How to get files from a broken Xiaomi phone: from a broken screen to a brick

A broken Xiaomi smartphone is always stressful, especially if it stores important data, such as family photos, work documents or correspondence archives. Situations range from a broken screen with touch working to a complete bricking after a failed firmware. Fortunately, 90% of files can be saved — even if the phone does not turn on or hangs on the Mi logo.

The rule is not to panic or try to fix the device at random. Many users make the problem worse by trying to reflash the phone over Fastboot or reset the settings to the factory settings - this can irrevocably erase the data. 7 The proven ways to extract files from a broken Xiaomi, from the simplest (for beginners) to advanced (for tech savvy). 10/11/12, POCO X3/X4/X5, Mi 11/12/13 others.

If your phone is:

• 🔄 It is getting stuck on the bootloop or Mi logo.
• 💥 Not included after falling or getting moisture
• 📱 Works, but the screen is broken or does not respond to touch
• 🔌 Defined by a computer as an "unidentified device»

So there's a chance of saving the data, and let's start with the safest way.

1. Connect to your computer via USB (if the phone is switched on)

If Xiaomi’s smartphone turns on but the screen is broken or doesn’t respond to touch, the first step is to try connecting it to your PC in file transfer mode (MTP). This method works even with a fully black screen if the device is detected by the system.

Important: Most Xiaomi models are blocked by default USB-You can debug and ask for permissions when you first connect, and if you've never connected your phone to this computer, it might not work.

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC through the original USB-cable (it is desirable to use the port) USB 3.0 on a computer).
2. On your computer, open this computer (Windows) or Finder (macOS).
3. If the phone is defined as a removable disk, open it and copy the files to a safe place.
4. If the device is not displayed, try changing the connection mode: 🔌 On your phone (if the screen is partially working), lower the notification curtain and select File Transfer (MTP). 🔄 If the screen is not responding, try the button combination: press Volume up + Power for 10 seconds, then plug in the cable.

If the computer gives an error "Device not recognized", try:

• 🔌 Use a different cable (preferably the original one from Xiaomi).
• 💻 Connect to another USB-port.
• 🔄 Reboot the phone while holding power + Loudness down 15 seconds.

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If the phone is defined as "MediaTek Preloader" or "Qualcomm" HS-USB", Do not install drivers manually, this can lead to complete loss of data. ADB (section).

2. Data extraction through OTG-cable (if the screen is not working, but the phone is switched on)

If the Xiaomi screen is completely black or broken, but the phone turns on and responds to buttons, you can try connecting to it. USB-drive or other smartphone through OTG-Adapter. This method works for most models that support OTG (including the Redmi Note 8/9/10, POCO F3/F4 etc.).

What you need:

• 🔌 OTG-adapter (or cable) USB-C/MicroUSB → USB-A).
• 💾 Flash drive (formatted in FAT32) or another smartphone with cable.
• 📱 Charge at least 30% (so that the phone does not turn off during the process).

Step-by-step:

Connect. OTG-phone adapter|Insert the flash drive into the adapter (or connect the second phone)|Press the Power button for 2 seconds to unlock the screen|Wait for the audible signal of the connection (if there is a speaker)|Copy files manually (if the screen is partially visible) or use a voice assistant-->

1. Connect. OTG-Adapter to a broken Xiaomi.
2. Insert a flash drive into the adapter (or connect another smartphone via cable).
3. On a broken phone, press the Power button for 2 seconds – this will unlock the screen (even if it is black).
4. If the phone makes a connection sound USB — So the flash drive is determined.
5. To copy files: 👂 If the screen is completely black, use Google’s voice assistant (say, “OK, Google, copy all photos to a USB drive»). 👁️ If the screen is partially visible, manually drag and drop files through any file manager (e.g. Mi File Manager).

Critical nuance: on some Xiaomi models (for example, Mi 11 Ultra or Redmi) K40) function OTG If the flash drive is not detected, try connecting via ADB (section).

