Saving the history of correspondence, photos and voice messages is a critical task for millions of messenger users. Smartphone owners Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO often encounter unique shell features MIUI or HyperOSthat can affect the standard data archiving process. Understanding these nuances allows you to avoid losing valuable information when changing a device or accidentally deleting an application.
Modern versions WhatsApp offer flexible tools for automatically saving data, but their correct operation directly depends on the system settings. On Chinese-made devices, aggressive battery optimization and permission management sometimes block background tasks needed to upload files to the cloud. That is why simply activating the function in the messenger itself does not always guarantee the successful creation of a recovery point.
In this material we will analyze in detail all the available methods for creating backups, from standard cloud storage to advanced local backup. You will learn how to set up a schedule, select the desired account Google and bypass system restrictions specific to the ecosystem Xiaomi. Proper preparation will provide peace of mind and confidence in the safety of your personal data.
Preparing a Google account and system settings
Before you start setting up the messenger itself, you need to make sure that the main storage is working correctly. The standard mechanism of work on the platform is tightly integrated with services. Without an active and correctly configured account, the automatic backup process will not be possible. WhatsApp on the platform Android tightly integrated with services Google. Without an active and properly configured account, the automatic backup process will not be possible.
Go to the settings of your smartphone and make sure that you are logged in under the desired profile. Often users have multiple accounts, and the system may default to the one that does not have enough free space. Go to the section Settings → Accounts and synchronization → Google and check the synchronization status.
Particular attention should be paid to the application Google Drive. Make sure it is updated to the latest version through the store Play Market. Also check the available space in the cloud: Messenger backups do not take up space in your storage quota, but temporary files and metadata require a certain amount of free space.
- 🔐 Check whether two-factor authentication is enabled for your Google account - this will increase data security.
- ☁️ Make sure that Google Drive settings allow data synchronization via a mobile network if you are not always connected to Wi-Fi.
- 📱 Update the Google Play Services system application to the latest version for stable API operation.
⚠️ Attention: If you use custom firmware or an unlocked bootloader, Google services may work incorrectly. In this case, it is more reliable to use the local saving method.
Setting up automatic backup in Google Drive
This is the most convenient method for most users, as it does not require manual intervention after the initial configuration. Data is automatically uploaded to secure cloud storage at a specified time. To activate the function, open WhatsApp and go to the settings menu.
In the application interface, the path may differ slightly depending on the version of the shell, but the logic remains the same. You need to find the section responsible for chats and select the backup item. Here you can set the frequency of creating archives and select an account for storage.
The system will prompt you to select the frequency: daily, weekly or monthly. It is recommended to choose daily copy creation if you actively use the messenger for work or important communication. Here you can also enable the option to save video recordings, which will significantly increase the size of the archive.
Settings → Chats → Chat backupAfter selecting the options, click the “Backup” button to create the first recovery point manually. This action will check the correctness of all entered data and the connection speed with the servers Google. If the process completes successfully, you will see the date and time of the last save.
Video files take up a lot of space. If you have limited traffic or little space in the cloud, disable the “Enable video” checkbox in the backup settings.
Creating a local backup on Xiaomi
Smartphone owners Xiaomi have a unique advantage - the ability to create full-fledged local copies directly into the device’s memory or onto a memory card. This method does not depend on Internet speed or the presence of a Google account, which makes it indispensable in unstable network conditions.
Local files are stored in the phone’s internal memory in a special directory. In new versions Android the path to these files has changed due to stricter security policies, which often causes confusion among users. Now the files are located along the path Android/media/com.whatsapp/WhatsApp/Databases.
Backup files have a name like msgstore-YYYY-MM-DD.1.db.crypt14. The number in the encryption name (for example, crypt14) may change with application updates. It is important not to rename these files, otherwise recovery will become impossible without complex manipulations.
⚠️ Attention: When clearing memory through the built-in MIUI utilities, be careful. Sometimes the system marks old database files as garbage. Exclude the WhatsApp folder from the list of objects to be cleaned.
For maximum reliability, it is recommended to periodically copy this folder to a computer or external drive. The physical presence of the file on another medium guarantees the safety of the data even if the smartphone is completely broken or reset to factory settings.
How to decrypt a local backup?
Local files are encrypted with a key that is stored inside the Android system. It is impossible to read them on a computer without root access and special software. However, they are designed to be automatically restored within the WhatsApp application itself upon reinstallation.
Features of working in the MIUI and HyperOS shell
The shells from Xiaomi are known for their aggressive energy saving, which can interfere with the operation of background processes. If you notice that automatic copies have stopped being created or are running with a delay, the problem most likely lies in the battery settings.
You need to remove restrictions for the application WhatsApp and service Google Play Services. Go to the battery settings, find the list of applications and set the messenger mode to “No restrictions”. This will allow the system to start the data upload process even in sleep mode.
Also check the startup permissions. In MIUI there is a separate “Autostart” menu, where you need to activate the switch opposite WhatsApp. Without this permission, the system may completely block the operation of the application after rebooting the phone.
| Settings parameter | Recommended value | Where to find |
|---|---|---|
| Activity control | No restrictions | Settings → Battery |
| Autorun | Enabled | Settings → Applications → Autorun |
| Work in the background | Enabled | Settings → Applications → WhatsApp → Battery |
| Traffic saving | Disabled for WhatsApp | Settings → Connection and sharing |
Ignoring these settings is the most common reason for user complaints that "backup does not arrive." The system simply “kills” the process before it has time to contact the server.
On Xiaomi smartphones, it is critical to configure “No restrictions” in the battery menu, otherwise the system will block the background loading of the backup.
Restoring data from a backup
The recovery process is relevant when buying a new phone or after reset settings to factory defaults. The main rule: first install the application WhatsApp, but do not launch it until you are sure that the copy file is available.
When you first launch the messenger, it will automatically detect the presence of a backup copy in your Google account or in the internal memory. The system will offer to restore chat history. If you skip this step, it will be impossible to restore the data later without uninstalling the application.
If using a local copy, make sure that the file is renamed to msgstore.db.cryptXX (remove the date from the name) and placed in the correct directory. After confirming the phone number, the application will begin the process of decrypting and downloading messages.
- 📥 Make sure that there is enough free space on your phone to unpack the archive.
- 🔋 Connect your device to a charger, as the recovery process consumes a lot of energy.
- 📶 Use a stable Wi-Fi connection to download media files from the cloud.
Sometimes the process may freeze at the “Recovery” stage. In such a situation, do not panic and reboot your phone. Give the system time, especially if the data volume exceeds several gigabytes.
Solving common problems and errors
Users often encounter the error “Could not create a backup copy.” Most often this is due to lack of space on Google Drive or a conflict between application versions. Check if your cloud storage is full of other files.
Another common problem is time out of sync. If the date and time on your Xiaomi t is wrong, Google servers will reject the request to download the data. Set the “Auto-set date and time” mode in the device settings.
⚠️ Attention: The settings interface and the location of menu items may differ depending on the version of MIUI (12, 13, 14) or HyperOS. Always check the current menu on your device.
If all else fails, try deleting and reinstalling the application Google Play Services, and also clearing the cache of WhatsApp itself. As a last resort, a complete reset of the network settings will help, which will update the connection parameters to the servers.
☑️ Diagnosing problems with backup
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Does WhatsApp backup take up space in Google storage?
No, backup files WhatsApp created through Google Drive does not take up space in your Google storage quota. However, if you back up photos and videos separately via Google Photos, they will be counted.
Is it possible to transfer a copy from Android to iPhone?
Direct transfer via Google Drive is not possible, since the systems use different encryption formats. To switch from Android to iOS, you must use the special Transfer to iOS application when setting up your iPhone for the first time.
How often do you need to make a local copy manually?
If automatic cloud copying is configured correctly, manual local copying is rarely required. It is recommended to do it once a month before major system updates or cleaning the phone's memory.
What should I do if I forgot the password for my Google account?
Without access to your Google account, it is impossible to restore a cloud copy. You will have to go through the process of restoring access to your Google account through the support form or use a local copy if you have one on your device.
Are messages from the phone deleted after creating a copy?
No, creating a backup copy does not affect the current data on the phone in any way. All messages, photos and videos remain in their places. A copy is just additional insurance.