How to back up Xiaomi Redmi 4X: a complete guide with photos and videos

Xiaomi Redmi 4X (codenamed santoni) is still a popular budget smartphone, but owners often face the problem of how to securely save data before resetting, firmware or replacing a device. Unlike modern flagships, there is no automatic cloud backup on Google One, and built-in MIUI tools work with limitations. This article will help you understand which backup methods are really working on the Redmi 4X in 2026, and which ones are better to abandon.

We tested 5 methods – from standard MIUI 8/9/10 functions (depending on the firmware version) to third-party utilities like TWRP and ADB. Particular attention was paid to the nuances of working with 16/32 GB eMMC memory, where every gigabyte counts. If you plan to flash Redmi 4X on custom firmware (for example, LineageOS), you can not do without a full backup – otherwise you risk losing IMEI or NFC data (if you have it in your modification).

1. Built-in backup in MIUI: pros and cons

The easiest way is to use the standard Settings feature → Additional → Backup and Reset → Local Backup. On Redmi 4X, it is available even on older versions of MIUI, but it works with serious limitations:

• 📱 It only saves system settings, SMS, Call log and some app data (not all!) Photos, videos and music will have to be copied separately.
• 🔄 Backup is created in.mbk format and takes at least 500-800 MB – critical for the 16-gigabyte version of the smartphone.
• ⚡ Recovery is only possible on the same device with the same version. MIUI. When changing firmware, backup files become useless.
• 🚫 Does not support app reservations and their data (such as game saves or WhatsApp settings).

How to make a backup through MIUI:

1. Open Settings → About the phone and check the version of MIUI (important for compatibility).
2. Go to Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset.
3. Click Local Backup and select the data to save (we recommend marking everything except unnecessary applications).
4. Wait until it's finished, it can take 10 to 20 minutes, and the file will appear in the MIUI/backup/AllBackup folder.

⚠️ Note: If you have a firmware installed MIUI 9 Global or older, backup may not recover MIUI 10+ Before you upgrade, check compatibility first!

2. backup via Mi Account: cloud backup with pitfalls

Xiaomi offers cloud backup via Mi Account, but on the Redmi 4X, this feature is unstable.

• ☁️ The Mi Cloud only gives 5GB for free, which is enough for contacts and notes.
• 📶 On the old versions. MIUI Synchronization can be suspended during the data loading stage (especially if used). 2G/3G instead of Wi-Fi).
• 🔒 A full backup requires a binding to a Mi Account, which is not convenient for everyone due to the privacy policy.

How to set up a cloud backup:

1. Register or sign in to Mi Account in Settings → Accounts → Mi Account.
2. Activate synchronization for the desired data: Settings → Synchronization.
3. To back up applications, go to Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset → Backup Mi Cloud.

💡

Before using Mi Cloud, check if your IP is blocked in China – sometimes it interferes with synchronization.If the backup does not load, try connecting via a VPN (for example, ProtonVPN).

3. Full backup via TWRP: for advanced users

If you need to save all the firmware with all the data (including apps, their cache and settings), the best option is to use a custom TWRP recap.

• 🔧 Before the custom firmware ROM (LineageOS, Pixel Experience and others.).
• 🛠️ If you are planning to unlock the bootloader (fastboot oem unlock).
• 📦 Transfer data to another Redmi 4X (For example, when replacing the device).

Step-by-step:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool (requires binding to the Mi Account and waiting 72-720 hours).
2. Install TWRP for Redmi 4X (santoni) via fastboot flash recovery twrp.img.
3. Load into the receptacle: turn off the phone, then press Power + Volume up.
4. In TWRP, select Backup and select the sections Boot, System, Data, EFS (important for IMEI!).
5. Swipe to start the backup. Files will be saved to SD-card.

⚠️ Note: If you backup Data on an encrypted device, TWRP You may not see the files, so you need to turn off the encryption in Settings first. → Lockdown and protection → Encryption (reset will be required!).

Charge your phone at least 70 times%|Download the correct version TWRP for santoni|Connect SD-map (recommended)|Disable encryption (if enabled)|Check the unlocking of the loader-->

4. ADB Backup: For Those Who Don't Want to Install TWRP

If TWRP seems too complicated, you can backup it with the Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which doesn't require unlocking the bootloader, but it has its own nuances:

• 🖥️ You need a computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB Tools.
• 📁 Backup is created as an.ab archive, which can only be restored through the ADB.
• ⏳ The process takes a long time – up to 1-2 hours with a large amount of data.

Backup commands (executed in Command Prompt or Terminal):

adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f C:\backup_redmi4x.ab

Decoding of flags:

• -apk — retain APK-file.
• -obb — includes additional game data (OBB-file).
• -shared — backup SD-map.
• -all – all applications and system data.

Use: For recovery:

adb restore C:\backup_redmi4x.ab

5 Manual copying of important data: reliable, but long

If you don’t need system settings, but only personal files (photos, videos, documents), the easiest way to do this is to copy them manually. On Redmi 4X, you can do this in a number of ways:

• 📱 Through Explorer: Connect your phone to your PC in File Transfer mode (MTP) and copy the folders. DCIM, Downloads, Pictures.
• ☁️ Through the Cloud: Use Google Photos (unlimited storage for compressed photos) or Yandex Drive (10GB free).
• 🔌 Through OTG-cable: Connect the flash drive and transfer files using a file manager (e.g. Mi File Manager).

Pay special attention to the following folders:

To copy contacts and SMS without backup of the entire system:

1. Export contacts to.vcf: Contacts → Settings → Export/Import.
2. For SMS, use the SMS Backup & Restore app (available on Google Play).

💡

Manual copying is the only method that works 100% regardless of MIUI version or bootloader status, but it does not save application settings and system data, so it is only suitable for personal files.

6.Alternative backup apps: What works on the Redmi 4X

If the standard methods don't work, you can use third-party applications, and we tested a few and selected the ones that work well on the Redmi 4X:

• 📦 Swift Backup: Creates backups of applications and their data in.swb format.
• 🔄 Titanium Backup (root only): classic solution for full backup, but on the back MIUI It may conflict with system processes.
• ☁️ G Cloud Backup: Free 10GB, backup contacts, SMS, The downside is slow download on weak Internet.
• 📱 Migra: specializes in data transfer between Android devices. Useful when replacing Redmi 4X new-phone.

When choosing an application, consider:

• Without root rights, most utilities will not be able to backup application data (APK only).
• On the Redmi 4X with 2GB of RAM, heavy apps like Titanium Backup can slow down.
• Some programs (such as Helium) require a PC client to be installed to work properly.

⚠️ Note: Google Play backup apps may not see system folders on MIUI If the file you want isn't being copied, try using Root Explorer or FX File Manager with root access.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Redmi 4X backup