Losing important data on a smartphone is one of the most unpleasant situations for the owner of Xiaomi Redmi. Vacation photos, work contacts, messages in messengers or saved passwords can disappear at once: due to a reset, theft of the device or even a banal fall of the phone into the water. Fortunately, it takes no more than 10 minutes to create a backup on Redmi, and you can restore data from it at any time.
In this article, we’ll look at all the backup options available, from built-in MIUI features to cloud services and third-party applications, how to save not only media files, but also system settings, call history, SMS and even game data, and how to avoid and avoid errors that users often make when booking.
Why it’s important to make a backup on Xiaomi Redmi
Many owners of Redmi Note 10 Pro, Redmi 9A or other models neglect backup until they encounter a problem.
- 🔄 Factory resets — for example, before selling a phone or after a virus attack. Without a backup, you'll lose all user data.
- 💥 The device breaks down, falls, moisture or motherboard fails, and 60 percent of the time, the data from the damaged smartphone cannot be recovered.
- 📱 Theft or loss of your phone – even if you have Find Device enabled, attackers can format memory.
- 🔧 Failed update MIUI — Sometimes the firmware goes off and the phone stops loading, and the backup will help you quickly get back to work.
According to Xiaomi statistics, only 23% of users regularly back up their data, while 89% of those who lost data regretted not doing so in advance, and only 30% of those who can return deleted files without a backup are able to do so with expensive service centers.
⚠️ Note: If you use Redmi with an unlocked bootloader or custom firmware, standard backup methods may not work. TWRP Or OrangeFox Recovery.
Method 1: Backup via MIUI (built-in function)
The simplest and most reliable method is to use the built-in MIUI Backup tool, which is available on all Redmi models, starting with the Redmi 4X (2017) and later.
- 📱 System settings (Wi-Fi, wallpaper, sounds)
- 📞 Contacts and call log
- 💬 SMS and MMS-message
- 📁 Installed applications (without data)
- 📷 Photo miniatures (complete files are not saved!)
To create a backup:
- Open Settings → About the phone → Backup.
- Click Create a backup copy.
- Select items to save (we recommend marking everything).
- Specify storage location: internal memory or cloud Mi (requires a Xiaomi account).
- Confirm the action and wait until it is completed (may take 5-15 minutes).
Battery charge > 50%|Free space on the phone > 1GB|A stable Wi-Fi connection (for the cloud)|Memory optimizers are disabled (such as "Battery" in the settings)-->
The finished backup will be stored in the MIUI/backup/AllBackup folder in internal memory. The file has the.mbk extension and weighs from 500 MB to 2 GB depending on the amount of data.
⚠️ Attention: Built-in backup MIUI Do not save photos and videos in full resolution! For media files, use Google Photos or Mi Cloud (more on this below).
Method 2: Cloud backup via Mi Cloud
Mi Cloud is a cloud storage from Xiaomi that automatically syncs data between devices.
- 🌐 Access files from any device (even after losing your phone).
- 🔄 Automatic synchronization of contacts, notes and calendar.
- 📸 Saving photos in original quality (with the option enabled).
- 🆓 5 GB free (extra space from 149) ₽/month).
How to set up Mi Cloud:
- Go to Settings → Accounts → Mi Cloud.
- Sign in to your Xiaomi account (or create a new one).
- Activate switches next to the data you need: 📇 Contacts 📅 Calendar 📝 Notes 📷 Gallery (insert "Suppression of the vehicle")
Synchronize
| Type of data | Autosynchronization | Hand backup. | Recovery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contacts | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. | ✅ New device. |
| Photos | ✅ When the autoload is on | ✅ Through the Gallery" | ✅ Any device on any device. |
| SMS | ❌ No. | ✅ Through “Messages" | ✅ Only Xiaomi. |
| Annexes | ❌ No. | ❌ No. | ❌ Only a list. |
Important: If you use Redmi with global firmware (MIUI Global), some Mi Cloud features may be limited. for example, in Europe, due to GDPR, automatic photo uploading is disabled by default.
Mi Cloud|Google Drive|Yandex Drive|iCloud|Do not use cloud-->
Method 3: Google Account – Universal Backup for Android
If you don’t trust Mi Cloud or want to have a backup in another cloud, use Google Account.
- 📱 Contacts (synchronization with Google Contacts)
- 📅 Calendar and reminders
- 📍 Application data (e.g. progress in games)
- 🔑 Wi-Fi passwords (on some Redmi models)
How to turn backup on Google:
- Open Settings → Google → Backup.
- Activate the Backup Switch in Google Drive.
- Click Create a backup copy now.
- To recover on a new device, simply log in to the same Google account when you set up.
Limitations:
- 🚫 It's not. SMS and call log (use) SMS Backup & Restore from Play Market).
- 📸 Photos are synced only through Google Photos (separate app).
- 🎮 The game is not always saved (depends on the developer).
💡
If you’re switching between different brands (like Redmi to Samsung), backup via Google is the most versatile solution.
Method 4: Local backup via TWRP (for advanced users)
If your Redmi has an unlocked bootloader and a customized Recovery (TWRP or OrangeFox) installed, you can create a complete system image.
- 📱 All firmware (including settings and applications)
- 📁 User data (/data)
- 🔧 Core and boot section (/boot)
- 📱 IMEI and other unique identifiers
Instructions for TWRP:
- Turn off the phone and press Volume Up + Power to enter Recovery.
- Pick Backup.
- Mark the backup sections (recommended Boot, System, Data).
- Please indicate the location of the save (better to SD-map OTG-accumulator).
- Swipe for confirmation.
The finished backup will be in.tar format and can weigh up to 10-15 GB. To recover, repeat the steps and select Restore.
⚠️ Attention: Incorrect actions in TWRP If you have never worked with custom recavéri, it is better to use other methods of backup.
What if TWRP doesn’t see internal memory?
Method 5: Third-party backup applications
If you don't like the built-in MIUI tools, you can use apps from the Play Market.
| Annex | What keeps | Pluses | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swift Backup | Applications (+ data), SMS, call log | ✅ It works without root.✅ Support for cloud storage | ❌ Paid for data backup applications |
| Titanium Backup | Everything (including system settings) | ✅ Maximum backup depth | ❌ Requires root.❌ A complex interface |
| SMS Backup & Restore | SMS, MMS, call log | ✅ Free of charge.✅ Exports to XML/CSV | ❌ Only messages. |
Example of backup via Swift Backup:
- Install an app from the Play Market.
- Give access to Android Settings (a request will appear).
- Select Backup → mark the desired applications.
- Press Run Backup and wait until it is completed.
- The backup files will be in the SwiftBackup folder.
Important: Apps like Titanium Backup require root rights that void Redmi warranty. If your phone is warranty, use root-free alternatives.
Frequent mistakes when creating a backup on Xiaomi Redmi
Even experienced users sometimes make mistakes that make backup useless.
- 🔋 Create a backup when the battery is low (less than 30%) If the phone turns off during the process, the file may be corrupted.
- 📶 Use the mobile Internet for cloud backup, and when you break the connection, the data will not be fully stored.
- 🗃️ Store a single copy of the backup on your phone, and if the device breaks, you lose both the original data and the backup.
- 🔄 Interrupt the backup process. This can cause file damage, especially when working with the backup. TWRP.
- 📅 Do not check backup after creation.Always make sure files are opened and restored.
Another common problem is space shortage, such as a MIUI backup that can suddenly be interrupted if your phone has less than 1GB of free space.
- Open the Settings → Storage.
- Delete unnecessary files or transfer them to the SD-map.
- For cloud backup, make sure you have enough space in Mi Cloud or Google Drive.
💡
Before any backup, check three things: battery power (>50%), free space (>1 GB), and a stable Wi-Fi connection (for cloud-based copies).