Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 backup: a complete guide with proven ways

Why backup on Redmi Note 4 is not a luxury, but a necessity

Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 (codenamed mido) is still one of the most popular budget devices in the aftermarket, despite its release in 2017. However, as you age, the risk of failures increases, from accidental removal of photos to critical damage to firmware after a failed update. According to service centers, 68% of data loss on Android devices is due to user errors — reset to factory settings without backup, improper rooting or physical memory damage.

Unlike today’s flagships, the Redmi Note 4 does not support automatic cloud redundancy in Google Drive for all types of data (e.g., SMS and call log are selectively synchronized). And the standard Local Backup tool in MIUI often ignores user settings for applications and game saves. This article covers all the current backup methods for Redmi Note 4 in 2026, including bypassing MIUI restrictions and working with custom recaps.

Before you get to the instructions, answer the key question:

Before the phone sale|Before the firmware/rooting|Breakdown insurance|Transferring data to a new phone|Another option-->

1. MIUI Built-in Backup: Pros and Hidden Limitations

The easiest way to do this is to use the MIUI backup tool, which is available on all firmware versions, including global (MIUI Global) and Chinese (MIUI China), but there are critical nuances that Xiaomi doesn’t mention:

• 📱 What is retained: contacts, SMS/MMS, Call log, system settings (Wi-Fi, APN), some application data (such as Notes or Calendar).
• ❌ What NOT to save: photos and videos (only if they are not in the folder) DCIM/Camera), passwords from Wi-Fi in plain form, saving games, data messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram).
• ⚠️ Limitation MIUI 12+: Backup is encrypted by linking to your Mi Account, and without authorization, you can't restore data to another device.

To create a backup through MIUI:

1. Open Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset → Local Backup.
2. Click Create Backup and select data categories (not all are marked by default!).
3. The location of the storage: internal memory or SD-map (recommended).
4. Wait until the process is completed (on Redmi Note 4, the process takes 10–30 minutes depending on the amount of data).

Battery charge > 50%|Release. ≥ 2GB on SD-map|Disable battery optimization for "Backup"|Check the authorization in Mi Account-->

Where to look for a backup file? It is saved in /MIUI/backup/AllBackup in.mbk format. To view content without recovery, you will need third-party software like MIUI Backup Extractor (available on XDA Developers).

⚠️ WARNING: If you plan to flash Redmi Note 4 through Fastboot or install custom firmware, backup MIUI It's useless, it won't recover on a clean system, and then use the methods in Sections 3 or 4.

2. Cloud Backup: Google vs Mi Cloud - Which to Choose?

Cloud services are convenient because data is accessible from any device and protected from physical damage to the phone, but there are important limitations to the Redmi Note 4:

How to set up a Google backup:

1. Go to Settings → Accounts → Google → [your account] → Account Sync.
2. Turn on the switches for Contact, Calendar, Google Photos (if necessary).
3. To back up settings and application data: Settings → System → Backup → Backup to Google Drive.

Mi Cloud is easier to set up: Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Synchronization. But remember: when you reset your phone to factory settings, the Mi Cloud backup will only recover if you log in to the same Xiaomi account on the same device. When you flash or change the IMEI (for example, after replacing the motherboard), access to data can be blocked.

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If you use both clouds, disable contact sync in Mi Cloud to avoid duplicates. Priority is given to Google Contacts, which are more versatile.

3. Full backup via TWRP: for advanced users

If you plan to root Redmi Note 4, install custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience) or experiment with Magisk modules, the MIUI backup will not work. You need TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project) - custom recovery, allowing you to create a nandroid backup (full cast of the system, including /data, /system and).

Requirements:

• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (instructions for Xiaomi: official website).
• 📱 Established TWRP Redmi Note 4 (mido) (download at twrp.me).
• 💾 SD-card USB-OTG drive (backup takes 4-8 GB).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone and press Volume Up + Power to log into the Fastboot.
2. Connect the device to the PC and execute the command: fastboot boot twrp-3.7.0_9-0-mido.img (Replace the file name with your version TWRP).
3. In the TWRP menu, select Backup.
4. Mark the sections: Boot, System, Data, Cache (optional).
5. Select a place of preservation (recommended) SD-map) and start the process.

How to recover backup from TWRP:

1. Download to TWRP (similar to paragraph 1 above).
2. Select Restore and specify the folder with backup.
3. Mark the required sections and confirm the recovery.

⚠️ Note: Restore the Data partition on another version MIUI (for example, MIUI 10. MIUI 12) may result in a bootloop (locked boot.

4. backup via ADB: for users without root rights

If you don’t have an unlocked bootloader, but you need to save application data (such as saving games or settings WhatsApp), ADB (Android Debug Bridge) will help. This method does not require superuser rights, but only works when USB debugging is enabled.

Preparation:

1. Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
3. Install ADB drivers and Platform Tools on your PC (download from the Android site).

Backup teams:

adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f C:\backup_redmi_note4.ab

Decoding of flags:

• -apk — backup APK-file.
• -obb — retaining additional game data (OBB-file).
• -shared — file-back SD-map.
• -all - all applications (without this flag, you can specify specific packages, for example, com.whatsapp).

After you execute the command, the phone will receive a request for backup confirmation. Enter the password (optional, but recommended) and wait until it is completed. backup_redmi_note4.ab persist on PC.

How to restore:

adb restore C:\backup_redmi_note4.ab

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ADB-The backup does not save system settings and SMS, It is ideal for transferring data applications to a new device (even not Xiaomi).

5. Manual backup of important data: photos, contacts, messages

If you don't want a complete cast of the system, but only critical data, you can do without complex tools.

📸 Photographs and videos

• 🖥️ On PC: Connect the phone to USB (Select File Transfer Mode and copy folders DCIM, Pictures, Movies on hard drive.
• ☁️ To the cloud: Use Google Photos (autoboot) or Yandex Drive (camera upload folder).
• 📱 Nana SD-Map: Through any file manager (e.g., Mi File Explorer) move files to the /storage/XXXX-XXXX/DCIM (where XXXX — ID yours SD-map).

📞 Contacts

Export to the.vcf file:

1. Open the Contacts app.
2. Press. ⋮ → Contact management → Imports/Exports → Export to device.
3. The file will be saved in the Download folder (you can send it to your mail).

💬 Communications (SMS/MMS)

For SMS reservations, SMS Backup & Restore is suitable (available on Google Play):

1. Install and open the application.
2. Click Backup and select the location of the save (Google Drive, locally or email).
3. Use the Restore option to restore.

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If you use WhatsApp, create a backup chat manually: ⋮ → Settings → chat → Backup. The file is saved to /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases (name msgstore.db.crypt14).

6. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Even experienced users face challenges when creating backups on the Redmi Note 4. Here are typical scenarios and solutions:

Redmi Note 4 specific problem: on some firmware (e.g, MIUI 9.5) the built-in backup ignores applications installed on the SD-The solution is to temporarily transfer them to internal memory through Settings. → Annexes → [select] → Warehouse → Change.

⚠️ Note: If you are using Redmi Note 4 Android-based firmware 6.0 (MIUI 8), backup ADB You may not save data from some Chinese apps (e.g. Mi Video or Mi Music) and you may prefer manual folder copying. /Android/data/com.xiaomi.*.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions