Loss of WhatsApp is one of the most painful problems for Xiaomi Redmi users. Photos of favorite moments, important work chats, voice messages from loved ones can all disappear in an instant due to a reset, a phone breakage or accidental deletion, MIUI (Xiaomi firmware supports all standard methods of messenger backup, but there are nuances that are not written in the official certificate.
In this article, we will analyze all the current methods of WhatsApp backup for Redmi Note. 12/13, Redmi 10/11, POCO X5 and other Android models 12/13/14 s MIUI 14/15. You will learn how to save data to Google Drive, create a local copy on your phone or memory card, and restore chats on a new device. 0%) and the way around them.
We warn you right away: on Xiaomi with an unlocked bootloader or custom firmware (for example, LineageOS), the standard backup in Google Drive may not work due to the lack of Google services. In this case, an alternative method will be required, we will talk about it at the end of the article.
Why can’t WhatsApp backup be created on Xiaomi Redmi?
Before we get to the instructions, it’s important to understand why the backup sometimes refuses to work. There are three key reasons for Xiaomi smartphones:
- 🔴 No Google account or improper sync. WhatsApp uses Google Drive for cloud backup, and without a linked account, the feature is simply not available.
- 🔴 Lack of space on the phone or in the cloud. Local backup requires free space (size of a copy) = folder-size WhatsApp/Databases), Google Drive should have a minimum of 2-3 GB.
- 🔴 Limitations MIUI. Xiaomi firmware aggressively optimizes background processes, which WhatsApp can interrupt the creation of a copy.
Another common problem is that the backup freezes at 0%, and it's because of conflict with the backup. MIUI Optimization (built-in optimization utility) Solution: Before creating a copy, restart your phone to Safe Mode (press the power button). → "Safe mode") and try again.
⚠️ Note: If you use Redmi with global firmware (EEA), Check if Google Play Services is blocking access to the Drive. → Annexes → Application management → Google Play Services → Permits and include all storage permissions.
Method 1: Automatic backup in Google Drive (recommended)
This is the most reliable method, because it's stored in the cloud, and it doesn't depend on your phone's status, but it has limitations.
- ✅ 15 GB of space is free (common to all Google services).
- ❌ Backup is created only when connected to Wi-Fi (on the mobile network – no).
- ❌ Recovery is possible only on the same phone number.
To set up an automatic backup:
- Open WhatsApp. → press ⋮ (three-point) → Settings → chat → Backup of chats.
- Select Google Drive and log in to your account (if not authorized).
- Click "Create a copy" for manual backup or set up automatic backup (daily/weekly/monthly).
- Make sure that the settings are “Only through Wi-Fi” (otherwise the backup will not start).
On Xiaomi Redmi, after setting up, a notification may appear: “Pending backup.” This is normal – the process starts in the background and can take anywhere from 10 minutes to several hours (depending on the size of the chats).
Log in to a Google account on your phone
Connect to a stable Wi-Fi
Free up at least 2 GB on Google Drive
Disable battery optimization for WhatsApp in MIUI
Close all background applications-->
| Problem. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Backup doesn't start. | No connection to Google Drive | Check the Internet and authorization in the account |
| A copy is partially created | There's not enough space for the Disk. | Clean the disk or buy an extra space |
| Error "Can't make a copy" | The conflict with MIUI Optimization | Turn off optimization in the developer settings |
| Backup's getting stuck at 0 percent. | Background processes blocked | Restart your phone to Safe Mode |
Once a week.
Once a month
Just before you drop your phone.
Never did-- >
Method 2: Local backup on the phone or SD-map
If you don't have stable Wi-Fi or trust cloud services, you can create a local backup right on your device, which works even without a Google account, but requires manual control:
- 📱 The copy is saved in the folder /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases (if not SD-cards in internal memory).
- 🔄 Restore is only possible when you reinstall WhatsApp on the same phone (or on another if you manually transfer the folder).
- ⚠️ When resetting the phone to factory settings, the local backup will be removed if you do not copy it to a PC.
Instructions for creating a local copy:
- Open WhatsApp. → ⋮ → Settings → chat → Backup of chats → Local copy.
- Click "Create a copy." The file will be saved as msgstore.db.crypt14 (current-version encryption).
- To transfer the backup to the PC: Connect Redmi to the computer USB (Select File Transfer Mode. Copy the folder. WhatsApp/Databases hard-drive.
To recover from a local copy:
- Remove and reinstall WhatsApp.
- When you first start, the messenger will offer to restore chats from the local backup (if the file is not available). msgstore.db.crypt14 lies in the right folder).
- If the file is not available, copy it back to /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases before installation.
⚠️ Note: Xiaomi Redmi with MIUI 14+ Access to the WhatsApp folder through standard Explorer may be limited. Use a root-access file manager (e.g., file manager, FX File Explorer or connect your phone to your PC.
💡
If you reinstall WhatsApp frequently, rename the backup file to msgstore.db.crypt14.current — The messenger will recover data from it, ignoring older versions.
Method 3: Manually export chats (without media files)
If you only need to save text messages (no photos, videos, or voice), WhatsApp allows you to export chats as a.txt file, which is convenient for archiving important conversations or printing.
How to export chat:
- Open the desired chat on WhatsApp.
- Press. ⋮ → More. → Chat exports.
- Choose whether to include media files (if so, file size will increase).
- Specify the method of sending: Gmail, Google Drive or save to files.
Limitations of the method:
- 📄 Only one chat is exported at a time (you can’t save all the correspondence at once).
- 🎵 Media files are attached separately and may not open due to restrictions. MIUI file-access.
- 🔄 You can’t restore chat from export back to WhatsApp – just read it as text.
Xiaomi Redmi may have a "failed to attach files" error when exporting media files. MIUI access to the storage facility:
- First, export chat without media.
- Then manually copy the desired photo/video from the folder WhatsApp/Media.
How to export all chat rooms at once?
How to Restore WhatsApp from a Backup on the New Xiaomi Redmi
If you bought a new Redmi or reset the old one to factory settings, you can restore chats from Google Drive or local backup.The main rule is: use the same phone number and Google account as when you created a copy.
Step-by-step instructions for recovery from Google Drive:
- Install WhatsApp from Google Play and open it.
- Confirm your phone number (should match the backup number!).
- When a request for restoration appears, click "Restore".
- Wait until the process is completed (it can take up to 30 minutes).
If recovery does not begin:
- 🔹 Check that you are logged into the same Google account where the backup is stored.
- 🔹 Make sure there is enough space on the phone (copy size) + 1GB for temporary files).
- 🔹 Restart your phone and try again.
To recover from the local backup:
- Copy the file. msgstore.db.crypt14 folder /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases new phone.
- Install WhatsApp and confirm the number.
- The messenger will automatically find the local copy and offer to restore it.
⚠️ Note: Xiaomi Redmi with MIUI 14/15 When you restore from the local backup, you may see an error "Can not restore media files." WhatsApp/Media Solution: manually transfer it from an old phone or from a backup to a PC.
Features of WhatsApp backup on Xiaomi with custom firmware
If your Redmi runs on an unofficial firmware (like LineageOS, Pixel Experience, or crDroid), the standard backup in Google Drive may not work.
- 🔧 Google Play Services (on firmware without GApps).
- 🔧 MicroG version incompatibility (alternatives to Google Services).
- 🔧 Changed storage permits.
Solutions for custom firmware:
Option 1: Use Swift Backup (requires root)
Swift Backup allows you to create a full copy of WhatsApp data, including a messaging database and media files.
- Install Swift Backup from F-Droid or GitHub.
- Provide root access (or use it) ADB, if there is no root).
- Select WhatsApp from the list of apps and create a backup.
- Save the archive to a memory card or cloud.
Option 2: Manual backup through ADB
If you don’t have root, you have access to it. ADB (debugging USB), You can copy the WhatsApp folder on your PC:
adb pull /sdcard/WhatsApp C:\Backup\WhatsAppFor recovery:
adb push C:\Backup\WhatsApp /sdcard/WhatsAppNana MIUI loader-free ADB You may need additional permissions. If the team is not working, follow through:
adb shell
su
chmod 777 /sdcard/WhatsApp💡
On custom firmware without Google Services, the only reliable way to backup is to manually copy the WhatsApp folder through the Google Services. ADB file manager with root access.
Frequent mistakes and their solutions
Even with the right setup, WhatsApp's backup on Xiaomi Redmi can crash. TOP-5 errors and ways of correcting them:
| Mistake. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| "We were unable to create a backup copy" | No connection to Google Drive | Check the Internet, Google Authorization and Google Play Services Permits |
| Backup's up 99%. | The conflict with MIUI Optimization | Turn off WhatsApp optimization in battery settings |
| "Not enough space." | There is no free space on the disk or phone. | Clean the disk or transfer the local backup to the PC |
| "It's impossible to restore the media." | Media folder not copied | Manually move it. WhatsApp/Media old phone |
| "This backup is incompatible." | Different versions of WhatsApp or Android | Update the messenger to the latest version |
If none of these methods worked, try alternative methods:
- 🔄 Use Titanium Backup (requires root).
- 🔄 Create a backup via Google One (if you have a subscription).
- 🔄 Move your WhatsApp folder to your PC and restore it after reinstalling it.