Xiaomi backup to your computer via USB: a complete guide with pictures

Why you need a backup and when to create it

Losing data on your smartphone is a situation that almost every user has faced. A virus attack, accidental formatting, device breakdown, or even a banal factory reset can deprive you of valuable photos, contacts and messages. Backup Xiaomi to your computer via USB is a reliable way to protect information from unforeseen circumstances.

It is especially important to create a backup before:

• 🔄 Update MIUI — New firmware versions sometimes contain bugs that can damage user data.
• 🔧 Repair or replacement of the battery – workshops do not always guarantee the safety of information.
• 📱 Sales/transfers of the phone – before resetting to factory settings, it is important to save all data.
• 🔍 Experiments with firmware - installation of custom ROM Modifications or modifications may result in data loss.

Unlike cloud services like Mi Cloud, local storage on a PC via USB gives you full control over files, does not limit the amount of time and works even without the Internet. However, the method has nuances: for example, some Xiaomi system applications (such as Themes or Security) are not backed up by standard means – they will have to be configured again.

What data can be saved via USB

The standard MIUI tools allow you to back up most of your data, but not all of it.

A full backup (including application data) will require root rights or specialized programs like Titanium Backup. However, for most users, standard backup via Settings → Additional → Backup and reset will suffice.

⚠️ Note: If the phone has enabled data encryption (Settings option) → Lockdown and protection → Encrypting the phone, backup through USB You may not be able to create a full copy of the system files. PC Suite.

Preparing Xiaomi Phone for Backup

There are several mandatory steps to follow before creating a backup, and skipping any of them can lead to connection errors or incomplete data retention.

1. Enable debugging over USB

This option is hidden in the developer menu to activate it:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 7 times on the MIUI version (you will be notified "You became a developer").
3. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
4. Find the USB Debugging and turn it on.
5. Confirm the action in the dialog window.

2.Install Xiaomi drivers on PC

Without the right drivers, your computer won't recognize your phone in debugging mode.

• 🖥️ Official Xiaomi drivers (select the version for your OS).
• 🔌 For Windows. 10/11 You may need to disable driver signature verification (instruction in spoiler below).

3. Unlock the phone screen

Some versions of MIUI block access to data if the phone is locked with a password or fingerprint.

• 🔓 Unlock the screen (PIN, graphical key).
• 📱 In the notification menu, select the file transfer mode File Manager (MTP).

USB debugging enabled

Installed drivers Xiaomi on PC

The phone is unlocked and connected in MTP mode

At least 20% of memory is available on your phone and PC

Disabled. VPN/proxy on both devices-->

Ways to create a Xiaomi backup on PC

There are three main methods of saving data via USB, depending on your needs and technical skills.

Method 1: Standard reservations via MIUI

The easiest way to do this is without additional programs:

1. Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable (original or high quality).
2. On your phone, go to Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset → Local Backup.
3. Click Create a backup and select the data to save.
4. Specify the folder on the PC as the save location (inner memory is offered by default).
5. Wait until the process is completed (it can take up to 30 minutes).

The backup file will have a.backup extension and will take from 1 to 10 GB depending on the amount of data.

Method 2: Use of Mi PC Suite

The official utility from Xiaomi offers more options, including recovery from the backup:

1. Download and install Mi PC Suite.
2. Connect the phone and wait for the device to be recognized.
3. In the main menu of the program, select Backup.
4. Check the required categories of data.
5. Click Start and specify the folder to save.

Mi PC Suite can create incremental backups (saves only changes), which saves space on the disk.

Method 3: Manual file copying (for experienced)

If you only need media files or documents, you can copy them manually:

1. Connect the phone in File Transfer (MTP) mode.
2. Open This Computer on a PC - the phone will appear as a removable disk.
3. Go to the folders: DCIM — Photos and videos; Downloads – downloads; MIUI — screenshots and screen recordings; Android/data — Data from certain applications (root rights required).

Copy the necessary files to the hard disk of the PC.

⚠️ Note: Manual copying does not save system settings, SMS Or call logs. Use the first two methods to do that.

💡

If the backup is interrupted during the saving phase of the applications, try disabling the antivirus on the PC – it can block access to the app. APK-file.

How to Recover Data from a Backup

Recovery from the backup is as important as building it, and it depends on the method of backup.

Recovery through MIUI

1. Connect your phone to your PC and copy the.backup file to your internal memory (in the MIUI/backup/AllBackup folder).
2. Go to Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset → Local Backup.
3. Select the right backup from the list and click Restore.
4. Confirm the recovery (the phone will restart).

Recovery with Mi PC Suite

1. Open the program and connect the phone.
2. In the Backup section, click Restore.
3. Select the backup file (.mbk extension).
4. Check the data for recovery and confirm the action.

Alternative methods of backup

If USB copying is not available for some reason, consider alternative options:

1. Cloud redundancy via Mi Cloud

Suitable for saving contacts, notes and photos:

1. Go to Settings → Accounts → Mi Cloud.
2. Sign in or create a Xiaomi account.
3. Enable synchronization for the desired data categories.
4. Press Sync.

The disadvantage of the method is the restriction of free cloud (5 GB) and dependence on the Internet.

2.Reservations through Google Account

Stores contacts, calendar and some settings:

1. Go to Settings → Accounts → Google.
2. Select your account and enable Contact Sync and Application Data.
3. Press Sync now.

Third-party programs (Titanium Backup, Swift Backup)

Full backup (including application data) will require root rights.

• 🛠️ Titanium Backup – saves applications, their data and system settings.
• 🗄️ Swift Backup is a more modern alternative with support for Android 10+.

Both options require an unlocked bootloader and superuser rights.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi backup