How to download files from Xiaomi phone to your computer via USB if the screen is broken: Step-by-step instructions

Xiaomi’s broken screen is not only a nuisance, but also a potential loss of important data if you don’t know how to proceed correctly. Even with a broken display, you can transfer photos, documents and other files to your computer through a computer. USB-cable, but standard data mode connection often requires unlocking the screen. In this article, we'll look at all the working methods, from simple to technically complex, that will help you bypass restrictions and safely copy information.

Xiaomi’s smartphones (including Redmi, POCO and Black Shark) feature MIUI firmware, which can block access to files when connecting to a PC if the screen is not unlocked. However, there are workarounds ranging from enabling USB debugging in advance to using specialized utilities like ADB or Mi PC Suite. We will describe each method in detail, specify their pros and cons, and warn against typical errors that can lead to data loss.

Important: if the phone is physically damaged (e.g., it doesn't respond to touch or it's not detected by the computer), some of the ways may not work, and in such cases, it will require professional repair or removal of the memory chip, but in 80% of cases, the problem is solved by software - and we will show you how to do it yourself.

1.Preparation: What will be required to transfer files

Before you start copying data, make sure you have everything you need, and the absence of at least one component can make the process impossible.

• 🔌 Original. USB-cable (preferably the one that came with the phone) cheap cables often don't support data transfer, only charging.
• 💻 Windows computer 7/10/11 macOS (some methods require driver installation).
• 📱 Charger – if the phone battery is less than 20% drained, connect it to the network for 10-15 minutes before the manipulation begins.
• 🔧 Drivers for Xiaomi (if the computer does not recognize the device) can be downloaded from the official website MIUI.
• 🛠️ Software: Mi PC Suite, ADB Tools or Dr.Fone (depending on the method chosen).

If you previously had USB Debugging enabled (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 Tap → Additional Settings → For Developers) this will make it much easier. If not, don’t despair: there are ways to get around this limitation.

⚠️ Note: If the phone has been locked with a pattern lock or PIN-If you have code, and the screen doesn't respond to touch, a standard PC connection will not allow you to access the files. ADB third-party.

Method 1: Standard USB connection (if the screen is partially running)

If Xiaomi displays any image (e.g., you can see a backlight or part of a picture), try unlocking it blindly, which works if you remember the location of the lock elements (pattern lock, PIN or password).

Algorithm of action:

1. Connect your phone to your computer through USB-cable.
2. On the lock screen, try to swipe your finger at the intended place of input of the pattern lock or click on the area of the digital keyboard (if a PIN is used).
3. After unlocking, swipe down the notification bar and select File Transfer (MTP) mode.
4. Open This Computer (My PC in Windows 7) on your computer - the phone should appear as a removable drive.

If the screen is completely black or does not respond to touch, move on to the next method.

⚠️ Note: If the phone makes an identification sound when connecting to a PC, but does not appear in the conductor, try restarting it in Fastboot mode (clamp Volume Down). + Sometimes it helps to lose weight. USB-linkage.

3. Method 2: Using Mi PC Suite (official Xiaomi utility)

Mi PC Suite is Xiaomi’s official software that allows you to manage your phone files from your computer even if the screen isn’t working.It supports most Redmi, POCO and Mi models, but requires pre-configuration.

Instructions:

1. Download and install Mi PC Suite from the official website.
2. Connect your phone to your PC via USB. If USB Debugging was previously enabled, the program must automatically identify the device.
3. In the main utility menu, select Files section, where the folders of the phone will be displayed: DCIM (photo), Downloads (downloads), Documents, etc.
4. Select the files you need and click Export to copy them to your computer.

If the Mi PC Suite can't see the phone:

• 🔄 Reinstall Xiaomi drivers via Device Manager (in Windows).
• 🔌 Try another one. USB-port.
• 📱 Reboot your phone in Fastboot mode (clamb Volume Down) + Power for 10 seconds, then connect to the PC again.

The critical nuance is that if the phone has a password set and USB debugging is not enabled, the Mi PC Suite won't be able to access files without unlocking the screen, in which case move on to the ADB method.

Method 3: Transfer files over ADB (for advanced users)

Android Debug Bridge (ADB) is an Android debugging tool that lets you control your phone via the command line. If your Xiaomi previously had USB debugging enabled, this method will work even with a broken screen.

Step-by-step:

1. Download ADB Tools (part of Android SDK Platform-Tools) and unpack the archive into any folder on your PC.
2. Connect your phone to your computer via USB.
3. Open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd → Enter) and go to the folder with ADB: cd C:\path\folder\platform-tools
4. Check if your PC sees the device: Adb devices If you see the serial number in response, the connection is successful.
5. Copy files to a computer, for example, to transfer all photos from a folder. DCIM: adb pull /sdcard/DCIM/ C:\Xiaomi_Backup\

Teams to work with ADB:

⚠️ Note: If you see unauthorized status when you type in the adb device command, it means that the phone requires a confirmation of trust in the computer. Without a working screen, you can not get around this - you will need to repair the display.

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If ADB does not recognize the device, try to enter adb kill-server on the command line, then adb start-server and reconnect.

5. Method 4: Retrieving files via Fastboot mode (if the phone doesn't turn on)

If Xiaomi does not load because of a damaged screen, but reacts to buttons, you can try to extract data through the Fastboot mode.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone (press Power + Volume up for 10 seconds).
2. Press Volume Down + Power to enter Fastboot.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command line in the folder with ADB Tools.
4. Check the connection: fastboot devices
5. If the device is determined, try rebooting it in Recovery: fastboot reboot recovery mode.
6. In the Recovery menu, select Mount → Enable MTP. The phone should be defined as a removable disk.

If the bootloader is locked (device is locked on the screen in Fastboot), this method will not work, in which case you will need official unlocking through the Mi Unlock Tool, but it requires a working screen to confirm.

6. Method 5: Use of third-party utilities (Dr.Fone, Mobikin)

If previous methods didn’t work, you can use paid data recovery software like Dr.Fone – Data Recovery (Android) or Mobikin Doctor for Android, which can bypass screen locks and extract files even from damaged devices.

The pros and cons of this method:

• ✅ It works without the debugging on. USB (sometimes).
• ✅ Supports the removal of deleted files (unless they were overwritten).
• ❌ Paid software (cost from 40)$ license).
• ❌ No 100% recovery warranty (depending on model and extent of damage).

Instructions for Dr.Fone:

1. Download and install the program from the official website.
2. Select Data Recovery Mode → Recover Android Data.
3. Connect your phone to your PC. The program will prompt you to choose the type of files to recover (photos, videos, contacts, etc.).
4. Follow the instructions on the screen. If necessary, turn the phone into Download Mode (button combination depends on the model).
5. After scanning, select files to save to your PC.

⚠️ Note: Some programs (such as Mobikin) may require root access, which is not possible on a locked phone.

7.Alternative methods: cloud services and SIM-card

If USB-Connection is impossible, and the phone was enabled sync with the cloud, you can try to restore data through your Mi Cloud or Google account.

How to check:

• 🌐 Go to the Mi Cloud website and log in with the same account as you did on your phone.
• 📁 Check the Photos, Contacts, Notes sections – some of the data may already be synchronized.
• 🔄 If sync is disabled, but your phone is connected to Wi-Fi, try to enable it remotely via the device search service (Find Device feature).

Don't forget about it, either. SIM-card and memory card (if inserted):

• 📱 Extract. SIM-a card and paste it into another phone to copy the contacts and SMS.
• 💾 If you used a microSD, remove it and connect it to your PC via a card reader.

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Cloud services (Mi Cloud, Google Photos) are the most reliable way to back up, set up automatic sync in advance to avoid data loss when your phone breaks down.

FAQ: Frequent questions about transferring files from broken Xiaomi