Backup and Recovery on Xiaomi: Everything You Need to Know

What is backup and recovery on Xiaomi and why it is necessary

Xiaomi’s current smartphones (including the Redmi, POCO, and Mi line) store gigabytes of personal data: photos, correspondence, app settings, and even passwords. Losing that information due to system failure, theft, or accidental reset can be a serious problem.

The manufacturer has integrated several built-in backup tools into MIUI firmware, but many users don’t know how to use them or what data they store. For example, the standard backup via Settings → About Phone → Backup does not include some system settings and third-party application files. In this article, we will discuss all the available methods, from cloud services to manually copying files, as well as the nuances of recovery after a reset or firmware.

Especially relevant for owners of devices with unlocked bootloader or custom firmware — there is a higher risk of data loss, and standard backup methods may not work. If you plan to upgrade through Fastboot or install TWRP, you can not do without a full redundancy.

Built-in reservation tools in MIUI: pros and cons

MIUI firmware (relevant to versions 12-14) offers two main ways to create backups: local backup on the device and cloud backup via Mi Cloud.

• 📱 Local backup: Stores data to internal memory or microSD card. Suitable for copies before reset or firmware, but takes up space on the device.
• ☁️ Mi Cloud: automatically syncs contacts, notes, photos and some settings. Free available 5 GB, further expansion is paid.
• ⚙️ Selective backup: in MIUI You can choose which data to save (SMS, call log, Wi-Fi settings, etc.), but not all applications support this feature.

The main disadvantage of built-in tools is that they don't have full redundancy, for example, the local backup doesn't save:

• 🎵 Music and video downloaded manually (only if they are in the Music or Movies folders).
• 📁 Application files that do not use standard Android folders (such as cache games or downloads from the browser).
• 🔑 Wi-Fi passwords (only saved if sync with Mi Cloud enabled).

⚠️ Note: If you use Mi Account without a phone number, it will be impossible to restore cloud backups if you lose access to your account.

Step-by-step: how to make a local backup on Xiaomi

Local backup is suitable for creating a full copy before resetting, firmware or selling the device.

1. Open Settings → About the phone → Backup.
2. Click Backup and select the data to save (it is recommended to mark all points).
3. Specify the location of the storage: internal memory or microSD (if supported).
4. Start the process and wait until it is completed (it can take 5-20 minutes depending on the amount of data).

The finished backup will be saved in the MIUI/backup/AllBackup folder in.mbk format. This file can be copied to a PC or other media.

Charge your phone at least 50%

Free up 2-3 GB of free space

Connect to stable Wi-Fi (if backup includes cloud data)

Disable battery optimization for the "Backup" application-->

To recover from the local backup:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup → Restore.
2. Select the.mbk file and confirm the recovery.
3. Restart the device after the process is complete.

⚠️ Attention: Local backup does not recover application data if it has been deleted or reset, for example, progress in unaccounted games will be lost.

Cloud reservations via Mi Cloud: settings and limitations

Mi Cloud is Xiaomi's official cloud storage integrated into firmware, and it automatically syncs:

• 📞 Contacts, call log and SMS.
• 📝 Notes, calendar and reminders.
• 📸 Photos and videos (if Autoload option is enabled in the gallery).
• 🔧 Some system settings (wallpaper, sounds, display settings).

To set up a cloud backup:

1. Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Enable synchronization for the desired categories (it is recommended to activate all).
3. For photos, open the Gallery → Settings → Cloud Synchronization.

The limitations of Mi Cloud:

To recover data from Mi Cloud after resetting:

1. Sign in to your Mi Account on your new/reset device.
2. Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Data Recovery.
3. Select the right categories and confirm the recovery.

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If you don’t have much space in Mi Cloud, clear the Recycle Bin folder in the gallery before you backup – deleted photos take up space in the cloud for 30 days.

Manual backup: how to copy data bypassing MIUI

Built-in tools don’t store some critical data, such as:

• 🎮 Save games (unless they are tied to Google Play Games or another cloud).
• 📂 Application files in folders /Android/data/ and /Android/obb/.
• 🔐 Certificates and keys (e.g. for the purpose of VPN or work-mail).

For a full hand backup:

1. Connect your phone to your PC via USB (in file transfer mode).
2. Copy the following folders: Internal Storage/DCIM # Photo and Video Internal Storage/Download # Internal Storage/Android Downloads # Internal Storage/MIUI Application Data # MIUI Settings (if needed)
3. For hidden files (such as.nomedia), enable the display of hidden elements in the Explorer.

To reserve SMS and call logs without Mi Cloud, use third-party applications such as SMS Backup & Restore. They export data to a.xml file that can be restored on any Android device.

Recovery after resetting, firmware or replacement of the motherboard

The recovery process depends on the type of incident:

• 🔄 Factory reset: data can be returned from local backup or Mi Cloud (if the account is not deleted).
• 📥 Fastboot firmware: Local backup may not recover – manual file copying is required.
• 🛠️ Motherboard replacement: if Mi Account is not tied, cloud data will be lost. Local backup can only be restored if you save it. IMEI.

Instructions for recovery after discharge:

1. Go through the initial setup of the device.
2. Sign in to Mi Account (if you have used Mi Cloud).
3. For local backup: Copy the.mbk file to the MIUI/backup/AllBackup folder. Run recovery via Settings → About Phone → Backup.

⚠️ Note: If you have flashed your device through Fastboot with the data partition removed, the local backup will only be partially restored (/Android/data/) You'll have to copy it manually.

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After recovering from the backup, check the permission settings for applications – MIUI can reset them to factory ones.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Xiaomi users often face the following problems when making reservations:

• 🚫 "Not enough space": clear cache and unnecessary files before backup.Local copy can weigh 10+ GB.
• ❌ "Recovery Error: If the.mbk file is damaged, try to recreate the backup or selectively restore the data.
• 🔒 "Mi Account password required: Restore on another device may require confirmation via SMS email.
• 📵 "Data is not synced with Mi Cloud: check your internet connection and permissions for the Mi Cloud app.

If the backup is interrupted during the “Data Preparation” stage, try:

1. Reset the device.
2. Disable VPN or proxy.
3. Reset network settings in Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings.

For Mi Cloud errors (e.g. code 40306 or 50001):

• Update the Mi Cloud app to Google Play.
• Delete and re-add your Xiaomi account.
• Check if your IP is blocked by regional restrictions (relevant for devices purchased in China).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions