How to Backup Xiaomi Redmi 9: 5 Proven Ways

Xiaomi Redmi 9 remains one of the most popular budget smartphones even in 2026, but its owners often face the problem of how to save data before resetting, firmware or replacing the device. Official MIUI tools offer basic backup features, but they are not always reliable — especially when it comes to applications, SMS or system settings. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to back up for Redmi 9, including hidden MIUI functions, cloud services and custom solutions like TWRP.

It's important to understand that Redmi 9 (codename lancelot) is based on MIUI 12-14 (depending on the firmware version), and the backup algorithms in these versions are different. For example, MIUI 14 has a selective data recovery option that MIUI 12 doesn't have. We'll take these nuances into account and show you how to proceed in each case. We'll also highlight the critical MIUI Backup error, which sometimes causes backups to disappear after a system update - and how to avoid it.

1. Built-in backup via MIUI Backup

The easiest way is to use the MIUI Backup tool, which is available in the settings menu.

• 📱 Contacts (including linked accounts)
• 💬 SMS and MMS (But not messenger messages)
• 📷 Photo and video (optional if you include in the settings)
• ⚙️ System settings (Wi-Fi, wallpaper, sound profiles)
• 📥 Installed applications (without data, only APK)

To make a backup:

1. Open Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Local Backup.
2. Click Create a backup and select the data to save.
3. The storage location: internal memory or SD-map (recommended).
4. Wait until the end (may take 5-20 minutes depending on the amount of data).

⚠️ Attention: B MIUI 12 Backups are saved to the folder MIUI/backup/AllBackup, MIUI 14 — into MIUI/backup/ If you've been updating your firmware, old backups can get lost when you're moving. Always check the storage path!

2. Cloud backup via Mi Cloud

Mi Cloud is a cloud service from Xiaomi that automatically syncs some data. Redmi 9 has 5GB of free space (which is not enough, but enough for contacts and notes).

Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud and activate the switches opposite:

• 📇 Contacts (required!)
• 📝 Notes (if you use Mi Notes)
• 📅 Calendar
• 📷 Gallery (only miniatures, originals not preserved!)

⚠️ Note: Mi Cloud does not save:

• 🚫 SMS and call log (only in local backup).
• 🚫 Application settings (e.g. progress in games).
• 🚫 Files from Download folders or DCIM (Only if you download them manually to Mi Cloud Drive).

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If you have two-factor authentication in your Xiaomi account, disable it or save backup codes before resetting your phone, or you risk losing access to Mi Cloud after recovery!

3. Backup through Google Account

Google offers a more robust cloud solution than Mi Cloud, and Redmi 9 has Google Drive sync enabled by default, but it doesn't work with all the data.

1. Open Settings → Google → Backup.
2. Activate Backup on Google Drive.
3. Click Create a backup copy now.

What is saved on Google:

⚠️ Note: If you have two Google accounts on your phone, the backup may be created to the wrong account. → Accounts.

Make sure your phone is connected to Wi-Fi|Charge the battery at least 50 times%|Check the free space in Google Drive|Shut down. VPN (can block synchronization)|Reboot your phone (sometimes helps with synchronization errors)-->

4. Complete backup via TWRP (for advanced)

If you need to save all the firmware (including application data, system files, and even data partition), the only reliable way is to use custom recavatories. TWRP. This is true before the customization of ROM or unlocking the loader.

For Redmi 9 (lancelot), TWRP 3.7.0+ is suitable.

1. Unlock the bootloader via fastboot oem unlock (instructions on the official Xiaomi website).
2. Install TWRP via fastboot flash recovery twrp.img.
3. Load to the Recovery (Power + Vol Up) and select Backup.
4. Mark the sections: Boot, System, Data, Vendor.
5. Save the backup on SD-card (internal memory may not be read after resetting!).

⚠️ Attention: Backup through TWRP It takes 10 to 30 GB (depending on the memory capacity) and does not store it in internal memory, as file access may be lost after a reset or firmware is reset!

5 Manual copying of important data on PC

If you don't trust cloud services or custom recavities, the most reliable way to do this is to copy data to your computer manually.

Connect Redmi 9 to your PC via USB-cable and select File Transfer Mode (MTP). Basic folders for copying:

• 📂 DCIM — photo and video.
• 📂 Download – Downloaded files.
• 📂 Pictures, Music, Movies – Media Files.
• 📂 Android/data — Application data (e.g. game saving).
• 📂 MIUI/backup — backup MIUI (if you've done it before).

To copy SMS and call logs, use third-party applications like SMS Backup & Restore (saves to XML/CSV). and for contacts, export them to.vcf via Contacts → Settings → Export.

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Manual copying is the only way to save 100% of data without the risk of loss. Cloud services and MIUI Backup can skip files or settings, and TWRP requires unlocking the bootloader.

6. Data recovery after resetting or firmware

After resetting to factory settings or installing a new firmware, you can restore data in several ways:

From MIUI Backup:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Local Backup.
2. Select the backup file (if it is on) SD-Put it in the phone).
3. Click Restore and select the data you need.

From Google Drive:

1. When you first set up your phone, select Copy Data from another device → Can’t use your old device → Restore from Google backup.
2. Enter your Google account details and select the latest backup.

From TWRP:

1. Load to the Recavator (Power + Vol Up).
2. Select Restore and specify the folder with backup on SD-map.
3. Mark the required sections (Data for applications, System for firmware).

⚠️ Warning: If you are recovering the backup MIUI on a phone with another firmware version (for example, with a MIUI 12 on MIUI 14), there may be errors in the system, in which case it is better to restore only contacts, SMS Media files, and settings and applications to install again.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Redmi 9 backup