How to save all data from Xiaomi Redmi phone before resetting: the full guide 2026

Why resetting your settings on Xiaomi Redmi can result in data loss

Resetting to factory settings on Xiaomi Redmi smartphones is a radical, but sometimes necessary step. It helps to eliminate critical failures, prepare the device for sale or simply “clean” the system of digital garbage. However, many users face an unpleasant surprise: after clicking the Reset button, not only unnecessary files disappear, but also photos from the past 5 years, correspondence in messengers, saved passwords and even call history.

The problem is that MIUI (Xiaomi firmware) doesn't offer automatic backups by default before reset. Unlike the iPhone, where iCloud syncs data in the background, you have to control everything yourself. And a one-click error and years of digital life are erased irrevocably, especially at risk for owners of Redmi Note 10/11/12 and Redmi 9/10 models, where memory is often crammed and backup is not created due to space shortage.

This article is not just a guide, but a lifeline for those who have already clicked Reset and seen a blank screen, or are just planning to clean their phone. We'll look at all the ways to save data, from standard MIUI tools to hidden features that are not written about in official manuals, and we'll also tell you which files can't be restored even after backing up - and how to avoid it.

Method 1: Backup through MIUI Backup – Standard but insidious

Backup in MIUI seems like the perfect solution: one click, all the data is saved. But there are pitfalls here. First, the backup is created only in the phone's local memory. If you reset the settings, the backup file will also disappear if you don't transfer it to another medium. Second, MIUI Backup doesn't store some critical data, like Wi-Fi passwords or Google Authenticator settings.

To make the right use of this function:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → The phone. → Backup (on some models, the path may be different: Settings) → Additionally. → Backup and reset).
• 🔄 Select Local Backup and click Create Backup.
• ✅ Check all items you want to save (especially System Data, Applications, and Multimedia).
• 💾 After the process is complete, copy the backup file (it will be in the folder). MIUI/backup/AllBackup) computer.

Important! The backup file weighs a lot, from 2 to 10 GB depending on the amount of data you have. Make sure there's enough space on the target device (the flash drive, the computer), and remember, you can only restore the backup on the same device with the same version of MIUI. If you update the firmware after the reset, the backup may not work.

Way 2: Xiaomi Cloud Cloud Storage is Reliable, But Not for Everyone

Xiaomi Cloud is an analogue of iCloud or Google Drive, but with limitations. On the one hand, it automatically syncs contacts, notes, photos and even SMS. On the other hand, only 5 GB is available for free, which is only enough for text data. For owners of Redmi with 128/256 GB of memory, this is a drop in the bucket.

How to set up synchronization:

• ☁️ Go to Settings. → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud.
• 🔑 Sign in to your account (if not registered, create it in advance!).
• 📱 Enable synchronization for all the categories you need: Contacts, Notes, Gallery, Records (calls).
• ⚡ Click Sync and wait until completion (can take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour depending on the amount of data).

Xiaomi Cloud is convenient because data can be restored on any Xiaomi device after logging in.

• 🚫 No photos are saved in original quality – only compressed versions.
• 🔒 Wi-Fi passwords and some application settings are not synced.
• 💰 For an additional space (from 50 GB) will have to pay - from 99 rubles per month.

Method 3: Google Account – Universal but Incomplete Backup

If you use Google services (Gmail, YouTube, Google Photos), some of the data is already synced automatically, but many Xiaomi users miss this point and do not set up a backup in Google Drive, resulting in only reset contacts and calendar, and everything else is lost.

To make a full backup through Google:

1. 📱 Go to Settings. → Google → Backup.
2. 🔄 Enable the option of backup in Google Drive.
3. ⚙️ Click Backup Settings and select which data to save (we recommend marking everything).
4. ☁️ Go to the Google Photos app and enable Backup and Sync for photos and videos.

Advantages of this method:

• 🌍 Data is available on any device under your Google account.
• 📸 Google Photos retains original image quality (if you choose the appropriate setting).
• 📱 Recovery takes minimal time – just log in to the account after resetting.

But there are downsides:

⚠️ Note: Google does not reserve all data, SMS, Call log and application settings (except for some system) are not saved. 15 GB, which is enough for maximum 2-3 Thousands of high-resolution photos.

Method 4: Manual copying to a computer – reliable, but long

If you don’t trust cloud services or have slow internet, the most reliable way to do this is to copy data to your computer via a USB cable, which takes longer, but ensures that all files are safe, including those that aren’t automatically synced (such as downloads from your browser or saved games).

Step-by-step:

1. 🔌 Connect Redmi to your computer using the original cable (cheap cables may not transmit data).
2. 📂 On your phone, select File Transfer Mode: File Transfer (MTP) or USB-storage device (depending on the model).
3. 🖥️ On your computer, open the phone folder and copy the following directories: DCIM — all photos and videos; Downloads – downloads from the browser; Pictures, Movies – additional media files; WhatsApp/Media — WhatsApp correspondence and media; Android/data — Preserve the game if necessary).

💾 For reliability, copy the data to an external hard drive or flash drive.

This method is suitable for full control over the stored files, but there are risks:

• 🚫 If you miss a folder (such as Telegram or Documents), the data from it will be lost.
• ⏳ Large-volume copying (50)+ GB may take several hours.
• 🔌 Not all files (e.g. system settings) can be copied manually.

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If the phone is not computer-defined, try enabling USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times on version, then go back to Additional → For Developers).

Method 5: Third-party applications – when standard tools are not enough

If you need to save data that is not backed up by standard means (such as SMS, call log, game save or app settings), specialized utilities will help. We tested several and selected the most reliable ones.

For most Xiaomi Redmi users, Swift Backup or SMS Backup & Restore are the best choice, and they do not require root rights and do basic tasks. If you need to save all data without exception (including system settings), you will have to unlock the bootloader and get root access, but this is already a topic for a separate article.

⚠️ Note: When using third-party backup apps, turn off battery optimization for them in the settings MIUI (Settings → Annexes → Permits → Auto-run, otherwise the backup may be interrupted.

What to do if the reset is already done – can the data be restored?

If you read this article after resetting your settings, don’t panic – the chances of getting your data back are there, but they depend on several factors:

• 🔄 Was sync enabled with Xiaomi Cloud or Google before the reset?
• 💾 Have you created a local backup through MIUI Backup and did you copy it to another medium?
• ⏳ Is it a long time since you reset? The faster you act, the better the chances are.

Here's what you can try:

1. Recovery from the Cloud: ☁️ Sign in to your Xiaomi or Google account on your phone after a reset. 🔄 In the settings, find the Recovery and Reset section and select Recovery from the Cloud.
2. Recovery programmes: 💻 Connect your phone to your computer and use utilities like Dr.Fone, EaseUS MobiSaver, or Recuva. ⚠️ Note: the more you use your phone after a reset, the less likely you are to recover files (new data overwrites old ones).
3. Contacting the service center: 🔧 If data is critical (e.g., work documents), professionals can extract it with professional equipment, but it is expensive and does not guarantee 100% results.

What can't be done:

• 🚫 Install new apps or copy files to your phone – this reduces the chances of recovery.
• 🔋 Unload the phone to zero – at low charge, some recovery programs do not work.
• 🔄 Resetting the settings again will finally destroy the remaining data.

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If you reset the phone and you want to recover the data from the backup, don't refuse it! Even if the backup is old, it may contain some of the information you need.

FAQ: Frequent questions about data saving on Xiaomi Redmi