Your Xiaomi desktop is not just a background image, it’s an entire ecosystem: weather widgets, fast app shortcuts, folders with important utilities and unique icon settings. Losing that setting due to factory reset, firmware updates or accidental crash is as frustrating as losing a favorite photo. Unfortunately, MIUI doesn’t offer a built-in one-click desktop export feature, but there are at least 5 working ways to save a copy of it — from simple screenshots to deep backup via ADB.
In this article, we’ll take a look at all the methods available (for beginners) to advanced (for command line users), and learn how to save not only a visual copy (screenshot or screen recording), but also a functional one, with the ability to restore widgets, wallpaper and icon locations after a reset, and why some methods don’t work on all Redmi, POCO and Xiaomi models, and how to circumvent these limitations.
1. Method: Screenshot or screen recording – quick visual copy
The simplest method, which doesn't require root rights or special knowledge, is suitable if you need to save the appearance of the desktop for further manual playback.
How to take a screenshot on Xiaomi:
- 📱 Simultaneously press the power and volume buttons for 1-2 seconds.
- 🖼️ Or use a gesture: swipe three fingers across the screen from top to bottom (setting is included in Settings). → Additionally. → Screenshots).
- 📁 The finished pictures will be saved in the folder Pictures/Screenshots.
For screen recording:
- 🎥 Open the notification bar and find the Screen Record icon (if not, add via Edit.) → Screen recording).
- 🔊 Choose whether to record sound from a microphone or system sounds.
- ⏱️ Click Start and show all the desktop pages (scroll left/right).
⚠️ Note: This method does not save the widget settings, the order of icons in folders and wallpapers, it is only useful for visual prompting in manual restoration.
2. Method: Backup through MIUI Backup
MIUI Backup is a built-in backup tool that partially saves desktop settings.
- 📌 Location of application icons (but not folders!).
- 🎨 Desktop wallpaper and lock screens.
- ⚙️ Some system settings (for example, the theme of the design).
How to make a backup:
- Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Local Backup.
- Click on “Backup” and select items: 📱 «System settings" (includes wallpaper and icon location). 🔧 «Applications" (optional if you want to save program data).
Start the process and wait until it is completed (it can take 5-15 minutes).
How to restore:
- After resetting or flashing, go to the same section and select Restore.
- Specify the backup file (usually called backup_YYYYMMDD_HHMMSS).
- Confirm the recovery and restart the device.
| Xiaomi model | Does MIUI support backup? | Whether the widgets keep |
|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 10/11 | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No. |
| POCO X3/X4 | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No. |
| Xiaomi 12/13 | ✅ Yes. | ⚠️ Partially (standard only) |
| Redmi 9A/9C | ❌ No (stripped) MIUI) | ❌ No. |
⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI for POCO (for example, POCO F3) The backup may not restore the wallpaper due to the features of the firmware.Be sure to save the wallpaper manually to the folder before resetting. DCIM/Screenshots — They can be re-installed through the gallery.
3. Method: Export via Launcher Settings (only for some launchers)
If your Xiaomi has a third-party launcher installed (like Nova Launcher, Apex Launcher, or Microsoft Launcher), you have a chance to keep a full copy of your desktop, including:
- 📂 Application folders and their contents.
- 🎯 The exact position of each icon (including empty space).
- ⚡ Signature settings and animations of the launcher.
Instructions for Nova Launcher:
- Install Nova Launcher from Google Play.
- Click and hold the empty space on the desktop → “Settings” → “Backup/Import”.
- Select Export and save the file (e.g., in Download/NovaBackup).
For recovery:
- Install Nova Launcher on your new device.
- Import the backup file through the same settings section.
- Apply the launcher settings as the main ones (in Settings → Home screen).
Install Nova Launcher | Make a backup in the launcher settings |Save file to the cloud |Check the compatibility of the launcher version-->
4. Method: ADB-Deep Backup Teams (for Advanced Supporters)
If you need to save all desktop settings, including widgets and launcher data, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires connecting the phone to your computer and basic command line knowledge.
What persists:
- 📱 Full settings com.miui.home (standard launcher) MIUI).
- 🔄 Widget data (for example, weather or calendar settings).
- 📁 Structure of folders and shortcuts.
Instructions:
- Enable USB debugging on your phone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times) Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging on USB
- Connect your phone to your PC and confirm your trust in your computer.
- Open the command line (Windows) or the terminal (macOS/Linux) and type in adb backup -f desktop_backup.ab com.miui.home
- A confirmation request will appear on the phone - enter a password (if any) and click "Create a backup".
- File. desktop_backup.ab It will be stored in the folder where the team was launched.
For recovery:
adb restore desktop_backup.ab⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 13+ Android 12+ The adb backup command may not work due to Google restrictions:
Alternative to MIUI 13+
5. Method: Use of third-party applications (without root)
If ADB seems too complicated, you can use backup apps.
| Annex | What keeps | Need root? |
|---|---|---|
| Swift Backup | Launcher settings, widgets, wallpaper | ❌ No, but you need rights. ADB) |
| Titanium Backup | Full backup com.miui.home | ✅ Yes. |
| OAndBackupX | Application data only (without widgets) | ❌ No. |
Recommendation: Swift Backup is the best choice for users without root.It allows you to create a launcher backup through ADB without deep technical knowledge.
💡
Before using Titanium Backup, make a backup through MIUI Backup to help you recover data if something goes wrong.
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even experienced users have problems with desktop backup, and here are the most common ones:
- 🔄 Widgets do not recover: Reason: Most widgets are tied to specific applications (like AccuWeather's weather widget).When recovering backup, these apps must be installed before recovery.
- 📱 Icons stray in chaotic order: Solution: Before backup, delete all blank desktop pages (swipe your finger up) → «Settings» → «Delete the page»).
- 🔒 MIUI Backup doesn't see old backups: Reason: Backup files tied to version MIUI. If you upgrade your firmware, the old backups may not recover. Always check the version. MIUI before discharge!
💡
On devices with MIUI 14 and later, the standard launcher backup may not work due to changes in the data structure, in which case use ADB or third-party launchers.