How to Make a Complete Copy of Xiaomi Phone: Backup All Data

Why do you need to back up your Xiaomi phone?

Loss of data on a smartphone is a situation that almost every user faces. Viruses, accidental deletion, resetting or physical device failure can deprive you of photos, contacts and important documents. Xiaomi based on MIUI offers several built-in tools for creating backups, but not all users know how to use them correctly.

Unlike the iPhone, where the backup is integrated into Apple’s ecosystem, Xiaomi phones require a more careful approach, where you can save not only contacts and SMS, but also system settings, application data and even Wi-Fi passwords.

Xiaomi Backup Methods: Which One to Choose?

There are three main methods of creating backup on Xiaomi devices:

📱 Through the built-in application Backup in MIUI — The easiest way to save data is to store it in internal memory or in the Mi Cloud cloud.
☁️ Sync with Google – suitable for contacts, calendar and part of applications, but does not save SMS and system settings.
💻 Full backup via computer - uses Mi PC suite ADB to create an archive with a complete system image.

Each method has its limitations, for example, Mi Cloud only provides 5GB of free space, and Google does not store data from some Chinese apps.

📊 What kind of backup you use more often?

Built-in MIUI application

Google Account

Computer and Mi PC Suite

The Mi Cloud Cloud

I don't do backups.

Step-by-step: backup through MIUI

The most affordable way is to use the standard Backup app, which is available on all Xiaomi smartphones, which allows you to save:

📞 Contacts, call log and SMS
📁 Photos, videos and documents (optional)
⚙️ System settings, wallpaper and network parameters
🎮 Data from certain games and applications (if supported)

To make a copy:

Open Settings → About the phone → Backup.
Click Create a backup and select the data to save.
Specify the storage location: internal memory or Mi Cloud.
Confirm the action and wait until it is completed (may take 10-30 minutes).

☑️ Preparation for backup through MIUI

Battery charge > 50%Free space on the phone > 2 GBStable Wi-Fi connectionMemory optimizers are disabled

Done: 0 / 4

⚠️ Note: If you choose to save in Mi Cloud, make sure that there is enough space on your account. If you exceed the limit of 5 GB, a backup will not be created, but the system does not always give an error!

Google Sync: What is saved and what is not?

Google automatically reserves some data, but this method is not suitable for a full backup.

Type of data	It's still there?	Notes
Contacts	✅ Yes.	Only if they are linked to a Google account
SMS and MMS	❌ No.	Third-party software is required, such as SMS Backup & Restore
Photos	✅ Yes.	Google Photos (High quality is unlimited)
Wi-Fi settings	✅ Yes.	Passwords are saved, but not always restored on other devices.
Installed annexes	✅ Partially.	The list of applications is saved, but not their data

To enable synchronization:

Go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google.
Select your account and activate switches for the desired categories.
For photos, set Google Photos and enable autoload.

⚠️ Attention: If you are using MIUI with regional firmware (e.g. Chinese), some Google sync features may be disabled by default. → Additionally. → Special capabilities of the developer → Enable Google services.

Full backup via computer: Mi PC Suite and ADB

For those who want to save the entire system, including data applications and settings, backup via Mi PC Suite or ADB is suitable. This method takes longer, but gives maximum reliability.

Method 1: Mi PC Suite

🖥️ Download and install Mi. PC Suite on the computer.
📱 Put the phone on. USB (Turn on the debugging. USB developer-setting).
🔄 In the program, select Backup. → Full backup.
💾 Save the file to your hard drive (it is recommended to allocate at least 10 GB).

Method 2: ADB (for experienced users)

If the Mi PC Suite does not recognize your model (relevant to new devices), you can use ADB:

adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f C:\backup.ab

This team will create a complete archive with:

📦 Installed annexes (-apk)
🎮 Additional game data (-obb)
📂 Files on internal memory (-shared)
⚙️ System settings (-all)

💡

If ADB issues a device unauthorized error, check the debugging permission on your phone in the pop-up window. Sometimes it hides behind other notifications!

How to recover data from backup?

Recovery depends on the way backup is created:

📱 Through MIUI: Go to Settings. → The phone. → Backup → Restore and select the file.
☁️ From Google: When you first turn on your phone, select “Restore from Google Backup” or do it manually in your account settings.
💻 Through Mi. PC Suite: Connect your phone to your computer, open the program, and select Restore from backup.

Important: When you restore it through MIUI or ADB, the phone can reboot several times, which is normal. Don't turn it off the power until it's done!

⚠️ Note: If you restore a backup on another Xiaomi model, some settings (such as wallpaper or camera settings) may not work properly.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even if you follow the instructions correctly, users have problems, and here are the most common ones:

Mistake.	Reason.	Decision
Backup is not built in Mi Cloud	Insufficient space or poor connection	Clean the cloud or connect to stable Wi-Fi
ADB does not see the device	Drivers not installed or debugging disabled	Install Mi USB Driver and check the developer settings
Recovery interrupted	Weak battery or unstable connection	Connect your phone to charge and use the original cable
SMS not being restored	Backup was created without this option.	Repeat copying with the "Messages" item included

If you use custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), standard backup methods may not work, in which case it is recommended to use TWRP or OrangeFox Recovery to create a complete system image.

What if the phone doesn’t turn on after recovery?

If the phone is stuck on the logo after restoring the backup or not turning on, try: 1. Log in Recovery Mode (press Power + Volume up). 2. Reset to factory settings (Wipe Data). 3. Repeat the recovery by selecting only critical data (contacts, SMS). If the problem repeats, the backup could be damaged - try to create it again.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions

Can I make a backup on a Xiaomi phone without a computer?

Yes, through the built-in MIUI Backup or synchronization with Mi Cloud/Google, but a computer is still required to fully image the system (including data applications).

How much space does a full backup take?

Depending on the amount of data: Contacts and SMS only - ~10-50 MB. Photos and videos - from 1 GB. The full image of the system (via ADB or TWRP) - 5-20 GB. It is recommended to have a free space reserve of at least 25% of the internal memory.

Can you restore the backup from Xiaomi to another brand (Samsung, Honor)?

Partially. Contacts, photos and some settings (Wi-Fi, accounts) will be migrated through Google, but MIUI system settings and application data are not compatible with other firmware (e.g. One UI or Magic UI).

How often should I update the backup?

Recommended frequency: 📅 Contact and SMS: 1 time per week (or turn on autosynchronization). 📸 Photos/Video: Daily (via Google Photos or Mi Cloud). ⚙️ Full system backup: Before updating your firmware or once a month.If you install/remove applications frequently, backup once every 2 weeks.

Will the backup work if I swap my Xiaomi phone for a new model?

Yes, but with reservations: ✅ Data (contacts, photos, accounts) will be transferred without problems. ⚠️ System settings (such as gestures or themes) MIUI) It may not work if the new model is running on a different version of the firmware. ❌ Some Chinese apps (such as Mi Pay or Mi Home) may require re-authorization.For minimal losses, use official data portability tools when you first turn on a new phone.

💡

The most reliable way is to combine cloud backup (for contacts and photos) with on-premises (for apps and settings).