How to save data on your Xiaomi phone: 5 proven ways to backup

Why backup on Xiaomi is not a luxury, but a necessity

Xiaomi smartphones store gigabytes of personal data, from family photos to work correspondence. But what happens if the phone suddenly stops turning on after a fall? Or do you decide to sell the device and make a factory reset? Without a backup, recovering lost files will be extremely difficult — and sometimes impossible.

Statistically, 30 percent of users lose data due to accidental deletion, firmware failure, or physical breakdown, and only 15 percent regularly create backups, and in this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to save information on Redmi, POCO, and other Xiaomi models, from embedded tools to third-party solutions.

Method 1: Cloud backup via Mi Cloud

Mi Cloud is Xiaomi’s official cloud storage integrated into MIUI firmware, which automatically synchronizes contacts, notes, photos, and even system settings, and the main advantage is that data is available from any device after you log in to your Mi Account.

To enable reservations:

Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
Sign in or create a new account (if you haven’t already).
Activate switches next to data types: Contacts, Notes, Photos, etc.
Click Sync in the upper right corner.

⚠️ Warning: The free Mi Cloud tariff only provides 5GB of storage. Multimedia backup (photo/video) only takes a few hundred files. If you need more space, you'll have to buy an extension (from 25GB for a photo/video). ~100₽/month).

📊 How often do you back up your data?

Never.

Once a year.

Every month.

Before important changes (firmware, reset)

Method 2: Local backup to your computer

If you don’t trust cloud services or have slow internet, a local backup on your PC is a reliable alternative, both the standard Windows/macOS Explorer and Xiaomi’s proprietary PC Suite utility (the official device management software of the brand) are suitable for this.

Instructions for manual copying:

Connect your phone to your computer through USB-Cable (use original or certified cable).
On your phone, select File Transfer (MTP) mode in the connection notification.
Open the internal memory folder or SD-card (if any) on PC.
Copy important folders: 📷 DCIM — photo and video 🎵 Music, Movies - Media Files 📄 Documents, Downloads – Documents and Downloads 📱 Android/data — Data from some applications (not all!)

⚠️ Note: Not all apps store data in open folders, such as WhatsApp or Telegram correspondence in secure directories, and use the built-in messenger features (e.g. Settings). → chat → Backup copy on WhatsApp).

Copy DCIM folder (photo/video)|Export contacts to VCF|Save SMS via application (e.g. SMS Backup & Restore)| Download WhatsApp backup to Google Drive |Check Downloads folder for important files

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Method 3: Backup via MIUI settings (built-in backup)

MIUI firmware has a built-in tool to create a complete system image, including the installed applications and their data, which is suitable if you plan to reset your phone to factory settings or update your firmware.

How to make a backup:

Open Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Local Backup.
Click Create a backup and select data to save: 📱 System - Wi-Fi settings, wallpaper, sounds 📱 Applications - list of installed programs (without data!) 📱 Contacts, Messages, Call Log

Internal memory.

SD-map

Wait until it is completed (it can take 5-15 minutes).

✅ Pros of the method: saves system settings and part of the application data. ❌ Cons: does not copy media files (photos/video) and data of certain applications (for example, games).

What is NOT saved by the built-in MIUI backup?

MIUI backup does not include: - Photos and Videos (DCIM folder) - Music and downloads (unless manually selected) - Game Data (progress, saves) - Files in the root folder of internal memory - Wi-Fi passwords (network settings only without passwords)

Method 4: Third-party backup applications (Titanium Backup, Swift Backup)

If you need a full backup (including application data, system files, and even the Android kernel), root rights and specialized utilities are required.

🔧 Titanium Backup is a legendary root-access backup app that stores all of the app data, including game progress and settings.
🔄 Swift Backup – a modern alternative with support for cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox).

⚠️ Attention: Getting root rights is insecure and can cause your phone to run in an unstable way. Use this method only if you understand the risks!

Instructions for Titanium Backup:

1. Install the app from Google Play.


2. provide root access (via Magisk or SuperSU).




3. Go to the tab "Backups".




4. Click "Backage Action" → "Backup of all user applications + system data".




5. Select a save location (preferably on a SD- map or in the cloud).




6. wait until completion (may take up to 30 minutes).

💡

Before using Titanium Backup, check the free space on your phone – a full backup can weigh 10+GB!

Method 5: Sync with Google Account (alternative to Mi Cloud)

If you prefer the Google ecosystem, you can sync key data through Google Account, which is convenient if you use the company's services: Gmail, Google Photos, Google Contacts, etc.

What is synchronized automatically:

📇 Contacts – through Google Contacts
📅 Calendar - Events and Reminders
📝 Notes (if you use Google Keep)
📷 Photos and videos – via Google Photos (with compression or in original quality)
🎮 Game data – if the game supports Google Play Games

How to turn on synchronization:

Open Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google.
Select your account (or add a new one).
Activate the switches next to the desired data types.
Press More. → Synchronize.

✅ Pros: 15 GB free (vs. 5 GB in Mi Cloud), cross-platform. ❌ Cons: Not all data is synchronized (e.g, SMS or setting MIUI).

Comparison of Backup Methods: What to Choose?

Each method has its strengths and weaknesses, and the table below shows a comparison of key parameters:

Method	Data types	Internet is required	Memory volume	Difficulty	Recovery
Mi Cloud	Contacts, photos, notes, settings MIUI	Yes.	5GB (free)	⭐	Lung (via account)
Local backup on PC	Photos, videos, documents, some application data	No.	Limited to PC memory	⭐⭐	Manual backup
MIUI's built-in backup	Settings, contacts, SMS, list of applications	No.	1-5 GB	⭐	Through the recovery menu
Titanium Backup (root)	All data, including system files and game progress	No.	10+GB	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Only with root access.
Google Account	Contacts, calendar, photo (via Google Photos), data of some applications	Yes.	15GB (free)	⭐	Automatic when logging into your account

💡

For maximum reliability, use a combination of methods: for example, Mi Cloud for contacts + local backup on PC for photos + Google Photos for automatic synchronization.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced users sometimes have problems with backups, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to solve them:

There's not enough space in the cloud. Solution: clear out the files you don't need in Mi Cloud or Google Drive, or buy extra space, and you can also archive old backups in ZIP.
The phone is not computer-defined. Solution: check the cable (try another), turn on USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times on the version, then return to Additional → For Developers).
MIUI backup is not restored.Solution: Make sure the version of MIUI on your phone matches the version on which the backup was made. When reset, select Restore from the backup in the recovery menu.
Titanium Backup gives you an error. Solution: update the application, check root rights, try a different backup mode (for example, only user data).

⚠️ Warning: If you are selling or transferring your phone to another person, be sure to log out of your Mi Account and Google Account before resetting! otherwise, the new owner will be able to recover your data.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions

Can data be recovered after resetting to factory settings if there was no backup?

Partly yes. If the reset was made through the settings menu (not through Fastboot or Recovery), some data can be recovered using programs like DiskDigger or EaseUS MobiSaver. However, the odds are low: MIUI overwrites the memory when reset, and the longer the phone is used after reset, the less data will remain. For photos and videos, try Google Photos - perhaps they are synchronized automatically. Contacts can be restored via Google Contacts (if synchronization was enabled).

How to transfer backup from one Xiaomi to another?

If both phones are on MIUI, use the built-in backup: Create a backup on your old phone (Settings → Backup and Reset). Copy the backup file (usually in the MIUI/backup/AllBackup folder) to your new phone. On the new device, go to Settings → Backup and Reset → Restore from backup and select a file. It’s easier to transfer photos, videos and documents to your PC, and then to a new phone. Contacts and calendar are syncated via the Mi Cloud or Google Account automatically.

How long does it take to create a backup copy?

Time depends on the amount of data and the way you copy it: 📱 Mi Cloud / Google Account: 5–30 minutes (depending on internet speed). 💻 Local backup on PC: 10–60 minutes (USB 2.0 slower USB 3.0). 📦 Built-in backup MIUI: 5-15 minutes. 🔧 Titanium Backup: 20-90 minutes (due to compression and processing of system files) Tip: backup at night or when the phone is connected to charging so as not to interrupt the process.

Can I backup a phone with a broken screen?

Yes, but it's more complicated. Options: Connect your phone to your PC and copy the data through a conductor (if the sensor works). Use USB debugging (ADB): adb pull /sdcard/ path on-PC (requires on debugging before the screen breaks). If the phone turns on but the screen is not visible, connect it to your TV via HDMI (via a USB-C to HDMI adapter) and control it with your mouse via OTG. At the last resort, contact the service center - they can extract data directly from the chip (expensively, but efficiently).

How often should I make backup copies?

The recommended frequency depends on the activity of the phone: 📱 Weekly: if you actively take pictures, work with documents or install/remove applications frequently. 📅 Once a month: for most users (social networks, messengers, rare photos). ⚠️ Before important events: firmware update, reset, trip to another city. Automate the process: enable autosynchronization in Mi Cloud or Google Photos to remember the backups.