Xiaomi: how to open applications with a broken touchscreen

When the touch screen of a Xiaomi smartphone stops responding to touch, it can be taken by surprise at any time. Often it happens suddenly: you take the device in your hands to answer a call or start the navigator, but the display ignores your commands. Owners of devices with a MIUI shell or a new HyperOS face this problem regularly, especially if there was a failed installation of the protective glass or a software failure of the system.

There are several proven ways to run the necessary programs and access the data. We will look at methods that range from using simple peripherals to advanced debugging tools. Even if the touchscreen is shattered, the chance to regain control of the smartphone is still great.

It is important to understand that the choice of a particular method depends on your condition. USB-If the port is physically intact, you can use external input tools, otherwise you have to rely on voice commands or cloud services. Below we will go through each of the available options in detail.

Using a USB-OTG adapter for control

The most reliable and easy way to open applications on Xiaomi with a broken screen is to connect a regular computer mouse via a USB-OTG adapter. This method works at the hardware level, so it is effective even if the operating system is partially frozen or the touchscreen drivers did not boot correctly. You only need the adapter itself (often comes with new models or costs a penny) and any wired mouse.

Once you plug your mouse into a Type-C or Micro-USB connector, a cursor will appear on the screen. This means that Android has recognized the external input device. With the cursor, you can unlock the phone, enter a pattern lock or pin code, and then safely navigate to the desktop. Hover over the icon of the desired application and click the left mouse button to open it.

⚠️ Note: If you have a fingerprint or Face lock enabled ID, It may prevent you from going to your desktop without biometrics, so try to type in the wrong password several times so that you have a keyboard to enter. PIN-mouse-code.

This method is especially useful if you need to back up or send important files urgently. The mouse allows you to do anything from scroll through contact lists, type messages (though inconvenient), and close down suspended processes. For Xiaomi owners, it is often the only way to save data before going to the service center.

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If you don’t have a wired mouse, you can try connecting a wireless mouse with a wireless mouse. USB-receiver, but wired guaranteed to work without installing additional drivers.

Voice control of Google Assistant

If you're not on hand OTG-cable, but the screen at least partially displays the image (even if it does not respond to touch), you can try to use the voice assistant. Xiaomi smartphones have Google Assistant activated by default, which is able to execute commands to open applications without physical contact with the display.

To activate the assistant, it is usually enough to say the phrase "Ok Google" or press the power button for a long time (if this feature is configured). Once the assistant interface appears, clearly say the command, such as "Open WhatsApp" or "Start settings." The system recognizes and performs the action, which can be a salvation when you need to quickly call or start navigation.

• 🗣️ Basic commands: "Open [application name]", "Call [contact]", "Write a message [contact]".
• ⚙️ System management: "Enable Bluetooth", "Open settings", "Put a screenshot".
• 🌐 Search and launch: "Find on the Internet [request]", "Run YouTube".

But it's worth considering that voice control requires pre-setting and an active Internet connection, and if you've never activated Google Assistant or turned off microphone access, that won't work, and in noisy environments, command recognition can be difficult.

Remote access via computer (ADB and screencast)

For more advanced users who previously had USB debugging enabled in the developer menu, the most powerful control tool is opening up. With the adb tool (Android Debug Bridge), you can not only open apps, but also fully stream the smartphone screen to your computer, controlling the mouse and the PC keyboard, a professional method used by engineers.

To do this, you'll need a computer with ADB installed and Xiaomi drivers installed. Connect your phone with a cable to a PC. If you've previously allowed a trusted connection to that computer on your phone screen, you can run any application on its batch name, and this allows you to bypass the broken touchscreen completely.

adb shell am start -n com.whatsapp/.Main

Above is a sample command that will launch WhatsApp (package_name) You can find it online or through the adb shell pm list packages command. If you want full visual control, use tools like Scrcpy that stream the image and transfer control of the computer mouse to the phone with minimal latency.

⚠️ Attention: Method C ADB It only works if the option "Debugging by" was activated earlier in the "Developers" section USB". Without it, the computer will not have the right to control the phone.

Using adb also allows you to make full data backups, install applications (APK-Directly from the computer and remove system debris, which is the most flexible way to interact with the device when the touch layer is completely out of order, but the matrix and controller are working.

Specificity of launching applications on Xiaomi Pad tablets

Xiaomi Pad tablet owners face the same challenges, but managing a large screen without a touchscreen has its own peculiarities. Tablets are often used for multimedia and work, so the ability to open a browser or an office application is critical. Connecting a mouse to a tablet makes it like a laptop, especially if you use a keyboard case or Bluetooth keyboard.

MIUI for Pad is optimized to work with external input devices. The mouse is familiar, and the context menu is called by the right button. This allows you to work comfortably in multitasking mode, opening several application windows at once. If the touchscreen of the tablet is damaged, using the mouse becomes the main way of navigation.

You should pay special attention to keyboard shortcuts. If you plug in a keyboard, you can use hotkeys to run programs quickly. For example, in some launchers, you can set up macros. It's also convenient to run split-screen applications on tablets through ADB, which is difficult to do without a working sensor.

Automation of startups via Tasker and macros

If the screen is intermittently or you want to prepare for possible crashes in advance, you can set up automatic application launches. Tasker or built-in scripts in MIUI allow you to create rules. For example, when you connect to a specific Wi-Fi or Bluetooth device (earphones in the car), the phone will open the navigator or music player.

Setting up these scenarios takes time, but at a critical moment, it can save the day. You can create a profile that, when you plug in the charger, immediately opens the program you want to use, bypassing the desktop, and this is especially true for drivers or users who use a smartphone as a stationary terminal.

• 🔋 Power Trigger: Starting the application when connecting to charging.
• 📍 Geolocation: Automatically open maps upon arrival at a specified point.
• 🕒 Time: Starting an alarm clock or news at certain times of the day.

To implement this feature, you need to have access to settings at least for a while while while the screen reacts, and pre-installed and configured automation is the best way to minimize the reliance on tactile input in the future.

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Pre-configured automation (Tasker/Scenarios) allows you to run applications without user participation, which is critical with a partial failure of the touch screen.

Security and Ad Blockers Problems

Sometimes users can’t open apps not because of a screen breakdown, but because of aggressive security settings or ad blockers built into MIUI. The system may block applications from running from unknown sources or consider some utilities potentially dangerous, in which case the screen may flash or display warnings that block further action.

To get around this, you need to go to Settings → Apps → Settings → Special features. Here you need to check the permissions for system services. Also, you should look at the Security section (green icon with lightning), where you can remove restrictions for the desired programs in the "Allows" section.

⚠️ Warning: Do not completely shut down the protection MIUI, If you're not sure where the applications are installed, it could lead to a virus or spy infecting the device.

If an application crashes immediately after opening, try clearing its cache through the application management menu. Often corrupted data causes a cyclical restart of the program, creating the illusion that it cannot be opened.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)