How to make Xiaomi backup to the cloud: full instructions with nuances

Losing contacts, photos or smartphone settings is a situation that almost every user has experienced, and it is especially painful when it comes to years of accumulated data, such as correspondence in Messenger, saved passwords or unique snapshots. Xiaomi smartphones offer a built-in solution, backing up to the Mi Cloud cloud, but many users either do not know about this feature or use it inefficiently.

In this article, we will discuss not only the basic steps of creating a backup, but also hidden settings that will help save space in the cloud, automate the process and avoid typical errors. For example, did you know that Xiaomi does not save your call history in the cloud backup by default? Or that when you change your device, you can even move your desktop settings? These and other nuances are further.

Why you need a backup in Mi Cloud and what it saves

Xiaomi’s Mi Cloud Cloud Storage is not just an alternative to Google Drive or iCloud, but a dedicated service with unique capabilities for the ecosystem. MIUI. The main advantage: backup is created in the background and is tied to the Mi Account, which allows you to recover data on any Xiaomi device in a few minutes.

The standard cloud backup includes:

• 📱 Contacts (including groups and tags)
• 📷 Photos and videos from the gallery (optional, with quality settings)
• 💬 Communications (SMS/MMS, But not messengers like WhatsApp)
• 📞 Call log (requires separate activation in settings)
• ⚙️ System settings (Wi-Fi, wallpaper, sound profiles, etc.)
• 🎮 Application data (only for supported programs, such as Mi Fit)
• 📍 Notes and calendar (if you use standard applications)

It is important to understand that Mi Cloud does not save:

• 🚫 Established APK-Files (only a list of applications for quick installation)
• 🚫 Data of third-party messengers (Telegram, Viber, etc.)
• 🚫 Files in folders not associated with the gallery (for example, downloads from the browser)
• 🚫 Root access settings or custom firmware

⚠️ Note: If you use Xiaomi with global firmware (MIUI Global, free cloud storage is 5 GB. For the Chinese version (MIUI China – only 1 GB. Check your version in Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI.

Preparing for backup: 5 mandatory steps

Before you start a backup, make sure your device is ready for the procedure.Missing these steps can lead to incomplete data retention or synchronization errors.

Connect your smartphone to a stable Wi-Fi network (3G/4G may interrupt the process)

Charge the battery by at least 50% or plug in the charger

Update the Mi Cloud app to the latest version on Google Play

Make sure there is enough free space on the device (backup is created locally before downloading)

Check that your Mi Account has a valid email or phone number attached.-->

Pay special attention to network connectivity. When you first create a backup, Xiaomi can download up to 2-3 GB data (depending on the volume of photos and applications). If you use mobile Internet, we recommend that you disable automatic backup updates in the Mi Cloud settings to avoid unexpected traffic.

It's also worth clearing the app cache before the backup.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Sort by size.
3. Clear the cache for apps that are larger than 100MB (like Facebook, Instagram).

Once a week.

Once a month

Only before resetting or updating

Never did-- >

Step-by-step: how to back up in Mi Cloud

The backup process takes 5 to 30 minutes depending on the amount of data you have, and follow the instructions to avoid common mistakes.

Step 1: Authorization in Mi Account

Without a linked Mi Account, you can't have a cloud backup if you're not already registered.

1. Open the Settings. → Mi Account.
2. Click Login and follow the instructions. An email or phone number will suit you for registration.
3. Confirm your account via SMS or mail.

Users who are already registered need to make sure that the account is active and synced with the device.

Step 2: Configure backup parameters

Go to Settings. → Mi Account → Mi Cloud. Here you will see a list of available options for backup:

• 📱 Contacts (required for all)
• 📷 Gallery (select Original Quality if Cloud Spots Allows)
• 💬 Communications (SMS/MMS)
• 📞 Call log (included separately in Settings) → Annexes → Calls. → Backup)
• ⚙️ System settings (useful when changing device)

💡

If you plan to change your smartphone to a different brand model (for example, Samsung or iPhone), export your contacts separately to the file. VCF via Contact → Settings → Exports, which ensures that they're transferred to the new device.

Step 3: Starting a backup

After setting the parameters:

1. Back to Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Slip on the backup of the device.
3. Click Create a backup and confirm the action.

The process will begin with local backup creation (may take a while). 5-15 After a few minutes, the data will start uploading to the cloud. Do not interrupt the process, this can damage the archive.

Step 4: Checking the Results

Upon completion:

1. Open Mi Cloud → Backup copies.
2. Make sure that a new entry has appeared with the current date and time.
3. Check the size of the backup – it should correspond to the volume of the selected data.

⚠️ Note: If the backup size is less than 50MB, chances are the photos or messages were not saved.Repeat the process by making sure all the options are enabled.

How to Recover Data from Cloud Backup

Recovery from the backup may be needed after resetting, buying a new Xiaomi smartphone or accidentally deleting files.The process differs depending on the situation.

Option 1: Restore on the same device

If you have reset your settings or lost some of your data:

1. Sign in to the same Mi Account.
2. Go to Settings. → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Backup copies.
3. Select the desired copy and click Restore.
4. Confirm the recovery of certain categories (contacts, messages, etc.).

The process may take 10-20 After completion, the device restarts.

Option 2: Transfer data to the new smartphone Xiaomi

When the new device is first activated:

1. At the setup stage, select Restore from backup.
2. Log in to the Mi Account from which the backup was made.
3. Select the last backup from the list.
4. Confirm the recovery of all data or select individual categories.

Important: if the new smartphone is running on a more recent version MIUI, And then, the backup device, you know, may not be able to reset the settings, like wallpaper or sound circuits.

Option 3: Extract individual files (photos, contacts)

If only a portion of the data is recovered:

1. Open Mi Cloud in your browser on PC: i.mi.com.
2. Log in and go to the Backups section.
3. Select a backup and download the files you need (for example, photos from a folder). DCIM).

Common mistakes and their solution

Even with the right setup, users often face problems when creating or restoring a backup, and let's look at typical situations and how to solve them.

Error 1: “I failed to create a backup copy”

Causes and solutions:

• 🌐 No Internet connection: Connect to Wi-Fi or check mobile internet.
• 🔋 Low battery charge: Connect the charger (minimum 20%).
• 📱 Not enough space in the cloud: Remove old backups or buy extra space.
• 🔄 Sync failure: Reboot the device and try again.

Mistake 2: Backup takes too long to build or freezes

If the process is stuck at 0% or 99%:

• 📡 Turn it off. VPN Proxies – they can block the connection to Xiaomi servers.
• 🗑️ Clear the Mi Cloud app cache in the settings.
• 🔄 Restart the process by pre-disabling and enabling synchronization in the account.

Error 3: Recovery is interrupted

If the recovery is interrupted in the middle:

• 📶 Check the stability of the Internet connection (better use Wi-Fi).
• 🔋 Make sure the battery is over 50 times charged%.
• 📱 Try to recover data piece by piece (contacts first, then photos, etc.).

Mistake 4: There is not enough space in the cloud

Xiaomi offers several ways to solve:

• 🗑️ Remove old backups (stored for up to 6 months by default).
• 📷 Turn off the original quality of the photos (switch to High Quality).
• 💰 Buy an extra seat: 50 GB stands around 100-150 ₽/month.
• 🔄 Use alternative services (e.g. Google Photos for photos).

💡

If you frequently encounter backup errors, check the region of your Mi Account. Some features of Mi Cloud may be limited to users from Russia or Europe. Region can be changed in your account settings (but no more than 1 time per month).

Alternative ways to backup for Xiaomi

While Mi Cloud is the most convenient solution for Xiaomi’s ecosystem, there are alternatives that can be useful in certain situations.

Method 1: Local backup via Settings

If you don’t have access to the Internet or don’t trust cloud services:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Local Backup.
2. Select data to save (contacts, messages, applications).
3. Click Create a backup and wait until it is completed.
4. The backup file will be stored in internal memory along the way. /MIUI/backup/AllBackup.

Advantage: It doesn't require the Internet, disadvantage: the file takes up space on the device and is not protected from the physical loss of the smartphone.

Method 2: Google Account (for contacts and calendar)

If you use Google services:

1. Go to Settings → Accounts → Google.
2. Enable sync for Contacts, Calendar and Google Photos.
3. The data will be automatically saved to Google Drive.

This solution is suitable if you plan to upgrade to a device of another brand (such as Samsung or iPhone).

Method 3: Third-party applications (Titanium Backup, Swift Backup)

For advanced users with root access:

• 📱 Titanium Backup: Stores applications, their data, and settings (requires root).
• 🔄 Swift Backup: runs without root on some firmware, supports cloud storage.
• 🗄️ FolderSync: syncs selected folders with Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.

⚠️ Note: When using third-party backup apps, disable automatic sync with Mi Cloud to avoid data conflicts.

How to optimize the use of Mi Cloud: expert advice

Many users are faced with the fact that 5 GB of free space in the Mi Cloud is running out quickly. Here are a few ways to optimize storage:

Advice 1: Set up automatic removal of old backups

By default, Xiaomi stores all backups, but you can limit the number of backups:

1. Go to Settings. → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Backup copies.
2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Settings.
3. Enable Automatically delete old copies and set a limit (e.g., 3 last copies).

Advice 2: Eliminate unnecessary data from the backup

Not all data needs to be stored in the cloud.

• 🎵 Music and video can be excluded if they are stored in other services (Spotify, YouTube Music).
• 🎮 Cash games, for example, PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact takes up gigabytes – it is better not to save it.
• 📁 Browser downloads rarely contain important information.

Advice 3: Use photo compression

Photos take up the lion's share of the backup space.

1. In Mi Cloud settings, select Photo Quality → High instead of Original.
2. Avoid saving screenshots (they are rarely critical).
3. Use Google Photos to store your photos – there’s 15GB (shared with Google Drive) free of charge.

Tip 4: Plan automatic backups

To remember about backup, set up an automatic backup:

1. Go to Settings → Mi → Mi Cloud → Backup of the device.
2. Enable the automatic backup option.
3. Choose the frequency: Daily, Weekly or Monthly.
4. Specify the time when the device is normally connected to Wi-Fi and charging (e.g., at night).

💡

If you travel frequently, turn off automatic backup on your mobile network to avoid unexpected traffic. To do this, select Wi-Fi Only in the Mi Cloud settings.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi backup