How to Back Up Xiaomi Redmi 9C Before Resetting to Factory Settings: 5 Proven Ways

Why backup on Redmi 9C is not a luxury, but a necessity

Resetting the Xiaomi Redmi 9C to factory settings is a radical solution to freezes, viruses or pre-sales problems. But without a backup, you risk losing everything from family photos to saves in games. Unlike flagship models, the budget Redmi 9C does not have built-in cloud-backup (except basic contacts), so the process requires manual control.

The feature of this model is MIUI 12/13 based on Android 10/11 with limited internal memory (32/64 GB), which means that the local backup can take up to 15-20% of available space, and cloud services (for example, Mi Cloud) offer only 5 GB for free.

Important: Resetting to Redmi 9C erases not only user files, but also:

• 📱 System settings (wallpaper, sound circuits, gestures)
• 🔑 Wi-Fi passwords and connected device data (e.g. Mi Band)
• 🎮 Game saving (unless linked to a Google Play account)
• 📞 Call log and SMS (Not synchronized with the cloud by default)

Method 1: Local backup via built-in MIUI menu

The most reliable method for Redmi 9C is to use the standard Backup tool in the settings.

• 📁 System settings and applications (including data)
• 📞 Call log and SMS
• 📷 Multimedia (optional if manually enabled)

But there is a caveat: the backup takes place in the internal memory, and it can not be transferred to the SD-map straight from the menu.

Step-by-step:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → Backup.
2. Click Local Backup → Create a backup.
3. Select data categories (we recommend that you note everything except the App if it weighs too much).
4. Confirm the action and wait until the process is completed (on Redmi 9C, the process takes 10-30 minutes).

The backup file will appear in the MIUI/backup/AllBackup folder, which can be copied to the PC or cloud manually, and the important thing is that once reset, you can only recover data through the same menu - the backup files are not compatible with other devices or versions of MIUI.

Make sure your phone has a ≥20% charge

Free up ≥2 GB of internal memory

Disable battery optimization for the "Backup" application

Remember the password from the Mi-account (required for recovery)-->

Method 2: Cloud backup via Mi Cloud (with limitations)

Xiaomi’s Mi Cloud offers 5GB for free, but the Redmi 9C only syncs:

• 📇 Contacts
• 📅 Calendar and notes
• 📸 Photo (if Autoloading is enabled in Gallery) → Settings → Cloud synchronization)

For the rest of the data, you have to use workarounds.

How to turn on full synchronization:

1. Go to Settings → Accounts → Mi Cloud.
2. Sign in (or create an account if you don’t have one).
3. Turn on the switches opposite: 📱 Backup of the device (saves settings and application data) 📁 Gallery and Records (for photos and videos)

Synchronize

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Note: On Redmi 9C with MIUI 12, cloud application backup is unstable. If no data is available in games or messengers after recovery, use alternative methods (see Method 4).

Method 3: Backup through Google Account (for apps and contacts)

If you use Google services, some of the data can be saved automatically to the cloud:

• 📇 Contacts – synced with Google Contacts.
• 📅 Calendar and Notes (via Google Keep).
• 🎮 Save games (if the game supports Google Play Games).
• 📱 Device settings (wallpaper, languages, Wi-Fi networks).

But there is a limitation: Google does not reserve SMS, call logs and files (except photos via Google Photos).

How to set up:

1. Open Settings → Accounts → Google.
2. Select your account and enable sync for the right categories.
3. For app backup, go to Settings → System → Backup and enable Backup in Google Drive.

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To check what data is already stored on Google, go to myaccount.google.com → Data Management and Personalization → Managing Backups. You can manually start copying or remove old backups here.

Method 4: Manually copying files to a PC or SD-map

You can use manual copying to control your data, and on the Redmi 9C, this is especially true because of the limited storage space.

• 🖥️ Computer with cable USB Type-C (or Card Reader for the SD-map).
• 📁 Access to hidden folders (enable display in Explorer) Windows/macOS).

What folders to copy:

DCIM - Photos and video from the camera


Downloads - Downloaded files




Pictures - Images from messengers / social networks




Movies - Videos (including screen recordings)




Music - Audio files




WhatsApp - Chat backups (Databases folder)




Android/data – Application data (e.g. game saves)

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Note: The Android/data folder on Redmi 9C may not be available without root permissions. If you can't see it on your PC, use the file manager on your phone (e.g. Mi File Manager) and archive the data manually.

Method 5: Backup via TWRP (for advanced users)

If your Redmi 9C has custom recovery TWRP installed, you can create a complete system image, including:

• 📱 Section /data (All user files and settings).
• 🔧 Section /system (Firmware if you plan to roll back).
• 📱 Boot and Recovery (for recovery from failed experiments).

This method is suitable if you often flash your phone or test custom ROMs.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone and press Power + Volume up to enter TWRP.
2. Pick Backup.
3. Check the Data, System and Boot sections.
4. Click Swipe to Backup and wait until it is completed.
5. Copy the backup file (folder) TWRP on SD-card or internal memory on PC.

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Note: Backup via TWRP is not compatible with standard MIUI recovery. After reset, first restore Data via TWRP, and then setup via the MIUI Backup menu.

What to do after reset: Data recovery

After resetting the Redmi 9C to factory settings:

1. Local Backup: Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup → Restore and select a file.
2. Mi Cloud: Sign in to your Xiaomi account and enable sync in Settings → Accounts → Mi Cloud.
3. Google Account: When you first start your system, select the Recover Data from your device option and specify your Google account.
4. Manual copies: Move files back from the PC/SD-maps in the appropriate folders.

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On Redmi 9C, after recovery from the MIUI backup, some applications (such as WhatsApp or banking services) may need to be re-authorized, which is due to a change in the device ID after the reset.

If the data is not recovered:

• 🔄 Restart your phone and try again.
• 📡 Check your internet connection (for cloud backups).
• 📂 Make sure the backup file is not corrupted (try opening it on your PC).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Redmi 9C backup