How to connect Xiaomi to a PC if the screen is broken: the full guide

The situation when the screen of the Xiaomi smartphone is broken, but the device itself continues to work, is one of the most stressful for the owner: the device can buzz at notifications, make sounds, but the image remains black or the sensor does not respond to touch, at which point the main task is not so much repair, but saving critical data: contacts, photos and documents.

Fortunately, the Android ecosystem and MIUI provide several remote management tools, and connecting to a personal computer allows you not only to copy files, but also to fully use your smartphone with your mouse and keyboard, a temporary solution that will help you survive the period before you buy a new display or device.

In this guide, we’ll look at all the current connectivity methods, from simple hardware solutions to advanced software packages, learn how to activate USB debugging even if you can’t see the images, and what third-party utilities can do wonders in emergency situations.

Using the Mi Remote function to manage with PC

The easiest and most official way to access your smartphone content is through the Mi Cloud service, and if you have synced and Find Device on your device in advance, you get access to basic operations. However, that’s not enough to fully manage your screen, but it’s the first thing to check for backups.

A more advanced option is to use the remote control function if it was activated in the MIUI security settings. Using the i.mi.com web interface, you can try to unlock the device or erase data, but this method, alas, does not allow direct transmission of the image to the PC.

For those who have installed special launchers or remote access applications in advance (for example, TeamViewer Host), the situation is simplified, in which case you just go to the service website from your computer, enter the device ID and password to see the screen of the smartphone in the browser.

• 📱 Go to i.mi.com and log in to your Mi Account.
• 🔒 Try using the Lock or Sound function to check the device’s response.
• ☁️ Check the Gallery or Contacts section in the cloud for automatic backups.
• 🌐 If TeamViewer Host is installed, use the web version to connect.

⚠️ Note: Find the device only works if there is an active Internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile network) on the damaged smartphone. SIM-The card is not active or Wi-Fi is off, remote access via the cloud is not possible.

Connection via USB-OTG and external peripherals

If the touchscreen doesn't work, but the display is at least partially visible, or you can feel it, the most reliable method is to use a USB-OTG adapter. This small adapter allows you to connect a conventional computer mouse to your smartphone. The cursor will appear on the screen, which will allow you to unlock the phone and copy the data.

To connect to a PC in file transfer mode, you'll need to have File Transfer (MTP) mode selected in notifications. If the screen is black, it's difficult to do that, but connecting a mouse via OTG will help you blindly unlock the device and confirm access. After that, the smartphone will be identified in My Computer as an external drive.

So you should rely on controlling the mouse cursor, not on duplicating the screen on the monitor, which is the most "iron" method, which does not require complex software settings.

There is a nuance with modern models, where the USB Type-C connector can be damaged along with the screen, in which case the mouse connection may not work, and it is worth considering that some budget models have current restrictions, but for the mouse power is usually enough.

• 🖱️ Connect. USB-mouse-wise OTG-charger.
• 🔓 Use the left mouse button to simulate touching and entering the pattern lock.
• 💾 If you can unlock, connect your phone with a cable to your PC to copy files.
• 🔌 Make sure the cable is USB It is good and supports data transfer, not just charging.

Setting up ADB for control without debugging

The standard Android Debug Bridge (ADB) protocol requires that the smartphone pre-enable USB Debugging. If you didn't activate this feature before the screen broke, a standard Windows command line connection won't give you the rights to manage the file system. However, there are workarounds for some scenarios.

If you've previously connected this computer to a smartphone and checked "Always allow debugging from this computer," ADB will work immediately. You'll need to install Platform Tools on your PC. Once you connect the cable, you enter a command in the command line to check the device.

adb devices

If the list shows a device with device status, you're in luck. You can use commands to copy files or even run a screencast. But if the status is unauthorized or the list is empty and debugging hasn't been enabled before, this method won't work without additional hardware manipulation, which requires qualification.

⚠️ Attention: Teams ADB Case and syntax sensitive, a single letter error can cause a command to fail. Carefully check file paths before copying.

Using third-party programs to broadcast the screen

For full control, when the touchscreen is dead and the image is there (or you have to act at random), there are specialized programs, the leader in this field is the Scrcpy utility, which is free, open and works very quickly, transmitting images with minimal latency.

Scrcpy's main advantage over its peers is that it can control the mouse and the keyboard of the PC, and you can see the screen in the window on your computer and click on it. It's perfect for Xiaomi with a broken sensor. It doesn't require installation on the phone itself, it's all done on the PC side.

Other programs, like Vysor or Mobizen, also have their advantages, but often require paid subscriptions for high image quality or watermarks. Scrcpy benefits in this regard by providing maximum functionality for free. However, I repeat, without the previously enabled debugging over USB, they will not be able to run.

• 📥 Download and unpack the archive from Scrcpy to your computer.
• 🔌 Connect your smartphone with a cable to your PC (debugging mode should be allowed).
• ▶️ Run the scrcpy.exe file from the program folder.
• 🖥️ Control your smartphone through a window on the monitor with your mouse.

Data recovery via Recovery and Fastboot

If Android doesn’t boot or doesn’t respond fully, you can try to enter Recovery or Fastboot recovery modes. In Xiaomi, Fastboot logs in by pressing the volume button when you connect the cable to your PC. In this mode, you can try to backup if the phone isn’t locked with encryption, or reflash the device.

Recovery mode (usually logged in via the volume and power button) allows you to reset to factory settings (Wipe Data), which is a last resort if you don't need files, but just a workable phone and you're ready to lose data. However, sometimes you can start connecting to Mi Account to unlock it.

To work with Fastboot on a PC, you will need to install Xiaomi USB Driver drivers. In the command line, checking the connection looks like fastboot devices. If you see the device, you can try various commands, but for the average user this is risky, since you can turn the phone into a “brick”.

It’s worth noting that modern versions of Android use full disk encryption, which means that without entering a password or unlocking through biometrics (if it worked before the breakdown), you can’t access files in Fastboot mode via your computer.

Frequent problems and their solution when connecting

There are often technical difficulties in connecting; the computer may not see the device, give drivers errors or constantly reconnect USB. One common cause is poor-quality cable. Cheap cables often only support charging, but not data transfer.

The problem can also be found in Windows drivers. Xiaomi often requires manual driver search in Device Manager. If an “Unknown Device” with a yellow exclamation mark appears in the device list, you need to update the driver by selecting it from the list. USB-Android.

Sometimes it helps to reboot your PC and smartphone, if the phone was in a deep sleep or got stuck, it might stop responding to host requests. Press the power button for 10-15 seconds to force a reboot, then try connecting again.

• 🔌 Try another one. USB-cable, preferably original and short.
• 💻 Use the ports. USB 2.0 on the back of the PC, they are more stable for debugging.
• 🔄 Reinstall the drivers ADB and Fastboot from official sources.
• 🔋 Make sure that the battery is charged at least on 20-30%.

💡

Use externally powered USB hubs. If the smartphone is discharged, connecting the mouse via OTG can quickly land the battery and the phone will turn off during the copying process.

Prevention and preparation for the future

So next time you don't get panicked about a broken screen, you should get your Xiaomi ready in advance. Turn on USB debugging right now, even if the screen is intact. It'll take a minute, but it'll save you at a critical moment. Also set up automatic sync with Google Photos and Mi Cloud.

Regularly create local copies of important data on your PC or external hard drive. The cloud is convenient, but having a physical copy of files ensures that they are safe even if you have an account or Internet problem. Use the Backup feature in your phone settings.

💡

Pre-enabled USB debugging and configured cloud synchronization are the only 100% guarantee of access to data when the screen breaks.

A good case with sideways and a quality protective glass (or hydrogel) significantly reduces the risk of damage to the matrix when falling. Repairing the original display on Xiaomi flagship models can cost up to half the price of the device, so prevention is economically justified.