Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro remains one of the most popular smartphones of the brand even years after its release — thanks to the powerful processor Mediatek Helio G90T, 64-MP camera and a capacious battery of 4500 mAh. But any technique is not immune to failures: accidental fall, curved update MIUI or virus can erase all your data at once. According to statistics from Xiaomi service centers, 38% of requests for data recovery are associated with the absence of backups.
This article is not about abstract backup tips, but about specific steps for the Redmi Note 8 Pro, taking into account its features: working with MIUI 12/13/14, the limitations of the unlocked bootloader and compatibility with modern cloud services.
- 📱 Built-in tools MIUI — What keeps the local backup and what doesn’t
- ☁️ Google Drive vs Mi Cloud, which is more reliable for the Redmi Note 8 Pro
- 💻 PC Reservations – How to Get Around Restrictions MTP-protocol
- 🔧 TWRP Custom firmware - for advanced users
We will pay special attention to the hidden nuances: why the backup via Mi Account may not recover on another device, how to save data from closed Chinese applications (for example, Mi Video or Mi Music), and what to do if the smartphone does not turn on, but you need to save the photo.
1. Local backup via MIUI: pros and pitfalls
The most obvious way is to use the built-in backup feature in MIUI, which is available on all firmware versions for the Redmi Note 8 Pro (from MIUI 11 to MIUI 14), but there are nuances: not all data is saved, and recovery sometimes fails.
To create a local copy:
- Open Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Local Backup.
- Click Create a backup and select data categories (contacts, messages, system settings, etc.).
- Specify the location of the storage — internal memory or SD-map (if installed).
- Wait for the completion (on the Redmi Note 8 Pro with 128 GB of memory, the process takes 10–25 minutes).
What is stored in such a backup:
- 📞 Contacts, call log, SMS/MMS
- ⚙️ System settings (Wi-Fi, wallpaper, sound profiles)
- 📁 Some application data (e.g. Mi Notes notes)
What is NOT saved:
- 🚫 Installed applications (only a list of them for quick reinstallation)
- 🚫 Photos and videos (you need to copy manually or through the Gallery) → Backup)
- 🚫 Game data (progress in the PUBG Mobile, Genshin Impact and others.)
- 🚫 Wi-Fi passwords (only saved if Mi Cloud reservations are enabled)
Battery charge > 50%|Free space on SD-The map (if you save it there)|Memory optimizers are disabled (for example, Security) → Battery → Power Saver)|The device is not connected to VPN (Can block access to system files)
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⚠️ Attention: Local backup MIUI If you forget your password or delete your account, it will not be possible to restore data from the backup copy - even through the Xiaomi service center. Always check that you have access to the linked mail / phone. 2. Cloud reservation: Google Drive vs Mi Cloud Cloud Cloud services are convenient in that data is accessible from any device and protected from physical damage to the smartphone. For the Redmi Note 8 Pro, two options are relevant: Google Drive (universal) and Mi Cloud (optimized for the mobile device). MIUI). Consider both. 2.1. Google Drive backup offers 15GB of free space, enough for contacts, parts of apps and settings. To enable automatic backup: Go to Settings → Accounts and synchronization → Google. Select your account and activate switches for the right categories (contacts, calendar, app data). SMS and system settings) go to Settings → System system → Backup → Backup to Google Drive. The benefits of Google Drive: 🌍 Access from any device (Android, iOS, PC) 🔄 Automatic synchronization (can be configured over Wi-Fi) 📦 Stores data from most third-party apps (if they support Google Backup: 🚫 Does not save photos in their original quality (only if Google Photos are enabled) → Quality. → Original) 🚫 15 GB limit (for photos/video with Redmi Note 8 Pro this is not enough) 🚫 Some system settings MIUI No recovery (e.g. navigation gestures) 2.2. backup in Xiaomi's Mi Cloud Mi Cloud offers 5GB for free, but better integrated with MIUI. To set up: Go to Settings → The phone. → Backup and reset → Backup to Mi Cloud. Log in to Mi Account (if not tied) and select the data to sync. Click Start Backup. What Mi Cloud saves: 📱 Full settings MIUI (including themes, sounds, screen settings) 📞 Contacts, SMS, call-in 📷 Photos and videos (if you have the option in the Gallery) → Settings → Backup) 🎮 Data from some games (e.g. Mi Game Center) ⚠️ Note: If you are using a global firmware (e.g, MIUI Global, data from Mi Cloud can only be restored on Xiaomi devices, and when you switch to another brand (Samsung, Realme, etc.), some information (for example, notes or settings) is restored. MIUI) It's going to be unavailable.|Mi Cloud|Other (Yandex, iCloud, etc.)|I don't use clouds.|I don't know what it is. --> 3. Backup to your computer: 3 proven ways to save large files (e.g., video in the cloud) 4K With the Redmi Note 8 Pro, the best option is backup on the PC. Let's look at three methods: MTP, ADB 3.1. and the use of special programs. MTP (Simple, but incomplete: The easiest way is to connect your smartphone to your PC USB And you can manually copy the folders you want. USB-Cable (original or certified) Select File Transfer Mode on your phone (MTP) In the connection notification. On the PC, open the explorer and go to the folder of the phone. Key directories: Internal storage/DCIM — Photos and videos by Internal storage/Download — Internal storage/MIUI/Backup — backup MIUI Internal storage/Android/data — Some applications' data Copy the folders you want to your PC hard drive. MTP: 🚫 System files are not visible (for example, SMS contact) 🚫 Some apps block access to their data (such as WhatsApp or Telegram) 🚫 Slow transmission speed (especially if you use it) USB 2.0) 3.2. Full backup through ADB (power-user) ADB (Android Debug Bridge allows you to create a full copy of all data, including system files. 8 Pro or experiment with root rights. Instructions: Install ADB and Fastboot Tools on PC. Turn on Debugging. USB on the phone: Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (press 7 once to activate the developer mode, then Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB. Connect your phone to your PC and type in the command line: adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f C:\backup_redmi_note_8_pro.ab Where C:\backup_redmi_note_8_pro.ab — a path to save the backup file. On the phone, confirm the backup (you may need to enter a password). ⚠️ Note:.ab file created through ADB, You can't open or change it without special tools. C:\backup_redmi_note_8_pro.ab All current data on the phone will be deleted and replaced with data from the backup. 3.3. Backup programs: XiaomiTool and Syncios ADB It seems complicated, you can use third-party utilities. Two proven programs for Redmi Note 8 Pro: The disadvantages program XiaomiTool V2 Specialized for Xiaomi Save IMEI and modem data Supports unlocking the bootloader Complex interface Requires unlocked bootloader XDA Developers Syncios Simple interface Saves messages, contacts, applications Works without root Paid version for full backup Does not save system settings MIUI Official website 💡Before using XiaomiTool, disable the antivirus – it can block drivers ADB, This will cause connection errors. 4. Backup through TWRP: For custom firmware and root if you installed custom recavery TWRP On your Redmi Note 8 Pro, you have access to the most reliable backup method – Nandroid backup. This method saves a full picture of the system, including: 📱 Section /system (firmware) 📱 Section /data (applications and user data) 📱 Section /boot (core and recovery) 📱 Section /EFS (IMEI and modem data) How to make a backup through TWRP: Turn off the phone and shut down the power. + Loudness up to enter into TWRP. Go to Backup. Select the partitions to back up (it is recommended to note everything except Cache). Specify the place of saving (internal memory or storage). SD-Swipe for confirmation. Important nuances: 🔋 The battery charge should be more 70% — process 30–60 minute. 💾 For the Redmi Note 8 The backup of all sections takes 8–12 GB space. 🔄 Recovery is possible only through TWRP (You can't open backup files on a PC. What do you do if you don't? TWRP see SD-The problem often arises from file system incompatibility. Format. SD-map FAT32 (not exFAT!) via PC: Connect the card to your computer. Open Disk Management (Win) + X → Disk management. SD-map, right-click. → Format → choose FAT32. After formatting TWRP I should see the map. ⚠️ Warning: If you are recovering the backup TWRP Redmi Note 8 Pro with a different version MIUI (for example, MIUI 12 on MIUI 14), possible bootloops (cyclic reboot), in which case, before recovery, run Wipe → Advanced Wipe and mark Dalvik, Cache, Data. 5. How to save data if the phone does not turn on If the Redmi Note 8 Pro does not respond to the power button, but responds to charging (the indicator burns), there is still a chance to save the data. Consider two scenarios: with and without the unlocked bootloader. 5.1. Smartphone responds to charging (light bulb) If the charging indicator flashes or burns, try the following steps: Hard reboot: pinch Power + Volume down for 15 to 20 seconds. If the phone vibrates, release the buttons. Fastboot Mode: Press Power. + Volume down until the Fastboot logo appears. Connect to the PC and check if the device is determined by the command: fastboot devices If yes, you can try flashing stock Recovery and make a backup through the ADB. Extraction SD-maps: if the data is stored on SD-Remove the card and connect it to the PC via card reader. 5.2. Phone completely dead (no reaction to charging) If the Redmi Note 8 Pro does not show signs of life, options are limited: 🔧 Service center: specialists can connect to the payment through JTAG or ISP and pull data (cost from 3,000 to 8,000) ₽). 🔋 Battery replacement: sometimes the phone doesn't turn on because of a bloated battery blocking contacts. 🚫 What won't help: Hair dryer, charging from another device, "magical" button combinations. 💡If the phone doesn’t turn on, don’t try to flash it through. SP Flash Tool without backup will result in total data loss. First try the methods of access recovery (Fastboot, JTAG). 6. Frequent Errors and How to Avoid Them Even experienced users make mistakes when creating backups.Here are the most common problems on the Redmi Note 8 Pro and their solutions: Error Reason Backup Solution MIUI 99 percent interruption: Lack of disk space or file system error Clear 1-2 GB of internal storage. Restart your phone and try again. If it doesn't work, save the backup. SD-map. ADB No one sees the device, no drivers or debugging are installed USB Not activated Install Xiaomi drivers. Check that in Settings → For developers, debugging is on. Try another one. USB-Mi Cloud does not sync photos Traffic restriction or regional settings Go to the Gallery → Settings → Backup and enable Wi-Fi only. Check that the Mi Account is the correct region (e.g. Russia, not China). EFS (IMEI) Check it out. IMEI In *#06# If IMEI No – restore it through XiaomiTool or contact the service. ⚠️ Note: If you are using Chinese firmware (for example, MIUI China) on the global version of the Redmi Note 8 Pro, Mi Cloud backups may not recover due to differences in regional settings. Before changing the firmware always make a backup through TWRP or ADB. FAQ: Answers to frequent questions ❓ Can you backup a Redmi Note 8 Pro without root rights? Yes, root is optional. You can use: Local backup MIUI (without root, but does not store all data). ADB backup (no root, but requires debugging by USB). Cloud services (Google Drive, Mi Cloud) Root is only needed for backup of individual applications (for example, Titanium Backup) or system partitions through the system. TWRP. ❓ How much space does the full Redmi Note 8 Pro backup take? Volume depends on method: Local backup MIUI: 1-3 GB (depending on the number of apps and messages). ADB backup: 4–8 GB (includes) APK-file). TWRP (Nandroid: 8–12 GB (full picture of all sections) Photos and videos: separately take up as much as they weigh (e.g. 10,000 photos) ≈ 20–30 GB). For a full backup, it is recommended to have SD-64–128 GB card or free space on PC. ❓ How to restore backup to a new phone (not Xiaomi) If you switch from the Redmi Note 8 Pro to a device of another brand (Samsung, iPhone, etc.), you can only restore it: 📞 Contacts and calendar: through Google Account or export to.vcf format. 📷 Photos/video: copy them to your PC and then to your new phone. 💬 Messages: Use applications like SMS Backup & Restore for export to.xml. 🎮 Game data: Link games to your Google Play account or social media (Facebook, VK). It won't recover: settings MIUI, Xiaomi system applications, some data from Chinese services (e.g. Mi Fit or Mi Home). ❓ Can I backup if my phone is locked (forgot the password)? If you have forgotten the pattern lock or PIN-code, options are limited: 🔑 Mi Account: If your phone is linked to a Xiaomi account, you can unlock it via Mi Cloud (Find Device feature). 💻 ADB (If debugging was enabled: connect your phone to your PC and type in: adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key Then restart the device – the lock will reset (but the data will remain). ⚠️ Hard reset: if nothing works, you'll have to do Wipe Data over the recavator (all data will be deleted). USB Mi Account is not tied, and it is impossible to unlock the phone without data loss (required) JTAG service). ❓ How often should I backup on the Redmi Note? 8 Recommended frequency depends on usage activity: 📅 Weekly: if you actively take pictures, install/delete apps, keep business correspondence. 📅 Once a month: for normal use (social networks, calls,). 📅 Before important actions: Update MIUI, Unlock the bootloader, firmware, repair. Automate the process: set up autosynchronization with Google Drive or Mi Cloud to remember the backup.