When the screen of Xiaomi’s smartphone is broken, but the device continues to work, it is a real stress for the owner. Often inside are critical photos, contacts or work documents, access to which is suddenly blocked by black fragments or a broken touchscreen. Fortunately, the Android ecosystem and specific tools MIUI provide several loopholes to save information without replacing the display.
The success of the operation depends on the degree of damage and pre-preparedness of the gadget. If the sensor does not respond fully and the image is absent, the task becomes more complicated, but does not become hopeless. In this article, we will discuss in detail the proven methods of connecting to the file system through a personal computer, using both standard functions and specialized utilities.
It is important to understand that modern versions of MIUI have increased security requirements, so some methods may require pre-activation of hidden modes. We will consider scenarios for both cold connection and cases where the phone partially responds to commands.
Preparation of equipment and primary diagnostics
Before you start active data extraction, you need to conduct a thorough visual and technical assessment of the state of the device. USB-If the computer makes a characteristic sound of the new device's connection, then the power controller and port are the USB They function normally, which greatly increases the chances of success.
Check if the phone is giving any signs of life, such as vibrations on an incoming call, the glow of the notification indicator or heating the case when charging. Even if the screen is black, the system can respond to external commands. Use only original or quality certified cable to connect, since cheap analogues often only support charging mode without transmitting data.
Make sure your computer has up-to-date Android ADB Interface drivers or Mi PC Suite installed. Without properly identifying the device in Windows Task Manager, further manipulation will not be possible. In some cases, the system takes several minutes to automatically install the necessary software when the damaged gadget is first connected.
☑️ Testing of recovery preparedness
Use of the regime USB-unlocker
The easiest, but rarely working on newer versions of MIUI, is to try to access files as a simple flash drive, and by default, modern smartphones connect in Charge Only mode, which blocks access to the file system in order to protect data from unauthorized access when a device is stolen or lost.
If you're lucky enough to have the default File Transfer mode in the settings, a new device will appear in Windows Explorer when you connect to a PC, in which case you can copy the contents of the DCIM, Download, and MIUI folders with a simple drag and drop, but if you request permission and the touchscreen doesn't work, this method won't work without additional tools.
⚠️ Attention: On versions MIUI 12 and newer access to files via USB It always requires confirmation on the unlock screen, and if the touchscreen doesn't work, it's useless without the use of an adapter. OTG moused.
For users who still have partial screen performance (spots are visible, but the touch is working), you can try to blindly unlock the device. Enter a pattern lock or pin code, then press in the center of the screen where the "Allow" or "Transfer File" button usually appears. This method requires a good memory of the location of the interface elements.
Connection USB-mouse-wise OTG interface-control
The most effective way to save data if the touchscreen is broken but the image is present (or you feel it) is to use an OTG (On-The-Go) adapter. By connecting a normal computer mouse to a smartphone through this adapter, you get a cursor on the screen, which allows you to fully control the MIUI interface without touching.
Once you've connected the mouse, you've got to have a cursor on the screen, and you can use it to enter the unlock password, swipe across the screen to unlock the lock, and go to the settings. → Connected devices → USB and switch the mode of operation to "File transfer (MTP)".
If the image on the screen is missing but you are confident in the location of the elements, plug in the mouse and try to press the left button in the center of the screen (simulate unlocking), then move the cursor down and press again (opening the notification curtain). Next, you will need to get into the zone of switching mode USB. This method requires patience and perhaps a few attempts.
Compatibility of OTG with different Xiaomi models
Application of debugging USB and ADB-team
If you have activated the mode in advance USB-In the Developer Menu, your chances of saving data are up to 90 percent, and this mode allows your computer to control your phone at a deep system level, bypassing the interface constraints. SDK Platform-Tools on the computer.
Once you have installed the tools and connected your phone, open the command line in the ADB tool folder. Enter adb devices. If your phone screen has previously given permission to debug from that computer, the device will appear in the list. If permission has not been given but the screen is at least partially visible, use the mouse method to confirm.
Use the adb pull command to copy files, for example, to copy all photos, type:
adb pull /sdcard/DCIM/Camera C:/Recovery/PhotosThis command will copy the contents of the camera folder to a local folder on disk C. Similarly, you can unload WhatsApp (/sdcard/Android/media/com.whatsapp) and other important directories, and this is the most reliable software method for advanced users.
| ADB Team Team | Description of action | Example of a path |
|---|---|---|
| adb pull | Copying a file from phone to PC | adb pull /sdcard/file.txt |
| adb push | Downloading a file from a PC to a phone | adb push file.txt /sdcard/ |
| adb shell | Launching an interactive shell | adb shell ls /sdcard |
| adb reboot | Rebooting the device | adb reboot |
Using the Xiaomi Cloud Service
Mi Account holders often forget that their data could be synced automatically. Even if the phone is broken and does not connect to a PC, check the web version of the cloud. Go to i.mi.com from your computer and log in to your login.
It can store contacts, notes, calendars and, most importantly, gallery photos if sync is enabled. Unlike Google Photos, Xiaomi's cloud often offers gallery sync by default when you first start your phone. Check the Gallery and Dictator sections, which can have a copy of your data.
If the phone was connected to Wi-Fi at least occasionally, the data could have gone to the cloud, and it's also worth checking Google Drive and Google Photos, because Android system services often run in parallel with the manufacturer's proprietary utilities, which is a passive but very effective recovery method.
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Check not only the main Mi Account, but also the guest profiles or second accounts that may have been added to the device to sync specific apps.
Specialized software: Mi PC Suite and analogues
The official Mi PC Suite (the Chinese version is often more stable than the global one) allows you to create full backups of the device. If the phone was previously paired with this computer, the program can recognize it even with a broken screen and offer to make a backup.
There are also third-party data recovery software, such as Dr.Fone, Tenorshare, or Mobikin, that scans the device for available memory sectors, but it's worth noting that no program can magically recover data if the memory is physically damaged or if the phone is not authenticated.
When using third-party software, be careful with license keys and software versions. Often free versions only allow you to scan the phone, and file retention costs require a fee. Make sure the program supports your particular Redmi or POCO model.
⚠️ Note: Download data recovery software only from official developer sites. Using "cracked" versions from torrents can lead to infection of the computer with viruses that steal your passwords from banking applications.
What to do if nothing helps
If none of the software methods worked and the data is critical, the last option is a temporary replacement of the display. You do not need to buy an original expensive screen; just find in the service center or on the market any work module (even with color defects or scratches) that fits the connector.
The wizards at the service centers can plug in a test screen, quickly copy data to a flash drive or to the cloud, and then return your broken phone to you. It's a paid service, but it guarantees results 99% of the time if the matrix is intact and the memory controller is working.
Don't try to disassemble your phone yourself if you don't have experience, especially if the battery is swelled or damaged. In such cases, the risk of fire or the device finally failing is too great.
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If the data is really valuable, the cost of temporarily connecting a screen to the service will be lower than buying a new phone due to loss of information.