Xiaomi phone backup: 5 ways to save all data without loss

Why backup on Xiaomi is not a luxury, but a necessity

Imagine if your Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 or POCO X5 Pro suddenly stopped turning on after a fall, or you accidentally started a factory reset thinking it was a “cache cleaner.” In such situations, a full backup becomes the only way to return photos from your last vacation, correspondence in Telegram for 3 years or save to Genshin Impact. According to statistics from Xiaomi Service Center, 68% of data loss requests are due to the lack of backups.

Smartphone makers like Xiaomi integrate backup tools directly into MIUI, but most users don’t use them either because they don’t know or because of the myth that “the cloud will save everything automatically.” In practice, cloud services (even Mi Cloud) only synchronize some of the data, and a full backup includes APK system settings, application logs, and even game account data that the cloud ignores.

This article covers all the current ways to create a backup on Xiaomi in 2026 – from standard MIUI 14/15 features to professional tools like ADB Backup and TWRP. We will analyze what data each method saves, how much space they take, and how to avoid typical errors (for example, why a backup through the Mi Cloud can “hang” 99%).

Method 1: Built-in backup via MIUI (the easiest method)

Local Backup in MIUI is available on all Xiaomi smartphones starting with Redmi 9 and later.

• 📱 System settings (Wi-Fi passwords, wallpaper, sound schemes)
• 📞 Contacts and call logs (unless synced with Google)
• 💬 Communications SMS/MMS (but not messengers!
• 📁 Installed applications (without data, lists only)

To create a backup copy:

1. Open Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Local Backup.
2. Click Create a backup and select data categories (we recommend ticking all boxes).
3. Specify the folder to save (by default MIUI/backup/AllBackup on internal memory).
4. Confirm the action and wait for the completion (on Xiaomi 13 Ultra with 256 GB of data, the process will take ~15-20 minutes).

⚠️ Attention: Local backup MIUI Does not save photos, videos and files in folders DCIM, Downloads or WhatsApp. You need to copy them manually or use Google Photos.

Charge your phone at least to 50%|Release. 5-10 GB of free space|Connect to Wi-Fi (if the backup weighs) >1 GB)|Shut down. VPN (It can block access to the Mi Cloud)-->

The backup will be in.backup format (for example, 20260515_1430.backup). It's okay:

• 🔄 Restore on the same phone through Settings → Data recovery.
• 📥 Move to another Xiaomi (but only with the same version) MIUI!).
• 💾 Save it on PC as an archive (you can’t open it without your phone).

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If backup is interrupted by 99%, try turning off optimization. MIUI: Go to Settings. → Special facilities → Accelerate the system and deactivate the option "Optimization" MIUI".

Method 2: Cloud backup via Mi Cloud (for synchronization between devices)

Mi Cloud is Xiaomi’s official cloud storage, which offers 5GB for free (compared to Google Drive, which gives 15GB), and it automatically syncs:

• 📇 Contacts and calendars
• 📸 Photo/video (if the option is included in the Gallery)
• 📝 Notes (Mi Notes)
• 🔑 Wi-Fi passwords (only for devices on your Mi Account)

How to set up Mi Cloud:

1. Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Enable sliders opposite data categories (e.g. Contacts, Gallery).
3. Click Sync and wait until it is completed (may take several hours with a large photo volume).

⚠️ Warning: If you reset your phone to factory settings without being tied to Mi Account, all data in the Mi Cloud will be deleted after 30 days of inactivity.This is Xiaomi's rule for leak protection.

For a full backup through Mi Cloud:

1. Connect to Wi-Fi (mobile Internet sync is limited to 500 MB/month).
2. Go to Mi Cloud → Settings → Backup of the device.
3. Click Backup and select data (maximum size of one backup is 2 GB in free rate).

Mi Cloud|Google Drive|Yandex Disc.|iCloud|Other|I don't use it.-->

Method 3: Backup via Google (to switch to another Android)

If you plan to change Xiaomi to a smartphone of another brand (such as Samsung or Pixel), backup through Google is the best option.

