Owning a modern Xiaomi or Redmi smartphone involves storing a huge amount of personal information, the loss of which can be a serious problem. Accidental deletion of files, a malfunction of the operating system or a physical failure of the device are only a small part of the risks that a user faces daily, which is why backing up data to an external medium, such as a personal computer or laptop, is a critical procedure for maintaining digital peace.
Many device owners trust cloud storage, but local copying to a PC hard drive offers a number of undeniable benefits, including complete privacy and no dependence on Internet connection speed. You get physical control over your archives, which is especially true for large media volumes. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the available ways to safely transfer your data from your phone to your computer using both built-in system tools and third-party utilities.
The backup process may seem complicated at first, but with the right approach, it only takes a few minutes. We'll look at the methods for different versions of the MIUI and HyperOS shell, and we'll also look at the nuances of working with drivers and cables. Understanding these processes will allow you not only to copy files, but also to organize their storage so that if necessary, the recovery will be as fast and painless for your time.
Preparation of the device and the workplace before copying
Before any data transfer operation is initiated, you need to make sure that both devices, the smartphone and the computer, are ready to work. USB-Cheap cables that come bundled with some accessories are often designed to charge only and do not support data transfer, which can lead to a connection error. Use the original cable or certified analogue with support for fast transmission standards.
Free up enough space on your computer's hard drive. A full system backup, or even just a media library, can take up tens of gigabytes. Create a separate folder on the disk in advance so you don't search for files later among system debris. Also make sure your smartphone has USB debugging enabled if you plan to use advanced copying methods, although this isn't always required for basic file transfer.
⚠️ Note: If the smartphone screen displays an unsafe connection warning or a request for debugging permission from an unknown computer, do not confirm the action unless you are sure of the PC’s security. Connecting to public computers in copy centers or Internet cafes carries the risk of data leakage.
An important step is to clear the phone’s RAM from heavy applications that can block access to the file system. Close the background processes to ensure a stable transfer rate. If you use a laptop, connect it to a power source, as the process of copying a large amount of data can take a considerable time and drain the battery.
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Use it. USB-ports located on the back of the system unit, as they are connected directly to the motherboard and provide more stable voltage and data rate than the ports on the front panel.
Method 1: Classical copying through USB-cable (MTP)
The easiest and most common way to transfer files is to use the mode. MTP (Media Transfer Protocol: Connecting a smartphone to a computer USB-cable, Android system by default offers to choose the mode of operation. You need to select the option "File Transfer" or "Android Auto" so that the computer can access the internal memory of the device as an external drive.
Once connected, a new device will appear in My Computer, called your Xiaomi model, and when you open it, you'll see internal memory and maybe a microSD card. To create a full backup, you'll need to copy certain folders. The basic data of apps, photos and downloads are usually at the root of internal memory or in the DCIM folder.
☑️ Connection check MTP
Special attention should be paid to folders that are often forgotten to copy. MIUI/sound_recorder, and screenshots in Pictures/Screenshots. When copying data, try to save the folder structure on your computer so that it is easy to navigate the files. Do not interrupt the process of removing the cable until the write operation is completed, otherwise the files may become corrupted.
| Folder on the phone. | Contents | The importance of copying |
|---|---|---|
| DCIM/Camera | Photo and video from the camera | Critically important |
| Download | Uploaded files from the browser | Medium |
| MIUI/backup | Local backups of the system | Tall. |
| Documents | Documents and files from messengers | Tall. |
Use of the built-in "Reservation" tool in MIUI
The MIUI shell and the new HyperOS include a powerful built-in tool to create full copies of the system. It allows you to save not only files, but also settings, a list of installed applications, call history and SMS. To use this method, go to the Settings menu → About Phone → Reserve and Restore.
First, you need to create a local backup on the device itself. Select the items you want to save and click on "Reserve." The system will create an archive that is stored in internal memory by default, which is important because it packs disparate database data into a single readable file.
Once you have created a backup on your phone, you have to transfer it to your computer. The backup files are usually located in the MIUI/backup/AllBackup path. Copy the entire AllBackup folder to your PC hard drive, which will ensure that even system settings that you can't get by simply copying files through MTP are safe.
Where to look for backup files after transfer?
This method is especially useful when you move to a new Xiaomi smartphone, and when you recover data from this copy, you will get the interface that is as similar as the previous one, with all Wi-Fi passwords and icon layouts. However, remember that you can only restore such a backup on a device with a similar or newer version of MIUI.
Mi PC Suite and alternative utilities
The official Mi PC Suite program was once the main tool for managing the phone, but now it is almost not updated and may not support new models. However, for older devices (Redmi Note 3, Mi 5, etc.), it remains relevant. For modern smartphones, it is better to use universal solutions or web interfaces, since the support of official software from the manufacturer is minimal.
Alternatively, many users turn to XiaomiTool V2, a third-party, but time-tested, open-source tool that allows partition, firmware and user data backups, and requires the installation of ADB and Fastboot drivers, making it more suitable for advanced users.
When using third-party software, always check the source of the download. Only download utilities from official developer sites or trusted forums to avoid malicious code. Before starting the program, close the antivirus for a short time if it blocks work with the system partitions of the phone, but only if you are sure of the file security.
If you choose to use specialized software, make sure that the phone is not locked during the process.The screen should be on and the USB debugging mode should be activated.In some cases, a confirmation on the smartphone screen is required to allow the computer to access debugging.
Backup of WhatsApp and messengers
The messenger data is worth special attention, as it is often stored in secure memory areas. For WhatsApp, the standard procedure for copying folders via USB may not save the history of correspondence in readable form without special uploading; it is better to use the built-in chat export function or cloud redundancy within the application itself, tied to Google Drive.
However, if you want to save media files (photos, videos, voice) sent to WhatsApp, they are in the Android/media/com.whatsapp/WhatsApp/Media folder (on new Androids) or just WhatsApp/Media (on old ones).
⚠️ Note: When you restore WhatsApp from a local copy on a new device, the version of the app must be compatible with the database version. Often, the new version of WhatsApp does not see the old backup, so try to keep the app updated before creating a copy.
For Telegram, the situation is simpler: all data is stored in the cloud, and local copying is only required for secret chats or cache. But if you used bots to save files to your favorites, make sure they are downloaded to your device before you make a shared memory backup.
Process automation and synchronization
Manually copying files every time can be tedious. You can use scripts or sync programs like FreeFileSync or Resilio Sync to automate the process. These tools allow you to set up a rule: "Once the phone is connected to Wi-Fi and charging, copy the DCIM folder to your computer." This eliminates the need to remember to create backups.
Setting up automatic sync requires an initial configuration, you need to install the client on your PC and the application on your phone, then specify the pairs of folders for sync, and the advantage of this approach is that only modified files are copied, which greatly speeds up the process.
It’s also worth considering using NAS (Network Storage) if you have one. Many Xiaomi routers and other network devices support connecting external drives and have built-in backup features over SMB protocol. This allows you to back up wirelessly just from home.
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Automation via Wi-Fi is convenient for daily photos, but for a full backup system before firmware always use a wired USB connection to ensure data integrity.
Frequent mistakes and ways to solve them
One of the most common problems is when a computer sees the phone only as a charging device, often solved by replacing the cable or cleaning the phone's USB connector from dust and pile that eventually fills up in your pocket. Use a wooden toothpick or compressed air to clean the port carefully.
Another mistake is interrupting copying because your phone is going to sleep, so to avoid this, increase the time to turn off the screen in the settings, or use an app that keeps the screen from going out during data transfer. USB-port in Windows Device Manager.
If you have a copying error, “File too big” or “Not enough space,” check the file system of a flash drive or external drive. For files larger than 4 GB, the disk should be formatted in NTFS or exFAT, as the old FAT32 format does not support large volumes of single files.