Enable USB debugging on Xiaomi with a Broken Screen: 5 working ways through PC

Problem: smartphone does not respond to touch, and debugging USB is disabled

A broken screen on Xiaomi is not just an aesthetic problem, it's a real headache if you need to access data or flash your device. The main difficulty is that without a working display, you can't enable USB debugging, a feature that allows you to control your smartphone through your computer, without which even ADB and Fastboot become useless.

To make matters worse, the manufacturer has not provided alternative ways to activate this blind mode, but there are workarounds, from using hardware buttons to connecting an external display. In this article, we will examine all the current methods for 2026 that work on Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Mi 11 and other devices running MIUI 14/15.

Important: If the screen is completely black (no backlight), first check if the display plume is moving away — sometimes the problem is solved by simply reconnecting the connector. If there is an image but the sensor is not working, read on.

Method 1: Using physical buttons to enable debugging

On some Xiaomi models (mostly until 2021), you can activate the developer mode and debug USB exclusively with hardware keys, which works if you have previously visited the developer settings.

Algorithm of action:

• 🔘 Turn off the smartphone with a long hold of the power button (10-15 seconds).
• 🔄 Press the combination Volume up + Food before the appearance of the logo MIUI (usually 5-7 seconds).
• 📱 In the Recovery menu (if it appears), select Advanced. → Enable ADB using volume buttons and confirm the power button.
• 🖥️ Connect your phone to your PC – the system must define the device as Android ADB Interface.

⚠️ Note: New models (Redmi Note 13, POCO F5) This menu may be missing or require unlocking the bootloader. If after 3 attempts nothing happens, move to the next method.

Method 2: Connect via OTG and external display

If the screen displays a little bit (even if it's cracked) but the sensor doesn't work, you can connect an external monitor via a USB-C → HDMI adapter.

• 🔌 adapter USB Type-C to HDMI DisplayPort Alt Mode (example: Baseus or original from Xiaomi).
• 🖥️ Monitor or TV with port HDMI.
• ⚡ Power supply (charger) as the adapter consumes a lot of energy.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the adapter to the smartphone and then to the monitor.
2. Connect the charger to the phone (required! otherwise the image may not appear).
3. If the screen is black, try restarting the phone.
4. After the image appears on the external screen, go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and tap 7 times to activate the developer mode.
5. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable debugging over USB.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI The external display can duplicate the main screen with artifacts. If the image "moves" or flickers, try a different adapter or reduce the resolution on the monitor.

💡

If the adapter is not detected, try connecting it through USB-externally powered hub – this often solves the problem of lack of energy.

Method 3: Using Mi Assistant (official software from Xiaomi)

Xiaomi has developed a utility Mi Assistant (formerly Mi). PC Suite, which in some cases allows you to control the device even without debugging enabled. 10/11 requires:

• 🖥️ The latest version of the Mi Assistant.
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable (not a cheap replacement!).
• 📱 Smartphone with a charge of at least 20%.

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and start the Mi Assistant.
2. If the program detects the device, click Connect (even if the phone screen is unresponsive).
3. In the Tools section, select Backup – this sometimes automatically activates temporary access to the system.
4. After creating a backup, try going to Device Settings → For developers through the program interface.

🔹 Limitations of method:

• ❌ It only works on devices with unlocked bootloader.
• ❌ Does not support models older than 2019.
• ❌ May require authorization in Mi Account (if an account is linked).

Install the latest version of the program|Use the original cable|Charge your phone at least 20 times%|Disable antivirus (can block the connection)-->

Method 4: Activate debugging via Fastboot (for unlocked bootloader)

If your Xiaomi bootloader is unlocked, you can enable USB debugging via Fastboot using the adb command.

• 🖥️ Installed Platform Tools by Google.
• 🔧 Unlocked bootloader (checked by the command fastboot oem device-info).
• 📋 Knowing the phone model (for the right commands).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to log in to Fastboot.
2. Connect the device to your PC and open the command line in the folder with the platform-tools.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: fastboot devices Must appear serial number of the device.
4. Activate debugging (the command may differ for different models): fastboot oem enable-adb or for new devices: fastboot oem enable-dm-verity
5. Reboot your phone to the system: fastboot reboot

⚠️ Note: Some firmware may require a Wipe Data reset after this procedure. If the phone hangs on the logo after the reboot, follow the link:

fastboot erase userdata


fastboot reboot

Method 5: Connecting the mouse via OTG (if the sensor is not working)

If the screen is working but does not respond to touch, you can connect USB-mouse-wise OTG-This method is suitable for most Xiaomi models on the MIUI 12 and newer.

What you need:

• 🖱️ Anybody. USB-mouse (wired or wireless with a USB-receiver).
• 🔌 OTG-adapter (USB-C → USB-A).
• ⚡ Charger (mouse consumes energy).

How to connect:

1. Put it in. OTG-Adapter to phone and mouse to adapter.
2. If the cursor does not appear, restart the device.
3. After the cursor appears, go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and tap 7 times to activate the developer mode.
4. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable debugging over USB.

🔹 nuance:

• ⚠️ On some firmware, the mouse only works after unlocking the screen (unless a pin or pattern lock is installed).
• ⚠️ Wireless mice with Bluetooth will not work – only through USB.
• ⚠️ If the cursor twitches or disappears, try a mouse from another manufacturer.

💡

Connecting a mouse via OTG is the most versatile way for devices with a working screen but a faulty sensor, and doesn't require unlocking the bootloader or root rights.

What if none of the methods worked?

If all of these methods have not helped, radical measures remain:

1. Replacement of the display.The cost of screen repair for Xiaomi starts from 3,000 ₽ (for Redmi and up to 15,000 ₽ (Service centers often offer discounts on the presentation of a check or warranty card.
2. Firmware through EDL. Emergency Download Mode allows you to flash your phone even with a completely dead screen, but requires: 🔧 Authorized Xiaomi account (for new models). 🖥️ Special boxing (Mi Flash Pro or analogues). 📄 Firmware for a specific model (you can download on the official website).

⚠️ Note: Incorrect Firmware in the EDL This method can turn a phone into a brick, and it is recommended only for advanced users or in service centers.

Data extraction via eMMC.

💡 Tip: Before you carry your phone for repair, check if it's under warranty. Even if the screen is broken because of you, some service centers are willing to meet and repair at a discounted price.

FAQ: Frequent questions about activating USB debugging on broken Xiaomi