3.Use of ADB (Android Debug Bridge for access to files

ADB (Android Debug Bridge is a universal tool for managing Android devices via a computer that allows you to copy files even from a phone that does not have a screen, provided that debugging was previously enabled. USB.

⚠️ Warning: If you have never turned on USB-If you debug the developer's settings, this method won't work. In that case, go to Section 4 (Fastboot mode).

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable.
• 📦 Installed Xiaomi drivers (you can download on the official website).
• 🛠️ Utility. ADB (download from Android).

Instructions:

1. Unpack the archive from ADB into a folder on your computer (e.g., C:\adb).
2. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command line in the folder with ADB (clamp down on the Shift + PCM → Open the PowerShell window here).
3. Check the connection command: adb devices If the phone is determined (the serial number will appear), move to the next step. If not, try another cable or port.
4. Copy files onto a computer. Examples of commands: Copy all photos: adb pull /sdcard/DCIM/ C:\Xiaomi_Backup\Photos Copy downloads: adb pull /sdcard/Download/ C:\Xiaomi_Backup\Downloads Copy the WhatsApp folder: Adb pull /sdcard/WhatsApp/ C:\Xiaomi_Backup\WA

If you want to copy all the data from internal memory, use the command:

adb pull /sdcard/ C:\Xiaomi_Backup\Full_Backup

It can take anywhere from 10 minutes to a few hours, depending on the amount of data you have, don't turn off the cable until you've finished copying it!

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ADB — The most reliable way to extract data from a phone that does not have a screen, but debugging is enabled USB. If debugging hasn’t been activated before, go to the method with Fastboot or disassembling your phone.

4.Fastboot mode: extracting data from a "brick" or bootloop

If the Xiaomi phone does not turn on normally, but is determined in Fastboot mode (when connecting to the PC, a red / orange light bulb is lit or the computer emits a connection sound), you can try to extract data through special utilities.

• 🔄 Hanging on the Mi logo (bootloop).
• 🧱 Completely “flavored” after the scaling.
• 🔌 Defined as Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 or MediaTek Preloader.

⚠️ Attention: Fastboot requires caution, wrong commands can lead to complete data loss or lockdown of the bootloader. If you are not sure about your actions, it is better to contact the service center.

Tools required:

• 💻 Computer with installed Xiaomi drivers.
• 🔌 Cable USB-A → USB-C/MicroUSB.
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool (for firmware) or SP Flash Tool (for MediaTek).
• 📦 Firmware for your model (download from xiaomifirmwareupdater.com).

Method 1: Extract via TWRP (if custom recaps are installed)

If the phone has been installed before TWRP, You can download it and copy the files:

1. Turn off the phone (press Power + Volume up for 10 seconds).
2. Press Power + Volume up to enter the Fastboot.
3. On your computer, open the command line and type: fastboot boot twrp.img (where twrp.img — Custom Recovery File for Your Model).
4. V TWRP Connect your phone to your PC and copy files through MTP.

Method 2: Reading Memory through the EDL-mode (for Qualcomm)

If the phone is defined as Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008, you can use utilities like UFED Or Oxygen Forensic for data extraction, which is a professional tool that requires a license, and the free alternative is the Miracle Box, but it doesn't work on all models.

5. Disassembly of the phone and connection to the programmer

If the software methods didn't work, the most radical way is to physically extract the memory chip and read the data through the programmer, which is an extreme measure that requires:

• 🔧 Skills of working with soldering equipment.
• 💰 Purchase or rent a programmer (e.g. EasyJTAG, RIFF Box).
• 🕒 Time (the process can take from 2 hours to several days).

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi’s self-disassembly will void warranty and may cause the device to fail completely.If you’re not sure about your skills, it’s best to contact a dedicated service (e.g., a data recovery lab).

How the process works:

1. The phone is disassembled, and the motherboard is removed from the eMMC chip or UFS (model-wise).
2. The chip is connected to the programmer via an adapter.
3. Using software (for example, Flash Extractor) reads the contents of the memory.
4. The data is stored on the computer as an image (.img), which is then mounted as a disk.

The cost of the service: from 3 000 to 15 000 rubles, depending on the complexity.

• 📱 Redmi Note 8/9 (chip) — ~3 000–5 000 ₽.
• 📱 Xiaomi 12/13 (chip UFS 3.1) — ~8 000–12 000 ₽.
• 📱 Phones after moisture (with oxidized board) - from 10 000 ₽.

If you decide to try it yourself, you will need:

• 🔥 A heat-air soldering station (e.g. Quicko) T12).
• 🔧 A set of screwdrivers for Xiaomi (usually Torx) T3/T4).
• 🧲 Antistatic bracelet.
• 💾 Adapter for memory chip (e.g., eMMC to) USB).

6. Cloud backups: how to recover data if the phone is not turned on

If your Xiaomi has enabled cloud-based sync, the chances of returning data without physical access to your phone are much higher.

1.Mi Cloud (Official Xiaomi Cloud)

• 📱 It works on all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO.
• 🔑 Requires a link to your Mi Account.
• 📂 Saves: Contacts, photos, notes, call records, SMS.

To recover the data:

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in.
2. In the Cloud section, select the files you want and download them.
3. If confirmation is required of SMS, But the phone doesn’t work, use backup email or restore access through Xiaomi support.

2. Google Photos/Google Drive

• 📷 Google Photos automatically uploads all photos and videos if sync is enabled.
• 📁 Google Drive may contain documents and application backups.

Check it out.

• 🌐 photos.google.com for photos and videos.
• 🌐 drive.google.com – for documents and backups.

3. Social networks and instant messengers

Many data are duplicated in the cloud messengers:

• 💬 WhatsApp: chats and media are stored in Google Drive (if backup is enabled).
• 📱 Telegram: All media and documents are saved in the Telegram cloud (available from any device).
• 👥 VK/Photos and videos can be uploaded to albums.

⚠️ Note: If the phone has enabled data encryption (in the security settings), it will be impossible to recover files without accessing the device, even through the clouds, in which case only physical extraction of the memory chip (section 5) will help).

7 What to do if nothing helps: alternative ways

If all of these methods fail, there are still a few options:

1. Contact the Xiaomi Service Center

Xiaomi’s official service centers can help with data extraction in some cases, but:

• ✅ Free – only if the phone is warranty and the problem is not the fault of the user.
• ❌ Pay – if the warranty has expired or the phone has been unlocked (bootloader unlock).
• ⚠️ Data loss risk – some services offer only flashing, which erases everything from memory.

2. Use specialized boxes for recovery

For advanced users, there are hardware solutions like:

• 🔧 DeepSpar Disk Imager – to work with damaged memory chips.
• 🔧 PC-3000 Flash – Professional Data Recovery System.

These devices cost from 50 000 rubles, so their purchase is justified only for service centers.

3. Check for hidden backups

Some apps (such as Mi Mover or Titanium Backup) create local backups that can be retrieved from a broken phone.

1. Connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode.
2. Use it. ADB, Check the presence of folders: adb shell ls /data/media/0/MIUI/Backup/
3. If the folder exists, copy it to the computer.

4. Purchase of a donor phone

If the problem is in the motherboard (for example, after a fall or short circuit), you can:

1. Buy the same broken Xiaomi on Avito or AliExpress (with a work board but a broken screen).
2. Transfer the memory chip from your phone to the donor.
3. Copy the data and return the chip back.

The cost of the donor: from 1000 to 5 000 rubles (depending on the model).

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If the phone is physically damaged (moisture, falling), do not try to turn it on, this can aggravate the damage to the memory chip.

FAQ: Frequent Data Recovery Questions with Xiaomi