How to Remove Photos from Broken or Broken Xiaomi Phone: All Ways

A broken Xiaomi phone is always stressful, especially if it contains important photos, such as family photos, documents or unique footage. Even if the screen crashes, the device does not turn on or is stuck on the logo, there is a chance to return the data. In this article, we will discuss 7 proven ways to pull a photo from a broken Xiaomi – from simple (through the cloud or through the cloud). USB-cable) to complex (disassembly of the case or contacting the service).

It is important to understand that success depends on the nature of the breakdown. If the phone responds to charging but does not turn on, the chances are high; if the motherboard is damaged or the device is drowned in water, professional intervention may be required; We will also describe what actions can irrevocably destroy data (for example, trying to flash the phone without a backup).

Don't rush to carry your phone for repairs: 60 percent of the time, you can save your own photos in 10 to 30 minutes, and let's start with the most affordable methods.

1. Method: Connecting to a PC through USB (if the phone is turned on)

If Xiaomi turns on but the screen is broken or unresponsive to touch, the first step is to connect it to a computer, which works even if the display is damaged if the phone itself is detected by the system.

You'll need:

• 🔌 USB-cable (original or qualitative analogue)
• 💻 Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux
• 🔑 Debugging authorization USB (unless previously included)

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC. If the screen is partially working, unlock it (you may need a mouse via the phone). OTG).
2. On your computer, open this computer (Windows) or Finder (macOS). The phone should appear as a removable disk.
3. Go to the folder. DCIM → Camera (photos are stored here) or Pictures (screenshots, downloads).
4. Copy the files to the hard drive.

Challenges and solutions:

• 🚫 Phone Undetected: Try another cable or port USB. On Xiaomi with Type-C connector, check if the connector is not contaminated.
• 🔒 Unlocking required: If the screen is not responding, plug in USB-mouse-wise OTG-Adapter (works on most models) Redmi/POCO).
• ⚠️ No access to folders: Protection may be enabled MIUI. This will help with the Mi Cloud.

⚠️ Warning: Do not remove the cable while copying! If the process is interrupted, files may become corrupt. Use Secure Device Removal (the icon in the Windows tray).

2. Method: Recovery via Mi Cloud (if synchronized)

Mi Cloud is a cloud storage from Xiaomi that automatically backs up photos if the feature was enabled.This is the only way to return data if the phone is completely dead (it does not turn on, does not respond to charging).

Check if there was a synchronization:

• 📱 On Xiaomi’s work phone, go to Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → gallery.
• 🖥️ On PC, go to i.mi.com and log in under the same account.

How to download the photo:

1. On the Mi Cloud website, select the Gallery section.
2. Please select the appropriate photos (or select all).
3. Click Download - the files will be saved to ZIP-archive.

Limitations of the method:

• 📸 Photos are synced only when connected to Wi-Fi (unless your settings are changed).
• ⏳ The last sync could have happened a long time ago – check the date of files in the cloud.
• 💰 If there was not enough space in the cloud, new photos might not load.

💡

If you don’t have the right photos in Mi Cloud, check the Mi folder. Cloud/Trash — deleted files are stored there 30 days.

Method: Use of OTG-Cables and mouse (for phones with broken screens)

If the Xiaomi screen crashed, but the phone turns on and responds to charging, you can connect USB-mouse-wise OTG-This will unlock the device and copy the photo to a flash drive or PC.

What you need:

• 🔌 OTG-Type-C or Micro-USB, depending on the model)
• 🖱️ USB-mouse (wired or wireless with a USB-receiver)
• 💾 Flash drive (optional for copying photos directly)

Step-by-step:

1. Connect. OTG-phone-adapter and mouse to phone.
2. If the screen glows but does not respond to touch, the mouse cursor should appear.
3. Unlock the phone (enter the phone). PIN/mouse-key).
4. Connect your phone to your PC or insert a flash drive into OTG, copy the photo from the folder DCIM.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 8 Pro) to work with OTG You need to enable the function in the settings (Settings) → Additionally. → OTG). If it was turned off, the method will not work.

Alternative: If the mouse is not on hand, you can use the keyboard (for example, to enter). PIN-It's connected in a similar way through OTG.

4. Method: Flash memory extraction (for advanced users)

If the phone doesn’t turn on at all, but you’re ready to disassemble it, you can extract the memory chip (eMMC/UFS) And you can read it on a special hardware, and this method requires soldering skills and access to a programmer (e.g. EasyJTAG or Medusa Pro).

When it's relevant:

• 💀 The phone does not respond to charging, does not vibrate, does not warm.
• 🔧 The screen and motherboard are damaged, but the memory is intact.
• 💰 Ready to spend 1,500 to 5,000 ₽ on equipment or services.

How it works:

1. Disassemble the phone, find a memory chip (usually marked as an eMMC or a computer). UFS).
2. Connect it to the programmer via the adapter.
3. Using software (for example, Flash Extractor) read data into an image.
4. Use programs like DiskInternals Linux Reader to extract photos from your image.

Risks of the method:

• 🔥 With careless soldering, you can damage the chip, making recovery impossible.
• 🛠️ Without experience, it is easy to confuse contacts and burn memory.
• ⏱️ The process can take 2-5 hours.

5. Method: Fastboot mode and ADB (for phones with unlocked loader)

If the phone is turned on, but does not boot into the system (hang on the logo or bootloop), you can try to extract a photo through the phone. ADB (Android Debug Bridge) in Fastboot mode. This method requires an unlocked bootloader and enabled debugging. USB.

Tools required:

• 💻 PC with installation ADB and Fastboot.
• 🔌 USB-cable.
• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (on most Xiaomi it can be unlocked through the Mi Unlock Tool).

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (clip Volume Down + Power when your phone is off).
2. In the command line, run: fastboot devices Make sure the device is defined.
3. Boot in. TWRP Recovery (if installed): fastboot boot twrp.img
4. V TWRP connect on ADB: adb pull /sdcard/DCIM/ C:\Xiaomi_Photos\ (switch the path).

⚠️ Warning: If the bootloader is locked, unlocking erases all data! Do not try this method unless you are sure that the debugging is done. USB was turned on before the breakage.

Alternative: If TWRP If not installed, you can try flashing it temporarily through Fastboot, but it is risky without experience.

6. Method: Contact the Xiaomi Service Center

If the handset fails, the last option is to take the phone to an authorized Xiaomi service center, with access to professional hardware (such as the DC-Phoenix or UFi Box) that can read data from damaged memory chips.

Pros of the method:

• 🔧 High chance of recovery (up to 80% for physical injuries).
• 🛡️ Guarantee for work (in official services).
• 📦 The ability to recover not only photos, but also other data.

Cons:

• 💰 Cost: 2,000 to 10,000 ₽ (depending on the complexity).
• ⏳ Term: 1-5 days.
• 🔒 Data Breach Risk (Select Verified Services).

How to choose a service:

• 📍 Xiaomi’s official centers can be found on the website mi.com/ru/service.
• 🔍 Check reviews on 2GIS or Yandex.Maps.
• 📞 Check by phone if they are engaged in data recovery (not all services provide this service).

💡

Before handing over the phone to the service, make a backup copy IMEI (If the phone is turned on, this will help to avoid activation problems after repair.

7. Method: Restore via Google Photos (if synchronized)

If Xiaomi enabled sync with Google Photos, photos could automatically upload to the cloud, a method similar to Mi Cloud, but works independently.

How to check:

1. On a PC or other phone, go to photos.google.com.
2. Sign in with the same Google account as a broken Xiaomi.
3. Check the Photos and Archives folders.

Features:

• 📸 Google Photos by default compresses photos up to 16 MP (if there was no paid storage).
• 🗓️ Photos are synced only when connected to Wi-Fi (default setting).
• 🔄 If there was not enough space on the phone, the sync could be turned off automatically.

If you have photos in the cloud, you can download them:

1. Select the right pictures.
2. Press. ⋮ → Download.
3. Files will be saved in ZIP-archive.

What NOT to do to avoid losing data

Some actions can permanently destroy a photo on a broken Xiaomi.

• 🔥 Switching your phone without a backup is erasing user data.
• 💦 Drying a drowned phone with a hairdryer or in rice - this accelerates the corrosion of contacts.
• 🔨 Disassemble your phone without experience - the risk of damaging plumes or memory.
• 🔋 Connect to a non-original charger – can burn the power controller.
• ❄️ Freezing your phone (an internet myth) won’t restore data, but it can damage your screen.

If the phone is drowned:

1. Turn it off immediately (don’t press the buttons!).
2. Soak it with a napkin (don't shake it!).
3. Take it to the service within 24 hours – the chances of saving the data are higher.

FAQ: Frequent questions about photo recovery with Xiaomi