Smartphones are becoming the repositories of our digital lives, and the Redmi Note 9 Pro is no exception. Thousands of photos, important documents, correspondence and passwords all require strong protection against accidental deletion or device breakdown, and backup is the only guaranteed way to keep access to this data in any situation, whether it is a gadget theft or a software failure.
Owners of Xiaomi devices often underestimate the importance of regular backup until they are faced with the need to flash or reset settings. Fortunately, the MIUI ecosystem offers powerful built-in tools for archiving information that do not require installing third-party software.
In this detailed guide, we will look at all the available methods for creating copies for your model, we will look at cloud services, local storage on a memory card and the specific nuances of working with instant messengers. It is important to know that the system partition of the firmware is not copied by standard means, so the focus is shifted to user data.
Preparation of the device and selection of the archiving method
Before you start the immediate copying process, you need to make sure that the device is ready to work with large amounts of data. First, check the battery level, as intensive file writing can quickly consume energy. It is desirable that the indicator shows at least 40-50% or the device is connected to a power source.
Next, you need to decide on the storage you want, you can use internal memory, external storage or cloud servers, each of which has its own advantages and speed and volume limitations. Owners of the Redmi Note 9 Pro should pay attention to the availability of free space, as a full copy of the system can take up tens of gigabytes.
It is also critical to ensure that your Internet connection is stable if you plan to use cloud technology. An unstable signal can cause download interruptions and damage to your archive. For local operations, it is recommended to use an original cable or a quality card reader.
- 🔋 Check the battery charge and connect the charger for process stability.
- 💾 Make room or prepare a place for SD-map or cloud storage.
- 📶 Make sure you have a stable Wi-Fi connection for cloud synchronization.
- 🔒 Remember or write down the password from your Mi Account and Google account, they will be required for authorization.
Don’t ignore the preparation phase, as this is where errors are most likely to occur. If you plan to transfer data to a new phone, make sure both devices have the current version of MIUI installed, avoiding problems with file formats and folder structure compatibility when recovering.
Use of the built-in Explorer application for local backup
The fastest way to save important files is to use the standard Explorer app, which is preinstalled on every Xiaomi, which is ideal for those who want to save photos, videos and documents manually, without creating a complete system image.
To start, open the app and go to the internal file category. Here you will find folders with media files such as DCIM for the camera, MIUI for voice recorder and screenshots, and Download. Select the desired directories or individual files with a long press and select the menu item "Copy" or "Move".
💡
When copying large amounts of video in 4K resolution, use a memory card with a speed class of U3 or higher to avoid interface freezes.
Once you select the source, the system will suggest specify the destination. If you use a memory card, choose a path to it, for example /storage/emulated/0/backup. Local copying is advantageously fast, but remember that when the smartphone itself breaks, data on internal memory may become inaccessible if it was not transferred to an external media or PC.
Pay special attention to hidden folders and application system directives. Some programs store data in root folders with developer names that are not always obvious. Regular manual check of these sections will help to keep progress in games or customize specific utilities.
Full backup through MIUI settings
The MIUI local backup feature allows you to create a complete cast of system settings, app list, SMS and call history. This is the most in-depth method of saving the state of a smartphone that you can use when you flash or return to factory settings. You can find this option on the Settings path → About the phone → Backup and restore.
In the menu that opens, you will be asked to select data types to save, the system allows you to flexibly adjust settings: you can exclude heavy applications or leave only system settings. After selecting components, click the "Create Backup" button and wait for the process to be completed, which can take from 5 to 20 minutes.
☑️ Check before creating a full copy
Importantly, the archive you create is stored in the internal memory by default in the hidden folder MIUI/backup/AllBackup. To secure this data, you have to manually transfer it to your computer or the cloud, because when you completely reset, the internal memory is completely cleared, and without this step, creating a copy becomes meaningless.
⚠️ Attention: Local backup copy MIUI It does not include the contents of the folders with photos and music, it only stores the structure and settings.
Synchronize data through Mi Cloud and Google Account
Cloud technology is the most reliable way to protect against physical loss of a device.Mi Cloud service is deeply integrated into the shell of Xiaomi and allows you to synchronize contacts, notes, voice recorder, calendar and even placement of icons on the desktop. → Mi Account. → Mi Cloud.
In parallel with the Xiaomi ecosystem, be sure to take advantage of Google's capabilities. Photos and videos are best saved through the Google Photos app, which offers unlimited (in compressed quality) storage. Contacts and calendar events are also duplicated into a Google account, which provides dual data protection.
Automatic synchronization requires Wi-Fi connectivity to avoid wasting mobile traffic. In the cloud settings, you can set the condition “Sync only over Wi-Fi”, which will save your budget, and regularly check the status of the last sync in the appropriate settings section.
When changing phones to a different manufacturer, it can be difficult to recover data from the Mi Cloud, as the format of some settings is specific to MIUI. Google data in this regard is more versatile and recoverable on any device with Google Play services.
Preservation of correspondence and data of messengers
Special attention is required by messengers such as WhatsApp, Telegram and Viber. They store the history of correspondence in their own databases, which do not always fall into the general backup of the system. WhatsApp needs to go to Settings → Chats → Backup of chats and select the target storage: Google Drive or local memory.
Telegram stores its history on servers, so it’s easy to log in from a new device. However, secret chats and stored files downloaded locally can be lost without first exporting. Viber also requires manual backup activation to Google Drive in the account settings section.
Where did WhatsApp folders disappear after Android 11 update?
It is recommended to periodically export important correspondence in PDF or TXT format, especially if it is a business communication, this will allow you to read the message history even without installing a client application.
Comparison of methods and characteristics table
The best way to do this depends on your goals: whether you need to restore your phone to its original appearance in minutes or just save photos, and here is a comparison table to help you determine your priorities and time spent.
| Method | What's copying | Speed. | Network dependency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local MIUI backup | Settings, applications, SMS | Tall. | Not required |
| Mi Cloud | Contacts, notes, layout | Medium | I'll be sure. |
| Google Photo | Photos and videos | Low (depending on volume) | Definitely (Wi-Fi) |
| Conductor (manually) | Files, documents, media | Tall. | Not required |
As you can see from the table, the perfect all-in-one solution doesn’t exist without user input, and the combined approach of saving settings locally and sending media to the cloud is the smartest strategy for a Redmi Note 9 Pro owner.
💡
The combination of local copy of MIUI settings and Google Photo cloud sync ensures 100% user data security.
Recovery of data after reset or on a new device
The recovery process depends on the method you chose. If you used a local copy of MIUI, when you first set up your phone (or after you reset), the system will prompt you to find backup copies. If the offer does not appear, go to Settings → About Phone → Backup and Restore → Mobile device and select the file you want.
To recover from the cloud, just log into your Mi Account and Google account. The system automatically tightens contacts, notes and app placement. Photos will appear in the gallery as they are uploaded from cloud storage, which can take some time with a large volume.
⚠️ Note: When recovering from a local copy MIUI On the new version of Android, some system settings may not apply due to changes in the structure of the operating system.
Remember to re-authorize in banking applications and instant messengers after data recovery, as this is a security requirement. Passwords from Wi-Fi networks can also be restored automatically if the appropriate synchronization has been enabled in Google.