• 📱 System settings (language, date/time, wallpaper)
• 📲 List of applications (with the ability to automatically install on a new device)
• 🔑 Wi-Fi passwords (if synchronization is enabled)
• 📝 Data from some applications (e.g. Google Chrome, Gboard)

How to Enable Backup in Google Account:

1. Open Settings → Google → Backup.
2. Activate the slider Backup in Google Drive.
3. Click Create Backup Now (the process will take anywhere from 5 minutes to an hour depending on the amount of data).

Important: Google does not save:

• 🚫 SMS/MMS (You need to use Google Messages with synchronization enabled).
• 🚫 Photos/video (only if uploaded separately to Google Photos).
• 🚫 Data messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram – their backup is configured in the applications themselves).

Method 4: Full backup via PC (for power users)

If you need to save all data without exception (including root folders, game data and hidden files), connect Xiaomi to your computer and use:

Option A: ADB Backup (without root)

The adb backup tool is part of the Android SDK and allows you to create a full system snapshot, including:

• 📂 All user data (/data)
• 🔧 Application settings
• 🎮 Preserve games (such as Honor of Kings) PUBG Mobile)

Instructions:

1. Install Android SDK Platform Tools on your PC.
2. Turn on USB Debugging on your phone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times), then Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging over USB.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and execute on the command line: adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f C:\backup_xiaomi.ab
4. On the phone, confirm the creation of a backup (think up a password for encryption!).

Option B: TWRP (requires unlocking the bootloader)

TWRP is a custom recovery that allows you to create complete partition images (including boot, system and data).

• 🔐 Data with unlocked bootloader (for example, after the firmware Custom) ROM).
• 🛠️ Setups of the kernel and modules Magisk.

How to make a backup through TWRP:

1. Install TWRP for your model (instructions are available on XDA Developers).
2. Boot into recovery: Turn off the phone, then press Power + Volume up.
3. Select Backup → Select Partitions and select System, Data, Boot.
4. Click Swipe to Backup and wait until the file is completed (the file will be in /TWRP/BACKUPS).

⚠️ Attention: Backup through TWRP It takes up to 30 GB (for Xiaomi) 12T Pro with 512GB of storage. Store it on an external drive - the phone's internal memory is not suitable!

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ADB Backup is suitable for most users, and TWRP is suitable for enthusiasts who change firmware or modify the system.

Method 5: Third-party applications (for selective backup)

If you don’t need a full system snapshot, but only individual data (like Viber correspondence or progression to Clash of Clans), use specialized applications:

Example of backup via Swift Backup:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Provide root access (or use Shizuku to bypass restrictions).
3. Select backup apps (such as Telegram or Spotify).
4. Click Backup and select the save location (Google Drive, local folder).

For backup game data (e.g. Genshin Impact or Honkai: Star Rail):

• 🎮 Use the built-in synchronization function with the game server (in account settings).
• 💾 Or copy the folder. /Android/data/com.miHoYo.[PC-game.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced users have problems building backups, and here are the most common ones:

• 🔌 "Lack of disk space" - free up at least 10 GB of internal memory or connect OTG-accumulator.
• ⏳ "Backup freezes 99% – turn off optimization MIUI (Settings → Special facilities → Acceleration of the system).
• 🔒 "Mi Cloud is not synced" - make sure there are no restrictions on your Mi Account (e.g. due to suspicious activity).
• 📱 "ADB Can't see the device - install Xiaomi drivers USB Drivers and restart the PC.

If the backup through Mi Cloud refuses to work:

For backup on phones with unlocked bootloader (for example, after installing Custom ROM):

• 🔧 Always backup. EFS (file IMEI and serial numbers) through TWRP.
• 📡 Before the firmware save the file persist.img — He is responsible for the operation of the communication module.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions