How to Back Up Your Whole Xiaomi Phone: 4 Verified Ways

Losing data on a smartphone is one of the most frustrating situations for any user: vacation photos, work documents, messenger correspondence or saved passwords can disappear overnight due to a system failure, theft of a device or accidental resetting of settings. Xiaomi owners have a unique advantage: firmware MIUI offers built-in backup tools, but not everyone knows how to use them correctly.

In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to create a backup on Xiaomi, Redmi and phones. POCO — From standard functions to advanced methods using custom recapvery, you will learn how to save not only media files, but also system settings, SMS, Call logs and even app data, and we'll also reveal secrets that the manufacturer doesn't publicize: for example, why cloud backups through Mi Cloud may not restore some applications and how to get around it.

Why Standard File Copying on PCs is the Worst Way to Back Up

Many users mistakenly believe that it is enough to copy folders DCIM, Downloads and Pictures on the computer, and the backup is ready. In practice, this approach saves only a small fraction of the data:

• 📱 System settings (wallpaper, sound circuits, screen brightness) will remain on the phone and will not recover.
• 📞 Call log and SMS Stored in an Android database that can’t be copied.
• 🎮 Game saves and app data (such as progress in fitness trackers) are usually hidden in a folder. /data/data/, accessed without root rights.
• 🔑 Wi-Fi passwords and accounts are synced only through special tools.

And what's more, when you recover from that backup, you'll have to manually configure each setting, reinstall the apps, and log in again to all the services, which takes hours, sometimes days -- especially if you've got 100.+ applications.

⚠️ Note: If you use Xiaomi with an unlocked bootloader and custom firmware, copy files through MTP (Data mode) can lead to loss of access rights, for example, photos taken on custom firmware sometimes become invisible in the gallery after recovery.

Method 1: Built-in backup in MIUI (locally)

MIUI There are two options for backup: local (on the phone itself or on the phone). SD-The local backup is suitable for quick recovery after reset, and the cloud backup is suitable for protection against loss or theft of the device.

Local backup:

1. Open Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Local Backup.
2. Click Create a backup and select the data to save (all items are marked by default).
3. The location of the storage: internal memory or SD-card (if supported).
4. Wait until the process is complete (it can take 5-20 minutes depending on the amount of data).

Cloud backup via Mi Cloud:

• 🌐 Go to Settings. → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Backup of the device.
• 🔄 Turn on the switch Automatic backup (recommended for regular saving).
• 📁 Click Backup manually to start the process right away.
• ☁️ Select data for synchronization (contacts, notes, SMS, system settings, etc.).

⚠️ Note: The Mi Cloud cloud backup does not save installed applications and their data (for example, game progress or messaging settings).

Method 2: Backup through Google (for apps and contacts)

If you use Google services, your Xiaomi automatically syncs some of your data to your account, but many users don’t know that this feature can be configured more flexibly, such as backing up Wi-Fi passwords, calling history, and even some app settings.

To set up a backup through Google:

1. Open Settings → Google → Backup.
2. Activate the Backup Switch in Google Drive.
3. Click Set up a backup and select a Google account.
4. In the Application Data section, enable backup for the desired programs (for example, WhatsApp, Telegram, Chrome).

Advantages of this method:

• 🔄 Automatic synchronization (no need to start manually).
• ☁️ 15 GB of free space on Google Drive (vs. 5 GB in Mi Cloud).
• 📱 Recovery on any Android smartphone, not just Xiaomi.

But there are limitations:

• ❌ Not all apps support backup via Google (e.g., Google, VK Tinkoff Bank does not retain data).
• ❌ Media files (photos, videos) are not included in the backup – you need to use Google Photos separately for them.
• ❌ Settings MIUI (Themes, gestures, sounds are not restored.

Make sure your phone is connected to Wi-Fi|Charge the battery at least 50 times%|Free up space in the cloud (if necessary)|Shut down. VPN (can block synchronization)

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Method 3: Complete backup through a computer (Mi) PC Suite and ADB)

For those who want to have a full copy of the phone on the computer, including system files, backup via Mi is suitable. PC suite ADB. The first is easier and more suitable for beginners, the second is for advanced users who want more control.

Beckup via Mi. PC Suite:

1. Download and install Mi PC Suite from the official website.
2. Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable (turn on debugging by USB In Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Press 7 times, then return to the Additional Settings → For developers).
3. In the program, select Backup → Full Backup.
4. Specify the folder to save and wait until it is completed (may take up to 30 minutes).

Beckup through ADB (power-user):

This method allows you to create an exact copy of all sections of the phone, including: /data (where the applications and their data are stored:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB and Fastboot.
• 📱 Included Debugging by USB phone-on.
• 🔐 Unlocked bootloader (for partition backup) /data).

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

This command will create a backup.ab file on disk C:\ with all the applications, their data and shared memory:

adb restore C:\backup.ab

⚠️ Attention: Bekap through ADB Does not include system applications and settings MIUI. To fully save the system (including firmware) will need to use TWRP (see next section).

Method 4: Advanced backup through TWRP (custom-fix)

If your Xiaomi has an unlocked bootloader and installed custom recavery TWRP, You can create a complete image of the system, including:

• 📱 Firmware (boot, system, vendor).
• 🗃️ User data (data – applications, settings, files).
• 📡 Modem and other critical sections.

This is the only way to save everything, including root settings, kernels and modified system files, but it requires technical knowledge and is only suitable for devices with an unlocked bootloader.

Instructions for creating a backup in TWRP:

1. Turn off your phone and press Volume Up + Power to enter TWRP.
2. Select Backup.
3. Check boxes for Boot, System, Data, Modem, EFS (if).
4. Select a place of preservation (better to save) SD-map OTG-flash-drive).
5. Swipe to start the process (it can take 10–40 minutes).

Recovery from the backup TWRP:

• Download to TWRP.
• Select Restore and specify the folder with backup.
• Mark the desired sections and swipe for confirmation.

💡

If you often experiment with firmware, keep backups. TWRP separately SD-A card or cloud storage (like Google Drive or Mega) will save you if your phone's internal memory is formatted.

How to Recover Data from a Backup

The recovery process depends on which backup method you used.

Recovery from local backup MIUI:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Local Backup.
2. Select the right backup from the list.
3. Click Restore and confirm the action.
4. Reboot the phone after completion.

Recovery from Mi Cloud:

• 📱 When you first turn on your phone, select Restore from Mi Cloud.
• ☁️ Or in settings: Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Data recovery.
• 🔄 Select a backup and wait for the synchronization to complete.

Recovery from Google:

• When setting up a new phone, select Copy Data → From cloud storage.
• Enter your Google account details and select a backup.
• Confirm the recovery of applications and data.

Recovery via Mi PC Suite:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and open the Mi PC Suite.
2. Select Backup → Recovery.
3. Specify the backup file and wait for completion.

⚠️ Warning: If you restore backup to a phone with a different version MIUI (for example, MIUI 13 on MIUI 14), there may be a malfunction of system applications, in which case, after recovery, it is recommended to reset the settings (Wipe Data in the TWRP or through the recovery menu).

💡

Before restoring the backup, always check the compatibility of firmware versions. For example, backup with Redmi Note 10 Pro on the backup. MIUI 12.5 does not recover correctly to MIUI 14 without prior system update.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced users sometimes have problems building or restoring a backup, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to fix them:

• 🚫 "Lack of disk space": Clear the app cache (Settings → Warehouse → Clear the cache) or transfer the backup to SD-For cloud backups, buy additional space in Mi Cloud or Google Drive.
• ⏳ "Beckup is 99% over: This is a problem MIUI Solution: Reboot your phone, turn off Debugging. USB If it doesn't work, use Mi. PC Suite.
• 🔒 "Recovery interrupted with a mistake: most likely, the backup was created on another version MIUI Check compatibility or restore only individual data (e.g. contacts through Google).
• 📵 "No network after recovery: This means that the Modem partition has not recovered or EFS (stored IMEI). Solution: Restore these sections separately through TWRP or re-flash the phone.

If none of these methods worked, try alternative tools:

• 📱 Titanium Backup (requires root) – to save application data.
• 🖥️ Coolmuster Android Assistant – for backup on PC without root.
• ☁️ Dropbox or Mega – for manually copying important files.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions