How to pull a photo from a broken Xiaomi phone: all the working ways

A broken Xiaomi screen is not a sentence for your photos. Even if the phone doesn't respond to touch, doesn't turn on or hovers on the logo, the chances of data recovery remain high. 90% of the time, the problem lies in a damaged display or sensor, not in the memory of the device. The main thing is not to panic or try to "fix" the smartphone with artisanal methods (such as heating or hitting) that can permanently destroy data.

In this article, we’ll look at 6 proven ways to retrieve photos from a broken Xiaomi, from simple (connecting to a computer) to radical (solding a memory chip). Each method is accompanied by step-by-step instructions, risk warnings and difficulty assessment. Importantly, the faster you start saving data, the better the chances of success — especially if the phone hits water or overheats after a fall.

1. Connect to your computer via USB (if the phone is switched on)

If Xiaomi has any response to the power button (vibrates, lights up, makes sounds), the first thing you should do is connect it to a PC, which works even if the display is completely broken, if the sensor is partially functioning or the device is recognized by the system.

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux
• 🔌 Cable USB (original or high-quality)
• 📱 Xiaomi Drivers (if the PC does not recognize the device)

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your computer with the original cable (cheap cables often don’t transmit data).
2. On a PC, open This PC (Windows) or Finder (macOS). If the phone is defined as a drive (MI 8, Redmi Note 10, etc.), move to step 4.
3. If the device is not recognized, download the drivers from the official Xiaomi website (Driver section) and install them.
4. In Explorer, go to Internal Storage → DCIM → Camera (or Pictures).

⚠️ Warning: If the phone requests to unlock the screen but the sensor is not working, try connecting USB-mouse-wise OTG-Adapter (works on most Xiaomi models with Android 8)+). The mouse will allow you to enter a pattern lock or PIN.

Make sure the cable is working (try another one)

Check the USB port on your computer (better to use the back ports on your PC)

Disable the antivirus (it can block access to files)

Start your computer on behalf of the administrator (to install drivers)

-->

2.Use of Fastboot mode (if the phone is not turned on)

If Xiaomi is not showing signs of life, but is responding to a combination of buttons, try entering Fastboot mode.This method is suitable for models with an unlocked bootloader (bootloader) or if you previously enabled USB Debugging (USB Debugging).

How to check if Fastboot is working:

• 🔄 Press the power button. + Loudness down for 10-15 seconds.
• 🖥️ Connect your phone to your PC and enter in the command line: fastboot devices If the serial number of the device appears - the mode is active.

Data extraction will require:

1. Install Android SDK Platform-Tools.
2. Download custom recovery (such as TWRP) for your Xiaomi model from twrp.me.
3. In the command line, execute: fastboot flash recovery twrp.img fastboot boot twrp.img (where twrp.img is the recovery firmware file).
4. In the TWRP menu, select Mount → Enable MTP and copy files through Explorer.

⚠️ Attention: Wrong firmware TWRP Make sure you download the version for your model (e.g. Redmi Note 9 Pro). ≠ Redmi Note 9S).

Yes, it's defined as a device.

No, the computer can't see him.

I don't know how to check.

I have a Mac/Linux, I haven't tried it.

-->

3. Removal of the microSD card (if the photos were saved on it)

If you used an external memory card, the task is simplified by many times. In most Xiaomi models (except for flagships with an unsupported slot), the microSD is located in the tray for the mobile device. SIM-The key is to remove it carefully without damaging the contacts.

Step-by-step:

• 🛠️ Turn off the phone (if it still turns on).
• 📱 Find a tray for SIM-cards (usually on the upper or lateral edge). Use a paper clip or a special key to extract the card.
• 🔍 If the memory card is built under the cover (as in the POCO X3), gently apply it with a plastic card, starting at the corner.
• 💾 Put a microSD in the card reader and connect it to the computer. DCIM.

Important: If the memory card is not readable, don't format it! Use data recovery software like PhotoRec or Disk Drill. Formatting will destroy the photos irrevocably.

💡

Before removing the memory card, take a picture of its location in the tray – this will help to insert it back correctly after data recovery.

4. Connection through OTG-adapter (if the sensor is not working)

If the Xiaomi screen is on, but the sensor does not respond to touch, use it. OTG-adapter USB-This method works on most Android 6.0 and later models, including Redmi, POCO Mi series.

What you need:

• 🔌 OTG-Adapter (Type-C or Micro-USB depending on the model)
• 🖱️ USB-mouse (wired or wireless with a USB-receiver)
• 💻 Cable for connecting to a PC (optional)

How to proceed:

1. Connect. OTG-Adapter to the phone and mouse to it.
2. If the screen is turned on, the mouse cursor should appear in 5-10 seconds.
3. Unlock the phone (enter PIN or swipe the pattern lock with your mouse).
4. Connect your phone to your PC and copy the files as in the first method.

Alternative: If you don't have a mouse on hand, use a keyboard. Arrows and Enter will help navigate the menu, and Tab will help you switch between input fields.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Mi) A1/A2) OTG It was disabled by default. To enable it, you had to activate the option in the settings in advance (Moreover). → OTG). If it is not done, the method will not work.

Removal of the back cover and connection to the programmer (for experienced)

If the software methods didn't work, there's a "surgical" intervention, which is connecting to flash memory through a programmer, which requires soldering skills and an understanding of electronics, but can save data even from a completely dead phone.

What needs to be done:

• 🔧 Carefully remove the back cover (use plastic shoulder blades and hair dryer to soften the glue).
• 🔍 Find a memory chip (usually labeled as an eMMC or a memory chip). UFS, for example, KLMAG2JENB-B041).
• 💻 Connect it to a programmer (e.g. EasyJTAG or Medusa Pro) via an adapter.
• 📥 Read the memory dump and extract files using Chip-Off software.

The cost of the service in service centers: from 3 000 to 10 000 rubles, depending on the model. It is not recommended to carry out the procedure on your own - the risk of damage to the fee or memory is very high.

💡

Connecting to a programmer is the only way to save data if the phone is not turned on, is not detected by USB and does not have a removable memory card, but this is the most expensive and risky method: unqualified actions can destroy data forever.

6. Contacting a service center: when nothing helps

If all of these methods have failed, or you are afraid of damaging your phone even more, contact a professional service. Professionals use professional equipment (for example, PC-3000 Flash or UFI Box), which allows you to recover data even from physically damaged chips.

How to choose a reliable service:

• 🔍 Look for centers with reviews on Yandex.Maps or 2GIS (ranking above 4.5).
• 💬 Check if you have any experience with Xiaomi (some models, like the Mi Mix, have custom memory architectures).
• 📄 Ask for a guarantee for the safety of data (contract with the confidentiality clause).
• 💰 Compare prices: the average cost of photo recovery is 5 000-15 000 rubles.

What to avoid:

• 🚫 Services that promise 100% recovery without diagnosis.
• 🚫 Home-based Masters (risk of identity leakage).
• 🚫 Offers to fix a phone for 1,000 rubles are usually a scam.

⚠️ Note: In official service centers, Xiaomi may refuse to restore data if the phone has physical damage (cracks, dents.

FAQ: Frequent questions about recovering photos from broken Xiaomi