How to make a backup of Xiaomi through your computer: 3 proven ways

Losing data on a smartphone is one of the most frustrating situations for a user. Vacation photos, important messaging messages, saved passwords or work documents can disappear at once due to a system failure, device theft or accidental resetting. Backup through a computer is a reliable way to protect information, especially if Xiaomi has run out of space in the cloud or you prefer to store backups locally.

Unlike backing up via Mi Cloud, PC copying gives you complete control over files: you choose what to save, where to store, and how to encrypt. In addition, this method works even on devices with damaged firmware (if the smartphone is still turned on) or in the absence of Internet access. In this article, we will analyze the official tools from Xiaomi, alternative programs and nuances for different versions. MIUI/Android.

⚠️ Warning: If you use Xiaomi with an unlocked bootloader or custom firmware, standard backup methods may not work. ADB or specialized utilities like TWRP.

According to Xiaomi statistics for 2023, 68% of users have never backed up, and 22% have lost data due to lack of backup.

1. Preparation of the smartphone and computer for reservation

Before you start creating a backup, you need to follow several mandatory steps, which will eliminate possible connection errors and ensure the safety of all data.

First, check the version. MIUI On your device. To do this, go to Settings. → The phone. → Version. MIUI. This depends on the choice of the method of reservation:

• 📱 MIUI 12/13/14 — Support the official Mi utility PC Suite and ADB Backup.
• 🔄 MIUI Global/China/EU — You may need additional drivers for your PC.
• 🛠️ HyperOS devices (2026) – Use Xiaomi Backup Tool instead of the outdated Mi PC Suite.

Second, make sure that your computer has drivers for Xiaomi, without which your PC won't recognize your device in data mode, download them from the official website:

• 🖥️ For Windows: Xiaomi Support Page (Section "PC Suite").
• 🐧 For Linux: Use Android-tools-adb from repositories or gsconnect utility.
• 🍎 For macOS: you will need Android File Transfer + ADB via Homebrew.

🔌 Cable matters! Use the original. USB-Xiaomi cable or certified cable USB-C Cheap cables often only work for charging and cause an error called "Device not identified".

Enable USB debugging (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times Press → Developer → USB debugging)

Connect the smartphone to the PC in the mode "Transfer of files" (MTP)

Disable screen lock (PIN/pattern lock) at the time of reservation

Check the free space on the PC (minimum 2)× from the amount of data on the phone)

Close background apps on your smartphone (especially antiviruses and optimizers)

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2. Method 1: Official Mi utility PC Suite (for) MIUI 12–14)

Mi PC Suite is Xiaomi's proprietary software for controlling your smartphone from your computer, and it allows you to backup your contacts, messages, apps and media, and restore them:

• ❌ Does not store data from some system applications (e.g. Mi Fit or Mi Home).
• ❌ Does not work on HyperOS devices (requires Xiaomi Backup Tool).
• ❌ Backup encrypted – without password recovery is impossible.

📌 Step-by-step instruction:

1. Download and install Mi PC Suite from the official website.
2. Connect Xiaomi to your PC via USB by selecting File Transfer (MTP) mode.
3. In the program, click Backup. → Create a backup copy.
4. Select data categories (e.g. Contacts, Messages, Applications) and click Start.
5. Wait for completion (time depends on the amount of data) and save the backup file in a safe place.

⚠️ Attention: If Mi PC Suite can't see the device, try it:

• 🔄 Reboot your smartphone and PC.
• 🔌 Connect to another USB-port (preferably) USB 3.0).
• 🛠️ Install drivers manually through Device Manager (select) ADB Interface).

Backup file from Mi PC Suite has the.mbk extension and stores data in encrypted form!

3. Method 2: ADB Backup (a universal way for all versions of Android)

ADB Backup is an Android built-in tool that works without additional software.It allows you to create a full backup (including settings for system applications), but has its own nuances:

• ✅ It works on all Xiaomi devices (including HyperOS).
• ✅ Doesn't require root rights.
• ❌ Does not store data of some applications (for example, WhatsApp or Viber – they need to be backup separately).
• ❌ The process can be interrupted if the smartphone is discharged or disconnected from the PC.

🛠️ Instructions:

1. Download Google’s Platform Tools and unpack it into a folder (for example, C:\adb).
2. Connect Xiaomi to your PC, turn on Debugging by USB and select the File Transfer Mode.
3. Open the command prompt (Win + R → enter cmd) and go to the folder with ADB: cd C:\adb
4. Enter the command to create a backup: adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f C:\backup_xiaomi.ab -apk — retain, -shared — file SD-map, -all — data.
5. On the screen of the smartphone will appear a request for confirmation – enter a password (if required) and click Create a backup.

📂 File. backup_xiaomi.ab It's saved along the path that you're going to use the command to recover the data:

adb restore C:\backup_xiaomi.ab

⚠️ Attention: ADB Backup does not encrypt data by default. If there is confidential information (passwords, tokens) in the backup, store the file in a secure place or encrypt it using the help of the backup. 7-Zip/VeraCrypt.

💡

If ADB does not see the device, update the drivers through Device Manager → Find Xiaomi in the list → Update the driver manually by specifying the folder with Platform Tools.

Method 3: Manual copying of files (for photos, videos, documents)

If you only need to save media, documents, or downloads, you can do without specialized software, which is simple, but not suitable for backup applications or system settings.

📁 What folders should be copied:

🖱️ How to copy:

1. Connect Xiaomi to your PC in File Transfer (MTP) mode.
2. Open this computer. → Find the device (usually) Redmi/POCO/Xiaomi).
3. Go to the Internal Memory folder and copy the necessary data to the hard drive.
4. For reliability, check the integrity of the files after copying.

⚠️ Note: Some folders (for example, /Android/data/) They may be hidden or inaccessible without root rights. TWRP or ADB Pull.

💡

Manual copying is the fastest way to backup media, but it doesn’t save application settings, SMS Or call logs. Use full reservations. ADB or Mi PC Suite.

5. Alternative programs for Xiaomi backup

If standard methods don't work, you can use third-party utilities that offer advanced features like selective recovery or cloud storage.

🔧 Top.-3 backup:

• 📦 Dr.Fone - Phone Backup (Wondershare): Supports WhatsApp, Viber, Kik and system data backup.Paid, but there is a trial version.
• 🖥️ Mobikin Assistant for Android: allows you to preview data before the backup. Works without root.
• 🔄 Syncios Mobile Manager: Free alternative to Mi PC Suite with HyperOS support.

🔍 How to choose a program:

• 💰 If you need a backup of messengers - Dr.Fone (paid, but reliable).
• 🆓 If free is important, Syncios or Mobikin (with limitations).
• 🛡️ If you want maximum privacy, use it. ADB or.

⚠️ Note: Party programs may request access to personal data. Before installing, check reviews on Softpedia or MajorGeeks and download the software only from official sites.

6. How to recover data from backup

Building a backup is half the battle, and it's equally important to be able to recover data properly, especially if the smartphone has been reset or re-stitched.

🔄 Reconstruction instructions:

🔧 Frequent problems in recovery:

• 🚫 "Failed to restore backup – check file integrity (e.g., via 7-Zip).
• 🔒 "File encrypted – remember the password from Mi PC Suite or use it ADB.
• ⚠️ "Not enough space – free up your smartphone memory before you recover.

7. Frequent errors and their solutions

Even when you follow instructions, users encounter errors, and we'll look at some of the most common ones and how to fix them.

❌ Error: "Device not recognized" (Windows)

• 🔌 Try another one. USB-cable.
• 🖥️ Install drivers manually through Device Manager (select) ADB Interface).
• 🔄 Restart your PC and smartphone.
• 🛠️ Turn off Fast Charging in Xiaomi Settings (sometimes interfering with connection).

❌ Mistake: "ADB: device unauthorized"

• 🔑 On the smartphone will be a request for debugging permission – confirm it.
• 📱 If the request does not appear, check if debugging is enabled by USB developer-setting.
• 🔄 Reconnect the device or reboot it. ADB Adb kill-server and Adb start-server

❌ Error: “Failure to back up” in Mi PC Suite

• 📁 Check if there is enough space on the PC drive (at least 2 is required).× from the amount of data on the phone).
• 🔒 Disable the antivirus (e.g. Avast or 360 Total Security).
• 🔄 Try another version of the Mi. PC Suite (e.g. 3.2.1.3071 instead of the last one).

💡 Tip: If none of the methods work, try creating a backup through TWRP (It requires an unlocked bootloader. This is the last but most reliable way for root-enabled devices.

💡

Before any firmware update or settings reset, be sure to back up. MIUI Sometimes they cause data loss!

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions