How to save data from a broken Xiaomi: the screen does not show the image

A broken screen on a Xiaomi smartphone is not just an annoying breakdown, but the potential loss of all your photos, correspondence and important documents. Especially critical is when the display is completely black or responds only to touch, but does not display the image. Many users carry the phone into the service in panic, unaware that the data can be extracted independently - often without a penny.

In this article, we will discuss all the working methods of saving information with Xiaomi (including the Redmi models, POCO and Mi) when the screen is not functioning, from simple solutions using USB-OTG Advanced techniques through ADB Important: some methods require pre-setting the phone — if you're reading this before it breaks, pre-prepared the device (we'll talk about this at the end of the article).

🔹 The key point is that if the phone is responsive to charging (vibrates, sounds), the chances of success are multiplied, and if the smartphone is completely dead (it doesn’t warm, it doesn’t vibrate when connected to the network), you will need specialized tools or help from a service center.

1.Preparation: What to do before data extraction attempts

Before you rush to save files, make sure you don't make things worse. Here's a mandatory checklist before any manipulation:

⚠️ Note: if the screen Xiaomi cracked, but still shows the image (albeit with artifacts), do not press it - it can permanently damage the plume. USB-OTG or ADB.

Pay special attention to battery power. If the phone is dead, plug it into charging for 15 to 20 minutes. Many Xiaomi models (like the Redmi Note 10 Pro or the Redmi Note 10 Pro) POCO X3) They have power protection at critical charge levels. If the charge indicator doesn't burn, try another cable or power supply -- sometimes it's them, not the phone.

Also check if the debugging is included. USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press to unlock the developer mode, then Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB). If you have not activated it in advance, the methods ADB They won’t work, we’ll have to use alternative methods.

2. Method 1: Retrieval of data through USB-OTG (if the screen responds to touch)

If the Xiaomi display does not show the image, but reacts to touch (for example, unlocked by a fingerprint or a print). PIN-Blind code, you can connect USB-OTG It's an adapter and a flash drive or some other phone, and it works on most models, including the Redmi. 9A, POCO M3 Mi 11 Lite.

You'll need:

• 🔌 OTG-Adapter (Type-C or Micro-USB depending on the model)
• 📁 Flash drive (formatted in FAT32) or a second phone with support OTG
• 🔋 Charging (to keep the phone from running out during the process)

Step-by-step:

1. Connect. OTG-Adapter to the phone, and to it - flash drive.
2. Unlock your phone (if you have a fingerprint, press your finger against the scanner if you have a fingerprint). PIN — Enter it blindly, focusing on vibration).
3. Wait for the audible signal connection USB-devices (if there is a speaker).
4. Make a swipe down (gesture to open the notification panel) and click on the notification about the connected drive.
5. Select Transfer Files (if the screen is not visible, remember the sequence: this is usually the first item on the menu).
6. Copy the files you want to use on a flash drive (use gestures or a voice assistant if the screen is completely black).

💡

If you have a second phone with support OTG, You can connect it directly to a broken Xiaomi and toss files through the Explorer. For example, on Samsung, this is done through the My Files app. → USB-device.

⚠️ Note: If you use a flash drive, make sure there is enough space on it. Many Xiaomi models do not support drives larger than 128 GB without pre-formatting in exFAT.

Method 2: Use of Mi Account (if synchronized)

If your Xiaomi has enabled sync with Mi Account, some of the data (contacts, notes, some photos) can be restored via the web version of the account.This method does not require physical access to the phone, but only works for those files that were uploaded to the cloud.

What can be restored through Mi Account:

• 📇 Contacts (if synchronization is enabled)
• 📝 Notes (Annex Notes)
• 📷 Photos (if you have enabled autoloading in Mi Cloud)
• 📅 Calendar and reminders

How to check and download data:

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in.
2. In the Cloud section, check the available files.
3. For contact: Mi Cloud → Contacts → Export (available format) VCF).
4. For photos: Mi Cloud → gallery → Choose. → Download.

🔹 Limitations of method:

• 🚫 Files not uploaded to the cloud cannot be restored.
• 🚫 Sync photos are often disabled by default.
• 🚫 Reference to Mi Account must be active until the failure.

4. Method 3: ADB (Android Debug Bridge – for advanced users

If debugging is on USB was turned on before the breakage, ADB — It works even in a fully black screen, if the phone is turned on and defined by a computer, and it works for all Xiaomi models, including the Redmi Note 12, POCO F4 Mi 13.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable (important!)
• 📦 Installed Xiaomi drivers (official website)
• 🛠️ Utility. ADB (download from Android)

Step-by-step:

1. Install. ADB and Xiaomi drivers on the computer.
2. Connect your phone to your PC via USB.
3. Open the command line (Win) + R → cmd) and type: adb devices If the device is identified (the serial number will appear), move to the next step.
4. Copy the files you want. Examples of commands: adb pull /sdcard/DCIM/ C:\Xiaomi_Backup\Photos (copying photos into a folder C:\Xiaomi_Backup\Photos) adb pull /sdcard/Download/ C:\Xiaomi_Backup\Downloads (copy)
5. Use the following link to extract contacts: Adb pull /data/data/com.android.providers.contacts/databases/contacts2.db (The file can be opened through special programs, for example, DB Browser for SQLite)

⚠️ Note: if you type in the adb device command, you get an unauthorized message, you don't have a proven trust in that computer on the phone. ADB It won’t work, try other methods.

💡

ADB — The most powerful tool for data extraction, but it requires pre-configuration (debugging by the user). USB If you haven't activated it before, this method won't work.

5. Method 4: Fastboot and Custom Recovery (for unlocked bootloader)

If debugging is on USB disabled, but you have a bootloader unlocked, you can try installing custom recovery (for example, TWRP) And it's a way to copy data, and it's a way to do this, and it's more complicated than the previous ones, and it's only suitable for advanced users.

When this works:

• 🔓 Xiaomi bootloader unlocked (checked by the team fastboot oem device-info).
• 📱 The phone is activated and determined in Fastboot (Volume Down) mode. + Power).
• 🖥️ There's a computer with a setup. ADB and Fastboot.

Step-by-step:

1. Download TWRP for your Xiaomi model from the official website (twrp.me).
2. Put your phone in Fastboot mode (click Volume Down) + Power on the phone turned off).
3. Connect your phone to your PC and check detection: fastboot devices
4. Please. TWRP: fastboot flash recovery twrp.img (substitute twrp.img in the name of your file)
5. Reboot to Recovery: Fastboot Boot twrp.img
6. V TWRP Connect your phone to your PC and copy files through MTP (In the Mount section, enable Enable MTP).

🔹 Important: This method will reset if you make a mistake with the firmware, and it will not work on new Xiaomi models (such as the Redmi Note 13 or Xiaomi 14) with the bootloader locked.

6. Method 5: Contacting a service center when nothing helps

If all of these methods fail, the last option is to go to a service center.

• 📵 The phone is dead (no response to charging).
• 🔒 Debugging by USB It was shut down and the loader was blocked.
• 💾 Data is critical (working documents, irreplaceable photos).

What the service does:

• 🔧 Replacement of the plume / screen with temporary connection to the working display for copying data.
• 🖥️ Chip-off (direct memory reading through a programmer – expensive but effective).
• 🔄 JTAG (for phones with damaged firmware).

💰 Cost of services (example):

⚠️ Attention: before you give the phone to the service, be sure to check the reviews about the workshop. There are cases when the "specialists" simply format the phone without trying to save data.Ask for a guarantee that they will try to recover data before any repairs.

7. How to avoid future data loss: prevention

If you’re reading this article before your Xiaomi crashes, here are the mandatory measures to keep you from losing data:

• ☁️ Enable autoload photos in Mi Cloud (Settings) → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → gallery).
• 🔄 Keep your contacts in sync with Google or Mi Account regularly.
• 🔌 Activate debugging by USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press, then for developers → Debugging by USB).
• 💾 Make backup copies through Settings → System system → Backup.
• 🛡️ Set a password / fingerprint - this will allow you to unlock the phone "blindly" when the screen breaks.

🔹 Additional tip: If you drop your phone frequently, consider buying a hot-screen redundant model (e.g. Xiaomi Mix Fold or Redmi). K60 Ultra with reinforced glass. It is also useful to have on hand. USB-OTG Adapter and charged flash drive – they will help in a critical situation.

FAQ: Frequent questions about extracting data from a broken Xiaomi