How to make a backup of Xiaomi Redmi 8: all the ways with pros and cons

Xiaomi Redmi 8 is one of the most popular budget smartphones, but even it is not immune to crashes, data loss or the need to reset to factory settings. Without a backup, you risk losing photos, contacts, messages and app settings. In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to create a backup on Redmi 8, including built-in MIUI tools, cloud services and advanced methods for power users.

Redmi 8 features limited internal storage (32/64GB), so it’s important to choose a backup method that doesn’t overload the device. We analyzed each method for reliability, speed and convenience, and added unique nuances for this model (for example, encryption problems in MIUI 12+ or TWRP limitations for the Snapdragon 439).

1. backup through the built-in MIUI menu

The easiest way is to use the standard MIUI tool, which saves applications, system settings, SMS/MMS and call logs, but does not touch media files (photos, videos, music) and is suitable for quick backup before resetting or updating the firmware.

How to do this:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → The phone. → Backup (or Settings) → Additionally. → Backup in older versions MIUI).
• 🔄 Click “Create a backup” and select the data to save (all items are marked by default).
• 💾 Specify storage location: internal memory (folder) MIUI/backup/AllBackup) Mi Cloud (requires authorization).
• ⏳ Wait until it is completed – the process can take 5-15 minutes depending on the amount of data.

⚠️ Attention: B MIUI 12.5+ The backup is encrypted with a password from your Mi Account. If you forget your password or delete your account, it will be impossible to restore your data:

• 📸 Photos and videos (you need to reserve them separately through Google Photos or Gallery) → Albums. → Backup).
• 🎵 Music and downloads.
• 🔐 Wi-Fi passwords (they will have to be re-entered after recovery).

At least 30% of the battery is loaded

1–2 GB of internal memory is free

VPN and energy saving modes are disabled

Password from Mi-account remembered or recorded-->

2. Cloud backup via Google Account

If you use Google services, this method will save contacts, calendars, SMS, application settings and some of the data from them (for example, progress in games), the main advantage is automation: once set up, the backup will be created once a day when you connect to Wi-Fi.

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google.
2. Select your account and activate switches for the desired data (required: Contacts, Calendar, Disk).
3. Return to Settings → System → Backup and enable Automatic Backup in Google Drive.
4. Click on “Create a copy now” to initialize the process.

🔍 Nuances for Redmi 8:

• 📶 Google Drive Backup Requires a Stable Wi-Fi Connection (Mobile Internet May Not Work Due to Restrictions) MIUI).
• 📁 Free storage is 15GB. If you have a lot of photos, they will fill up the space quickly.
• 🔄 Data recovery is possible only on a new smartphone or after a complete reset of the Redmi 8.

Google Drive

Mi Cloud

Yandex Disc.

iCloud (for other devices)

Don't use the clouds.-->

3. Manual copying of files on PC (for media and documents)

If you need to save photos, videos, music or documents, the most reliable way is to copy them to your computer, which does not require root rights and works even on a locked phone (when connected via USB).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect Redmi 8 to your PC via USB-cable (preferably original).
2. On your phone, select File Transfer (MTP) mode in the connection notification.
3. On your computer, open the folder This computer → [Name of your Redmi 8] → Internal memory.
4. Copy the folders you want: DCIM for photos and videos; Download for browser downloads; Documents for office applications; WhatsApp/Media for messenger media.

⚠️ Note: Do not copy the entire Android folder - it contains an app cache that takes up a lot of space and is not needed for the backup. MIUI, Otherwise, the system settings may be confused.

💡

Use Teracopy (Windows) or rsync (Linux/macOS) to speed up copying and verify file integrity.

4. Full backup via TWRP (for advanced users)

If you need to save all the firmware, including system files and settings, custom recovery is required – TWRP. This method is suitable for experimenting with firmware or if you plan to unlock the bootloader. Note: Redmi 8 (codenamed olive) has informal TWRP builds, as there is no official support.

What TWRP keeps:

• 📱 Complete system image (system, vendor, boot).
• 📄 User data (data - applications, settings, SMS).
• 🔄 EFS-section (IMEI, module serial numbers).

Instructions:

1. Unlock the bootloader via fastboot oem unlock (instructions on the official Xiaomi website).
2. Install TWRP for Redmi 8 via fastboot flash recovery twrp.img.
3. Download to TWRP (Power buttons + Volume up).
4. Go to Backup → Select Partitions and mark: Boot System Data EFS
5. Click on “Swipe to Backup” and wait until it’s finished (it can take 20 to 40 minutes).

⚠️ Attention: Backup through TWRP Redmi 8 is a risk-free environment:

• 🔐 If you encrypted /data into MIUI, TWRP You can't read it without a password.
• 🔄 Restore the backup to another version MIUI This can lead to bootloop (cyclic reboot).
• 📱 Some informal assemblies TWRP It is not working properly with Snapdragon 439.

5. backup through ADB (no root)

If TWRP seems complicated but you need a full backup, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge) which does not require unlocking the bootloader, but only saves application and settings data (not system files).

Instructions for Windows:

1. Install ADB and Fastboot.
2. Enable USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times, then go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers).
3. Connect your phone to your PC and execute on the command line: adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f C:\redmi8_backup.ab where -apk — backup APK-file, -shared — file SD-map.
4. On the phone, confirm the creation of a backup (password can not be set).

🔧 How to repair:

adb restore C:\redmi8_backup.ab

Limitations of the method:

• 🚫 It's not. SMS and call log (they need to be backed separately through the MIUI Google).
• 📦 File size can exceed 4 GB – use the file system NTFS flash-drive.
• 🔐 Some apps (such as WhatsApp) block backups through ADB.

Comparison of backup methods for Redmi 8

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For most Redmi 8 users, the best combination is MIUI Backup + PC copying + Google Drive, which covers 90% of your needs without risk and complex manipulation.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even if you follow the instructions, Redmi 8 users are facing challenges, and consider typical scenarios and solutions:

1. MIUI backup interrupted by 99%

🔹 Reason: Lack of space on the internal drive or failure in the work of the Mi Cloud.

🔧 Decision:

• Clear 1-2 GB of memory (remove the cache in Settings → Storage).
• Turn off sync with Mi Cloud and save the backup locally.
• Reboot your phone and try again.

2 TWRP does not see internal memory

🔹 Reason: B MIUI 12+ default encryption enabled /data.

🔧 Solution: Format data in TWRP (Note: delete all data!) or use a special assembly TWRP encryption-encrypted.

3. ADB issues a "device unauthorized" error

🔹 Reason: The phone does not have a key. RSA for this PC.

🔧 Solution: Disconnect and reconnect the phone, Redmi 8 will be asked for debugging permission – confirm it.

💡

If the MIUI backup weighs too much, remove the cache folders (Android/data and Android/obb) that can be restored by reinstalling the apps.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions