How to recover data from Google backup on Xiaomi smartphone: the complete guide

Losing important data on a Xiaomi smartphone is stressful, but it’s not a dead end. If you set up a Google Account backup in advance, the chances of getting your contacts, photos, messages, and even app settings back are close to 100 percent. However, the recovery process on Xiaomi devices has nuances, from the features of the MIUI shell to Google’s restrictions on Chinese firmware versions.

In this article, we will explore all the ways to recover data, from the standard port wizard on first turn on to manual import through Settings and third-party utilities, how to avoid typical errors (for example, incomplete recovery due to conflicting versions of MIUI and Google Services), which data can be returned and which can not be done if the system does not see the backup.

What data can be restored from Google backup on Xiaomi

Google Backup doesn’t save all types of data, and on Xiaomi, this list may be different from pure Android.

• 📱 Contacts (from Google Contacts, but not local phone records)
• 📅 Calendars and Events (Google Calendar only)
• 📸 Photo and video (if you have Google Photos enabled – separately from the main backup!)
• 💬 SMS Call history (starting with Android 6.0, but not on all Xiaomi models)
• ⚙️ System settings (Wi-Fi passwords, wallpaper, screen brightness, but not application passwords)
• 📱 Data from some apps (e.g. Google Chrome, Gboard, but not WhatsApp or banking programs)

Here are some things that are not saved in the Google cloud and cannot be restored through standard means:

• 🔒 Local files (music, documents, downloads – you need to copy them separately, for example, through Mi Cloud)
• 💰 Data of banking applications (Sberbank, Tinkoff, etc. block backup for security reasons)
• 📱 Xiaomi settings (themes, sound schemes, parameters) MIUI — They need a Mi Account)
• 🔑 Wi-Fi passwords (if the device was reset to factory settings, they will have to be re-entered)

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi smartphones with Chinese firmware (China) ROM) Google backup may be disabled by default due to lack of Google Play services. Before restoring, check the firmware version in Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI.

Preparing for Recovery: What to Do Before Starting

Before you start recovery, follow a few critical steps to avoid errors like “failed to restore backup” or loss of data.

Make sure the phone has the same Google Account as the backup

Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network (mobile internet may interrupt the process)

Charge your phone at least 50% (recovery consumes a lot of energy)

Update Google Services to the latest version in the Play Market

Shut down. VPN Proxies (they can block access to Google servers)-->

If you are recovering data after resetting to factory settings, at the initial setup stage, select the option “Copy Data” and log in to Google Account. Don’t miss this step – it will be harder to return data later!

For devices with an unlocked bootloader or custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience), first check the compatibility of the Android version. For example, a backup with Android 12 may not recover on Android 13 due to changes in the API of Google services.

Method 1: Recover data when Xiaomi is first enabled

The most reliable method is to recover data immediately after resetting, at the initial setup stage, which works even on devices with a locked bootloader and guarantees minimal losses.

Step instructions:

1. Turn on your smartphone and select a language, region, connect to Wi-Fi.
2. On the "Copy Data" screen, click "Restore from backup".
3. Log in to the same Google Account that was used to create a copy.
4. In the list of available copies, select the latest (see the date of creation in the title).
5. Check the data types for recovery (contacts, SMS, settings) and click "Restore".
6. Wait for the process to be completed (it can take anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour depending on the amount of data).

If at this stage there is an error "Can not restore backup", the reasons may be as follows:

• 🔄 Android versions mismatch (for example, a copy from Android 11, and on Android 12 phone).
• 🔒 No rights (Chinese firmware must pre-installe Google Play Services).
• 🌐 Internet problems (try to reconnect to another network).

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If the recovery is 0% or 100%, do not interrupt the process of forcedly! Wait 15-20 minutes - sometimes the system synchronizes data in the background for a long time.

Method 2: Manual recovery through Xiaomi settings

If you have already set up your phone and missed the initial recovery phase, you can return data via the Settings menu, which is suitable for selective recovery (for example, contacts only or SMS).

Algorithm of action:

1. Open Settings → Google → Backup.
2. Make sure the “Google Drive Backup” switch is on.
3. Click on “Manage backups” and select the account you want.
4. In the list of devices, tap on the Xiaomi model, which was made a copy.
5. Select data types to recover and confirm the action.

Please note that some data (such as Wi-Fi settings) may not be restored if the phone already has networks with the same names set up.

1. Remove all saved networks in Settings → Wi-Fi.
2. Reboot the phone.
3. Repeat the recovery attempt.

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi smartphones with Android 12 and later, manual recovery may require confirmation via Google's two-factor authentication.If you don't have a backup email or phone set up, access to the copy will be blocked!

Method 3: Recover photos and videos via Google Photos

Photos and videos are stored separately from the main backup in Google Photos, and their recovery is independent of the MIUI version and works even on Chinese firmware (with Google Play installed).

How to return media files:

1. Install the Google Photos app from the Play Market (if it is not available by default).
2. Log in to the same account that was used for copying.
3. Open the side menu (swipe on the right) and select "Basket" or "Archive".
4. Find the files you want and click Restore (they will return to the main gallery).

If the files are not displayed:

• 🔍 Check the filters in Google Photos (maybe files are hidden by date or type).
• 📱 Make sure that the option "Backup and Synchronization" is enabled in the application settings".
• 🌐 Try Google Photos via your browser on your PC – sometimes the web version shows more files.

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Google Photos stores deleted files in the Recycle Bin for 60 days, and after that period, you can not restore them, even if the copy was made earlier.

Problem Solving: What to Do When Recovery Doesn't Work

Even with the right setup, the recovery process can go wrong, and let's look at the typical errors and how to fix them.

Error: "Can't restore backup"

Causes and solutions:

• 🔄 Incompatibility of Android versions: If the copy is from Android 10, and on the phone Android 11+, Try to roll back to your old firmware via Fastboot or use third-party utilities like Titanium Backup (requires root).
• 🔒 Google Play Services: No Chinese firmware (China) ROM) Install Google Installer (download at xiaomi.eu).
• 📱 Damaged copy: Check the integrity of data through Google Drive on a PC. If the copy file (backup.ab) weighs 0 KB, recovery is impossible.

Error: "The device does not support recovery"

This problem is typical for Xiaomi with a blocked bootloader or unofficial firmware.

• 🔓 Unlock the bootloader via Mi Unlock Tool (instructions on the official Xiaomi website).
• 📲 Install a global firmware (Global) ROM) via Fastboot (details in the topic on the 4PDA).
• 🔧 Use it. ADB for manual recovery: adb restore /path/to/file/backup.ab (requires on-set debugging USB In Settings → For developers).

Data restored partially or not displayed

If you have returned contacts but no SMS:

• 📱 Restart your phone – sometimes data comes up after a restart.
• 🔄 Check if synchronization for a specific data type is enabled in Settings → Accounts. → Google → Synchronization of the account.
• 📎 For SMS Try exporting them manually through Google Drive: Open Google Drive. Find the sms.backup file in the Backup folder. Download it and import it through the app SMS Backup & Restore.