Many Xiaomi users are faced with the need to return the device to a factory state when the smartphone begins to work unstable, slow down or freeze. Complete cleaning of the system is often the only correct solution to software errors, but this process inevitably leads to the removal of all personal information.
If you are planning to perform Hard Reset or just want to sell the gadget, it is critical to create a full backup in advance. Losing family archives or working documents can be a serious problem, so the preparation procedure should be approached as responsibly and carefully as possible.
In this article, we'll look at all the ways you can store information, from cloud storage to local copies on your computer, and you'll learn how to archive data properly so that once you reinstall the system, you can get your phone back to normal in minutes.
Preparation for backup: Memory and charging checks
Before any manipulations, you need to make sure that the device is ready for long-term operation. The process of creating a backup requires a stable power supply, since a sudden power outage can damage the file system or interrupt data transmission.
Charge the battery of a Redmi or Poco smartphone to a minimum of 60-70%, and check the free space in internal memory and on cloud accounts if you plan to use them for storing archives.
⚠️ Note: Do not start the process of creating a full copy if the battery level is below 40%, as this can cause the device to turn off at the most inopportune time.
Make sure you know the passwords from your Mi Account and Google account. Without authorization in these services, data recovery after a reset will be impossible, and in some cases the device may be blocked due to activated protection against theft.
Check the stability of the Internet connection. It is recommended to use high-speed Wi-Fi to upload large amounts of data to the cloud, since mobile traffic can be exhausted too quickly and the transfer speed will be slow.
Using Mi Cloud for Automatic Backup
The easiest and most integrated way to save important data is to use Xiaomi’s proprietary service, which allows you to synchronize key system parameters without the need to connect cables or third-party programs.
To activate the function, go to the Settings menu and select Mi Account. This is all your account information and available sync options.
Click on the Cloud section to see a list of data categories, and the system will offer to save contacts, messages, call history, notes, recorder and calendar schedule.
☑️ Checking synchronization Mi Cloud
Activate the switches in front of the desired points. Once autosynchronization is enabled, the data will be automatically transmitted to the company's servers when you connect to the network.
Special attention is paid to the gallery. In the Gallery section, you can enable photo and video uploads inside the cloud settings, which will allow you to save media files even in the event of physical loss or breakage of your smartphone.
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The free version of Mi Cloud only has 5GB of space, and for larger photo archives, it’s better to use Google Photos or local copying on your PC.
Backup through Google Account
The Android ecosystem provides powerful tools for saving user data that work on all smartphones, including Xiaomi, a method that is particularly effective for saving the list of installed apps and their settings.
Open your phone's settings and search for the Google section. From the menu, select the Backup option. Here you can see the information about the last saved copy and list the data that will be recovered.
Click Start Copy or Create a Copy to manually run the process. The system will save Wi-Fi passwords, call history, SMS-messages and list of applications.
| Type of data | Storage area | Limits |
|---|---|---|
| Contacts | Google Contacts | Unlimited. |
| Photos and videos | Google Photo | 15 GB (shared with mail) |
| Annexes | Google Play | Depends on size. |
| System settings | Google Drive | It's in the quota. |
If the place runs out, no new copy will be created and the latest changes will be lost.
Once the process is complete, make sure that the status indicates the time of the last backup, which ensures that all your recent activities on the system have been successfully archived.
Local data storage to a memory card or PC
For users who don’t trust cloud services or have a lot of data, local backup is ideal. MIUI has a built-in feature to create a full copy of the system on an external medium.
Go to the Settings path → The phone. → Advanced settings → Backup and Restore: Select Backup and specify the location of the save: internal memory or SD-map.
The system will suggest selecting categories of data to save, and you can mark applications, system settings, music, images and videos. After selecting, click Backup.
Where to look for backup files?
If you use a computer, connect your smartphone with a cable in MTP file transfer mode. Copy important folders like DCIM, Download, and Documents to your hard drive.
⚠️ Note: With local backup on SD-Make sure the card is correct. Damage to the media will result in complete loss of the archive, so it is recommended to duplicate the files on the computer.
This method allows you to create an exact copy of the current system status, including Wi-Fi passwords and the location of icons on the desktop.
Manual preservation of multimedia and documents
Automatic systems do not always cover all files, especially those that are downloaded from messengers or created in specific applications.
Open the standard Explorer and check the WhatsApp, Telegram, and Viber folders, which often store images and documents that are not automatically synced with the gallery.
For WhatsApp, it is better to perform a separate backup through the chat settings within the app itself, selecting save to Google Drive. This ensures that you recover correspondence when you re-install it.
Be sure to check the Bluetooth and MIUI/Drop folder (for the Mi Drop feature), which often includes files transferred from other devices, which are easy to overlook in standard cleaning.
Copy all valuable documents, PDF-Files and worksheets in a separate folder on your computer or upload them to file storage to eliminate the risk of losing important information.
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Manually checking messenger folders and downloads is the only way to ensure the safety of files that do not fall into the standard gallery.
Two-factor authentication and passwords
Passwords and access codes are a special category of data, and after resetting, all data stored in the browser or password manager will be deleted if it is not synchronized.
If you use confirmation codes from apps like Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator, make sure to export or back up inside those apps, otherwise you may lose access to your accounts.
Check your saved passwords in Chrome or Mi Browser. Make sure that sync with your Google or Mi Account is successful and all data is displayed on another device or in the web version.
Write down or print recovery codes for important services (e.g., email, social media, banking applications) and have a physical media with the codes will allow you to restore access even if you have a SIM card problem.
Make sure that the SIM card is not blocked. PIN-Once reset, the phone can request this code when it first boots, and its absence will create additional complexity.