How to copy all data from Xiaomi to your computer: the complete guide

Transferring data from Xiaomi to your computer is a task that every user sooner or later faces. Whether you are buying a new smartphone, want to make a backup before resetting your settings, or just free up the device’s memory, it’s important to choose the right copying method. Unlike the iPhone, where the sync process is standardized through iTunes or iCloud, Xiaomi has several alternative ways – from the classic connection to the traditional one. USB before using the Mi proprietary software PC Suite or even command line.

The main problem is that not all methods are equally effective. For example, a simple Drag & Drop through Windows Explorer does not copy the same method. SMS, A call log or application configuration, and cloud services can limit the amount of free storage available, and in this article, we'll look at all the current ways to migrate data, taking into account the features of the firmware. MIUI 2026, including hidden features and avoiding possible errors.

1. Preparing Xiaomi phone for data copying

Before you start transferring files, you need to configure the device correctly, which will help avoid common problems, such as lack of access to folders or slow data transfer.

First, check the connection mode. USB. By default, Xiaomi can use the phone as a Charger, which blocks access to the file system:

1. Connect your phone to your PC via the original cable (preferably from the kit).
2. Swipe down the notification panel and tap on the option USB-connection.
3. Select File Transfer (MTP) or Transfer of photographs (PTP) media-file.

If the list does not have the desired mode, perhaps the debugging on the phone is disabled. USB. To turn it on:

1. Go to Settings. → About the phone and 7 times click on the version MIUI (A notification will appear on the inclusion of the developer mode).
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Activate the debugging switch over USB and confirm the action.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Xiaomi) 13T, Redmi Note 12 Pro+) post-update MIUI 14 may need to further allow access to files in the Settings section → Annexes → Permit management → USB.

2. Copying files through USB-cable (MTP)

The simplest and most versatile method is to connect your phone to your PC via cable in mode. MTP (Media Transfer Protocol: It runs on all versions of Windows (from 7 to 11) and does not require additional software installation.

Once connected, the phone will appear in Windows Explorer as a removable disk.

• 📁 DCIM — All photos and video from the camera.
• 🎵 Music – audio files, including ringtones.
• 📄 Documents – Documents from Office Applications.
• 📱 MIUI — System files (for example, wallpaper or themes).
• 🔧 Android/data — Application data (requires root access for full copying).

To speed up the process, it is recommended that:

• 🔌 Use the cable USB 3.0 (blue connector) – it provides transfer speeds of up to 5 Gbps.
• 🖥️ Connect the cable to the port USB 3.0 on PC (usually marked in blue).
• 📂 Copy files with an archive (for example, in.zip), if there are many of them – this will reduce the transfer time.

⚠️ Note: If you are copying large files (>4 GB) there is an error, check the file system of the flash drive or disk on the PC. NTFS or exFAT, not FAT32.

Check the connection mode (MTP/PTP)

Use the original cable

Connect to the port. USB 3.0

Turn off the screen blocker on your phone

Close the background applications on PC-->

3. Data transfer via Mi PC Suite

Mi PC Suite is the official software from Xiaomi, which allows you not only to copy files, but also to manage contacts, messages, applications and even update the firmware. POCO base MIUI.

Download the utility from the official website: https://pcsuite.mi.com/

Install the program and follow the instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and select File Transfer mode.
2. Run the Mi PC Suite and wait for the device to be recognized.
3. In the main menu, select the Files section to access the phone’s memory.
4. Mark the desired files or folders and click Export.

Benefits of Mi PC Suite before the standard MTP:

However, the program has drawbacks:

• 🐢 Slowly copy large files (e.g. video) 4K), straight MTP.
• 🔄 Sometimes "hangs" when connecting phones with custom firmware.
• 📥 Requires installation on PC (no portable version).

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If Mi PC Suite does not see the phone, try reinstalling drivers through Device Manager (Portable Devices section").

4. Synchronization through cloud services

If you don’t have a cable or want to automate backup, you can use cloud storage. Xiaomi offers its own Mi Cloud service, but it has a 5GB limit for free accounts. Alternatives are Google Drive, Yandex Disk or OneDrive.

