Save all the data from Xiaomi to your computer before reset: 5 proven ways to use the USB

Why backup through USB More secure than the cloud – and how not to lose a single file

Resetting Xiaomi is like cleaning your apartment, and everything shines after that, but if you don't remove important things in advance, they'll be gone forever. Many users trust backups to cloud services like Mi Cloud or Google Drive, but there are critical downsides to this. First, 20GB of photos can be uploaded over the mobile Internet for a day. Second, the free Mi Cloud gives you only 5GB — that's enough for contacts and notes. Third, after the reset, you have to download the data back, again, wasting time and traffic.

Connection through USB-Cabel solves these problems: the transfer goes to the 10-20 once faster 480 Mbps USB 3.0), It doesn't depend on the Internet, and files are immediately saved to your computer under your control: MIUI By default, it blocks access to some folders (for example, /Android/data/), and with the wrong settings MTP-The protocol may not show up in the "Conductor." This article contains a complete checklist for preservation. 100% data (including hidden application files) taking into account the features of firmware MIUI 12–14.

What to save before resetting – and why a standard backup isn’t enough

Most guides advise copying only photos and contacts, but it's like saving only a passport from a burning house without having to worry about the money and keys. Here's a full list of the data that will disappear after the reset - and why losing it is critical:

• 📸 Photos and videos in original quality (including screenshots and screen recordings) are often compressed by cloud services to 1080p, A local copy will keep the 4K and RAW.
• 📱 App settings (e.g. save in games, chat history in Telegram, bookmarks in the browser) without them you will have to configure everything from scratch.
• 📞 Call log and SMS/MMS. Mi Cloud does not have reservations SMS older 30 Days, and the call log is ignored.
• 🎵 Offline music and podcasts (for example, from Spotify or Yandex Music) can not be returned even through an account.
• 📁 Download files and documents. PDF-contracts, tickets and scans.
• 🔑 Local passwords and keys (such as.keystore developers files or certificates) VPN). Loss of these can block access to work systems.

Standard backup through Settings → Additionally. → Backup to MIUI retain:

• 📇 Contacts (if synchronized with Mi Account)
• 📝 Notes and calendar
• 🎮 Some system application settings (but not custom ones)

Everything else is your responsibility, for example, if you don't save the folder. DCIM/Camera, Photos from the last year can disappear irrevocably (even if they are displayed in Google Photos – the cloud stores only thumbnails in the absence of the Internet).

Preparing your phone: 3 mandatory steps before connecting to a PC

If you just stick Xiaomi in the USB-You'll get a "No access" error or you'll see empty folders. It's not a glitch, that's how security works. MIUI. To unlock full access, do three things:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About the phone and 7 times tap on the item Version MIUI. Then on the Settings menu → There will be a paragraph for developers.
2. Put the debugging on. USB: In the section For developers, find the option Debugging by USB And activate it. Confirm the resolution when the pop-up appears. 💡If the debugging option is USB Inactive, check if the Unlock option is enabled OEM It's on the same menu (POCO F3, Redmi Note 10 Pro – it blocks debugging.
3. Select the correct transfer protocol: When you connect to the PC, an option will appear in the notification curtain USB To transfer files, tap it and select File Transfer (MTP). If this item is missing, check the cable – cheap wires often only support charging.

⚠️ Attention: On models with MIUI 14 (for example, Xiaomi 13, Redmi Note 12) After connecting to the PC, a request to unlock may appear MIUI Storage. Enter your phone password -- without that folder. Android/data and Android/obb will be hidden.

Developer mode activated

USB debugging enabled

Protocol selected MTP notice-curtain

Xiaomi drivers installed on PC (if Windows)

Checked cable to support data transmission-->

Method 1: Manual copying through Windows Explorer – fast and reliable

This is the most universal method that works on any version. MIUI It's good if you want to save photos, videos, documents and music -- files that are stored in open folders.

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC through USB and select mode MTP (see previous section).
2. Open This Computer in Windows Explorer. Your Xiaomi will appear as a removable drive (e.g. Redmi Note 11 Pro) 5G).
3. Go to the Internal shared storage folder: 📷 DCIM — All photos and video from the camera 🎵 Music - audio files 📄 Documents and Download – Documents and Downloads 📁 Pictures – screenshots and saved pictures from messengers

Ctrl+C

Ctrl+V

⚠️ Note: Do not copy the entire Android folder - it contains application data, and many files will be unavailable without root rights. Instead, use Method 3 (below) if you need to save games or settings messengers.

💡

Manual copying through Explorer is suitable for 80% of users – it is simple and does not require additional programs, but for a full backup (including application data), specialized tools are needed.

Method 2: Using Mi PC Suite – official but limited

Mi PC Suite is a proprietary utility from Xiaomi for controlling your phone from a computer, and it can backup, but with serious limitations:

• ✅ Pluses: 🔄 Automatically maintains contacts, SMS call-book 📱 Supports recovery on a new phone 🔒 Doesn't require root rights
• ❌ Cons: 🚫 Do not copy photos and videos in original quality (compresses to the 720p) 🎮 Ignores application data (save games, settings messengers) 🐢 Slower manual copying through USB

How to use Mi PC Suite:

1. Download the program from the official website and install it on the PC.
2. Connect the phone through USB (regime MTP must be activated).
3. In the main window of the program, select Backup.
4. Check the required categories (contacts, SMS, applications) and click Create backup.
5. The backup file will be saved in the folder C:\Users\Your name \MiPhoneBackup.

⚠️ Note: If you are using the Mi PC Suite on Xiaomi with the bootloader unlocked (for example, after installing custom firmware), the program may show the error "Device is not certified." In this case, go to Method 3 or 4.

Method 3: ADB Backup – a full copy of the application data (for advanced applications)

If you need to save game saves (such as Genshin Impact or Honor of Kings), instant messenger settings (Telegram, WhatsApp) or work application data (such as, 1C Or Trello, the standard methods won't help. ADB Backup – a tool to create a full backup through Android Debug Bridge.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔐 Stores data from all applications, including system.
• 📦 It works without root rights (but requires debugging by USB).
• 🔄 You can restore the backup to another phone (if the model is compatible).

Instructions:

1. Download ADB Tools and unpack the archive in the folder C:\adb.
2. Connect your phone to your PC, activate Debugging USB (see section 3).
3. Open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd).
4. Go to the folder with ADB: cd C:\adb
5. Check the phone connection: Adb devices If the device is displayed (e.g, 1234abcd device, go ahead. If not, reinstall the drivers.
6. Start creating a backup: adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f C:\backup_Xiaomi.ab -apk — retain APK-file -obb — includes additional game files -shared — copy SD-cards (if any) -all — backup all applications -f C:\backup_Xiaomi.ab — file-saving

Create a backup.

⚠️ Note: The.ab file will be encrypted with the phone's password, and if you forget it, it will be impossible to recover the data. Also note that some applications (such as banking) block the backup of their data through the phone. ADB.

adb restore C:\backup_Xiaomi.ab

Remember, you can only recover data on the same Xiaomi with the same version. MIUI. On another model or firmware, this can cause errors.-->

Method 4: Titanium Backup – Maximum control (requires root)

If your Xiaomi has an unlocked bootloader and root rights (like through Magisk), Titanium Backup is the most powerful backup tool.

• 📦 Save data from any application (including system data).
• 🔄 Restore backups to another phone (even with a different firmware).
• ⚡ Create incremental backups (copy only changes).
• 🔒 Encrypt backup copies.

How to use Titanium Backup:

1. Install the app from the official website (there is no one on Google Play).
2. Open the program and provide root access.
3. Go to the Backup tab and click the Packet Action button.
4. Select Backup of all user applications + system data.
5. Specify the folder to save (for example, /sdcard/TitaniumBackup).
6. Once completed, copy the TitaniumBackup folder from your phone to your PC.

⚠️ Attention: On models with MIUI 13/14 (Xiaomi 12, Redmi Note 11) Titanium Backup may not see some system applications due to SELinux policy. In this case, execute the command in Terminal Emulator before the backup:

su


setenforce 0

But remember, this temporarily shuts down the system protection!

Method 5: Sync with Google Account – for contacts and basic data

If you only need to save contacts, calendar and some settings, and the rest of the data is not critical, you can do without it. USB And you can use Google Account, which is a way that you don't need to connect to a PC, but it's limited:

What's synchronizing:

• 📇 Contacts (full)
• 📅 Calendar
• 🌐 Chrome bookmarks and browser history
• 📁 Some app settings (if you support Google Backup)

What's not synchronized:

• 📸 Photos and videos (only if you have autoloaded in Google Photos)
• 🎵 Music and documents
• 🎮 Preservation of games
• 📱 Settings for most third-party applications

How to set up synchronization:

1. Go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google.
2. Select your account and activate the switches opposite: Contacts Chrome Calendar Drive (if you need to save documents)

Synchronize now

Google Contacts

Google Calendar

⚠️ Note: If there are two on the phone SIM-Cards, contacts can be linked to different accounts (e.g., one or more accounts). SIM Before reset, check if all contacts are duplicated in Google Contacts, or some numbers will be lost.

Checklist before reset: 10 things to check

Even if you have backed up, one error can make all efforts to nullify. Before clicking on Reset, go through this list:

All photos and videos are copied from folders DCIM and Pictures

Contacts synced with Google or Mi Cloud

Call log and SMS saved (through Mi) PC suite ADB)

Application data is backed up (if necessary)

Wi-Fi passwords are exported (via an app like WiFi Password Viewer)

Files from Download and Documents copied

Unnecessary files deleted (to speed up reset)

Battery charge >50% (reset at low charge can be interrupted)

Mi Account binding is disabled (if you sell a phone)

Checked that the backup is not corrupted (open several files on the PC)-->

Pay special attention to the item about binding to Mi Account. MIUI 12+ After resetting, the Mi Cloud Lock may work, and the new owner will not be able to activate the device without your password:

1. Go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Mi Account.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Exit.
3. Enter the password and confirm the device uncoupling.

⚠️ Do not interrupt the process, even if the phone hangs on the logo for a long time. MI. In the models with MIUI 14 (Xiaomi 13T, POCO F5) After reset, application optimization can go on additionally - this is normal.