Xiaomi Backup: How to Save All Data Without Loss

Losing important data on a smartphone is one of the most frustrating situations a user can face. Xiaomi offers several built-in backup tools, but not everyone knows how to use them correctly. In this article, we will discuss all available methods - from the standard MIUI Backup to cloud services like Google Drive and Mi Cloud, and consider third-party solutions for those who want maximum reliability.

Feature of Xiaomi devices (including Redmi models, POCO and Black Shark is in the corporate shell MIUI, It has its own backup system, but it's limited, like it doesn't always correctly store some of its applications or settings. ADB. Therefore, we will dwell in detail on alternative methods, including manual file copying and use of the file. TWRP for advanced users.

It's important to understand that backup is not a one-time procedure. The best approach is to have regular automatic backups (e.g., once a week) plus manual saving before critical operations like resetting settings or updating firmware. At the end of this article, you'll find a checklist to check the backup's completeness and answer frequent questions.

1.Integrated backup in the MIUI

The easiest way to create a backup on Xiaomi is to use the built-in feature. MIUI Backup. It's available on all shell devices. MIUI 12 and newer, including Redmi Note 12, Xiaomi 13 and POCO F5. The main advantage of this method is that it's simple and integrated with the system:

• 📱 Does not store data from some third-party apps (for example, WhatsApp or Telegram require a separate backup).
• 🔄 Does not support selective recovery of individual elements (you will have to restore everything completely).
• 💾 Backup takes up space in internal memory (unless moved to the cloud).

To create a backup copy through MIUI Backup:

1. Open Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Local Backup.
2. Click Create a backup and select the data to save (contacts, messages, call log, system settings, etc.).
3. Specify the location of the storage: internal memory or Mi Cloud (requires a Xiaomi account).
4. Wait for the process to be completed (it can take 5 to 30 minutes depending on the amount of data).

⚠️ Warning: If you choose to save in Mi Cloud, make sure you have enough free space. The free fare provides only 5 GB, which is enough only for contacts and contacts. SMS. A full backup (including photos and apps) will require a paid subscription.

The finished backup will be saved in the folder /MIUI/backup/AllBackup The file has the.mbk extension and can only be restored through the same menu. MIUI Trying to open it manually (for example, through a file manager) will lead to an error.

Battery charge > 50%|Free seat > 2 GB|A stable Wi-Fi connection (if the cloud is a cloud)|Memory optimizers are disabled (e.g., “Rescue cleanup")

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2. Cloud backup: Mi Cloud vs Google Drive

Cloud services not only allow you to save data, but also sync it between devices. Xiaomi offers its own solution, Mi Cloud, but it has serious limitations compared to Google Drive.

To set up Mi Cloud:

1. Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Sign in to your account (or create a new one).
3. Activate switches next to data types (contacts, gallery, notes, etc.).
4. Press Sync and wait until it is completed.

For Google Drive:

1. Open the Google Drive app or go to Settings → Google → Backup.
2. Enable the option of backup in Google Drive.
3. Select a Google account and confirm sync.
4. For photos and videos, use a separate Google Photos app (settings) → Backup and synchronization).

Mi Cloud|Google Drive|Yandex.Disk.|iCloud|Other/Not used-->

Critical feature: Mi Cloud does not encrypt data when transferred to servers in China, which could be a risk to sensitive information.Google Drive uses end-to-end encryption but stores keys on its servers.

3. Manual backup: files, contacts, SMS

If you don't trust cloud services or want to have full control of your data, manual copying is the best option.

• 📁 Photos, videos and documents (folders) DCIM, Downloads, Documents).
• 📞 Contacts (export to.vcf file).
• 💬 SMS and MMS (through specialized applications).
• 🎮 Game saves (e.g. for Genshin Impact or Honkai: Star Rail).

Manual backup instructions:

Photographs and videos

Connect your phone to your PC through USB-C cable (select File Transfer Mode in Notification Curtain) Copy folders:

Internal Storage/DCIM/ – Photos and Videos from Cameras


Internal Storage/Pictures/ – Screenshots and Uploaded Images




Internal Storage/Movies/Video

Contacts

1. Open the Contacts app.
2. Click on three dots (menu) → Contact management → Import/Export → Export to file.
3. Select a save location (such as Downloads) and confirm.
4. Contacts.vcf can be copied to the PC or cloud.

SMS and call log

This will require a third-party application, for example, SMS Backup & Restore:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Run it and press Backup.
3. Choose what to save: SMS, MMS, callbook.
4. Specify the location of the save (Google Drive or local memory is recommended).
5. The backup file will have the.xml extension.

⚠️ Note: When manually copying files from a folder Android/data/ (where the application data is stored), please note that without root rights, you will only see a portion of the files. Full access will require unlocking the bootloader and installing the downloader. TWRP.

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If you copy photos to an external drive (a flash drive or a flash drive) SD-Use the exFAT format – it supports files larger than 4GB, as opposed to the exFAT format. FAT32.

4. Backup through TWRP (for advanced users)

If you need to create a full system snapshot (including apps, their data, and settings), the best way to do this is to use custom recovery. TWRP. This method is suitable for:

• 🔧 Before firmware custom software (for example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience).
• 🛡️ Recovery after a failed update.
• 🔄 Transfer data to another Xiaomi smartphone with a similar architecture.

Warning: for use TWRP You need to unlock the bootloader, which will reset all the data on the device:

Step 1: Unlock the bootloader

1. Link Xiaomi account to device in Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Press 7 times to activate Developer Mode).
2. Go to Settings. → Additionally. → For developers → Account binding and unlocking.
3. Connect your phone to your PC, install the Mi Unlock Tool, and follow the instructions (the process takes up to 72 hours to wait).

Step 2: Installation of TWRP

1. Download the official TWRP for your model from twrp.me.
2. Put your phone in Fastboot mode (turn off, then press the Power) + Vol Down).
3. Connect to your PC and execute the command: fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.7.0_9-0-miatoll.img (Replace the file name with the current one).

Step 3: Creating a backup in TWRP

1. Download to TWRP (press Power + Vol Up when you turn on).
2. Pick Backup.
3. Mark the sections: Boot, System, Data, Vendor.
4. Click Swipe to Backup and wait until it is completed (may take a while). 10-40 minute).

The backup will be stored in internal memory or SD-file-card TWRP/BACKUPS/. It can be restored through the same TWRP or transfer to a storage PC.

5. Backup of applications and their data

Standard methods (including: MIUI Backups often do not save data from third-party applications, such as game progress, messaging settings or local databases:

Method 1: Swift Backup (without root)

Swift Backup allows you to create backups of applications and their data without root rights, but with some restrictions:

• 📦 Keeps it. APK-files and data (if the application supports reservations through the ADB Backup).
• ☁️ Can download backups to Google Drive or Dropbox.
• ⚠️ Does not work with system applications and some games (eg, Genshin Impact blocks backup).

Instructions:

1. Install Swift Backup from Google Play.
2. Enable USB debugging in the developer settings.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and confirm access via ADB.
4. In the app, select backup apps and click Backup.

Method 2: Titanium Backup (requires root)

Titanium Backup is the most powerful backup solution, but it only works on root-enabled devices.

• 🔧 Stores all application data, including system data.
• 📅 Supports automatic backup scheduler.
• 🔄 Can restore applications to a new device.

Instructions:

1. Install Titanium Backup and provide root access.
2. In the main menu, select Backup/Restore.
3. Mark the desired applications and click Save button (floppy disk icon).
4. Backups will be saved in the folder /sdcard/TitaniumBackup/.

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For online-based games like Genshin Impact or Honkai: Star Rail, local backup won’t help, because progress synchronizes with the developer’s servers, and if you do, you can just link your account to an email or social network.

6. Automation of backup

Manual backups are robust, but they're inconvenient. Fortunately, there are ways to automate the process.

Method 1: Planned tasks in MIUI

Automatic backup function in MIUI allows you to set up regular data retention:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone. → Backup and reset → Automatic backup.
2. Turn on the switch and select the frequency (daily/weekly).
3. Specify what data to keep (contacts, SMS, setting).
4. Choose the storage location: internal memory or Mi Cloud.

Method 2: Tasker + AutoTools

For flexible automation, Tasker (which requires payment) is a good example of a weekly backup task:

1. Create a new task in Tasker.
2. Add the action Plugin → AutoTools → File.
3. Specify the Copy Dir command and select the folders to copy (for example, /DCIM/ → /sdcard/Backup/Photos/).
4. Set the trigger by time (e.g. every Monday at 2:00).

Method 3: Syncthing (Sync with PC)

Syncthing is a free application for synchronizing files between devices without the cloud.

• 🔒 Data is transmitted directly (without servers).
• 📂 You can choose any folders for synchronization.
• 🖥️ It works on Windows, Linux, macOS and Android.

Instructions:

1. Install Syncthing on your phone and PC.
2. Add the devices to the list of trusted.
3. Select folders for synchronization (for example, DCIM and downloads).
4. Set up a schedule or enable constant synchronization.

⚠️ Note: When using Syncthing, make sure there is enough space on your PC – the application creates exact copies of files, and when deleted on your phone, they will also be deleted on your PC (unless you have set up archiving).

7. Data recovery from backup

Backup is half the battle, and it's just as important to be able to recover the data correctly, and it depends on the backup method.

Recovery through MIUI Backup

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Local Backup.
2. Select the desired backup file (.mbk).
3. Click Restore and confirm.
4. Restart the device after completion.

Recovery through TWRP

1. Download to TWRP (Press Power + Vol Up).
2. Choose Restore.
3. Specify the backup folder and mark the sections for recovery.
4. Swipe to Restore and wait until it is finished.

Reconciliation and SMS

For contacts:

1. Open the Contacts app.
2. Go to Contact Management. → Imports/Exports → File-based import.
3. Select the.vcf file and confirm.

For SMS (through SMS Backup & Restore):

1. Open the app and press Restore.
2. Select the backup file (.xml).
3. Confirm the recovery (SMS will appear in the standard application of messages).

If the recovery is not correct (for example, some contacts are missing or applications are not working), try:

• 🔄 Reset the device.
• 📲 Remove the application cache that has problems.
• 🔧 Restore the backup (possibly the file was corrupted when you copied it).

8. Frequent errors and their solutions

When backing up on Xiaomi, users often face typical problems, and consider the most common and ways to fix them:

If none of these methods worked, try:

• 🔍 Check the integrity of the backup file (for example, through MD5-sum).
• 📡 Use a different cable or port USB (Maybe the problem is the connection).
• 🔄 Update MIUI Up to the latest version (new versions fix backup errors).

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If you are restoring a backup to a new Xiaomi device, first check the compatibility of models. For example, a backup with a Redmi Note 10 may not work correctly on the phone. POCO X5 due to different versions MIUI.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions