Save data before resetting Xiaomi: a step-by-step algorithm of actions

The Android operating system on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones, running the MIUI shell or the new HyperOS, sometimes requires radical measures to restore stable operation. Deep reset to factory settings (Hard Reset) is an effective way to eliminate software errors, viruses or simply prepare the device for sale.

Many users underestimate the importance of pre-backups, relying on random luck or synchronization that could have been disabled months ago. Losing family photos, work documents, instant messenger correspondence and saved passwords can be a serious blow. So the question of how to correctly and completely save data before resetting Xiaomi is a critical stage that cannot be ignored.

In this guide, we will take a look at all the available backup methods, from built-in system tools to cloud services and customized PC software, and learn how to export contacts, save application data, and migrate multimedia files so that you can return your phone to its original state after you reinstall the system without losing valuable information.

Preparation of the device and verification of accounts

Before you start copying files directly, you need to do basic device preparation. First of all, make sure that your Xiaomi is connected to a stable Wi-Fi network, as transferring large amounts of data over the mobile Internet can take too long or lead to unexpected traffic costs. It is also critical to check the battery level: it should be at least 60-70% so that the device does not turn off at the most critical time.

Special attention should be paid to the Mi Account. This account is the key to the manufacturer's ecosystem, and allows you to synchronize contacts, notes, voice recordings and even some settings of the system. Go to the settings menu and make sure you are authorized and sync is activated for all the necessary items. If you plan to sell the phone, knowing the password from the Mi Account is mandatory, otherwise the protection against theft will work.

⚠️ Warning: Make sure you remember the password from your Mi Account and Google account. After the reset, the system will require you to enter authorization data (protection) FRP), Without them, the device will be impossible to unlock.

Also check for free space in cloud storage if you plan to use a cloud backup. The standard 5GB provided by Xiaomi can be filled, so clear the space or purchase an extra volume if needed.

Use of built-in local reservation tool

The MIUI and HyperOS shells have a powerful built-in tool to create full copies of the system, applications and data. This method allows you to save not only files, but also folder structure, desktop settings and even icon location. To access this functionality, go to Settings → About Phone → Backup and Restore. In some versions of the firmware, the path may differ: Settings → Advanced Settings → Backup and Reset.

Once you enter the menu, select the option “Mobile Device” or “Local Backup” and the system will prompt you to select categories of data to save, and you can configure in detail what will be copied: system settings, calls, SMS-Messages, contacts, notes, voice recorders, and installed applications and their data are especially useful for keeping progress in games or settings of complex programs.

After selecting categories, click the "Create a Backup" button. The process can take anywhere from minutes to an hour depending on the amount of data. It's important to understand that the copy you create is stored by default in the phone's internal memory in the hidden folder MIUI/backup/AllBackup. If you just reset the phone, that copy will also be deleted, so it needs to be moved.

To secure the backup you have created, copy the backup folder to your computer or cloud storage immediately after it is complete. Connect your phone to your PC in file transfer mode (MTP) and move the contents of the MIUI/backup directory to a safe place. Once you reset and initially configure the phone, you can return that folder back and restore the system through the same settings menu.

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When creating a local copy, set an encryption password if it contains sensitive data, which will prevent unauthorized access to your information, even if they gain access to the backup files.

Sync with Mi Cloud and Google Account

The most reliable and automated way to save personal data is cloud synchronization. Xiaomi ecosystem is closely integrated with Google services, which gives the user double protection. First, make sure that in the Settings → Accounts and Synchronization section, all the necessary items for your Google account are activated. Contacts, calendar events and notes are usually synchronized through Google, which makes it easy to transfer them to any Android smartphone.

Mi Cloud offers deeper integration with the phone shell, where you can configure synchronization of gallery (photo and video), voice recorder, notes, Wi-Fi settings and even desktop. Go to the Mi Account settings, select "Sync with Mi Cloud" and activate the desired switches. Photos and videos can take up a lot of space, so watch the storage quota.

Using cloud technology allows you not to worry about the physical safety of files on the device. Even if the phone is lost or completely destroyed, your data will remain safe on the servers. Once you enter your login and password on a new or reset device, the information will automatically download in the background.

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The combination of Google and Mi Cloud sync ensures maximum data security: Google saves contacts, and Mi Cloud saves specific shell settings.

Manual copying of multimedia and documents on PC

Despite the convenience of clouds, direct file transfer to a computer remains the gold standard for reliability, especially for large amounts of data. Photos, videos, downloaded documents and music often take up gigabytes of memory and are easiest to copy manually. Connect your smartphone to your computer through high-quality USB-cable and select the mode of operation USB «File transfer» (MTP) on the phone screen.

You'll have a device in My Computer that you'll find the DCIM folder inside, and that's where all the photos and videos you've taken on the camera are stored, and you'll also want to look at the Pictures folders, Download, and Music. Just copy those directories to your computer's hard drive.

⚠️ Note: When copying large amounts of data (more than 50 GB), do not remove the abruptly cable. wait until the writing process is completed so as not to damage the file system and lose some files.

WhatsApp, Telegram and Viber store media files in their folders either at the root of internal memory or along the Android/media path. If you want to save your correspondence history, it is better to use the built-in chat export functions within the applications themselves, since simply copying folders may not save the message database.

For document users, it is important to check the Documents folder and the internal storage of text editing applications. Often files are saved there, rather than in the standard download folder. After copying all important directories to the PC, it is recommended to check their opening to verify the integrity of the data before the reset procedure.

Saving data of messengers and applications

The most painful reset loss is the messaging history. Standard file copying methods here often don't work properly, because databases are encrypted. WhatsApp needs a built-in backup tool. Go to Settings → Chats → Chat Backup and click "Create a Backup." Make sure it's saved in Google Drive, not locally.

Telegram is a simpler place: all of your correspondence history is stored on cloud servers, you just need to know your phone number to log in, and all chats (except secret ones) will be automatically downloaded, but files saved to Telegram’s Downloads folder may not sync if you don’t have a Premium subscription or auto-save enabled in the gallery. Check your cache and storage settings in the app.

For banking applications and government services (Public Services, Sberbank, etc.), a backup is usually not required or even impossible for security reasons. You will need to log in to each application using your login, password and SMS confirmation. SIM-The card is active and is on the phone (or you can quickly move it), as without SMS, you will not be able to log in.

Don’t forget about authenticators. If you’re using Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator or Yandex.Key, make sure to export codes or back up your app before resetting. Otherwise, restoring access to accounts with two-factor protection enabled can be a major challenge.

Final stage: cleaning and first launch

Once you have made sure that all the important data is copied to your computer, cloud or external drive, you can proceed to the reset procedure. Go to Settings → About Phone → Reset. The system will warn you that all data will be deleted. If you plan to sell the device, be sure to tick the “Clear internal memory” (or “Format”) box so that the data cannot be restored.

Start the process and wait for the reboot. The first run after the reset will take longer than usual, as the system will configure the file system. At the welcome stage, log in to your Google account and Mi Account. The system will offer to restore data from the cloud copy — agree, if you want to return contacts and settings.

To restore a local copy (which you previously saved to your PC and returned to your phone's memory), go back to the backup menu. Select the file you created earlier, enter the password (if you installed it), and click Restore. The phone will restart, and all applications will fall into place.

⚠️ Warning: Do not interrupt the process of recovering data from the backup. This can lead to malfunctioning of applications or a system “fight”, which will require resetting.

Now your Xiaomi is clean, fast and has all the data you need. Regularly backing up, at least once a month, will save you stress in the future and keep important moments of life intact.