To copy through Mi Cloud:

1. On the phone go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Turn on synchronization for the desired data (contacts, notes, photos).
3. On PC, go to i.mi.com and log in.
4. In the Devices section, select your phone and download files.

For Google Drive:

• 📱 Install the Google Photos app and enable autoloading media files.
• 📂 For the rest of the data, use Google Drive (manual file download).
• 🖥️ Download Google Backup and Sync for automatic sync.

⚠️ Note: When uploading photos to Google Photos in the "High Quality" mode, they are compressed to a resolution of 16 MP. To maintain the original quality, select the option "Original Size" (considered as a quota of Google Drive).

5. Copying of Hidden Data (SMS, call log, settings)

Standard methods do not allow copying SMS, It's going to require specialized tools to log calls or customize applications:

Method 1: Through Mi PC Suite

• 📩 Exports SMS: Mi PC Suite → Communications → Exports (save in.xml).
• 📞 Call export: Mi PC Suite → Journal → Exports (.csv format).

Method 2: Backup applications

• 🔄 Swift Backup (requires root) – copies application data and settings.
• 📱 SMS Backup & Restore - Exports SMS in.xml without root.
• 📞 Call Logs Backup – saves the call log in.csv.

Method 3: ADB (for advanced users)

If you have experience with the command line, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB) to create a full backup copy:

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

This team maintains:

• 📦 All installed applications (-apk).
• 🎮 Game data (-obb).
• 📂 Shared files (-shared).
• ⚙️ System settings (-all).

⚠️ Note: Backup copy through ADB may not recover on another device or after resetting if the version MIUI Some apps (like WhatsApp) are blocking copying their data through the Internet. ADB.

6. Transfer data from blocked or broken Xiaomi

If the phone screen doesn't respond to touch or the device is locked (forgot the pattern lock), standard methods will not work.

Method 1: Recovery mode (TWRP)

• 🔧 If the phone is installed custom TWRP Recovery, connect it to your PC and use the command: adb pull /sdcard/ C:\Xiaomi_Backup\
• 📁 This will copy all files from internal memory to the specified folder on the PC.

Method 2: Fastboot (for unlocked bootloader)

• 🔓 If the bootloader is unlocked, you can flash a temporary TWRP Access to files: fastboot boot twrp-3.7.0-xiaomi.img adb pull /data/media/0/ C:\Backup\
• ⚠️ This method requires unlocking. OEM Unlock in the Developer Settings.

Method 3: Service centers

If the phone is physically damaged (such as a broken screen or faulty connector) USB-C), Xiaomi provides a service to extract data even from broken devices (cost) ~1500–3000 ₽ model-wise).

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If the phone doesn’t turn on but is responding to charging, try connecting it to your PC in Fastboot mode (keep Volume down). + Power when connected).

7. Optimization of data storage on the PC after copying

After transferring files from Xiaomi to your computer, it is important to properly organize their storage so as not to lose data and save space.

Advice on organization:

• 📂 Create separate folders for each type of data: D:\Xiaomi_Backup\ ├── Photo Photo\ ├── Video\ ├── Music\ ├── Documents\ └── Annexes\
• 🔍 Use Everything or Agent Ransack to quickly search for copied files.
• 🗑️ Remove duplicates with Duplicate Cleaner or CCleaner.
• 🔐 Encrypt sensitive data (such as backups) SMS) assisted 7-Zip password-wise.

Compression and archiving:

• 📦 For long-term storage, archive files in.zip or.7z (compression ratio "Ultra").
• 💾 Break up the big archives (>4 GB) per volume using WinRAR or 7-Zip.

Cloud backup:

To protect data from loss (for example, when a hard drive breaks), upload it to the cloud:

• 🌥️ Google Drive – 15 GB free.
• ☁️ Yandex Disk – 10 GB free (invitation bonuses).
• 📦 Mega – 20 GB free (with encryption).

FAQ: Frequent questions about data portability with Xiaomi