The situation when the screen of a Xiaomi smartphone stops showing an image or does not respond to touches is one of the most stressful for the user. Inside the device, years of correspondence, unique photographs and work documents can be stored, access to which was suddenly blocked. However, the lack of visual control does not always mean a complete loss of information, especially in an ecosystem MIUIthat has a number of specific tools for remote control.
The effectiveness of recovery depends on several critical factors: whether USB debugging was enabled before the failure, whether the account is activated Mi Account and the nature of the damage to the display module. In some cases, simply sending a video signal to an external monitor is sufficient, in others you will need to emulate input through a computer. We will consider all available methods, from simple hardware connections to complex software manipulations.
Before starting any action, it is necessary to assess the extent of the damage. If the phone turns on, vibrates for calls, or makes notification sounds, the chances of success are high. If the device is completely dead, the board will need to be professionally repaired before attempting to retrieve the files. Don’t rush to throw away the device or take it to an expensive service right away - try the methods described below.
Using USB-OTG and a computer mouse
The most accessible and frequently working method for Xiaomi smartphones that support the function USB On-The-Go consists of connecting a regular computer mouse. Most modern Redmi and Mi models support this standard, allowing you to control the interface without using the touch layer. You will need a USB-OTG adapter (usually Type-C to USB-A), which is inexpensive and sold at any electronics store.
By connecting the mouse to the phone, you will see a cursor on the screen, even if the touchscreen is completely broken, provided that the matrix is at least partially working. If the screen is black, but the phone is working, this method will allow you to blindly enter a pattern or PIN code. The cursor helps you navigate through audio cues and tactile feedback, although this requires some skill and knowledge of the location of elements on the lock screen.
Once you unlock your device, you can use your mouse to navigate the menus. This is the perfect time to enable USB debugging or back up to the cloud if you haven't already. You can also open the file manager using the mouse and copy important folders to a connected flash drive if your adapter has two ports or you are using a USB hub.
⚠️ Attention: If the screen is completely black, you will be acting blindly. Remember or draw an unlocking diagram in advance so that you understand where to click the mouse cursor to enter the password.
Use a powered USB hub if connecting a mouse drains the phone too quickly or if you plan to connect several devices at the same time.
Outputting images via USB-C to HDMI
For Xiaomi flagship-level models, such as series Mi 10, Mi 11 or Xiaomi 13/14, it is possible to display images on an external monitor. These devices are equipped with a USB 3.0 or higher port that supports DisplayPort Alt Mode video transmission. This allows you to turn your smartphone into a full-fledged computer by connecting it to a TV or monitor via a Type-C to HDMI adapter.
If your model is budget (Redmi Note series), this method most likely will not work, since the ports there are limited to the USB 2.0 standard, which does not transmit video. However, it's worth checking, especially if you have the appropriate cable on hand. Connecting to a large screen will give you full visual control over the system, allowing you to control your phone using the same mouse or connected keyboard.
Once connected to the TV, the image is duplicated or expanded, depending on the settings. MIUI. You can easily go into settings, enable debugging, transfer files to a memory card or cloud storage. This is the most comfortable way to work with data, as it provides a full-fledged graphical interface.
| Xiaomi series | Video output support | Required adapter | Probability of success |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi 13/14 Pro | Yes (USB 3.2) | Type-C to HDMI | High |
| Mi 10 / Mi 11 | Yes (USB 3.0) | Type-C to HDMI | High |
| Redmi Note 12 | No (USB 2.0) | Not applicable | Zero |
| Poco F3 / F4 | No (USB 2.0) | Not applicable | Zero |
Remote control via Mi Cloud and Find Device
If physical access to management is not possible, you should turn to the company's cloud services. The service Find Device from Xiaomi allows you not only to track the location of the device, but also to execute some commands remotely. For this method to work, your phone must be connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network) and logged into your Mi account.
By accessing the i.mi.com website from a computer, you can try to back up some data if this function has been activated previously. Unfortunately, there is no direct access to the file system via the web interface, but you can delete data or block the device. In some firmware versions, the screen casting function is available, but it requires preliminary configuration on the phone itself.
A more effective option is to check the synchronization of specific data. Go to the "Gallery" or "Contacts" section on the Mi Cloud portal. Users often forget that their photos and phone numbers are already automatically uploaded to the cloud. This can save the situation without the need for complex manipulations with the device itself.
What to do if you have forgotten the password for your Mi account?
Restoring access is possible through the linked email or phone number on the account.xiaomi.com page. Without access to the account, remote control is impossible for security reasons.
Data extraction via ADB and computer
For advanced users who had USB debuggingenabled before the breakdown, there is a powerful Android Debug Bridge (ADB) tool. This method allows you to manage your phone's file system directly from your computer via the command line. This is the most reliable way to extract data if the screen does not work at all, but the system boots.
First you need to install the ADB drivers on your PC and connect the phone with a cable. If debugging is enabled, the computer will see the device. Using the command adb devices you check the connection. Next, you can use the command adb pull /sdcard/ C:/Backup/ to copy the entire contents of the internal memory to a folder on the computer.
adb shell ls /sdcard/DCIM/Camera
adb pull /sdcard/DCIM/Camera D:\Photos_Backup
If the phone is locked with a password, ADB may not have access to the data due to disk encryption before the first code is entered after turning on. In this case, you can try to send a command to enter text if you know the location of the input fields, but this is extremely difficult to implement without visual control. However, for unlocked devices this is the best software method.
⚠️ Attention: ADB commands give full access to the system. An error in syntax can lead to the deletion of important files. Check the paths carefully before pressing Enter.
☑️ Checking readiness for ADB
Replacing the display as a last resort
When software methods are exhausted, and the data is critical, the most reliable solution is a temporary screen replacement. You don't have to buy an expensive original module. Any compatible display will be suitable for data extraction, even with defects in color rendering or the presence of dead pixels, the main thing is that it shows a picture and responds to touches.
Technicians in service centers can connect a test screen without completely disassembling and gluing the case, which reduces the cost of the procedure. You only pay for the work and rental of the matrix for 15-20 minutes required to unlock and transfer data to a flash drive or to the cloud. This is often cheaper than buying a new screen for further use of the phone.
After successfully copying the information, you can refuse to install a new screen and return the phone for spare parts or recycling. This is a rational approach if the cost of repair exceeds the residual value of the device, but data is more important than money.
Temporary installation of a cheap compatible screen is the most guaranteed way to save data in the event of complete death of the touchscreen and matrix.
Frequent questions and problems during recovery
Users often encounter nuances that are not described in the standard instructions. For example, the question is what to do if the phone reboots when connected to a PC. This may indicate a short circuit in the charging connector or damage to the power controller. In such cases, software extraction is impossible without repairing the hardware.
Another problem is a locked bootloader. If you were planning to reflash your phone to reset the password, the presence of Locked Bootloader on Xiaomi will make this impossible without an official unlock, which requires waiting 7 days and a working phone for confirmation. You cannot go through this procedure without a screen.
Is it possible to extract data if the phone does not turn on?
If the phone does not respond to charging and buttons, the problem is hardware (board, battery). Software methods will not help. It requires diagnostics in the service and, possibly, resoldering of the memory chip, which is very expensive.
Does the mouse method work on old Xiaomi?
The OTG method works on most models released after 2016. Very old devices (for example, Redmi 3S) may not support power to external devices through the port.
Will data be erased when connected to someone else's PC?
No, simply connecting the cable does not delete the data. However, if you select the “Wipe device” mode in Mi Cloud or perform a Hard Reset using the buttons, the data will be lost forever.
How to find out if USB debugging is enabled without seeing the screen?
It is impossible to find out after the fact. If you did not consciously enable it in the "For Developers" settings, most likely it is disabled by default.