How to make an archive on Xiaomi: a complete backup guide

Creating an archive on Xiaomi smartphones is not just a recommendation, it is a necessity for every user. Even the most reliable devices are not immune to crashes, theft or accidental deletion of important data. According to statistics, 30% of users lose critical information at least once in their lives due to lack of backups. In this article, we will examine all available archiving methods - from built-in features to built-in features. MIUI to cloud services and third-party applications.

The feature of Xiaomi smartphones is a deep integration with the Mi Account ecosystem, which simplifies the backup process, but at the same time requires an understanding of the nuances. MIUI It doesn't include some default system settings, and cloud copies in Google Drive can take up limited space, and we'll go through each method in detail, its pros and cons, and give you recommendations on the optimal combination of approaches to maximize data protection.

Why it is important to create archives on Xiaomi

The main reason is the unpredictability of technical failures.Even the new Xiaomi 13 Ultra or Redmi Note 12 Pro smartphones+ free from:

• 🔋 Sudden battery discharge with file system damage
• 💥 Falling device causing memory failure
• 🦠 Viral attacks through third-party attacks APK-file
• 🔄 Failed update MIUI loss-of-user data

The second critical thing is to change the device. F5 On Xiaomi 14, transferring data through the archive takes minutes instead of manually restoring each application. According to internal statistics, Xiaomi users who regularly create backups spend 3 times less time setting up a new smartphone - 20 minutes vs. an hour when manually transferring it.

The third aspect is the security of personal data, and the archives allow:

• 🔒 Restore the remote SMS Two-factor authentication code
• 📱 Returning your call history for business or personal needs
• 📸 Save unique photos that are not uploaded to the cloud

Built-in tools MIUI archival

The manufacturer has integrated into the firmware MIUI The two main tools for building archives are Local Backup and Cloud Backup via Mi Account. The first method saves data to the device itself or the memory card, the second one uploads it to the Xiaomi cloud.

Local backup is available on all devices with MIUI 10 and newer. Action algorithm:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone. → Backup and reset → Local backups
2. Click Create Backup and select items to archive
3. The location of the storage: internal memory or SD-card (if supported)
4. Confirm the action and wait until the completion (may take a while) 5-15 minute)

Important nuances of the local archive:

• 📁 The archive is saved in the folder MIUI/backup/AllBackup
• 🔄 You can set up automatic backup on schedule
• ⚠️ Does not include: data from some system applications (e.g. Mi Fit)

Cloud backup via Mi Account has a 5GB free space limit.

1. Go to Settings. → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Backup of the device
2. Select data for synchronization (contacts, notes, SMS etc.)
3. Activate the Autosynchronization switch

Charge your phone at least to 50%|Connect to Wi-Fi for speeding up|Release. 2-3 GB of free space|Checking the efficiency SD-cards (if used)|Disable battery optimization for the backup process-->

Comparison of archiving methods on Xiaomi

The choice between on-premises and cloud backups depends on your priorities, and we have compiled a comparison table of key parameters:

The best strategy is a combined approach:

• 📱 Local archive once a month for a full backup system
• ☁️ Daily synchronization of critical data (contacts, SMS) via Mi Cloud
• 📁 Once a quarter – archive photos / videos in Google Photos with original quality

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For maximum data protection, use the rule 3-2-1: 3 copy-paste 2 carrier, 1 from which they are kept outside the home (cloud).

Archiving through Google Drive and other cloud services

Mi Cloud alternatives are Google services that are often integrated into the MIUI The main advantage is 15 GB of free space versus 5 GB of Xiaomi:

1. Activation of backup in Google:

Settings → Google → Backup → Enable backup

Selection of data for synchronization:

• 📱 Application data (not all supported)
• 📞 Call magazine
• 📝 Device contacts
• 📅 Device settings (Wi-Fi, wallpaper, brightness)

Important limitations of Google Drive:

⚠️ Note: Google Drive does not save SMS/MMS on Xiaomi devices with firmware MIUI. Message backup requires Mi Cloud or third-party applications such as SMS Backup & Restore.

Additional cloud solutions for Xiaomi:

• 🟢 Yandex Disk – 10 GB free, automatic photo download
• 🔵 OneDrive – 5GB, deep integration with Office 365
• 🟠 Mega – 20 GB free, end-to-end encryption

To automatically upload photos to Yandex Drive:

1. Install the Yandex Drive app from Google Play
2. Enable Autoupload Photos in the App Settings
3. Select folders for synchronization (for example, DCIM/Camera)

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Before you first back up to Google Drive, check that the device has the latest versions of Google Play Services and Google Drive installed – this prevents sync errors.

Third-party applications for advanced archiving

Built-in tools MIUI They don't always cover all the needs of users:

1.Swift Backup (requires root rights for full functionality):

• 📲 Creates backup copies of all applications including data
• 🔄 Supports automatic recovery after resetting
• ☁️ Integration with Google Drive, Dropbox

2. Titanium Backup (Root only):

• 🛠️ Advanced archiving settings (compression, encryption)
• 📊 History of the backup versions
• 🔧 Possibility of “freezing” applications

3. SMS Backup & Restore:

• 💬 Archiving SMS/MMS into XML or JSON
• 📧 Sending backups to email
• 🔄 Recovery to a new device

To install Swift Backup without root:

1. Download APK from the official website
2. Enable Installation from Unknown Sources in Security Settings
3. Launch the app and give access to Android Settings
4. Select Create a backup and specify the target folder

⚠️ Attention: root-right backup apps may cause problems with Google Pay and banking apps due to SafetyNet's security policy. check compatibility through the SafetyNet Test app before using.

Features of archiving on different models Xiaomi

The process of creating archives may differ depending on the model and version. MIUI. We have analyzed the features for different lines:

Flagship models (Xiaomi 13/14, Mix Fold)

• 🔹 Support TWRP custom-backup
• 🔹 Possibility of encrypting local archives
• 🔹 Advanced cloud synchronization settings

Mid-segment (Redmi Note 12, Poco) X5):

• 🔹 Limited support SD-file-card
• 🔹 There is no built-in backup encryption feature
• 🔹 Possible recovery problems on other brands

Budget models (Redmi) A2, Poco C55):

• 🔹 Minimum set of options in Local Backup
• 🔹 Frequent errors in large amounts of data (>10GB)
• 🔹 It is recommended to use cloud services

For devices with MIUI 14 and later available cross-device backup, allowing:

• 📱 Transfer data directly between Xiaomi devices over Wi-Fi Direct
• 🔄 Keep your game progressing through the Mi Game Center
• 📸 Transfer raw files RAW camera

Recovering data from the archive on Xiaomi

The recovery process depends on the type of archive created. MIUI:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Local Backup
2. Select the desired archive from the list
3. Click Restore and Confirm Action
4. Wait until the device is finished (the device will reboot)

For cloud copies of Mi Cloud:

1. Sign in to the same Mi Account account
2. Go to Settings. → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Backup of the device
3. Select the source device and press Restore

Important nuances of recovery:

• 🔄 When restoring system settings, the device will restart
• ⚠️ Applications are restored without data if root backup is not used
• 📱 To transfer to a new device, use the Cloning function of the device in Mi Mover

⚠️ Note: When restoring the archive to a device with a newer version MIUI Some settings may not apply due to changes in the system structure. Always check version compatibility before restoring.

To recover from Google Drive:

1. When you first turn on a new device, select Copy Data
2. Log in to the same Google account used for backup
3. Select a backup copy for recovery
4. Confirm the recovery of the necessary data (contacts, applications, etc.)

Frequent mistakes and their solution

Xiaomi users often face typical problems when creating archives, and we have collected the most common errors and ways to fix them:

Additional recommendations for troubleshooting:

• 🔋 If backup errors charge the device up to 80% and connect to charging
• 📶 For cloud services, use a stable Wi-Fi connection, not mobile internet
• 🔄 If the archive is damaged, try creating a new file with a different file name.
• 📱 For devices with MIUI 12 and older reset Backup settings in application settings

If standard methods do not help, try an alternative method through ADB:

adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f /sdcard/backup.ab


adb restore /sdcard/backup.ab

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For regular backup errors, check the integrity of the file system through the Files by Google app (section "Clean up" → File system").

FAQ: Answers to popular questions