Xiaomi backup: how to make a data backup on your phone and computer

Losing important data on a Xiaomi smartphone can be a disaster: vacation photos, working contacts, saving games or setting up apps – all of which risk disappearing due to a system failure, device theft or failed update. According to statistics, 30% of users lose data at least once a year, but only 15% regularly make backups.This article will help you avoid losses by telling you about all the current ways to create a backup on Xiaomi, Redmi and devices. POCO — standard-function MIUI to advanced methods through ADB and custom recovery.

We will analyze not only the basic methods (cloud backup via Mi Cloud or Google Account), but also advanced ones, for example, creating a full system image through the Internet. TWRP Or reserve individual partitions using fastboot. MIUI 14/15, Those that prevent you from saving your data correctly (e.g., restrictions on backup of system applications without root).If you plan to reflash your phone, reset your settings or just want to be safe, this is the guide for you.

1.Why backup on Xiaomi is not a luxury, but a necessity

Many Xiaomi users neglect backups, relying on "maybe", meanwhile, even a basic backup can save in critical situations:

• 🔄 Factory reset – without backup, you’ll lose all data except those synced to the cloud.
• 📱 Phone theft or breakage – it will be impossible to recover data on a new device without prior reservation.
• 🔧 Failed update MIUI — Some firmware (especially beta) can "delete" user data.
• 🛠️ Mainboard repair or replacement – service centers rarely save data during complex repairs.

Xiaomi has backup tools built in, but they're not perfect, MIUI Backup does not retain:

• 📁 Data from some system applications (e.g. com.miui.securitycenter).
• 🔒 Wi-Fi passwords (unless sync with Mi Cloud is enabled).
• 🎮 Save games (requires a separate backup via Google Play Games or Helium).

⚠️ Note: If you are using Xiaomi with an unlocked bootloader, the standard backup is through MIUI Backup may not recover on custom firmware, in which case you need a full image through the TWRP.

2. Method 1: Standard backup through MIUI (rootless)

The easiest way is to use the built-in function. MIUI It is available on all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO firmware MIUI 10 or higher. This is a good way to make reservations:

• 📞 Contacts, messages and call logs.
• 📷 Photos and video (optional).
• ⚙️ System and Application Settings (not all!).
• 📥 Established APK-Files (but not application data!).

To make a backup:

1. Open Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Local Backup.
2. Click Backup and select the data to save (you can leave all ticks).
3. The location of the storage: internal memory or SD-card (if supported).
4. Wait for the process to be completed (it can take 5–30 minutes depending on the amount of data).

The backup file will be saved in the folder. MIUI/backup/AllBackup It can be copied to a PC or cloud for reliability. Use the same settings section to restore, but select Restore.

⚠️ Attention: Backup through MIUI Backup is not encrypted by default. If you save it to SD-You can use a map or you can transfer it over the network, and anyone can extract data with tools like this. MIUI Backup Extractor.

3. Method 2: Cloud backup via Mi Cloud and Google

If you don't want to depend on local copies, use cloud services. Xiaomi offers Mi Cloud (5 GB for free), and Google Google Drive (15 GB per account).

Mi Cloud: pros and cons

Mi Cloud automatically syncs:

• 📞 Contacts, messages, notes.
• 📅 Calendar and reminders.
• 📷 Photos and videos (if Gallery function is enabled) → Settings → Cloud synchronization).
• 📍 The Mi Browser browser bookmarks.

To enable synchronization:

1. Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Sign in to your account or create a new one.
3. Activate switches in front of the desired data categories.
4. For a full backup, click Device Backup (not available on all models).

Google Account: More reliable, but with nuances

Google offers a more flexible backup, but with limitations for Xiaomi:

• 📱 Applications and their data are stored, but not all (e.g. Mi Fit or Mi Home require separate synchronization).
• 📡 Wi-Fi settings and passwords are synced if the option is enabled in Settings → Google → Backup.
• 📍 Location data and history of Google Maps.

To set up a backup via Google:

1. Open Settings → Google → Backup.
2. Turn on the backup switch in Google Drive.
3. Click Create a Backup Now for Forced Startup.

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If you have Xiaomi with global firmware, but you use a Chinese Mi Account, syncing with Google can be unstable, in which case it is better to back up through Mi Cloud and additionally copy important files manually.

4. Method 3: Complete backup through TWRP (advanced)

If you need to keep the entire system (including boot, recovery, data, etc.), standard methods will not work. TWRP — Custom recovery, which allows you to create full partition images:

• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (fastboot oem unlock).
• 📱 Established TWRP for your model (download only from the official website twrp.me).
• 💾 Outside SD-card OTG-The storage device (internal memory may not be suitable).

Instructions for creating a backup through TWRP:

1. Turn off the phone and press Power + Volume up to enter TWRP.
2. If it requests a password, enter it (this is data encryption if included in the MIUI).
3. Go to the Backup section.
4. Select the backup partitions (recommended: Boot, System, Data, EFS).
5. Please indicate the location of the storage (preferably an external storage device).
6. Swipe to start the process.

Backup files will be in.win or.img format, and can be restored using the same file format. TWRP or retrieve on a PC with the help of 7-Zip. The main advantage of this method is 100% system recovery, including:

• 📱 All user data and settings.
• 🔧 System applications and their cache.
• 🔑 IMEI Serial numbers (if the section is saved) EFS).

⚠️ Attention: Backup through TWRP Incompatible between different versions MIUI Or custom firmware. MIUI 14 may not recover on MIUI 15 or LineageOS.

5. Method 4: Backup through ADB (rootless, but with a PC)

If you don't. TWRP, But you have access to the computer, you can backup through ADB (Android Debug Bridge: This method does not require root, but does not store all data (e.g., some system files may not be available).

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Fastboot (download from the official website).
• 📱 Included debugging by USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (press 7 times) → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (preferably original).

Teams for backup through ADB:

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

Decoding of flags:

• -apk — retain APK-file.
• -obb - includes additional game data.
• -shared — file-back SD-map.
• -all — All applications (except system applications).
• -f is the path to the backup file on the PC.

Once you execute the command, the phone will receive a request for backup confirmation. Enter the password (if any) and wait until it is completed. The.ab file can be restored by the command:

adb restore C:\backup_xiaomi.ab

⚠️ Attention: Backup through ADB does not include: - Data from some system applications (e.g. Mi Account). - Settings MIUI, Related to Xiaomi account. - Files in folders protected by SELinux (e.g., files in folders protected by SELinux, /data/data/com.xiaomi.*).

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ADB-Backup is a good trade-off between simplicity and reliability. It doesn't require root, but it stores more data than a standard backup. MIUI The main disadvantage is that you can not restore the backup on another device (binding to hardware). ID).

Method 5: Backup of individual data (photos, contacts, messages)

If you don’t need a full backup, you can only save critical data: photos, contacts, messages, etc. Let’s take a look at the best ways for each type of file.

6.1 Photo and video

Options for backing up media files:

• 🌥️ Google Photos – Automatic synchronization in original quality (if space is enough) or compressed (High quality – unlimited storage until 2021).
• 📁 Local Copy – Connect your phone to your PC and copy folders DCIM and Pictures.
• 🔗 Mi Cloud - Turn on Gallery → Settings → Cloud sync (but keep in mind the 5GB limit).

Contacts and communications

Contacts are easiest to sync through Google Account or Mi Cloud. SMS fit:

• 📩 SMS Backup & Restore (App from Carbonite) SMS and MMS into XML or Google Drive.
• 🔄 Mi Mover (built-in to the MIUI) — Transfers messages to another Xiaomi device.

6.3 Applications and their data

For backup applications, use:

• 📦 Swift Backup (requires root) - saves APK + data for each application separately.
• 🖥️ Titanium Backup (Old, but Still Runs on Older Android Versions).
• 🎮 Google Play Games – to save progress in games (if supported by a developer).

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To save games without root, try manually copying the folders with data (usually they are in the root). /Android/data/ or /Android/obb/). For example, for Genshin Impact, it is a folder com.mihoyo.GenshinImpact.

7.How to Automate Backup on Xiaomi

Manual backups are tedious. Fortunately, there are ways to automate the process:

• ⏰ Planner MIUI: B Settings → Backup and reset → Automatic backup can be set up weekly backup on Mi Cloud.
• 🤖 Tasker + AutoTools: A complex but flexible method, such as setting up a backup for an event (wi-fi connection, low battery charge, etc.).
• 📱 MacroDroid: A simpler version of Tasker, which allows you to create a rule: If the phone is connected to charging and connected to your home Wi-Fi. → backup ADB".

Example of setting up an automatic backup via MacroDroid:

1. Install MacroDroid from Google Play.
2. Create a new macro with a trigger Connect to Wi-Fi (your home network).
3. Add the action Run the shell command and type: bu -apk -obb -shared -all -f /sdcard/auto_backup.ab (it will cause ADB backup without PC connection).
4. Specify the frequency of execution (for example, once a week).

⚠️ Note: Automatic backups through ADB or MIUI Backups can drain the battery. Configure them to run only when connected to charging.

8. Frequent errors and their solutions

When creating a backup on Xiaomi, users often face problems.

If none of these methods work, try:

1. Update MIUI Up to the latest version (sometimes backup bugs are fixed in patches).
2. Reset the settings Settings → System system → Resetting settings → Reset network settings (helps with synchronization errors).
3. Use alternative methods (e.g. Swift Backup) instead of using the same method. MIUI Backup).

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If backup is critical (like before selling your phone), use two independent methods, such as making a copy through a phone. MIUI Backup and additionally save photos on Google Photos.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions