The Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 is still one of the most popular budget smartphones thanks to its robust hardware and custom firmware support, but even such a device is not immune to failure: an accidental drop, a MIUI update curve, or a virus can erase all your data at once. Backup is the only way to return photos, correspondence and settings after formatting or replacing the motherboard.
In this article, 5 current backup methods for Redmi Note 4 (including models with Snapdragon 625 and Helio X20 processors), from built-in MIUI tools to advanced solutions through ADB and TWRP.
- 📱 Applications and their data (including progres in games)
- 📸 Photo/video in original quality
- 📞 Contacts, SMS call-book
- ⚙️ System settings (Wi-Fi, wallpaper, brightness)
And we’ll also find out why the standard MIUI backup doesn’t restore some apps (like WhatsApp or banking software) and how to get around it.
1. Built-in MIUI backup: a simple but limited way
The fastest method is to use the regular backup function in MIUI. It is available on all firmware versions (including MIUI 12/13/14 for Redmi Note 4), but has critical limitations: it does not save data of some applications and requires authorization in Mi Account.
To create a backup copy:
- Open Settings → About the phone → Backup.
- Click Backup and select the items to save (only contacts and SMS are marked by default).
- Specify the storage location: internal memory (MIUI/backup/AllBackup folder) or Mi Cloud (requires Xiaomi account).
- Confirm the backup and wait until it is completed (may take 5-20 minutes).
⚠️ Note: This method does not maintain:
- 🔒 Wi-Fi passwords (network names only)
- 🎮 Progress in games (if they are not synced with Google Play)
- 💳 Data of banking applications (Sberbank, Tinkoff, etc.)
The main advantage of the method is simplicity.
- 🚫 There is no choice of separate backup apps (all or nothing).
- 🔄 Recovery only works on devices with the same version MIUI.
- 📉 It takes up a lot of space (backup weighs 2-5 GB).
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If you choose the Mi Cloud, check the free space in your Xiaomi account. Free is only 5GB, and the Redmi Note 4 backup can weigh more. Clear old copies in Mi Cloud → Storage Management.
2. backup via TWRP Recovery: for advanced users
If your Redmi Note 4 has custom TWRP Recovery installed, you can create a complete system image (including the /data partition with user data), which will save you even when the phone is “bricked” after a failed firmware.
Instructions:
- Turn off your phone and press Volume Up + Power to enter TWRP.
- Go to the Backup section.
- Check the boxes: Boot, System, Data (required!), EFS (for IMEI).
- Select a save location (external microSD is recommended).
- Swipe for the backup.
⚠️ Warning: Do not interrupt the process! If the battery runs out during the image creation, section /data Charge your phone at least until it gets damaged. 50% beforehand.
Charge your phone to 50% |
Download the latest version TWRP For the Redmi Note 4 (snappy/helios)|
Connect a microSD card (at least 16 GB of free space)|
Disable data encryption (if enabled) in Settings → Lockdown and protection → Encryption-->
The advantages of TWRP-backup:
- 🛡️ Stores all data, including hidden files and application settings.
- 🔄 It works even if the system is not loaded.
- 🔧 You can restore separate partitions (for example, only Data).
Disadvantages:
- 🔌 Requires an unlocked boot loader and installed TWRP.
- 📦 Backup file weighs 8-12 GB (depending on memory fullness).
- ⚠️ Incompatible with official updates MIUI (I'll have to reinstall. TWRP post-update).
What if TWRP doesn’t see a microSD?
3. ADB Reservations: For Those Afraid of TWRP
If you don’t want to install custom recavators but need a reliable backup, use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a method that creates an exact copy of the /data partition without the need to unlock the bootloader.
What you need:
- 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS.
- 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
- 🛠️ Utilities. ADB and fastboot (download from the official Android website).
Step-by-step:
- Turn on USB Debugging on your phone (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – press 7 times, then go back to Additional Settings → For Developers).
- Connect Redmi Note 4 to your PC and confirm your trust in your computer.
- Open the command line (or Terminal) in the folder with ADB and do: adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f C:\backup_redmi4.ab Where C:\backup_redmi4.ab — path to future backup file.
- A confirmation request will appear on the phone - enter a password (if any) and click "Create a backup".
⚠️ Note:.ab (Android Backup) file cannot be simply copied back – you need the same file to recover. ADB team:
adb restore C:\backup_redmi4.abPros of the method:
- 🔒 Does not require root or unlocking the bootloader.
- 📂 Stores all applications and their data (except for some system files).
Cons:
- ⏳ The process takes 30-60 minutes (depending on the amount of data).
- 🔧 Recovery is possible only through ADB (nerdy).
- 🚫 It's not. SMS, call log and some settings MIUI.
4. Cloud services: backup automation
If you don't want to mess with manual copies, set up automatic sync with cloud services, which won't replace a full backup, but will save the most important data: photos, contacts and documents.
The best options for Redmi Note 4:
| Service | What keeps | Free seat | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🌥️ Google Photo | Photo/video in original quality (up to 15 GB) | 15 GB (total with Google Drive) | Compresses video when the limit is exceeded |
| ☁️ Mi Cloud | Contacts, SMS, notes, photos | 5GB | Requires Xiaomi account, slow loading |
| 📁 Google Drive | Any files (manual) | 15GB | You can download the entire DCIM folder. |
| 🔗 Syncthing | Photos, documents, music | Unlimited (synchronizes with PC) | It requires configuration, but does not depend on the cloud. |
How to set up automatic backup photos in Google Photos:
- Install the app from Google Play.
- Open the settings → Backup and synchronization.
- Enable the feature and select quality ("Original" or "High" - the latter compresses files).
- Specify which network to download (only Wi-Fi is recommended).
⚠️ Note: If you use two of these SIM-Maps on Redmi Note 4, contacts can be duplicated in the cloud. Before synchronizing, export them to.vcf via Contacts → Management → Imports/Exports.
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Cloud services don't replace full backup! They don't save application settings, game progress, or system data. Use them as an add-on to local copies.
5. manual backup of important data: contacts, SMS, photo
If you only need individual data (like WhatsApp or photos), it’s easier to copy it manually, a method that requires no special knowledge and works even on a locked phone.
How to keep in touch:
- Open the Contacts app.
- Press «⋮» (three-point) → Contact management → Imports/Exports.
- Select Export to File and specify the location of the save (e.g., Downloads).
- Copy the contacts.vcf file to your PC or cloud.
How to save SMS:
- 📲 Use the app. SMS Backup & Restore:
How to save photos and videos:
- 📷 Connect your phone to your PC through USB (Select the File Transfer Mode).
- Copy folders: DCIM – photos from the camera; Pictures – screenshots and uploaded images; Movies or Video – video files.