How to Save Data from Broken Xiaomi if the Screen Doesn't Show the Image: 5 Proven Methods

A broken screen on Xiaomi is one of the most frustrating breakdowns: the phone can work, but access to data is blocked by a broken display. Photos, correspondence, documents and contacts remain locked inside the device, and traditional methods (such as USB connection) often require unlocking the screen. Fortunately, there are several working methods to extract information even without display on the display - from using Recovery mode to bypassing locking through ADB.

In this article, we will discuss 5 ways to save data with Xiaomi (including the Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO F3/F4, Mi 11/12/13 and others) when the screen does not respond to touch or is completely black. Importantly, the methods differ in complexity and the required tools - from simple connection to a PC to work with fastboot and TWRP. Choose the appropriate option depending on your technical background and smartphone model.

Warning: If the phone has enabled data encryption (default activated on new versions of MIUI), some methods may not work without entering a password, in which case either the screen repair or contacting the service center with proof of ownership of the device remains.

1. Connecting to the PC in file transfer mode (MTP) — if USB-debugging was included

The easiest way is to connect Xiaomi to a computer and copy files like a flash drive, but there are two critical conditions:

• 🔌 The phone was previously on USB-debugging (in Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI 7 times tapping, then in Settings → Additionally. → For developers).
• 📱 Device unlocked (no password required)/PIN plug-in).

If both conditions are met, follow the instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC through the original USB-cable (better to use port) USB 3.0 on a computer).
2. Open This Computer (My Windows Computer) on your computer – the phone should appear as a removable drive.
3. Go to DCIM (photo/video), Download (download), Pictures or WhatsApp/Media folders to retrieve the desired files.
4. Copy the data to the computer's hard drive.

If your phone is not defined as a drive, try:

• 🔄 Change the connection mode (in the curtain of Xiaomi notifications there is usually an option to Transfer files, but with a broken screen this is not possible – see the next section).
• 🖥️ Install Mi drivers PC Suite (official synchronization software from Xiaomi).
• 🔌 Use the other USB-cable.

⚠️ Note: If the phone vibrates when you connect, but is not defined as a disk, it is likely that the screen lock is enabled. ADB (section).

2. Data extraction through Mi PC Suite (official software from Xiaomi) Mi PC Suite is a software from Xiaomi for backup and data recovery. It can help even if the screen is not working, but with reservations: 🔐 The phone must be unlocked (without the PIN/graphical key). 📥 The latest version of the Mi must be installed on the PC. PC Suite (download from the official website). 🔌 Use the original Xiaomi cable (cheap analogues may not transmit data). Step-by-step instruction: Install and run Mi PC Suite on your computer. Connect your phone to your PC. If it "sees" it, you'll see a connection notification. In the main menu, select Backup. Check the data types to save: Contacts, Messages, Photos, Applications, etc. Click Start Backup and wait for the process to be completed. After creating a backup, the data can be viewed in the folder MiPhoneManager\Backup C: or restore to another Xiaomi device. ⚠️ Attention: If Mi PC Suite asks to confirm trust in the computer on the phone screen, this method will not work – you will have to use it. ADB or recovery. 💡If Mi PC Suite does not see the phone, try to restart the smartphone in Fastboot mode (clamp Power supply) + Volume down) and reconnect. Sometimes it helps the program recognize the device.

3.Use of ADB (Android Debug Bridge) to bypass lock

ADB — A powerful tool for controlling Android devices via the command line, which allows you to copy data even from a locked phone, if it was previously enabled. USB-Debugging. It's suitable for experienced users.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📦 Installed drivers ADB Fastboot (downloaded as part of Android) SDK Platform-Tools).

Instructions:

1. Unpack the platform-tools archive into the root of the C:\ drive (the C:\platform-tools path should be obtained).
2. Connect the phone to your PC and open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd).
3. Go to the folder with ADB: cd C:\platform-tools
4. Check if the PC sees the device: Adb devices If the serial number of the phone appears in the answer - great, you can continue.
5. Copy the data you need (for example, all photos from a folder) DCIM): adb pull /sdcard/DCIM/ C:\Xiaomi_Backup\Photos

Commands to extract other data:

• 📞 Contact: adb pull /data/data/com.android.providers.contacts/databases/contacts2.db
• 💬 Messages: adb pull /data/data/com.android.providers.telephony/databases/mmssms.db
• 📁 All internal memory: adb pull /sdcard/ C:\Xiaomi_Backup\Full

⚠️ Note: If the adb pull command is triggered by a permission denied error, the phone has encrypted data, in which case only unlocking the bootloader (section 5) or repairing the screen will help.

4. Recovery Mode: Backup without USB-debugging

If USB-The debugging was not enabled, but the phone is turned on (vibrates, sounds), you can try to back up using Recovery Mode. This method works on most Xiaomi models, except the newest ones (for example, Mi 13 Ultra or Redmi). K60 lock-in).

How to log in to Recovery Mode:

1. Turn off the phone (press Power + Volume up for 10 seconds).
2. Press Power + Volume up and hold until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons – the Recovery menu (English or Chinese) should open.

Further action:

• 🔄 Use volume buttons for navigation, power button for selection.
• 📱 Select Backup & Restore (or similar in Chinese «»).
• 💾 Click Backup to create a backup for internal memory.
• 🔌 Connect your phone to your PC and copy the backup file (usually in the folder) TWRP/BACKUPS or clockworkmod).

Important: Recovery backups are saved in.img or.tar format, and you’ll need special programs like 7-Zip or TWRP Image Extractor to extract data from them.

5. Unlock the bootloader and install TWRP (for advanced users)

If previous methods didn't work, the radical way is to unlock the bootloader and install custom TWRP recovery, which allows you to have full access to the file system even if the screen isn't working, and the downside is that it's a complicated process that resets all the data on the phone unless you back it up in advance.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB and Fastboot.
• 🔗 Mi Account tied to phone (to unlock the bootloader).
• 📱 Firmware file TWRP For your model (download on the official website).
• 🔧 Mi Unlock Tool (download from Xiaomi website).

Step-by-step:

1. Unlock the bootloader: Launch the Mi Unlock Tool and log in to your Mi Account. Put your phone in Fastboot mode (press Power + Volume Down). Connect your phone to your PC and press Unlock in the program. Wait 72-360 hours (this is Xiaomi's policy).

TWRP

fastboot flash recovery twrp.img


fastboot boot twrp.img

TWRP

Mount → Enable MTP

⚠️ Attention: Unlocking the bootloader erases all data on the phone!This method is only suitable if you are ready to lose information or have already made a backup in other ways.

💡

Unlocking the bootloader is an extreme method, only use it if other methods have not worked and you are ready for a complete loss of data on the phone.

6. Contacting a service center: when nothing helps

If independent attempts are unsuccessful, you can contact the service center.

• 🔒 Data encryption is enabled on the phone (by default in the MIUI 12+).
• 🛠️ The screen is not only broken, but does not respond to the connection to the PC.
• 📱 Xiaomi model too new (for example, Mi 13 or Redmi Note 12 Pro)+), And the standard methods don't work.

What the service will offer:

• 🔧 Replace the screen with data storage (unless the mother is damaged).
• 🔌 Chip-off – direct access to the phone’s memory via a chip (expensive but effective).
• 📡 JTAG — Low-level data retrieval connection (works even on locked phones).

The cost of services varies from 1,500 to 10,000 rubles depending on the complexity. For example, replacing the screen with a Redmi Note 10 will cost ~ 3000 rubles, and a chip-off with a Mi 11 - ~ 8000 rubles.

Before you bring your phone to the service, clarify:

• 🔐 Will the data be saved during repairs (some workshops erase memory).
• 💰 Cost of diagnosis (sometimes included in the final price).
• ⏳ Execution time (chip-off can take up to 5 days).

💡

Before visiting the service, take a photo of the IMEI phone (on the box or under the battery, if removable) - this will confirm that the device is yours, and speed up the process.

FAQ: Frequent questions about extracting data from a broken Xiaomi