whether you're planning to upgrade your firmware, sell your phone, or just want to be safe, this guide will help you choose the best way to back up. FAQ answering the most common questions, from the differences between on-premises and cloud backups to data recovery after a reset.

1.Preparation for the backup: what you need to know

Before you start redundancy, it is important to understand which data is critical to save and which can be restored later. Redmi Note 8 Pro usually stores:

  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Contacts and call logs โ€“ sync with Google Account or Mi Cloud, but itโ€™s best to make a separate copy.
  • ๐Ÿ“ธ Photos and videos โ€“ take up the most space, they can be saved on PC or in the cloud.
  • ๐Ÿ’ฌ Communications SMS/MMS โ€” Not all messengers automatically reserve them.
  • ๐ŸŽฎ Application data - progress in games, settings WhatsApp/Telegram, browser-password.
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ System settings โ€“ wallpaper, shortcuts, network settings (if you plan to reset).

Also consider the following points:

  • ๐Ÿ”‹ Battery charge should be at least 50% โ€“ the backup process can take anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour.
  • ๐Ÿ“ถ Stable Wi-Fi connection (for cloud copies) or free space on PC/flash drive (for local ones).
  • ๐Ÿ” Mi Account Password โ€“ If you use Mi Cloud, make sure you aremembering it, otherwise it will be impossible to recover your data.

โš ๏ธ Note: If your Redmi Note 8 Pro runs on custom firmware (not official) MIUI), Some backup methods (e.g., Mi Cloud) may not be available. TWRP or manually copying files.

๐Ÿ“Š How often do you backup your smartphone?
Once a month
Only before updating/resetting
Never did.
I'm using automatic reservations.

2. Method 1: Backup through built-in function MIUI

The easiest method is to use a standard backup tool in the MIUI. It's suitable for most users and doesn't require any extra software. Here's how to do it:

  1. Open Settings โ†’ About Phone โ†’ Backup and Reset โ†’ Local Backup.
  2. Click Create a backup and select the data to save (you can leave all ticks).
  3. The location of the storage: internal memory or SD-map (if installed).
  4. Wait for the process to be completed (it can take 15-40 minutes depending on the amount of data).

The finished backup will be saved in the folder MIUI/backup/AllBackup It's.mbk. It can be copied to a PC or a flash drive for reliability.

Type of dataIt's still there?Notes
Contactsโœ… Yes.Unless it is synced with Google.
SMS messagesโœ… Yes.MMS partially preserved.
Photo/videoโŒ No.Only if they are in application folders (such as WhatsApp).
Wi-Fi settingsโœ… Yes.Including saved networks and passwords.
Game dataโš ๏ธ Partially.It depends on the game. PUBG Mobile won't survive.

โš ๏ธ Note: You can only recover the.mbk backup on the same device or on another Xiaomi with the same version MIUI. If you update the firmware, you may need to recreate a backup copy.

Battery charge > 50%

Free space on the phone/SD-map (> 2 GB)

Optimizers are disabled (e.g. Greenify)

Sync with Mi Account enabled (if you need the cloud)-->

3. Method 2: Cloud backup via Mi Cloud

Mi Cloud is a cloud storage service from Xiaomi that offers 5GB for free (extra space is available for purchase), which is convenient because data is available from any device, but there are limitations:

  • ๐Ÿ”’ Requires a binding to Mi Account (if it is not โ€“ register in advance).
  • ๐ŸŒ You need a stable connection to the Internet (better Wi-Fi).
  • โš ๏ธ Not all data is automatically synced (for example, WhatsApp will have to backup separately).

Instructions for setting:

  1. Go to Settings โ†’ Mi Account โ†’ Mi Cloud.
  2. Enable synchronization for the desired categories (contacts, notes, SMS etc.).
  3. For manual backup, click Backup. โ†’ Start reservations.
  4. Wait until the end (time depends on the speed of the Internet).

To recover data from Mi Cloud:

  1. Sign in to the same Mi Account on a new/dumped phone.
  2. Go to Mi Cloud. โ†’ Restore and select the desired copy.

1. Version. MIUI (There may be bugs on old firmware).

2. Traffic saving settings (Settings) โ†’ SIM-maps and mobile networks โ†’ Saving traffic).

3. Account Region (some features are not available in some countries).-->

4. Method 3: Reservations through Google Account

If you prefer the Google ecosystem, you can use the built-in Android backup tools.

  • ๐Ÿ“‡ Contacts, calendars and mail (synchronization with Gmail).
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ System settings (wallpaper, languages, Wi-Fi networks).
  • ๐ŸŽฎ Data from some applications (if the developer supports Google Drive Backup).

How to turn on reservations:

  1. Open Settings โ†’ Google โ†’ Backup.
  2. Activate the Backup Switch in Google Drive.
  3. Click Create a Backup Now (optional).

Limitations of the method:

  • ๐Ÿšซ Photos and videos are not automatically backed up โ€“ you need to use Google Photos for this purpose.
  • ๐Ÿšซ Communications SMS not saved (only if you do not use third-party applications).
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Recovery is possible only at the first setting of the phone or after resetting.
How to check which apps support backup in Google Drive?
Open the Settings. โ†’ Google โ†’ Backup โ†’ App data. Here's a list of programs that store data in the cloud. For example, WhatsApp won't show up here, you need to backup it separately.

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

If you need to save all the firmware, including system files, the best option is to use custom recovery. TWRP. This method requires an unlocked boot loader and installed TWRP, It gives you maximum control over the reservation.

Advantages of TWRP:

  • ๐Ÿ”ง It retains all memory (including /data, /system, /boot).
  • ๐Ÿ”„ It allows you to restore the phone even after โ€œbricking".
  • ๐Ÿ“ Backup is stored in the form of images that can be mounted on a PC.

Step-by-step:

  1. Install. TWRP Redmi Note 8 Pro (instructions are available for the 4PDA or XDA Developers).
  2. Load into the receptacle: turn off the phone, then press Power + Volume up.
  3. In TWRP, select Backup.
  4. Mark the backup sections (recommended: Boot, System, Data, Vendor).
  5. Select a storage location (internal memory or storage). SD-map) and swipe to start.
  6. After completion, copy the folder. TWRP backup.

โš ๏ธ Attention: Backup through TWRP incompatible with encryption FBE (File-Based Encryption, which is used in new versions MIUI. If your Redmi Note 8 Pro is encrypted, you should disable encryption or use alternative methods before backup.

๐Ÿ’ก

TWRP โ€” the only way to take a full picture of the system, including modem settings and IMEI. But it requires unlocking the bootloader, which resets all the data on the phone!

6. Method 5: Manual copying of files on PC

If you don't need automation, and you want to manually choose what to save, you can copy files directly to your computer.

  • ๐Ÿ“ธ Photos and videos (folders) DCIM, Pictures).
  • ๐ŸŽต Music and Documents (Music folders, Downloads).
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Backup copies of applications (e.g, WhatsApp/Databases).

How to copy files:

  1. Connect the Redmi Note 8 Pro to the PC USB-cable.
  2. On the phone, select file transfer mode (File Transfer or MTP).
  3. Open the Explorer on the PC and go to the folder of the phone.
  4. Copy the necessary data to the hard disk.

For WhatsApp backup:

  1. Open WhatsApp. โ†’ โ‹ฎ โ†’ Settings โ†’ chat โ†’ Backup copy.
  2. Click Create a copy (the file will be saved to the /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases).
  3. Copy the WhatsApp folder on your PC.
Type of fileFolder on the phone.How to repair
Photo/videoDCIM/CameraJust copy it back.
WhatsAppWhatsApp/DatabasesInstall WhatsApp, copy the file msgstore.db.crypt14, Restore through chat settings.
ScreenshotsPictures/ScreenshotsCopying to the same folder.
Downloads.DownloadAny files can be returned manually.

7. Method 6: Backup through ADB (developer)

If you have experience with Android Debug Bridge (ADB), You can back up through the command line, and this is useful if the phone doesn't turn on, but it's determined by the PC in Fastboot mode, or ADB.

Advantages:

  • ๐Ÿ”ง It works even when the screen is damaged (if it is turned on). USB Debugging).
  • ๐Ÿ“ Allows selectively to save sections.

Instructions:

  1. Install. ADB Fastboot on PC (you can download from the Android Developers website).
  2. Connect your phone to your PC and enable debugging. USB (Settings โ†’ The phone. โ†’ Version. MIUI (press 7 times) โ†’ For developers โ†’ Debugging by USB).
  3. Open the command line and type in: adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f C:\backup.ab (where C:\backup.ab โ€” backup).
  4. On the phone, confirm the creation of a backup (a password may be required).

To recover the data:

adb restore C:\backup.ab

โš ๏ธ Attention: Backup through ADB It does not store data from some system applications (for example, Mi Account), and it may not work on phones with a blocked bootloader.

8. Frequent errors and their solutions

When creating a backup on the Redmi Note 8 Pro, users often face the following problems:

  • ๐Ÿ”ด "Lack of space on the device" โ†’ Clean the cache or use it SD-card/PC.
  • ๐Ÿ”ด "Mi Cloud is not synced" โ†’ Check your internet connection, update it. MIUI or reboot the phone.
  • ๐Ÿ”ด "TWRP Does not see the internal memory" โ†’ Maybe encryption is on. Try formatting. /data into TWRP (data will be deleted!).
  • ๐Ÿ”ด "ADB non-detection" โ†’ Install Xiaomi drivers USB Drivers and check the cable.

Critical information: Redmi Note 8 Pro with firmware MIUI 12.5+ The backup may not work through standard recovery if the encryption of user data is enabled. TWRP (pre-encryption).

If the backup is interrupted:

  • ๐Ÿ”„ Reset the process.
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Check your phone for overheating (trottling can work during long-term operation).
  • ๐Ÿ”Œ Connect to charging if the charge is below 30%.
Can I get a backup if my phone is not turned on?
Yes, but options are limited: If the phone is detected by a PC in Fastboot mode, try ADB or TWRP (If the screen is not working but the phone is turning on, connect it to the PC and copy the files manually (if it is on). MTP). In extreme cases, contact the service center to extract data using the JTAG Chip-Off.
How to restore backup on another Xiaomi model?
Standard backup MIUI (.mbk) can only be restored on the same device or on a model with the same version MIUI. Alternatives: Use Google Account to migrate contacts, apps and settings. Copy files (photos, videos) manually. For WhatsApp, restore backup from Google Drive or local file. TWRP You canโ€™t restore it to another model, it will lead to loading errors.
How much space does the backup take?
The volume depends on the selected data: MIUI Backup (.mbk): 1-3 GB (no photo/video) Mi Cloud: up to 5 GB free (you can buy more space). TWRP: 5-15 GB (full system shot) Manual copying: depends on the size of your files (photos/video can take up tens of GB).We recommend clearing the application cache before backup (Settings) โ†’ Annexes โ†’ Clear the cache).
Can I make a backup without root rights?
All the methods in this article, except TWRP (Requires unlocking the bootloader) and some commands ADB, For most users, it's enough: Built-in backup MIUI. Sync with Google Account or Mi Cloud. Manual copying of files on PC.
How do you check the integrity of the backup?
To make sure the backup is not damaged: For.mbk (MIUI): Try to restore it on your phone (select Restore from the backup menu). TWRP: Check that the files in the backup folder are non-zero. For hand copies, open a few files on your PC (photos, videos). If the backup is corrupted, repeat the process or use another method.