Local backup on Xiaomi: where to store a backup and how to find it

Local backups on Xiaomi smartphones are a lifeline for users who want to save contacts, messages, system settings and application data without depending on cloud services. However, many face the problem: once you create a backup through standard MIUI tools, it is not so easy to find the backup file itself, the system hides them in non-obvious folders, and file names are often encrypted with a set of characters.

In this article, we’ll look at where local backups are stored on Xiaomi (including Redmi models, POCO and Mi), how to identify them among other files, and what to do if the backup copy of the sudden disappeared from the usual place. MIUI 12, 13 and 14, as well as the nuances of working with internal memory and SD-If you've ever lost a backup or you can't recover it, here's the answer.

Where is the default local backup stored on Xiaomi

The standard storage location for backups on Xiaomi smartphones depends on the firmware version and how you create the backup. Most of the time, the files are stored in the device's internal memory, but the path may vary.

• 📁 Backup main folder MIUI: /MIUI/backup/AllBackup — Here are stored copies created through the Settings menu → The phone. → Backup. Files have the.bak extension and are named by template. backup_YYYYMMDD_HHMMSS.bak.
• 📁 Backups via Mi Cloud (local synchronization): /MIUI/backup/AllBackup/micloud — This includes copies if you used the Save to Device option when syncing with the cloud.
• 📁 Backup copies of applications (through the Laboratory) MIUI): /MIUI/backup/AppBackup — here data of individual programs is stored if you have enabled the option "Application Backup" in Settings → Additionally.
• 📁 SD-card (if external storage is selected): /storage/XXXX-XXXX/MIUI/backup/AllBackup, where XXXX-XXXX — Your unique memory card ID.

Important: in MIUI 14, the path to backups may be different – some files are moved to a protected memory area (/data/media/0/MIUI/backup) and you will need root rights to access them. Also note that the AllBackup folder can be hidden – enable the display of hidden files in any file manager (for example, in Mi File Explorer or Total Commander).

What the local backup file Xiaomi looks like: extensions and structure

Xiaomi backup files don't have the usual format like.zip or.rar. Instead, the system uses its own extensions and encryption.

• 📄 Main Backup File: Has a.bak extension (e.g, backup_20260515_143022.bak). This is an archive containing application data, contacts, SMS It can't be opened by standard archivers, just through built-in tools. MIUI.
• 📄 Backup manifesto: file backup.xml or manifest.xml It describes the backup structure and the list of data that's included. You can see it with any text editor.
• 📄 Encrypted data: if you set a password when creating a backup, the file will have the extension.bak.enc. Without a password, its recovery is impossible.
• 📄 Logs and temporary files: The folder can contain files with.log or.tmp extensions – they can be deleted, they do not affect the recovery.

Interesting fact: in MIUI 13 The backup structure has changed, so that the main.bak file can be accompanied by a folder with the same name (for example, the backup file, backup_20260515_143022/), This makes it difficult to manually extract data, but improves compatibility when restored on other devices.

How to Find Hidden or Lost Backups on Xiaomi

If you have created a backup but don’t see it in a standard folder, here’s the search algorithm:

1. Check all possible paths: Use a file manager (such as Mi File Explorer or Solid Explorer) and manually follow the paths: /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/backup/ /data/media/0/MIUI/backup/ (Root rights are required) /storage/XXXX-XXXX/MIUI/backup/ (for SD-map)

Enable the display of hidden files:

AllBackup

Use the search:

.bak

backup_

Check the cloud:

Mi Cloud

Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Backup

Critical information: In MIUI 14, backups are encrypted by default and stored in a protected memory area, and without root rights, you won’t be able to see them through a standard file manager — just through the built-in recovery menu.

⚠️ Note: if you connect Xiaomi to your PC through USB file transfer mode" (MTP), folder MIUI/backup It may not be displayed. It's due to protocol limitations. MTP. Use the file manager directly on your phone or connect via ADB.

How to recover data from Xiaomi’s local backup

Recovery from Xiaomi backup is possible only through the built-in system tools. Here is a step-by-step instruction:

1. Open the recovery menu: go to Settings → About Phone → Backup → Restore.
2. Select a backup file: the system will automatically scan standard folders and show available backups. If your file is not displayed, click "Select manually" and specify the path to the.bak file.
3. Select data to recover: tick the desired categories (contacts, messages, apps, etc.) Note that some system settings (such as wallpaper or sounds) may not recover.
4. Confirm the recovery: it takes 5 to 30 minutes depending on the amount of data, and don't interrupt or turn off the device.

1. Reset the device.

2. delete the backup.tmp file in the backup folder (it is created when you restore it).

3. Repeat the process with another backup file.-->

What to do if the backup is not repaired or damaged

If you have any errors during recovery (e.g., “File corrupted” or “Incorrect format”), try the following steps:

1. Check file integrity: Compare the size of your.bak file to the original (if you know), damaged copies are often zero-size or vary by several bytes.
2. Move the backup to the standard folder: if the file was stored on SD-map or elsewhere, copy it in the /MIUI/backup/AllBackup/ and restart the recovery process.
3. Use a different file manager: sometimes the standard Mi File Explorer doesn't work properly with backups. Try FX File Explorer or Root Explorer (the latter requires root rights).
4. Try recovering on another device: If you have a second Xiaomi smartphone with the same MIUI version, try restoring the backup on it, which will help determine if the problem is in the file or in your phone.
5. Manually extract data (for advanced users): MiBackupExtractor (available on GitHub) can partially extract data from a.bak file on a PC, but this method requires technical skills and does not guarantee 100% results.

⚠️ Note: if the backup was created on a device with an unlocked bootloader or custom firmware, it may not be possible to restore it to a “clean” Xiaomi. TWRP repair.

If none of these methods worked, the last hope is to contact Xiaomi’s support team with error logs.

1. Turn on Developer Mode (7 times click on "Version" MIUI" In Settings → The phone).
2. Activate the Error Log in Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Repeat the recovery attempt and save the error log (it will appear in the notifications).

How to access MIUI 14 backups without root rights

In MIUI 14, Xiaomi tightened the protection of local backups by moving them to a protected memory area (/data/media/0/). Without root permissions, access to this folder is limited, but there are workarounds:

• 🔧 Use the built-in Recovery Menu: Even without root, you can restore the backup via Settings → The phone. → Backup. The system will find the files in the protected area.
• 🖥️ Connect through ADB: using the adb pull command /data/media/0/MIUI/backup/AllBackup You can copy backups to a PC. You need the debugging enabled. USB and Xiaomi drivers.
• 📱 Temporary root through Magisk: If you're willing to take risks, you can get temporary root access with Magisk and copy backup files manually.
• 🔄 Reset the settings to MIUI 13: If your device has previously been MIUI 13, you can roll back (via Fastboot), copy backups, and then upgrade back.

Warning: Any manipulation of /data partitions can cause system failure, and if you are not sure of your actions, it is better to entrust this procedure to a specialist.

💡

In MIUI 14, backups are encrypted by default and stored in a secure area, and without root rights, they can only be restored through the standard system menu.

Alternative ways to create local backups on Xiaomi

If the standard MIUI tool doesn’t suit you, consider alternative backup methods:

• 📱 Google Backup: In Settings → Google → Backups can be enabled to save data to your Google account, not a local backup, but more reliable than Mi Cloud.
• 💾 Titanium Backup: The most powerful solution for full backup of applications and system data. Supports schedule and encryption.
• 📂 Swift Backup (no root): works on most Xiaomi devices without superuser rights.
• 🖥️ ADB Backup: via adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f backup.ab can be created on a PC.
• ☁️ Third-party clouds: Dropbox, Yandex Drive or OneDrive with folder autoload /MIUI/backup/. Set up sync through the cloud application.

Comparison of alternative methods:

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi local backups