Screen broken on Xiaomi: how to pull data from the phone if it does not respond to touch

Introduction: Why Standard Methods Don't Work

A broken screen on Xiaomi is not just an aesthetic problem, it's a real headache if the sensor is hidden under the glass. Even if the display shows an image but does not respond to touch, you lose access to menus, settings and, most importantly, your data. Standard ways like connecting via USB to your computer are often useless here: without unlocking the screen, MIUI will not provide access to files due to security policy.

Things get more complicated if you don’t include them. USB-You've either debugged it in advance or you haven't synced it to the Mi Cloud, but don't panic, even then, there are workarounds. In this article, we will discuss 5 proven methods that work on models from Redmi Note 7 to Xiaomi 14 Pro, including devices with a damaged display, a broken sensor or a completely black screen. If the phone turns on, but the screen is not on, try to illuminate it with a flashlight at an angle: sometimes the image is visible under certain lighting.

Method 1: Connect to a computer via USB (if debugging is enabled)

It's the most reliable method, but it requires some pre-setting, if you've ever activated Developer Mode and turned it on. USB-So, if you debug the settings, the chances of success are high:

• 🔌 Connect your phone to your PC through the original USB-cable (better to use port) USB 3.0 on your computer for stability).
• 🖥️ Install Android on your computer SDK Platform-Tools (or just download adb.exe and fastboot.exe).
• 📂 Open the command line (Win) + R → type cmd) and execute the command:

adb devices

If the device appears in the list, do:

adb pull /sdcard/ C:\Xiaomi_Backup\

This command will copy all the data from the phone’s internal memory into a folder. Xiaomi_Backup If you want to selectively copy only the photo, specify the path:

adb pull /sdcard/DCIM/ C:\Xiaomi_Photos\

Make sure that USB-The debugging was turned on before the breakdown|Use the original Xiaomi cable|Try different things. USB-PC ports|Disable the antivirus (it can block) ADB)-->

⚠️ Note: If you see unauthorized status after adb devices, you don't have confidence in that computer on your phone. You can't get around it without a desktop screen, you'll have to use other methods.

Method 2: Use Mi Cloud (if synchronized)

Mi Cloud is Xiaomi’s cloud storage that automatically backs up contacts, photos, notes, and even SMS if the feature has been activated.

• ☁️ Go to i.mi.com and log in with the same account as you do on your phone.
• 📱 In the Devices section, find your Xiaomi model – if it shows up, the data is synced.
• 📁 Go to Backups or Gallery to download photos, or Contacts to export them in.vcf format.

If the phone doesn’t show up in Mi Cloud, but you’re sure that sync has been enabled, try:

1. Connect your phone to Wi-Fi (if the screen is slightly responsive to touch).
2. Wait 10-15 minutes – sometimes data is synchronized automatically when you connect to the network.
3. Update the Mi Cloud page in your browser.

💡

If you don't remember the password from your Mi Account, try to restore it through your attached email or phone number. You don't need a desktop screen, you just need a different device.

Method 3: Connect the mouse via OTG (if the screen is visible but the sensor is not working)

If Xiaomi display shows an image but does not respond to touch, you can connect USB-mouse-wise OTG-It's going to allow you to control the phone like a computer:

• 🖱️ Anybody. USB-mouse (wired or wireless with a USB-receiver).
• 🔗 OTG-Adapter (anything is suitable, even the cheapest).
• ⚡ Charged phone (at least 20% battery).

Connect your mouse to the adapter and your adapter to your phone, and in 5-10 seconds, the cursor should be on the screen.

• Unlock the phone (if the lock screen is visible).
• Turn on USB-Debugging in settings (about the phone) → Version. MIUI — Press 7 times, then return to Additional → For developers).
• Copy files to a flash drive or computer.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi) 9A POCO M3) OTG If the mouse is not detected, try another adapter or restart the phone.

Method 4: Retrieving data via TWRP (for advanced users)

If none of the previous methods worked and the phone has been unlocked boot (OEM Unlock), you can install custom recovery TWRP. This will allow you to get full access to the file system even if the screen is not working. Warning: the method requires an unlocked bootloader and is only suitable for power users.

Steps:

1. Download the official version of TWRP for your model from twrp.me.
2. Install fastboot on your computer (part of the Android SDK Platform-Tools).
3. Turn off the phone and press Power + Volume down to log into Fastboot Mode.
4. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command:

fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.7.0_9-0-xiaomi_codename.img


fastboot reboot recovery

In TWRP, you can:

• 📁 Connecting the phone as USB-data-storage.
• 🔄 Make a full backup section /data.
• 🛠️ Install patches to bypass the lock (if required).

💡

Installing TWRP will reset all the data on your phone if you accidentally snoop through the wrong partition. Always check the device model and recovery version before installing!

Method 5: Contacting the service center (guarantee and non-guarantee cases)

If you don't succeed, you can go to the service. Xiaomi has official service centers in most major cities, where they can help with data extraction.

• 📋 Warranty: If the phone is warranty, but the screen crashed due to your fault, data extraction is usually paid (from 1,500 to 5,000). ₽). Replacing the screen can cost between 3,000 and 15,000 ₽ model-wise.
• 💰 Non-Garantee Case: The cost of data retrieval varies from 2,000 to 10,000 ₽. Some services offer a “clean room” to recover information from damaged memory chips (relevant in case of physical damage to the board).
• ⏳ Timeline: Simple data copying takes 1-2 hours, complex cases (with soldering works) - up to 3-5 days.

Before the service visit:

• Check if they have the hardware to work with your model (for example, Xiaomi 12T or Redmi K50 may require special adapters).
• Ask if they guarantee the safety of data (some services take a receipt of non-responsibility for loss of information).
• If the phone was in water, report it right away – it will affect the recovery method.

Yeah, it worked through ADB|Yes, but without success.|No, I'm afraid to break something.|I've been to the service.|Another way.-->

What to do if nothing helps: extreme measures

If all of these methods fail, radical solutions remain, and should only be considered if the data is truly critical (e.g., single photos or work papers).

1. Replace the screen with subsequent copying

The cost of replacing the screen on Xiaomi starts from 2,500 ₽ Budget models (Redmi) 10A) It goes up to 20,000. ₽ For flagships (Xiaomi 13 Ultra), after repair, you can unlock the phone and copy the data in standard ways.

2 Chip-off recovery (for damaged boards)

If the phone fails to turn on or the board is damaged, specialized laboratories can extract the memory chip (eMMC or TMC). UFS) And read the data directly, costing 10,000 to 30,000. ₽. Plus: works even for physical damage.

3. Purchase of donor fees

In rare cases, the masters offer to solder the memory chip to the work board from the same model. ₽) The risk is 30 to 50 percent of the probability that data will be lost in the process.

⚠️ Warning: If you decide to sell or dispose of your phone after unsuccessful recovery attempts, be sure to reset through the phone. TWRP Even with a broken screen, data can be recovered by attackers using specialized equipment.

FAQ: Frequent questions about recovering data from a broken Xiaomi