How to make a backup copy of Xiaomi Mi5 Computer: A Complete Guide to Error Solutions

Xiaomi Smartphone Mi5, The 2016 version is still a popular device due to its balanced performance and custom firmware support, but the risk of data loss due to memory failures, failed updates or physical damage has only increased over the years. Backing up your computer is the only way to guarantee that you can save photos, correspondence, settings and apps if your phone suddenly stops turning on or requires a complete reset.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways of backup for Mi5 (including models Mi5s and Mi5 Pro, given the specifics MIUI 12.5/14 You'll learn how to get around common errors like "not enough disk space" or "device not detected", and how to backups with Mi PC Suite, ADB And manual file copying, and we'll focus on saving data from system applications (SMS, Calls, notes, and notes that are not copied by standard methods.

Why Standard Cloud Backups Are Not Good for Xiaomi Mi5

Many users are used to relying on Mi Cloud or Google Drive for backup, but for the most part, the user is not. Mi5 This approach is fraught with problems:

• 🔴 Limited volume: Free fare Mi Cloud offers just 5GB, whereas full backup Mi5 Applications and media files easily exceed 15-20 GB.
• 🔴 Synchronization failures: On older versions MIUI (Below 12) cloud backup often freezes during the boot phase, especially if files weigh more than 2GB.
• 🔴 No system data reserve: The cloud does not store Wi-Fi settings, call data, and SMS in readable format – only in proprietary Xiaomi format.
• 🔴 Internet addiction: Recovery from the cloud requires a stable connection, which is problematic with weak signal or limited traffic.

Also, when reset to factory settings, not all data is restored correctly, such as Wi-Fi passwords that may not be transferred, and settings for some applications (such as Xiaomi Home for smart devices) are reset, and local PC copy is free of these disadvantages: it does not depend on Internet speed, allows selective data recovery and works even if the Mi Account is blocked.

⚠️ Note: If you are planning to squash Mi5 via Fastboot or install custom Recovery (TWRP), Backups on the PC are mandatory, and cloud backups are useless in this case, they won't save partition. /data baseline.

Preparing your phone and computer: what to do before the backup

Before you start backing up, follow the mandatory steps to avoid errors:

1. Check the version. MIUI: Go to Settings. → The phone. → Version. MIUI. For stable operation Mi PC Suite required MIUI at least 10.2. If the version is older, update the phone via Settings → Updating the system.
2. Put the debugging on. USB: Open the Settings. → About the phone and 7 times click on the version MIUI, To activate the developer mode. Go back to Settings. → Additionally. → For developers and enable debugging by USB. In the same menu, find the configuration. USB and select File Transfer (MTP).

Install the drivers.

Mi PC Suite

Qualcomm

Mi5

Charge the phone.

If you are using Windows 10/11, temporarily disable Windows Defender and Firewall – they can block the connection Mi5 As "unidentified device." On macOS, install Android File Transfer.

Method 1: Backup through Mi PC Suite (official method)

Mi PC Suite is Xiaomi’s proprietary software that allows you to create a complete copy of data, including system settings and installed applications. ADB or manually.

Pros of the method:

• 🔹 Keeps it. SMS, call log, notes and other system application data.
• 🔹 Supports selective recovery (only contacts or photos can be returned).
• 🔹 It works without root rights.

Cons

• 🔸 Does not copy data from certain third-party applications (such as WhatsApp or Telegram).
• 🔸 Backup takes up a lot of space (up to 10-15 GB).
• 🔸 There may be errors when restoring to another version. MIUI.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect. Mi5 to the computer via the original cable (use the port) USB 2.0 if USB 3.0 is not working).
2. Launch Mi. PC Suite and wait for the program to recognize the phone. If the device is not identified, reinstall the drivers manually through Device Manager.
3. In the main menu, select Backup.
4. Check the data for copying: 📱 Contacts and Call Log 💬 SMS and MMS 📸 Gallery (photo and video) 🎵 Music and audio recordings ⚙️ System settings (Wi-Fi, wallpaper, sounds)

Start.

C:\Users\[Your name]\Documents\Xiaomi\MiPhoneManager\Backup

Original cable connected USB|Debugging is on. USB|Qualcomm drivers installed|Battery charge >50%|Windows Defender Disconnected-->

Common mistakes and their solutions:

⚠️ Note: If you are planning to squash Mi5 on custom firmware (for example, LineageOS), backup via Mi PC Suite is not suitable - it does not save partition /data in a format compatible with TWRP. In this case, use the method 3 (ADB Backup or Method 4 (TWRP).

Method 2: Manual file copying (for media and documents)

If you only need to save photos, videos, music and documents, you can do without specialized software (SMS, settings, applications).

