Xiaomi backup with a broken screen: how to save data if the touchscreen does not work

Broken screen on Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO — It's always stressful, especially if you have important photos, contacts or work documents on your phone, and it gets complicated when the touchscreen stops responding to touch, and the display only shows a black screen or a broken matrix with a distorted image. Many users mistakenly think that without a desktop screen backup is impossible, but it is not.

In this article, we’ll look at 5 proven backup methods that work even when a display is completely broken. You don’t need expensive repairs or special skills – just follow the instructions and use the tools available. From simple methods through Mi Account to advanced solutions with ADB Recovery mode, each option is described in detail, taking into account possible errors and nuances for different Xiaomi models.

Particular attention will be paid to ways to bypass the screen lock (PIN, pattern lock, password) if the phone is locked, and also tell you how to avoid data loss during further repairs. MIUI 14/15 And work on devices from Xiaomi Mi 11 Redmi Note 12 and POCO X5.

1.Preparation: What to do before a backup

Before you start backing up, it is important to assess the condition of the phone and prepare the necessary tools, which will save time and increase the chances of successful data retention.

Evaluate the extent of the screen damage:

• 🔍 The display works, but the touchscreen does not respond - you can use the mouse through the OTG or ADB.
• 🖥️ The screen is broken, but the image is visible - connect the phone to the monitor through HDMI (if maintained).
• 🌑 Black screen or no image at all – methods without visual control (e.g. voice control or no visual control) will be required ADB).

Tools required:

⚠️ Note: If the phone has been locked through Find My Device, some methods (e.g., remote lock, ADB) You may not be able to unlock your Mi Account before you try the account authorization method first (Section 3).

If you are not sure about the phone model (for example, because of a broken screen), you can find it by reading the phone. IMEI (printed on or under the battery or via adb shell getprop ro.product.model (if ADB already connected).

2. Method 1: Backup via Mi Account (if synchronization is enabled)

This is the simplest method, but it only works if the phone has been activated sync with Mi Account before the screen breaks, in which case some of the data (contacts, notes, photos from the gallery) can already be stored in the cloud.

How to check and restore data:

1. Check which data is synchronized: 📞 Contacts - export to VCF. 📷 Photos - download archives. 📝 Notes - available in Mi Notes. 📍 Browser bookmarks – if Mi Browser was used.

Unfortunately, you cannot download via Mi Account:

• 🚫 Applications and their data (for example, correspondence on WhatsApp or Telegram).
• 🚫 Files from internal memory (documents, downloads).
• 🚫 System settings and SMS.

⚠️ Note: If the phone was reset to factory settings via Find My Device, data from the Mi Account cloud may be lost.Do not reset until you make sure all important files are saved!

If synchronization has not been enabled, proceed to the next method.

💡

Even if the screen is not working, try to connect the phone to charge and wait for a vibration or audible signal. this will confirm that the device is on and ready to connect to the PC.

3. Method 2: Control through OTG-mouse (if the screen is visible but the touchscreen is not working)

If Xiaomi display shows an image but does not respond to touch, you can connect USB-mouse-wise OTG-This will allow you to control the phone like a normal computer.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect. OTG-Adapter to the phone and mouse to it.
2. If the screen is blocked: 🔑 For a pattern lock, swipe your mouse across the screen, imitating a gesture. 🔢 For PIN-code – click on the numbers on the keyboard. 👤 For fingerprints, this method won’t work, use it. ADB (section).

Settings → About the phone → Backup

Local backups

Google Drive

What can be saved through OTG-mouse:

• 📱 Full system backup (including applications and their data).
• 📁 Selective files (photos, videos, documents) through the Explorer.
• 🔄 Synchronization with Google Account (contacts, calendar, mail).

If the mouse is not identified, check:

• 🔌 Quality. OTG-Adapters (some cheap models are not compatible with Xiaomi).
• 🔋 Sufficient charge level (below 15% OTG may not work).
• 🔄 Reboot your phone with a connected mouse.

Charge your phone at least 30 times%|Connect OTG-mouse before phone|Check the screen response to mouse movements|Unlock the phone (if blocked)|Run backups-->

Method 3: Backup through ADB (power-user)

ADB (Android Debug Bridge is a universal tool for managing Android devices through a computer, which allows you to create a backup even when the screen is completely broken if the phone has been enabled debugging. USB break down.

How to check if the debugging is included USB:

• If you have previously connected your phone to a PC to transfer files, it is likely that debugging is activated.
• If not, this method will not work (go to section 5).

Backup instructions through ADB:

1. Download and install Android SDK Platform-Tools (includes) ADB).
2. Connect your phone to your PC via USB.
3. Open the command line (Win) + R → cmd) and type: adb devices If the phone is identified (the serial number will appear), go further. If not, install Xiaomi drivers or try another cable.
4. Create a backup: adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f C:\backup.ab -apk — retains installed applications. -shared — includes files from internal memory. -all — data-driven.

adb shell input text 1234 && adb shell input keyevent 66

(Replace 1234 with yours PIN-66 is the Enter key; the Enter key).

What to do if ADB does not see the device:

• 🔌 Try another one. USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0).
• 🔄 Reinstall drivers via Mi PC Suite.
• 🔧 Turn on the mode. PTP (camera) in connection settings (if the screen is partially working).

⚠️ Attention: Backup through ADB It may not include data from some apps (such as WhatsApp or Telegram) if they encrypt their files).

5. Method 4: Using Recovery Mode (without a computer)

If ADB It doesn't work, and the screen is completely non-working, and you can try to create a backup through Recovery mode. This method works on most Xiaomi devices, but has limitations.

How to log in to Recovery:

• Turn off the phone (press Power + Volume up for 10 seconds).
• Press Power + Volume up and hold until the Mi logo appears.
• In the Recovery menu, use volume buttons for navigation and power to select.

Backup capabilities in Recovery:

• 🔄 Reset to factory settings (delete all data, only use if other methods have failed!).
• 📁 Connection to PC in mode MTP (firmware).
• 🔧 Installation of custom Recovery (TWRP) — If the phone is unlocked for the loader.

How to copy files through Recovery:

1. In the Recovery menu, select Mount → Enable MTP (if there is such a clause).
2. Connect your phone to your PC – the internal memory should be defined as a removable disk.
3. Copy important files (photos, videos, documents) to your computer.

If MTP It's not activated, try it:

• 🔄 Reboot to Fastboot (clip the power supply) + Volume down) and use command: fastboot oem fs-mount-all (not working on all models).
• 🔧 Install TWRP Recovery (requires an unlocked bootloader).

⚠️ Note: If you select Wipe Data in Recovery, all data will be permanently deleted.This item is only needed for a complete reset before repair or sale.

💡

Recovery Mode is the only way to access files without a computer, but it doesn't allow you to create a full backup system. Use it only to copy media files and documents.

6. Method 5: Application Backup (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber)

Social networks and instant messengers store data (correspondences, media files) in separate folders that do not always fall into the shared backup. Let's consider how to save information from popular applications.

WhatsApp:

• 📁 Backup folder is located along the way: /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases
• 🔄 To recover correspondence on a new phone: Copy the file msgstore.db.crypt14 You can install WhatsApp and log in with the same number.

Telegram:

• 🌐 All data is stored in the cloud, but local files (photos, videos) can be found in the cloud: /sdcard/Telegram/Telegram Images
• 🔑 To export correspondence: Open a chat → ⋮ → Export history. Choose format (JSON or TXT).

Viber:

• 📱 Backup is created manually: Settings → Account. → Backup copy.
• 🔄 The backup file is saved to /sdcard/Viber/Backup.

If the screen is not working, copy the folders of these applications through ADB Recovery (see previous sections).

💡

If you can’t find the app folder through ADB, Use the command adb shell ls /sdcard/, See the full list of directories.

7.Alternative methods: voice control and external display

If none of the previous methods are suitable, consider less standard solutions.

Voice control via Google Assistant:

• 🎤 Activate the voice assistant with the “OK, Google” command (if enabled).
• 🗣️ Say: "Create backup" or "Open backup settings".
• 🔊 If the screen is not visible, control your voice (e.g., “Slip down”, “Push OK” button").

Connection to an external display:

• 🖥️ Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Mi 11 Ultra, Black Shark) support image output via the USB-C → HDMI.
• 🔌 Use the adapter. USB-C to HDMI And connect the phone to the monitor.
• 🖱️ Control the mouse through OTG (see section 3).

Using the camera of another phone:

• 📸 Point the camera of the second phone to the screen of Xiaomi.
• 🔍 Enlarge the image to see the menu and click on the desired items (if the screen is partially visible).

These methods require patience, but can save data when other methods are not available.

8 What to do after the backup: Recovery and repair

Once you have successfully backed up, you can start repairing your phone.

Before the repairs:

• 📱 If the phone is still on, unplug it from the Mi Account (Settings) → Xiaomi account → Exit) to avoid activation problems after repair.

After the repairs:

• 🔄 Recover data from the backup (via Mi) PC Suite, ADB manually).
• 🔒 Set up automatic sync with Mi Cloud or Google Drive to avoid future data loss.
• 🛡️ Install a glass cover and cover to prevent repeated damage.