How to back up Xiaomi Redmi 8 phone: all ways of 2026

Xiaomi Redmi 8 is a popular smartphone with a balance of price and functionality, but even it is not immune to crashes, loss or theft. Without a backup, you risk losing photos in 5 years, messaging, saving games and customizing applications. In this article, 5 proven ways to backup Redmi 8, including cloud services, local saving and synchronization with PC.

The model features MIUI 12/13 based on Android 10/11, which puts restrictions on some standard Android features. For example, the automatic backup in Google Drive is unstable due to the customization of the shell. We tested all methods on Redmi 8 (codename olive) with the latest updates from 2026 - in the article only current data.

Why the standard backup through MIUI does not save

The built-in backup function in MIUI (Settings → About Phone → Backup) seems convenient, but has critical drawbacks:

• 🔄 Does not store data of certain applications (such as WhatsApp or banking programs).
• 📱 Linked to Mi Account – if you block it or lose access, it will be impossible to restore a copy.
• 🐢 Slow recovery speed (up to 30 minutes per 16 GB of data).
• 📁 No folder selection – backups everything, including unnecessary garbage.

In addition, MIUI versions older than 12.5 automatically encrypt backups, and without a password from a Xiaomi account, they can not be unpacked even on a PC, which makes the method unreliable for long-term storage.

⚠️ Note: If you plan to sell the Redmi 8, the standard backup is through MIUI For safe cleaning, use the Reset to factory settings with all data cleansing (c Settings) function → Additionally. → Recovery and discharge).

Method 1: Local backup via MIUI (no cloud)

This method is suitable if you do not have a stable Internet or do not trust cloud services. SD-card (if installed in a microSD slot).

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → Backup.
2. Press Local Backup.
3. Select items to save (contacts, messages, notes, system settings).
4. Indicate the storage location: internal memory or SD-map.
5. Click Create Backup and wait until it is completed (may take 10–40 minutes).

The finished archive will be in the MIUI/backup/AllBackup folder, which can be copied to a PC or other media, and the size of the file depends on the amount of data, but usually does not exceed 2-3 GB.

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Method 2: Cloud Backup with Google Account

Despite the limitations of MIUI, syncing with Google Account remains one of the most reliable ways, and it works automatically and saves:

• 📇 Contacts (in Google Contacts)
• 📅 Calendar and events
• 📝 Notes (if you use Google Keep)
• 📱 List of installed applications (without data)
• 🔑 Passwords from Google Smart Lock

How to turn on:

1. Go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google.
2. Select your account (or add a new one).
3. Activate the switches in front of the desired categories.
4. For Forced Synchronization, press More → Sync Now.

To check that data is saved, go to contacts.google.com or calendar.google.com from your computer. Importantly: photos and videos in Google Photos are synced separately (configured in the Gallery app).

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⚠️ Note: If you use two-factor authentication on Google, save backup codes (in your account security settings) before resetting your phone.

Method 3: Full backup via PC (ADB and Mi PC Suite)

For users who want to save all data without exception, including application settings and system files, backup via a computer is suitable.

Option A: Through Mi PC Suite (official software)

Xiaomi’s software allows you to create a full copy of your phone, including:

• 📱 Applications and their data (e.g. game saving)
• 📁 Multimedia (photo, video, music)
• 📄 Documents and downloads
• 🔧 System settings

Instructions:

1. Download Mi PC Suite from the official website.
2. Connect Redmi 8 to your PC via USB-cable (use the original cable!).
3. Turn on the phone Debugging over USB (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times click on the version, then go back to Additional → For Developers).
4. Launch Mi PC Suite, select Backup and follow the hints.

Option B: Through ADB (for advanced)

If you want the most complete redundancy, including hidden system files, use ADB (Android Debug Bridge).

Backup teams:

adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f C:\redmi8_backup.ab

Where:

• -apk — retain APK-file
• -obb - includes additional game data
• -shared — backup SD-map
• -all - all applications and settings

Data can be restored by the team:

adb restore C:\redmi8_backup.ab

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If ADB Can’t see the device, try reinstalling Xiaomi drivers USB Drivers or using other drivers USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0).

Method 4: Reservation of photos and videos

Multimedia is the most valuable data on a phone, and losing it is the most painful thing. There are 3 reliable ways to save data for Redmi 8:

1. Google Photos (automatic synchronization)

Google Photos automatically uploads all photos and videos to the cloud, and 15GB is free (shared with Google Drive).

How to set up:

1. Install Google Photos from the Play Market.
2. Open the app → click on the avatar → Photo settings → Backup and sync.
3. Turn on the switch and select quality (Original or High).

2. Xiaomi Cloud (alternative to China)

If you have a global version of Redmi 8, Xiaomi Cloud offers 5GB for free.

1. Go to Settings → Mi → Xiaomi Cloud account.
2. Turn on the gallery sync.
3. Select the folders for reservation.

3. Local copying on PC

The most reliable, but time-consuming way is manual copying:

1. Connect your phone to your PC via USB.
2. Select File Transfer Mode (MTP).
3. Copy DCIM, Pictures and Movies folders to your hard drive.

Method 5: Backup of messages and calls

SMS, call history and messaging are often lost when reset. Here's how to save them:

1. Communications (SMS/MMS)

Use the SMS Backup & Restore app:

1. Download it from Play Market.
2. Click Backup and select where to save (cloud or locally).
3. Use the Restore function to restore.

2. WhatsApp and Telegram

For WhatsApp:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → chat → Backup copy.
• 🔄 Click Create a copy (save to Google Drive).

For Telegram:

• 📁 The correspondence is stored in the cloud automatically.
• 🔍 To save media files, use Settings → Data and memory → Media storage location.

3. Call history

The Call Logs Backup & Restore app exports the story to a.xml or.csv file that can be opened on a PC.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even with the right reservation, users are having problems. TOP-5 mistakes and their solutions:

The most common mistake is trying to backup damaged SD-Before saving, check it with an app. SD Card Tester or format in the FAT32.

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Before any backup check the integrity of the carrier (internal memory or internal memory). SD-Damaged sectors can cause data loss during recovery.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions