How to create a backup on a Xiaomi smartphone: a complete guide 2026

Losing data on a smartphone is one of the most unpleasant situations for the user. Photos, contacts, messages and application settings can disappear overnight due to a system crash, device theft or unsuccessful firmware. Owners Xiaomi have several unique tools for creating backups, but many do not use them until it is too late.

In this article we will analyze all the current backup methods for devices based on MIUI —from standard functions to advanced methods using custom recovery. You'll learn how to save not only media files, but also SMS, call logs, application data, and even system settings. We will pay special attention to the nuances that arise when working with different models Redmi, POCO and flagships of the series Xiaomi 13/14.

Why standard copying files to a PC is not enough

Many users mistakenly believe that it is enough to simply copy folders DCIM, Downloads and Pictures to your computer - and all data is safe. In practice, this covers only a small part of the information:

• 📸 Photos and videos —yes, they will be saved, but without metadata (dates, geotags, albums from the MIUI Gallery)
• 📞 Contacts and SMS —remain only on the SIM card or in your Google account (if synchronization is enabled)
• ⚙️ System settings — themes, wallpapers, configuration of notifications and gestures are lost forever
• 🎮 Game data and applications — progress in games, chat history in instant messengers, saved passwords

Moreover, when reset to factory settings or flashing via Fastboot the internal memory of the device is completely cleared - and even the files on the "internal SD card" (/sdcard/) will be lost. Therefore, for a full backup, specialized tools are required.

Method 1: Built-in backup function in MIUI

The easiest method is to use the standard backup tool from Xiaomi. It is available on all devices with MIUI 12 and later, including Redmi Note 12, POCO F5 i Xiaomi 13 Lite. The main advantage is the preservation MIUI settings, including themes, wallpapers and system configurationthat cannot be restored in other ways.

To create a backup:

1. Open Settings → About phone → Backup and reset → Local backup.
2. Click Create a backup and select the data to save (all items are checked by default).
3. Specify the save location: internal memory or external SD card (recommended).
4. Confirm the action and wait for completion (may take 5-15 minutes depending on the volume data).

Data type	Save?	Notes
Contact	✅ Yes	Only if not synchronized with Google
SMS and MMS	✅ Yes	Including attachments
Call log	✅ Yes	—
Photos and videos	❌ No	Only through separate copying of folders
MIUI Settings	✅ Yes	Unique function not available in other methods

⚠️ Attention: MIUI backup files have expansion .backup and not compatible with other devices or firmware. They can only be restored on the same smartphone with the same version of MIUI. If you plan to flash firmware on a custom ROM (for example LineageOS), use alternative methods.

Battery charge > 50%|Free space on device > 1 GB|Optimizers disabled (for example, Greenify)|SD card is formatted as portable storage (not as internal memory)-->

Method 2: Backup via Google Account

Sync with Google Drive - a universal method that works on any Android devices, including Xiaomi. Advantages:

• 🌍 Access to data from any device via drive.google.com
• 🔄 Automatic backup update when connected to Wi-Fi
• 📱 Restoring to a new smartphone when you turn it on for the first time

How to set up:

1. Go to Settings → Accounts and synchronization → Google.
2. Select your account and activate the switches for Contact, Calendar, Photo (Google Photos) and Application data.
3. For a full system backup, open Settings → System → Backup and enable Backup to Google Drive.

Method limitations:

• 🚫 Not saved: SMS, call log, MIUI settings, files outside standard folders.
• 📦 Free storage capacity - 15 GB (total for Gmail, Drive and Photos).
• ⏳ Restoration takes a long time with a large amount of data.

Method 3: Backup via TWRP (for advanced users)

If your device Xiaomi unlocked bootloader and installed custom recovery TWRP, you can create a complete system image (nandroid backup). This is the only way to save:

• 📱 A complete copy of the /data section (including all applications and their data)
• 🔧 Kernel and module settings Magisk (if you are using root)
• 🛡️ Encrypted data (if properly configured)

Instructions:

1. Boot into TWRP: turn off the phone, then press Power + Volume up.
2. In the main menu, select Backup.
3. Mark partitions for backup: required Data, System and Boot.
4. Select a storage location (recommended external SD card or OTG flash drive).
5. Swipe to confirm and wait for completion.

⚠️ Attention: Backup via TWRP does not work on devices with a locked bootloader or dynamic partitions (for example, Xiaomi 12T and newer). Before trying, unlock the bootloader via Mi Unlock Tool and make sure that the TWRP version is compatible with your model.

How to restore a TWRP backup on another device?

Restoring a TWRP backup on another smartphone is only possible if:

1. The devices have an identical model and firmware version.

2. The /data and /system partitions are the same size.

3. The same version of Android is used.

Otherwise, the recovery will lead to a bootloop (cyclic reboot).

Method 4: Backup to computer via ADB

For users who prefer to control the process manually, the backup method via Android Debug Bridge (ADB). It allows you to create an archive of all data, including those that are not available through standard means.

What you will need:

• 🖥️ A computer with ADB and Fastboot installed
• 📱 Enabled USB debugging on your smartphone (Settings → About phone → MIUI version — tap 7 times, then Advanced → For developers → USB debugging)
• 🔌 USB cable (preferably original)

Commands for backup:

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

Flag decoding:

• -apk — saves APK files of applications
• -obb — includes additional game data
• -shared — adds files from shared memory (SD card)
• -all — backups all applications

After executing the command, a confirmation request will appear on the smartphone screen — set a password to encrypt the backup (optional, but recommended). The file backup_xiaomi.ab will be saved on the computer.

⚠️ Attention: Some applications (for example, banking) block backup via ADB for security reasons. Their data will not be included in the archive.

Method 5: Backing up specific data

If you do not need a full backup, you can save only critical information:

Contacts and SMS

Use the application SMS Backup & Restore (available in Google Play):

• 📲 Exports SMS, MMS and call log to XML or CSV.
• 🔄 Supports automatic backup on a schedule.
• 📤 Saves data to Google Drive, Dropbox or locally.

Photos and videos

For media files it is convenient to use Google Photos or MIUI Gallery:

• 📷 In MIUI Gallery: select an album → More → Export → specify a folder on the SD card or the cloud.
• ☁️ B Google Photos: enable automatic downloading in the application settings.

Applications and their data

Suitable for backing up applications without root access Swift Backup (requires ADB command to unlock features):

adb shell pm grant com.machinarium.swiftbackup android.permission.BACKUP

Common errors and how to avoid them

Even experienced users encounter problems when creating backups. Here are the most common errors and their solutions:

Problem	Cause	Solution
MIUI backup is interrupted at 99%	Not enough space on the device or SD card	Clear 1-2 GB of memory and try again
ADB does not see the device	Drivers are not installed or not installed USB debugging enabled	Install Mi USB Driver and check the developer settings
TWRP cannot mount /data	Encrypted data partition	Enter the screen lock password in TWRP or format /data (data loss!)
Google Drive does not sync data	Traffic limiting or MIUI background optimization	Connect to Wi-Fi and disable Battery optimization for Google Play Services

Another typical mistake is ignoring backup verification. Always make sure that:

• 📂 Backup files physically exist in the specified folder.
• 🔍 The archive is not damaged (try opening it on a PC).
• 📱 Test recovery passes without errors (at least for 1-2 files).

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

You can Is it possible to restore a MIUI backup on another Xiaomi phone?

No, MIUI backup files are tied to a specific model and firmware version. Trying to restore it on another device will lead to an error. To transfer data to a new smartphone, use Mi Mover (built-in application) or Google Account.

How much space does it take? full backup via TWRP?

The size depends on the number of installed applications and data:

• Only OS (without applications): 1–3 GB
• C applications: 5–15 GB
• With games and media: 20 GB or more

It is recommended to use an SD card with a capacity of 64 GB or more.

How to save application data if you do not have root access?

Without root access, there are two options:

1. Use the application's built-in backup function (if supported). For example, in WhatsApp: Settings → Chat → Backup.
2. Enable backup to Google Drive for supported applications (Settings → Google → Backup → Application data).

For games with local saving (for example, Genshin Impact), the only way is to copy the folder /Android/obb manually.

What to do if the backup is damaged and cannot be restored?

Try the following steps:

1. Check the checksum of the file (if the backup is encrypted, try to remember the password).
2. Use alternative recovery tools:
   • For ADB backups: abe (Android Backup Extractor)
   • For TWRP: try restoring individual partitions (for example, only data)

If the MIUI backup is damaged, try extracting the data via MIUI Backup Decrypt Tool (available on the w3bsit3-dns.com forums).

If all else fails, contact official firmware and perform a clean installation.

How often should you make a backup?

The recommended frequency depends on the activity of use:

• Weekly: if you actively install/uninstall applications, take a lot of photos, conduct important correspondence.
• Monthly: for standard use (social networks, instant messengers, photos).
• Before critical actions: flashing, resetting settings, selling/transferring the phone.

Automate the process using Tasker or the built-in scheduler in backup applications.