What's copied:

• 📷 Photos and videos from folders DCIM, Pictures, Movies
• 🎵 Music and audio recordings (Music, Recordings)
• 📄 Documents (Documents, Downloads)
• 🎮 Save games (folder) Android/obb)

What's NOT copied

• 🚫 Contacts, SMS, call-in
• 🚫 Wi-Fi settings and system settings
• 🚫 Application data (for example, WhatsApp correspondence)

Instructions for Windows:

1. Connect. Mi5 to the computer and select the file transfer mode (MTP).
2. Open This Computer – The Phone Will Show Up as a Removable Disk (e.g. Xiaomi) Mi5 (E:)).
3. Go to the Internal Memory folder and copy the required directories: DCIM — Pictures photos and videos from the Pictures camera - screenshots and uploaded Download images - uploaded files Android/obb — cache of games and applications
4. To speed up the process, use Total Commander or TeraCopy, which copy files faster than standard Explorer.

Instructions for macOS/Linux:

1. Install Android File Transfer (for macOS) or connect your phone in mode PTP (if MTP doesn't work).
2. Use the terminal to copy: adb pull /sdcard/DCIM ~/Mi5_Backup/Photos (pre-set ADB brew install android-platform-tools).

💡

If you have a file copy error that says “The file is too big for the end file system,” format the flash drive or external drive in exFAT or NTFS instead FAT32.

Method 3: Complete backup through ADB (power-user)

ADB Backup is an Android-built backup mechanism that works without root rights. It stores all application data, including settings and cache, but has limitations: some apps (like WhatsApp) block the backup of their data.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔹 Stores application data (as opposed to manual copying).
• 🔹 It works on all versions. MIUI.
• 🔹 Backup can be encrypted with a password.

Deficiencies

• 🔸 Don't copy. SMS and a call log on new versions MIUI.
• 🔸 Requires skills to work with the command line.
• 🔸 Recovery is possible only on the same device.

Step-by-step:

1. Install ADB and Fastboot on your computer.
2. Connect. Mi5 to the PC and make sure that the debugging USB included.
3. Open the command line (Win) + R → cmd) and check the connection: adb devices If the device is displayed (e.g, 5a2b3c4d device, move on further.
4. Launch backup: adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f C:\Mi5_backup.ab -apk — retain APK-file. -obb — copy-caching. -shared — includes files from shared memory. -all — backup all applications. -f — points the way to the backup file.

Create a backup copy

Mi5_backup.ab

How to recover data from ADB-backup:

1. Connect the phone and execute the command: adb restore C:\Mi5_backup.ab
2. On the phone screen, confirm the recovery.

Instructions:

1. Install. TWRP for Mi5 (version 3.6.0 or later).
2. Download the phone to Recovery Mode: Turn off the device, then press Volume Up + Nutrition.
3. In the TWRP menu, select Backup.
4. Check the backup sections: Boot System Data Cache
5. Select a place of preservation (better to the external one) SD-map OTG-flash-drive).
6. Swipe for confirmation and wait until completion (may take 10–30 minutes).
7. Copy the folder. TWRP computer-backup.

⚠️ Attention: Backup through TWRP It takes up a lot of space (up to 20-30 GB) and is incompatible with standard recovery through the MIUI. Use it only if you plan to work with custom firmware.

Method 5: Preservation SMS, Calls and Contacts Separately

System data (SMS, call log, contacts) are not copied when manually transferring files and may be lost when reset.

Best tools:

Example: Exports SMS through SMS Backup & Restore:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Open it and press Backup.
3. Choose the format XML and indicate the way of preservation (for example, /sdcard/SMS_Backup).
4. Copy the file to the computer.

💡

For recovery. SMS from XML-File use the same application (SMS Backup & Restore.Do not edit the file manually - this can lead to import errors.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Even when following instructions, users Mi5 We're going to have a lot of problems:

• 🔴 "Mi PC Suite doesn't see phone: Check if mode is on MTP Install the drivers via MiFlash (you can download here). USB-port USB 2.0).
• 🔴 "ADB Device not authorized": The phone will request debugging permission, confirm it. If the request does not appear, run adb kill-server and adb start-server.
• 🔴 "Not enough disk space when backup: Clear the app cache in Settings → Memory. → Clear the cache. Use the external cache. SD-card or connect the phone to the PC OTG.
• 🔴 "Backup through TWRP ends with error 255": Check if there is enough space on the media (need at least 20 GB of free space). TWRP last-minute.

If none of these methods work, try alternative programs:

• 🔹 Dr.Fone – Phone Backup (Paid but Secure).
• 🔹 Mobogenie (free but with advertising).
• 🔹 Syncios (supports WhatsApp backup).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions