How to make a full clone of Xiaomi smartphone: 3 working ways

Creating a clone (full backup) of a Xiaomi smartphone is the only way to guarantee that all data is saved before you firmware, reset or replace the device. Unlike the standard backup through the Mi Cloud, cloning captures all memory parts, including system files, application settings and even root rights. Without such a backup, you risk losing SMS, call history, game saving, and MIUI configurations that are out of sync with the cloud.

In this article, we will discuss three proven methods: the official one via Mi PC Suite (for beginners), the extended one via TWRP (for advanced users), and the universal one using ADB. Each option has its limitations - for example, Mi PC Suite does not copy some system data, and TWRP requires an unlocked bootloader. We will explain in detail which way to choose depending on your model (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Mi 11, etc.) and goals.

1. Preparation of the smartphone for cloning

Before creating a clone, several critical steps must be taken, and skipping any of them can lead to incomplete backup or even data corruption.

First, check the battery power – it should be at least 60%. When cloning via TWRP or ADB, the process can take up to 1-2 hours, and a sudden power outage will interrupt the operation. Second, free up enough space on an external drive (or PC): a full clone of Xiaomi with 128 GB of memory can weigh 50-80 GB in compressed form.

• 🔋 Battery charge: at least 60% (optimum 80%+)
• 💾 Free space: 1.5-2 times more occupied space on the phone
• 🔌 Cable: Use the original cable USB-C (Cheap cables can cut the connection)
• 📱 Developer Mode: Enable Debugging by USB In Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (tap 7 times)

Special attention is paid to unlocking the bootloader. Without this, you can not use TWRP or fastboot commands. On new models (Xiaomi 13, Redmi Note 13), unlocking takes 7 days after you attach a Mi Account. If you plan to clone a device with a locked bootloader, only the Mi PC Suite remains - but it does not store some system data.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 14+ and HyperOS standard debugging USB You may not be able to do this. USB (Security settings in the Developer Menu.

Method 2: Official clone via Mi PC Suite (without root)

This is the easiest method, which does not require unlocking the bootloader or root rights. Mi PC Suite (download from the official site) creates a backup of contacts, messages, applications and multimedia, but does not copy the system settings and data of some games (for example, save in Genshin Impact or Honkai: Star Rail).

Connect your phone to your PC, start the Mi PC Suite, and follow the steps:

1. In the main menu of the program, select Backup.
2. Check all categories of data (especially Applications and System Settings).
3. Click Create Backup and wait until it is completed (usually 10–30 minutes).
4. The backup file will be saved in the MiPhoneBackup folder on the C: disk.

The main disadvantage of this method is an incomplete clone, for example, it does not save:

• 📱 Settings MIUI (topics, gestures, sound profiles)
• 🎮 Save Games That Don't Support the Cloud
• 🔐 Data of applications with protection (bank programs, messengers)

⚠️ Note: If you plan to stitch the device to another version MIUI (For example, from Global to China, backup via Mi PC Suite may not recover. In this case, use TWRP.

Method 2: Complete clone via TWRP (requires bootloader unlock)

TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project) is a custom recovery that allows you to create a complete image of all parts of a smartphone, including boot, system and data.

• 🔄 Switching to custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience)
• 🛠️ Recovery after a "brick" (failed firmware)
• 📦 Transfer all data to another Xiaomi with a similar model

First, set up TWRP Download the image from the official website (for example, for Redmi Note). 10 Pro is a file. twrp-3.7.0_12-0-sweet.img). Installation is performed via fastboot:

fastboot flash recovery twrp.img


fastboot boot twrp.img

After downloading to TWRP, go to Backup and select the cloning sections:

Save the backup to an external memory card or connected USB-The files will be in.tar format and take up a significant amount of space. TWRP and select Restore.

Unlock the bootloader (7-day wait)

Install TWRP for your model

Download ADB/Fastboot drivers on PC

Connect an external drive (minimum 64 GB)

Disable encryption in settings (if any)-->

Method 3: Cloning through ADB (Universal Method)

If you can’t install TWRP (for example, on the new Xiaomi 14 or POCO F6) models, but you have root rights, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which allows you to create an exact copy of the data partition, including all applications and settings.

Connect your phone to your PC, open the terminal and execute the commands:

adb shell


su




dd if=/dev/block/by-name/userdata of=/sdcard/userdata.img bs=4096

This command will create a userdata.img file on internal memory to copy it to a PC:

adb pull /sdcard/userdata.img C:\Backup\

To restore, use the reverse command:

adb push C:\Backup\userdata.img /sdcard/


adb shell




su




dd if=/sdcard/userdata.img of=/dev/block/by-name/userdata bs=4096

⚠️ Attention: Cloning through ADB It is also not recommended to copy modem or efs partitions, which can lead to loss of IMEI.

5. How to restore a clone on another Xiaomi

Restore a clone to another device is only possible if the models are identical (for example, Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G → Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G).

To recover via TWRP:

1. Copy backup files to the TWRP/BACKUPS folder on your phone.
2. Download to TWRP (hold Power + Volume Up).
3. Select Restore and select the desired sections.
4. Confirm the recovery and wait for completion.

If you are using Mi PC Suite, plug in a new phone and select Restore from backup. note that some apps (such as WhatsApp or Telegram) may require re-authorization.

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Before you restore the clone to another phone, reset to the factory settings (Wipe → Format Data in TWRP) to prevent conflicts between old and new data.

6. Frequent errors and their solutions

Even with the correct following of the instructions, problems can arise, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to correct them:

• 🚫 Error "Unable to mount storage" in the TWRP: Check the file system of the external card (should be) FAT32 Or exFAT. You can format it on a PC.
• 🔄 Backup interrupted by 99%: This is a typical problem when copying a data partition. Try to reduce the block size in the dd command (e.g., bs).=1024).
• 📵 The phone is not identified in Mi. PC Suite: Install Mi PC Suite with administrator rights and disable antivirus (it can block drivers).
• 🔐 After recovery asks for password: If the old phone had encryption, unlock it before creating a backup or reset the password via fastboot.

Critical error: If you recover via TWRP, you see the message "Invalid sparse file format at header magic", it means that the backup file is corrupted. Repeat the cloning procedure with another memory card (the problem is often associated with cheap microSDs).

7. Alternative instruments for cloning

In addition to standard methods, there are third-party utilities for creating Xiaomi clones:

• 📱 Swift Backup: Allows selective backup of applications and data. Supports cloud storage.
• 💻 SP Flash Tool: For devices running MediaTek processors (e.g., Redmi) 9A, POCO M3). Creates a full memory dump.
• 🔧 OrangeFox Recovery: The Alternative TWRP supportive MIUI HyperOS.

For devices with a Qualcomm chipset (e.g., Xiaomi 12T, POCO F4), you can use QFil (Qualcomm Flash Image Loader), but this method requires deep knowledge and is risky for beginners.

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For most users, the best choice is Mi PC Suite (simplicity) or TWRP (complete backup). ADB and SP Flash Tool are suitable only for advanced users, ready for the risk of "bricking" the device.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions