How to make a full copy of Xiaomi phone on your computer: all methods with instructions

Backing up Xiaomi smartphone data to your computer is a critical procedure before you run a firmware, reset or replace your device. Even if you use cloud services like Mi Cloud, local saving on your PC guarantees access to files without the Internet and protects against accidental loss when synchronization fails. In this article, we will discuss all the current backup methods, from standard Mi PC Suite tools to advanced solutions through ADB and custom recovery.

Xiaomi phones (including Redmi, POCO, Black Shark) are a closed MIUI file system that restricts access to some folders through standard conductors. So classic copying files via MTP (like a flash drive) won't always work for a full backup. We'll show you how to circumvent these restrictions in legal ways without resorting to root.

Importantly, the procedure is different for devices with unlocked and locked bootloaders. If you haven't changed the firmware before, the first three methods in this article will suit most users. For enthusiasts with TWRP or Magisk, a separate section with advanced instructions is a separate one.

1. Preparing Xiaomi phone for backup

Before starting the backup, follow the mandatory steps to avoid errors and data loss:

• 🔋 Charge your phone to at least 50% – interruption of the process due to battery discharge can cause damage to the copy.
• 🔌 Use the original cable USB Type-C (or Certified Type-C) USB 3.0 – Cheap cables often cause transmission errors.
• 📱 Enable Debugging Mode on USB It's in the developer settings:

Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version and tap 7 times on the build number. Then go back to Settings → Additional → Developer and activate:

• USB debugging
• Unlock OEM (if you plan to use ADB/TWRP)
• Disable MIUI control (for stable ADB operation)

On phones with MIUI 14+, it is also recommended to disable MIUI Optimization in the developer settings – this eliminates conflicts when working with ADB.

⚠️ Note: If you are using Xiaomi with a MediaTek processor (e.g. Redmi Note 11 or MediaTek processor) POCO M4 Pro), debugging by USB may require additional authorization through MTP. Connect your phone to your PC, select File Transfer Mode, and then restart ADB.

Method 2: Standard file copying via MTP (for beginners)

The easiest method is to manually copy available files through Windows/macOS Explorer, which is suitable for saving photos, videos, music and documents, but does not capture:

• 📱 Annexes and their data
• 📞 Call log and SMS
• ⚙️ System settings
• 🔒 Encrypted folders (e.g., encrypted folders, DCIM/.thumbnails)

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable.
2. On the phone screen, select File Transfer (MTP) mode.
3. Open this computer (Windows) or Android File Transfer (macOS).
4. Copy the required folders (DCIM, Download, Pictures, etc.) to the hard drive.

To speed up the process, use management software like Total Commander or ES Explorer (with the option to show hidden files enabled). Note: folder Android/data It may not be available without root rights – this is normal for stock firmware.

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If Windows doesn’t see your phone in MTP mode, update your drivers via the Mi Flash Tool or install the official “Your Phone” app from Microsoft.

Method 2: Complete backup via Mi PC Suite (official method)

Mi PC Suite is a proprietary utility from Xiaomi that allows you to back up most data, including:

• 📱 Installed applications (without data)
• 📞 Contacts, SMS, call-in
• 📁 Multimedia files
• ⚙️ Wi-Fi settings, wallpaper, sound profiles

Download the latest version of the program from the official website (avoid third-party sources!). Install and follow the instructions:

Connect the phone to the PC in mode MTP|Install Mi. PC Suite and drivers|Sign in to Mi Account (if required)|Select "Backup" in the main menu|Specify folder for saving on PC-->

Attention to stages:

1. After connecting the phone, select Backup in the main program window.
2. Check the data categories to save. For a full backup, select Full Backup.
3. Click Start and wait until it is completed (may take 10-30 minutes depending on the amount of data).
4. The backup file will be saved in.mbk format (it can only be restored via Mi PC Suite!).

⚠️ Attention: Mi PC Suite does not store data from some system applications (such as Mi Fit or Mi Home) and requires a separate backup through a Xiaomi account.

Method 3: Advanced backup through ADB (no root)

The Android Debug Bridge (ADB) tool allows you to create a full copy of data, including application settings and system files, without superuser rights.This method works on all Xiaomi phones with an unlocked bootloader (even if there is no TWRP).

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS
• 📱 Included debugging by USB (see section 1)
• 🔧 Established ADB Tools
• 💾 Free space on the PC (backup size) ≈ amount of memory on the phone)

Instructions:

1. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission on the smartphone screen.
2. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the adb folder.
3. Follow the command to check the connection: Adb devices must display the serial number of your device.
4. Start creating a backup: adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f C:\backup_xiaomi.ab Where C:\backup_xiaomi.ab — path to future backup file (can be changed).
5. On the phone will appear a request for confirmation – enter the lock password (if any) and click Create a backup.

The process can take anywhere from 20 minutes to several hours, and the resulting.ab file can be restored by the command:

adb restore C:\backup_xiaomi.ab

⚠️ Attention: On phones with MIUI 13+ The adb backup command can be blocked by the system, in which case use an alternative syntax: adb shell "bu backup" -all -f /sdcard/backup.ab" Then copy the file. /sdcard/backup.ab PC-only MTP.

5. Method 4: Backup via TWRP (for users with unlocked bootloader)

If your Xiaomi has custom recovery TWRP installed, you can create a full system image, including the /data partition with all the apps and settings.This method is suitable for enthusiasts who have already unlocked the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔄 Restore to any compatible device (for example, when replacing the motherboard).
• 🛡️ Save all data, including system settings and applications with their cache.
• 🔧 Selective recovery of individual partitions (boot, system, data).

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone and press Volume Up + Power to log into TWRP.
2. In the main menu, select Backup.
3. Check the backup sections (recommended: Boot, System, Data, EFS).
4. Select a storage location (internal memory or microSD).
5. Swipe for confirmation and wait for completion.
6. Connect your phone to your PC in MTP mode and copy the TWRP/BACKUPS folder to your hard drive.

For recovery:

1. Place the backup folder back in TWRP/BACKUPS.
2. In TWRP, select Restore and specify the desired backup.
3. Swipe for confirmation.

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Backup via TWRP is the only way to save application data (such as game progress or messaging settings) without root rights. However, it requires pre-unlocking the bootloader, which resets the phone to factory settings.

6. Method 5: Cloud Backup via Mi Cloud and Alternatives

If you don’t need a local copy on your PC, you can use cloud services. Xiaomi’s Mi Cloud provides 5 GB for free, which is enough for contacts, notes and parts of the photo. A full backup will require a subscription (from 100 GB for ~300 rubles / year).

How to set up:

1. Go to Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Turn on synchronization for the desired categories (contacts, gallery, notes, etc.).
3. For backup applications, activate device backup.
4. Click Start Backup and wait until it is completed.

Alternative cloud services:

• 🌥️ Google Drive: Automatically saves contacts, calendar, photos (via Google Photos) and some Android settings. SMS use SMS Backup & Restore.
• ☁️ Yandex Drive: handy for manual file copying (up to 10GB free).Install the app and enable autoload for folders DCIM download.
• 🔗 Syncthing: Open source software to sync files between devices without the cloud, requires customization, but has no limits on the scope.

⚠️ Note: Cloud backups may not save data from some Chinese apps (e.g. Mi Fit or Mi Home) due to privacy restrictions.

7. Comparison of methods: which one to choose?

The choice of backup method depends on your tasks:

Recommendations:

• 📱 For the average user: Mi PC Suite + hand-copying.
• 🔧 For enthusiasts: ADB + TWRP (when the loader is unlocked).
• ☁️ For backup "just in case": Mi Cloud + Google Drive.

8. Frequent errors and their solutions

When creating a backup, users often face problems, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

• 🚫 Error "Device not detected" in ADB: Check if the debugging is included USB and if drivers are installed (use Universal) ADB Drivers. Try another one. USB-port (preferably) USB 3.0 on the back of the PC. execute the command: adb kill-server &&adb start-server
• 🔄 Mi PC Suite freezes 99%: Close the program through Task Manager and restart. Disable the antivirus (it can block access to backup files). Try to create a backup piece by piece (for example, first contacts, then multimedia).
• 📱 TWRP Does not see internal memory: Check that you are using the current version TWRP For your model (download from the official website). If the internal memory is encrypted, enter the lock password in the TWRP. Use a microSD card to save your backup.
• ☁️ Mi Cloud does not sync photos: Check if the Autoboot option is enabled in the Gallery app. Make sure your account has enough space (only 5GB is free.

If none of these methods worked, try:

1. Reboot the phone and PC.
2. Use the other USB-cable (preferably original).
3. Update MIUI to the latest version (some builds fix backup errors).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions