How to save data from Xiaomi phone to your computer and return it back: 5 proven ways

Moving to a new smartphone, resetting to factory settings or trivial memory release all require data backup. Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO and Black Shark face a unique feature: the proprietary shell of MIUI offers its own backup tools, but they are not always intuitive. And standard methods like USB connection often work with errors due to drivers or developer settings.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to transfer data from Xiaomi to PC, from classic file copying to cloud services and specialized utilities. We will focus on returning information back: which data is restored completely and which can be lost. We will also reveal the nuances of working with MIUI 14/15, where Xiaomi has tightened its security policy, and explain how to circumvent restrictions without root rights.

If you plan to reset your phone to factory settings, don’t skip the full backup section through the Mi Cloud — it’s the only way to save SMS, calls, and system settings. For those who are switching to another brand (for example, from Redmi Note 12 to Samsung Galaxy), you will need a guide to export contacts to the universal.vcf format.

And if you just need to make room on your phone but leave files, consider the options with network storage and automatic synchronization. All methods have been tested on current models from 2023 to 2026, including Xiaomi 14 Ultra, POCO F6 Pro and Redmi K70.

1. Preparing Xiaomi phone for backup

Before you copy the data, you have to configure the smartphone itself, and without that, many ways just won’t work — especially if you’re connecting Xiaomi to a PC for the first time.

The first thing to do is unlock the bootloader (if you plan to use ADB or custom utilities). For most users, this step is not necessary, but it will be required for a deep backup using fastboot. To check the status of the bootloader, go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and tap 7 times on the line. Then go back to the main settings menu, open Additional → For developers and find the bootloader status item.

Activate Developer Mode (Stamp 7 times according to MIUI)

Enable debugging over USB in the developer settings

Install Xiaomi drivers on PC (from the official website)

Check the free space on the PC (at least 20% of the data volume on the phone)

Disable the screen lock (if you use it) PIN/pattern lock, temporarily switch to swipe)-->

The second is to set up a USB connection, and Xiaomi defaults to Charge mode when you connect to your computer, which doesn't allow you to transfer files. To change that:

1. Connect your phone to your PC with a cable (preferably original).
2. Smash the notification bar down and tap the USB option to transfer files.
3. Select File Transfer (MTP) or Image Transfer (PTP) for the photo.

If the list does not have the right mode, go to Settings → Connection and Sharing → USB and turn on USB Debugging (pre-activating developer mode). On a Windows PC, you may need to install Mi PC Suite drivers - download them from the official Xiaomi website.

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If your computer can’t see your phone even after installing the drivers, try connecting via another USB- port (preferably a USB 3.0 blue) or using a data-enabled cable (not all charging cables are suitable!).

2. Method 1: Classic copying of files via USB

The simplest and most versatile method is manually copying files to a PC, which is suitable for photos, videos, music, documents and APK- application files.

• 📱 Contacts, SMS, call-in
• 🎮 Game Save (other than those stored in /Android/data)
• ⚙️ System and application settings

To copy the data:

1. Connect Xiaomi to your PC in MTP mode (see section above).
2. On your computer, open this computer (Windows) or Finder (Mac). The phone will appear as a removable disk.
3. Go to the Internal Storage (Internal Memory) or SD Card (if you have a memory card).
4. Copy the folders you need: DCIM – photos and videos from the Pictures camera – downloaded Download images – downloaded files Android/data – data from some applications (for example, saving games)

To speed up the process, use the hot keys:

• 🖥️ Ctrl + A – select all files
• 🖥️ Ctrl + C / Ctrl + V - copy / paste
• 🖥️ Alt + Tab – switch between windows

An important nuance for MIUI 14/15 is that Xiaomi has restricted access to some of the system folders, so if you can't see the Android folder or MIUI, then the protection is on, so you can turn it off.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Three Points (menu) → Special Access.
2. Select Access to all files.
3. Find Explorer (or Files) in the list and enable full access.

3. Method 2: Full backup via Mi Cloud

The only official way to save SMS, call log, system and application settings is to use Xiaomi’s proprietary cloud. 5 GB is provided for free, but a paid subscription (from 100 rubles / month for 50 GB) may be required for a full backup.

To create a backup copy:

1. Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Sign in or create an account if you don’t have one.
3. Select Backup and click Backup now.
4. Check the data to save: 📞 Contacts 💬 SMS and MMS 📞 Call Log ⚙️ System settings (Wi-Fi, wallpaper, sounds) 📱 Application data (supported only)

The process can take anywhere from 10 minutes to several hours, depending on the amount of data and the speed of the Internet, and once completed, the backup will be available under the Backup Management section.

Once a week | Once a month | Only before reset |Never |Another option-->

How to recover data from Mi Cloud:

1. On a new (or dropped) phone, log in to the same Mi Account.
2. Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Recovery.
3. Select the desired backup and click Restore.

To use the utility:

1. Download Mi PC Suite from the official website and install it on PC.
2. Connect your phone to your computer via USB (MTP or PTP mode).
3. Run the program and wait until it determines the device.
4. Go to the Backup section (backup).
5. Select the data for the backup and press Start.

The backup file will be saved to the PC in.mbk format.

1. Connect the phone to the PC.
2. In Mi PC Suite, go to Restore.
3. Select the.mbk file and follow the instructions.

⚠️ Warning: Recovery via the Mi PC Suite will reset the phone to factory settings if you choose the full recovery option. To avoid data loss, pre-copy important files manually.

Mi PC Suite doesn't work with all models, for example, a POCO F5 or Redmi Note 13 Pro+ might need to disable OEM lock in the developer's settings.

• Check if the Xiaomi drivers are installed.
• Try another one. USB-cable (preferably original).
• Restart the phone and PC.

5 Method 4: ADB- Backup for Power Users

If you need to save all your data without exception (including application settings, game saves, and system files), use ADB Backup, a method that requires command line skills but gives you maximum control.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux
• 📱 Phone with Debugging enabled on USB
• 🔧 Installed ADB- Drivers and Platform-Tools utility (download from Android site)

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and make sure that USB debugging works (the phone will have a permission request).
2. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with the platform-tools.
3. Enter the command to create a backup: adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f C:\backup.ab -apk — saves APK- application files -obb — includes additional game data -shared — copies files from SD- cards -all — all applications and settings -f C:\backup.ab — a path to save the file (can be changed)

On the phone, confirm the creation of a backup (you may need to enter a password).

The backup.ab file will be saved to your PC. Use the command to restore:

adb restore C:\backup.ab

⚠️ Warning: Not all apps support ADB-backup. For example, WhatsApp or Telegram data may not recover.

The advantages of ADB- backup:

• 🔹 Stores all system settings (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, wallpaper, etc.)
• 🔹 Works without root rights
• 🔹 Individual applications can be selectively restored

Disadvantages:

• 🔸 Does not encrypt backup (data is stored in plaintiff)
• 🔸 Some applications (e.g. banking) block backup
• 🔸 The process can take several hours.

Method 5: Cloud Services (Google Drive, Yandex Disk)

If you don't want to depend on Mi Cloud or Mi PC Suite, use universal cloud storage.

• 📸 Photo and video (automatic synchronization)
• 📄 Documents and tables
• 📱 Contacts and calendars (via Google Account)

Google Drive + Google Photo Photos

1. Install the Google Photos app and log in to your account.
2. In the settings, enable Backup and Synchronization.
3. Choose quality (High - free, Original - takes place in Drive).
4. For contacts, go to Settings → Google → Account Sync and enable Contacts.

Yandex Disk (Relevant for Russia)

1. Download Yandex Disk from the Mi App Store or Google Play.
2. Log in to your account and enable Autoupload photo.
3. To manually copy files, open the application, select files and click Save to Drive.

OneDrive/Mega

Similar to other services, but with their own characteristics:

• OneDrive is integrated into Windows – convenient for syncing with PC.
• Mega offers 20GB for free, but it is slower to download files.

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Cloud services do not save SMS, the log of calls and system settings. Use Mi Cloud or ADB- backup for this.

7.Recovery of data on the Xiaomi phone: step-by-step instructions

The process of returning data depends on which backup method you used, and let's look at each option.

1.Recovery from Mi Cloud

1. On the phone, log in to the same Mi Account as with the backup.
2. Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Recovery.
3. Select the desired copy and click Restore.
4. Wait until the phone is finished (the phone will reboot).

2.Recovery via Mi PC Suite

1. Connect your phone to your PC and open the Mi PC Suite.
2. Go to the Restore section.
3. Select the.mbk file and follow the instructions.
4. If required, confirm the resetting of the settings.

3. Manual copying of files

1. Connect your phone to your PC in MTP mode.
2. Copy previously saved files back to the corresponding folders: DCIM → photos and videos Download → downloaded files Android/data → application data (if supported)

Music

Documents

4 Recovery from ADB- backup

1. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command line in the folder with the platform-tools.
2. Enter the command adb restore C:\backup.ab
3. On the phone, confirm the recovery and enter the password (if you have installed).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions