Losing contacts, photos or messages due to a reset, phone theft or breakdown is a situation that one in five Xiaomi owners face. According to Mi Community statistics for 2023, 68% of users start looking for backup information after an incident when data is irretrievably lost. Meanwhile, it takes no more than 10 minutes to create a backup on MIUI smartphones, and the choice of method depends on your priorities: speed, the amount of data stored or the ability to restore it on another device.
In this article, we will discuss all the current backup methods for Xiaomi, including hidden MIUI 14/15 features, working with custom TWRP recoveries and the nuances of cloud storage via Google Drive or Mi Cloud. Particular attention will be paid to the unique feature of Xiaomi – automatic backup of system applications (for example, Themes or Security), which are not saved by standard Android tools. If you plan to sell a phone, update firmware or just want to insure – this guide will help avoid typical errors.
1. Built-in backup function in MIUI: pros and cons
The easiest way to create a backup on Xiaomi is to use the built-in Backup tool in the MIUI settings. It is available on all devices starting with the Redmi Note 5 (2018) and later, but has limitations on the amount and type of data stored.
To start the process:
- 📱 Open the Settings. → The phone. → Backup (on some models, path: Settings) → Additionally. → Backup and reset).
- 🔄 Select Local Backup (to save to your phone) or Mi Cloud (to keep in the cloud).
- ⚙️ Click Backup Settings to select data: system settings, applications (only those that support backup), SMS/MMS, call-books.
- 💾 Run the process with the Create backup button. The file will be saved in the folder. MIUI/backup/AllBackup internal.
The main advantage of the method is automatic recovery when resetting your phone through Settings → Additional → Data recovery.
| Parameter | MIUI Backup | Google Drive | TWRP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Support for applications | Partial (systemic only) | Complete (except for system) | Complete. |
| Cloud storage | Only through Mi Cloud (5GB) | 15GB free of charge | No. |
| Recovery on another device | Only on Xiaomi. | Any Android on any Android | Requires TWRP |
| Speed. | Quickly (5-15 minutes) | Slowly (depending on the internet) | Average (20-40 min) |
⚠️ Attention: Built-in backup MIUI does not save data from WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber, as well as media files (photos, videos, music.
2. Google Drive Backup: A Universal Method for All Android
If you use a Google account, your Xiaomi can already automatically save some of the data to the cloud, which is a way to switch to another smartphone (not necessarily Xiaomi) or recover from a reset.
To enable backup:
- ☁️ Go to Settings. → Google → Backup.
- 🔄 Activate the switch Backup in Google Drive.
- 📝 Click Backup Settings and select Google account, as well as data to save: contacts, calendar, SMS (on some firmware), Wi-Fi settings, background wallpaper and list of applications.
- 💾 For manual start-up, click Create backup now.
Google Drive provides 15GB of space for free, but does not save:
- 📸 Photos and videos (you need Google Photos for this).
- 💬 Messages in messengers (except for SMS).
- 🎵 Music and uploaded files.
- 📱 Xiaomi system application data (e.g. Topics or Security).
For a full backup, we recommend combining Google Drive with other methods, for example, photos and videos can be synced through Google Photos (settings → Backup and Sync), and messages can be exported manually (more on this below).
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If you have slow internet, connect to Wi-Fi before you backup Google Drive and charge your phone up to 50%+, which can take hours with a lot of data.
3. Full backup via TWRP: for advanced users
If you need to save all the firmware, including system files, kernel and application data, the best option is TWRP custom recavers. This method requires an unlocked bootloader and is suitable for:
- 🔧 Before the custom firmware ROM (LineageOS or Pixel Experience).
- 🛠️ Recovery after the "brick" (if the phone is not turned on).
- 🔄 Transfer data to another Xiaomi with the same model.
Instructions for creating a backup through TWRP:
- 📱 Install. TWRP For your model (instructions are available on the official website).
- 🔄 Load into the recavator: turn off the phone, then press Volume up + Nutrition.
- 💾 On the main menu. TWRP Choose Backup.
- ✅ Mark the backup sections: Boot, System, Data, Vendor (required for MIUI!).
- 📁 Specify the save location (preferably on MicroSD or formatted flash drive in the FAT32).
- 🔘 Start the process of swiping Swipe to Back Up.
⚠️ Attention: Backup through TWRP borrower 20-40 GB (depending on model) and not compatible with other devices, such as the backup with Redmi Note 10 Pro won't recover on POCO X3 Pro, even if they have the same processor.
Unlock the bootloader (via Mi Unlock Tool)|Install TWRP forecast|Download the drivers ADB/Fastboot|Connect OTG-flash drive (if not) SD-map)|Charge the phone to 70%+-->
For recovery:
- Download to TWRP.
- Select Restore and specify the folder with backup.
- Mark the required sections and confirm the recovery.
What if TWRP doesn’t see internal memory?
4 Manual copying of files on PC: reliable and without restrictions
If you don't trust clouds or custom firmware, the most reliable way to do this is to copy data to your computer via USB or Wi-Fi.
- 📸 Photos, videos, music and documents.
- 📱 Contacts (export to.vcf).
- 💬 Communications (SMS messenger chats).
- 🎮 Game savers (e.g. Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile).
Step-by-step:
- 📱 Connect Xiaomi to your PC via USB-cable.
- 🔄 On the phone, select the file transfer mode (MTP) plug-in.
- 📁 On the computer, open the folder of the phone and copy it: DCIM — Photos and videos. Downloads - uploaded files. WhatsApp/Media — WhatsApp media. Android/data — Application data (requires root for full access).
Contacts
⋮ → Contact management → Exports/imports → Export to.vcf file
SMS Backup & Restore
Google Play
To automate the process, you can use programs:
- 🖥️ Mi PC Suite (Official Software from Xiaomi for Backup and Recovery).
- 🔧 ADB Backup (command line, requires enabled debugging by USB).
- 📂 Syncthing (Sync files over Wi-Fi without clouds).
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Manual copying is the only way to save game data (such as Genshin Impact or Honor of Kings) as it is not backed up via MIUI or Google Drive.
5. Xiaomi Cloud Services: Mi Cloud and Alternatives
Mi Cloud is Xiaomi’s official cloud storage offering 5GB for free (expands to 200GB for a fee) and is integrated into MIUI and automatically syncs:
- 📱 Contacts, SMS, call-book.
- 📅 Notes and calendar.
- 📸 Photos and videos (if you have the option in the Gallery) → Settings → Mi Cloud).
- 🔧 System settings (wallpaper, sounds, labels).
How to set up Mi Cloud:
- 📱 Go to Settings. → Mi Account and log in.
- ☁️ Open Mi Cloud and enable synchronization for the data you need.
- 🔄 For manual backup, click Data Backup.
The limitations of Mi Cloud:
- 🚫 No backup of applications and their data (except system).
- 🌍 Available only in regions where Mi Cloud operates (in Russia and Europe, the service may be limited).
- 📥 Recovery is only possible on Xiaomi devices.
Alternatives to Mi Cloud:
- 📁 Yandex Drive (10 GB free, automatic photo download).
- ☁️ Mega (20GB free, data encryption).
- 🔗 Nextcloud (self-deploying cloud).
6.Special data: how to save what is not backed up automatically
Some of the data need special attention because they're not stored by standard methods. Let's look at the most problematic cases.
6.1.Save chats WhatsApp, Telegram and Viber
For backup of messengers:
- 💬 WhatsApp: Open up ⋮ → Settings → chat → Backup. Click Create a copy (save in /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases). Copy the file. msgstore.db.crypt14 PC-only.
- 📌 Telegram: Go to Settings → Data and memory → Export chat data. Select chats and export to.zip.
Viber
- Enable Settings → Account → Backup.
- Copy /sdcard/Viber/backup folder on your PC.
We recommend using a microSD or OTG-flash-drive FAT32/exFAT.