When the screen of Xiaomi’s smartphone is broken or no longer responsive to touch, but the device itself is working, it causes panic in any user. Inside the device can be hundreds of important photos, contacts, correspondence in messengers and documents, access to which suddenly becomes impossible. Fortunately, the Android operating system and the shell MIUI provide several tools to save information even in such critical conditions.
Before you start to act, you need to take a hard look at the extent of the damage. If the display is only partially broken or there is a weak response to touch, the chances of extracting information are much higher than with a fully black screen with a working vibration. It is important to understand that the success of the operation depends on whether the debugging on USB before the breakage was turned on, but even without it there are workarounds.
In this guide, we will look at proven methods of data recovery, ranging from simple peripheral connections to the use of specialized software.
Diagnosis of the device state and primary actions
The first step is to determine the current status of the smartphone. If the device makes notification sounds, vibrates when the phone rings, or just lights up the charge indicator, then the hardware is functioning normally, in which case your main task is to gain visual control of the interface or emulate input. If the phone does not give signs of life, does not charge or emit sounds, the problem may be in the power controller or motherboard, which requires professional repair in the service.
Try connecting the device to the computer through USB-If the computer makes a standard sound of connecting new equipment, that's a good sign. MIUI You get a request for permission to transfer data, which you can't confirm with your finger, and in this mode, the phone usually only works in charging mode, hiding the file system from the outside world.
Why can't the computer see the files?
There are several scenarios depending on the type of touchscreen or matrix damage, and understanding the differences will help you choose the right recovery strategy.
| Type of damage | Touchscreen reaction | Visibility of image | Chances of success |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cracks on the glass | Partial or complete | Image is available | Tall. |
| Black screen (matrix) | It's working. | No image. | Average. |
| Total touchscreen failure | No reaction. | Image is available | Tall (with mouse) |
| A full brick. | No reaction. | No reaction. | Low (repair needed) |
Never try to heat your phone with a hairdryer or put it on a hot battery in the hope of reviving contacts, which can cause the battery to bloat or the plumes to detach, ultimately destroying the chances of recovery.
Using a USB-OTG adapter to control your phone
The most efficient and cheapest way to access data if the screen shows at least a partial image or touchscreen does not work at all is to use a USB-OTG adapter. This technology allows you to connect to a smartphone a regular computer peripheral, such as a mouse or keyboard. For owners of Xiaomi, this is often a salvation, as it allows you to unlock the phone and copy files without touch input.
To implement this method, you'll need a USB-OTG adapter (often bundled with budget models or sold separately) and a regular wired USB mouse. Connect the adapter to the phone's charging connector and insert a mouse into it. A cursor should appear on the screen. If the display is broken but works, you'll see the cursor move, and you can unlock the device with a pattern lock or pin.
☑️ Preparation for connection OTG
Once unlocked, you can connect the phone to your computer via cable while the mouse remains connected through the cable. OTG-Hub (if you have a splitter) or use cloud services to download data. If there is no hub, unlock the phone with your mouse, then quickly switch the cable to your PC to copy files until the screen lock goes off again.
⚠️ Note: Not all Xiaomi models support the function OTG "out of the box without additional settings, although most modern devices with MIUI 12/13/14 They detect the mouse automatically. If the cursor doesn't show up, try using it. USB-feed-in.
Recovery via Mi Cloud and Google Services
If physical access to the file system is difficult, you should turn to cloud storage, which could sync data in the background. Xiaomi users have a dual backup system: through a Google account and through Mi Cloud. Often users forget that the tick sync contacts or photos were turned on by default on the first run.
Check your Mi Cloud account by going to i.mi.com from your computer, and by entering your data, you can see which categories of data are saved. Usually, contacts, messages, notes and gallery are available. To access photos, you should also check Google Photos, which is often on all Android smartphones.
- 📸 Go to the Gallery section of the Mi Cloud website to check for the latest images.
- 📞 Contacts are often saved automatically if the Google account settings are synchronized.
- 📝 Notes and recorders can also be in the cloud if you used the Mi Notes app.
This method does not require the phone to be connected to the computer, which is a huge plus for severe damage to the case, but it only works if the phone has been connected to Wi-Fi or mobile Internet before it breaks to download data to the server.
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Turn on Mi Cloud sync right now for all important data to lose a minimum of information in case of a breakdown.
Use of USB debugging and ADB program
For more advanced users who have pre-installed USB debugging in the developer menu, this mode allows the computer to gain full access to the phone's file system, bypassing the lock screen, and control the device through the command line.
To take advantage of this method, install Platform Tools (the official Google toolkit) or Minimal ADB and Fastboot drivers on your computer. Connect your phone with a cable to your PC. If you have previously installed debugging permission from that computer on your phone screen, you can execute commands.
adb devices
adb pull /sdcard/DCIM/Camera/ C:/Recovery/Photos/Adb pull allows you to copy entire directories from phone to computer. You can copy DCIM (photo), WhatsApp, Viber, and other important data. If you're unsure of the paths, use the adb shell ls /sdcard/ command to view the contents of internal memory.
⚠️ Note: If you connect the cable to the phone screen and you can’t press OK because of a broken screen, this method won’t work without an adapter. OTG confirm.
Mi PC Suite Software and Third-Party Utility
The official Mi PC Suite program was once the main backup tool, but newer versions of MIUI have its functionality stripped down or it may not define modern models.However, it's worth trying to run it, as in some cases it can create a full system backup if the phone is unlocked.
There are also third-party data recovery software, such as Dr.Fone, Tenorshare UltData, or AnyDroid, which often advertise the ability to retrieve data from broken screens, and it should be understood that most require either USB debugging enabled or Root rights, which are almost impossible to obtain on a broken telephony without data loss.
Free versions of these programs usually only scan the phone and show what can be restored, and the download of files requires payment. Before buying a license, make sure that the program supports your Xiaomi model and Android version.
Temporary screen replacement as a radical method
If data is really critical and software methods are not working, the most reliable way is to temporarily install a working display, so you don't have to buy a new expensive original screen in the store, you can ask the service center to connect any compatible test module on the plume, without gluing it or assembling the case.
Service wizards often go along and for a small fee (or free if you're a regular customer) can plug in a matrix for 5-10 minutes so you unlock your phone, back up your PC or the cloud, and take it back. This is the only 100% guaranteed way if neither touchscreen nor image works.
- 🛠️ Find the nearest service center or private workshop.
- 💰 Clarify the cost of the service "connecting the plume for data removal".
- ⏳ Be ready to quickly perform all copy operations while the module is connected.
Don't try to disassemble the phone yourself if you don't have experience, especially if the model has moisture protection or a glued case.You can damage the plumes permanently or hook the battery, which will lead to a short circuit.
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Temporary connection of the test screen in the service is the most reliable, though not the cheapest way to guarantee the rescue of data from a completely broken touchscreen.