How to make a backup of Xiaomi Mi 9T: the complete guide

The Xiaomi Mi 9T (also known as the Redmi K20) is a powerful device with excellent performance, but keeping your personal data safe is the number one priority. Accidental breakdown, theft, or system failure can lead to loss of photos, contacts, and important documents if you don’t take care of security in advance. Regularly making copies of information is the only guarantee that your digital memories will stay with you.

Android owners often underestimate the importance of duplicate files, relying on luck. However, the archiving process in the Miui ecosystem is very competent and takes only a few minutes. In this article, we will examine all the available ways to save data, from cloud services to local storage on the computer.

Before you start active, make sure that the battery is at least 50% charged; interrupting the synchronization process at low charge can damage the contact and note database; and check whether there is free space in the selected storage, whether it is a cloud or internal memory.

Use of built-in backup tool

The most reliable and quick way to save all settings, applications and system data is to use the native MIUI utility, which allows you to create a full cast of the system that can be deployed even after a complete reset to factory settings, which is ideal for those who are planning to reflash or sell the device.

To get started, you need to go to the settings menu and find the section responsible for maintaining the device. The interface may vary slightly depending on the firmware version, but the logic remains the same for all models of the Redmi K20 series.

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Save local backups not only to your phone, but also periodically copy the Backup folder to your computer to free up space and protect data from physical damage to your smartphone.

Once you select categories, the system will create an archive file. It's important to understand that this file is stored in internal memory by default. Local backup does not protect against loss of the smartphone itself, so the file archive must be transferred to an external medium.

⚠️ Note: When creating a local copy, make sure there is enough free space on the disk. The photo and video archive can take up tens of gigabytes, which will lead to a write error if space is not enough.

• 📱 Open Settings and go to About Phone section.
• 💾 Select Reservation and Restore, then Mobile Device.
• 🔐 Enter the screen unlock password to confirm access.
• ✅ Tick the necessary data: System data, Applications, Photo and Video.

The process of creating an archive can take from 5 to 30 minutes depending on the amount of information, at which time it is better not to use the phone, so as not to slow down the processor, and after completion, you will see a report on the size of the file created and the date of its formation.

Sync with Mi Cloud and Google account

Cloud technology automates the process of saving data, making it invisible to the user. Xiaomi Mi 9T is deeply integrated with Mi Cloud services, which provides instant synchronization of contacts, notes, calendar and even the placement of icons on the desktop.

To activate the function, you need to log into your Mi Account, which is a single key to all the manufacturer's services, and without authorization, cloud storage will not work, since it is the account that identifies the owner and links the data to a particular device.

In parallel with the Chinese cloud, you should set up sync via Google Drive, an industry standard that guarantees data security even when you switch to a smartphone of another brand, and photos saved in Google Photos are available from any device with the Internet.

The gallery sync setting requires special attention. The Gallery app needs to enable cloud sync by selecting the download quality. The original quality takes up more space but retains details of the shots taken with the Xiaomi Mi 9T camera.

⚠️ Note: When you delete a photo from the gallery after syncing with the cloud, the copy in the cloud can also be deleted. Always check the basket settings before clearing the memory.

Backup to your computer via USB

The most controlled method is manually copying files to a PC, which requires no internet connection and allows you to create an exact physical copy of the memory content. Xiaomi Mi 9T is characterized by fast data transfer over USB 3.0 protocol (when using the appropriate cable).

Connect your smartphone to your computer with a cable. The device will be asked to use USB mode. You must select File Transfer (MTP) mode. Only in this mode will the computer access the file system.

You'll need key directories. First, copy the DCIM folder that stores the camera photos and videos, and then you'll need to save the MIUI folder that contains the voice record, screenshots, and data from some of the system applications.

If you use instant messengers, remember Android/media folders or application root folders (like WhatsApp or Telegram) where the received files can be stored. folders on Android 10 and higher have become more stringent, but the main media files remain available.

• 🔌 Connect the cable. USB-C port.
• 📂 Open "My Computer" and find the Mi device. 9T.
• 📁 Copy the folders. DCIM, Pictures, Download and Documents.
• 💿 Wait for the copy to end before the cable is turned off.

The advantage of this method is that you get an independent copy, and even if Xiaomi or Google servers are temporarily unavailable, your data stays intact on your hard drive, which is critical for archiving large amounts of video in 4K.

Saving data of applications and messengers

The data of messengers such as WhatsApp and Telegram require special attention. Standard system backups may not cover the history of correspondence within these applications unless their internal synchronization is configured.

WhatsApp needs to go to chat settings and select backup on Google Drive, which ensures that when you install the app on a new phone, the dialog history is restored automatically. Local copies of WhatsApp are also created daily, but they are stored in the phone's memory.

For banking applications and Google Authenticator, standard backup methods don't work for security reasons. Bank authorization data will have to be reconfigured to receive SMS codes. SIM-The card is active and is on the phone (or you know the PIN code to block it).

Game progression in modern games is most often saved through Google Play Games accounts or developer accounts. Check in the game settings, if you are logged in, this will not lose the achievements in the Xiaomi Mi 9T when you switch to another device.

⚠️ Note: Two-factor authentication (2FA) Google Authenticator does not recover via the cloud by default.Use the in-app account export function or create a backup through the Google Authenticator cloud profile.

Recovery of data from backup

The recovery process is as important as copy creation, and if you used the built-in MIUI, the system will suggest that you restore the data from the backup file you found when you first set up the phone (or after you reset it).

When you recover from Mi Cloud, you just need to log in to your account, and your contacts, notes and icons will automatically pull up when you have the Internet, and this process is background and does not require user intervention, which is convenient for quick adaptation.

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Recovery from a local file on a PC requires manually returning folders to the original directories. Don't change the folder structure when you return so that applications can find their files.

If you've copied files manually, just return them to the same folders on the new device or after you reset them. For photos, this is the DCIM/Camera folder, for downloads, Download, the system automatically scans the media files and adds them to the gallery.

The most time it takes to recover apps is the phone will start downloading them from Play Market or GetApps, and it is recommended to connect to a stable Wi-Fi network to avoid wasting mobile traffic and speed up the process.

Frequent problems and their solution

Sometimes users encounter errors when creating or restoring copies. Often the problem lies in a corrupted file or lack of space. If the process freezes, try clearing the cache of the "Reservation" application through the application menu.

Sync errors with Mi Cloud can occur due to unstable Internet or overcrowded storage, in which case the system will suggest buying additional volume or deleting old unnecessary files, the alternative is to switch to a local method.

• 🚫 “Not enough memory” error: vacate space or select selective copying.
• 📡 Network Error: Check Wi-Fi or Mobile Network Connection.
• 🔒 Account Lock: Make sure you remember the password from your Mi Account.

In rare cases, a backup file can be physically damaged (bit sectors on flash memory). Regularly checking the integrity of the archives and storing them in multiple places minimizes this risk. Xiaomi Mi 9T is a reliable device, but digital hygiene depends only on the owner.