A broken smartphone screen is one of the most unpleasant breakdowns, especially if important data is stored on the device: photos, contacts or work documents. When the sensor does not respond or the display is completely black, it seems that access to information is lost forever. However, even in such a situation, there are ways to connect the Androiddevice to the computer via USB cable and save data or control the phone remotely.

In this article we will analyze all working methods for connecting a smartphone with a non-working screen to a PC - from standard functions ADB and mode MTP before bypassing the pattern key and using specialized utilities. Important: the effectiveness of each method depends on the phone model, version Android and type of screen damage. For example, if the display is completely dead, but the phone turns on (you can hear sounds or vibration), the chances of success are higher than if the motherboard is physically damaged.

Before you begin, check:

  • 🔌 USB cable and the port on the phone: try a different cable or port on the PC to rule out connection problems.
  • 🔋 Battery charge: if the phone is low, connect it to the charger for 10-15 minutes before trying.
  • 🔊 Sound signals: when connected to a PC, a characteristic sound should be heard (on Windows) - this confirms that the device is detected by the system.
📊 Is your phone detected by the computer as an "unknown device"?
Yes, and the drivers are not installed
Yes, but the drivers are installed
No, the phone is not detected at all
I don’t know how check

1. Preparing your computer: drivers and tools

For your computer to recognize a phone with a broken screen, you need to install the correct drivers and prepare the software. Without this, even a working USB cable will not help.

For Windows you will need:

  • 🖥️ Drivers for your phone model. They can be downloaded from the manufacturer's official website (for example, Samsung USB Driver for devices Samsung, Xiaomi Mi PC Suite for Xiaomi).
  • 🛠️ ADB and Fastboot. These tools are included in Android SDK Platform-Toolswhich can be downloaded from the site Google for developers.
  • 🔧 apps for managing Android from a PC: Vysor, Scrcpy, TeamViewer QuickSupport (if the phone was previously configured for remote access).

For macOS or Linux drivers are usually not are required, but you will need to install ADB via package managers:

# For macOS (via Homebrew)

brew install android-platform-tools



For Linux (Debian/Ubuntu)


sudo apt install adb fastboot

After installing the tools, check the connection of the phone to the PC:

  1. Connect phone to computer via USB.
  2. Open Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (macOS/Linux).
  3. Enter the command: 
    adb devices

    If the phone is detected, you will see its serial number. If not, go to the next section.

💡

If the command adb devices returns an empty list, try restarting the ADB service with command adb kill-server && adb start-server.

2. Enabling USB debugging on a phone with a broken screen

The main problem when connecting a phone with a broken display is the inability to enable USB debugging (USB Debugging) in the settings. If this feature has been activated previously, you can go straight to the pro ADBsection. If not, there are workarounds.

Ways to enable debugging without a working screen:

  • 🔄 Use mouse via OTG. If your phone supports USB OTG, connect the USB mouse to the phone via an adapter. The mouse cursor will appear on the screen (even if it is broken), and you can “blindly” enable debugging. Menu coordinates Settings → System → About phone → Build number (7 taps) → Settings → System → For developers → Debugging via USB.
  • 📱 Voice control. On some phones (for example, Samsung s Bixby or Google Assistant), you can enable the voice assistant and give the command: "Enable USB debugging."
  • 🔧 Hardware buttons. On older models Android (before version 7.0), you can navigate the menu using the volume keys and the power button, but this requires precise knowledge of the sequence of actions.

If none of the methods worked, the option remains with unlocking the bootloader i flashing custom recovery (for example TWRP), but this is risky and can lead to data loss. Read more about this in the section about Fastboot.

What to do if the phone asks for permission to debug?

If the screen asks “Allow USB debugging?”, but you cannot click “Allow” because the screen is broken, try:

1. Connect the mouse via OTG and click on the button.

2. On some phones (for example Xiaomi), you can give permission through Mi Account on your PC.

3. If all else fails, you will have to reset the phone to factory settings (data loss).

3. Connection via ADB: controlling your phone from a PC is the most powerful tool for working with your device via a computer. If USB debugging was enabled previously, you can:

ADB (Android Debug Bridge) is the most powerful tool for working with Android-device via computer. If USB debugging was previously enabled, you will be able to:

  • 📁 Copy files from your phone to your PC.
  • 🔓 Unlock screen (if you know the PIN/password).
  • 🛠️ Install/uninstall applications.
  • 📱 Manage phone through screen emulation (for example, Scrcpy).

Basic commands ADB for working with the phone:

Command Description
adb devices Shows connected devices.
adb pull /sdcard/ path_to_PC Copies files from the phone to the computer (for example, photos).
adb shell input text "1234" Enter text (for example, PIN code for unlock).
adb shell input keyevent 3 Emulates pressing the "Home" button.
adb shell screencap -p /sdcard/screen.png Takes a screenshot of the screen (useful if the display is partially working).

Example: to copy all photos from the phone to a PC, use:

adb pull /sdcard/DCIM/ C:\Photos\

If the phone is locked by a graphic key, but USB debugging is enabled, you can delete the key file with the command adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key. After a reboot, the lock will be reset, but this method does not work on all versions of Android.

Install drivers for the phone|Download Android SDK Platform-Tools|Enable USB debugging on the phone (if possible)|Connect the phone to the PC and check adb devices|Make sure that the phone is recognized as a "device" (not a "charger")

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4. Bypass screen lock without data loss

If your phone is locked with a PIN code, pattern or password, and the screen does not work, you can unlock it in several ways - without resetting to factory settings.

Method 1: Using ADB (if debugging was enabled)

  1. Connect your phone to your PC and check that it is detected (adb devices).
  2. Delete the lock files: 
    adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key

    adb shell rm /data/system/password.key
    

    adb shell rm /data/system/locksettings.db

  3. Reboot the phone: 
    adb reboot

After the reboot, the screen lock should disappear. This method works on Android 5.0–7.0. On new versions (8.0+), the lock files are stored in encrypted section, and you won’t be able to delete them.

Method 2: Remote control via Google account

If an account has been added on your phone Google and synchronization is enabled, you can try:

  1. Go to the website Find My Device.
  2. Select a locked phone and click "Lock".
  3. Enter a new temporary PIN code (for example, 1234).
  4. Connect the phone to the PC and unlock it with the entered PIN code.

This method only works if the phone is connected to the Internet (via a phone) network or Wi-Fi).

Method 3: Using service codes

On some phones (Samsung, LG) you can bypass the blocking through the service menu:

  1. Insert the SIM card into the phone.
  2. Call the phone from another device.
  3. During a call, quickly dial the code: 
    ##7378423##

    (for Samsung) or ##4636## (universal).

  4. In the service menu, find option to reset the lock (if available).
💡

On Android 9.0+, it is almost impossible to bypass the lock without losing data - user data is stored in encrypted form and linked to a password.

5. Alternative connection methods: Fastboot and Recovery

If ADB does not work (for example, debugging was not enabled), the option remains using the mode Fastboot or Recovery. These methods are suitable for experienced users, since incorrect actions can lead to data loss or bricking of the phone.

Method 1: Connect in Fastboot mode

  1. Turn off the phone.
  2. Hold down the combination of buttons to enter Fastboot (usually Volume down + Power).
  3. Connect the phone to the PC and check the detection: 
    fastboot devices
  4. If the phone is detected, you can flash a custom recovery (TWRP) to access the files: 
    fastboot flash recovery twrp.img

    fastboot boot twrp.img

Method 2: Using Recovery Mode

In recovery mode (Recovery), you can:

  • 📤 Copy data to an external drive (if the phone supports OTG).
  • 🔄 Reset settings (total loss data!).
  • 🛠️ Install update (if there is a firmware file on the SD card).

To enter Recovery, turn off the phone and hold down Volume up + Power (the combination may vary). Control is carried out by the volume and power buttons.

💡

If you are flashing a custom recovery, make sure that it is compatible with your phone model. Incorrect firmware can damage the device.

6. control your phone from a PC

If you managed to connect your phone to a computer, but need to control it visually (for example, to unlock or transfer files), specialized apps will help.

1. Scrcpy

A free open source utility that allows you to display the screen Android on a PC and control it with a keyboard/mouse. It works via ADB, so it requires debugging to be enabled.

  • 🖥️ Supports keyboard control (for example, Win + H - home, Win + B - back).
  • 📱 Works even if the phone screen is turned off.
  • 🔌 Does not require root access.

Installation:

# Download Scrcpy from GitHub and run:

scrcpy

2. Vysor

Paid app with a free trial period. Allows you to control your phone via a PC, but requires USB debugging to be enabled. Supports file transfer and working with notifications.

3. TeamViewer QuickSupport

If remote access was installed on your phone TeamViewer and enabled, you can connect to it from another device. However, this method requires preliminary configuration.

4. Moborobo

A universal manager for Androidthat allows you to view files, install applications and make backups. It works without ADB, but requires driver installation.

How to transfer files if the phone is not detected as a drive?

If the phone is not displayed in "My Computer" as a removable drive, but is detected via adb devices, use the command:

adb pull /sdcard/path_to_file C:\folder_on_PC\

For example, to copy all photos:

adb pull /sdcard/DCIM/ C:\Photos\

7. What to do if nothing works?

If none of the methods helped, radical measures remain. Before resorting to them, evaluate the importance of the data on your phone:

1. Factory reset

This will delete all data, but will return the phone to working condition. To reset:

  1. Enter Recovery Mode (usually Volume up + Power).
  2. Select Wipe data/factory reset (volume button control).
  3. Confirm the action and wait completion.

2. Contacting the service center

If critical data is stored on the phone (for example, work documents or unique photographs), it is better to contact specialists. The service center can:

  • 🔧 Connect to the phone via JTAG or ISP (bypassing the processor).
  • 📱 Replace the screen and extract the data.
  • 💾 Unsolder the flash memory and read the data directly.

The cost of such services starts from 3-5 thousand rubles, but the chances of saving the data are high.

3. Self-repair of the screen

If you are confident in your skills, you can replace the screen yourself. Spare parts are sold at AliExpress, Amazon or at local service centers. The average cost of the screen for popular models (Samsung Galaxy, Xiaomi Redmi) is 2-6 thousand. rubles.

💡

Before resetting your phone to factory settings, try removing the SD card (if you have one) - the data on it will not be affected.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions

Is it possible to connect a phone with a broken screen to a PC without USB debugging enabled?

Yes, but the capabilities will be limited. You can:

  • Charge the phone.
  • If the phone is detected as a removable disk (MTP), copy files (but only if the screen is unlocked).
  • Flash the phone via Fastboot (risk of data loss).

For full access (screen control, bypassing the lock), USB debugging is required.

The phone makes a connection sound, but is not detected in "My Computer" What should I do?

The problem may be:

  • Lack of drivers (install Google USB Driver or a driver for your model).
  • Faulty USB port (try another cable or port on your PC).
  • Connection mode (by default, “Charge only” can be selected). To change the mode, you need USB debugging or a working screen.

Try entering the command: 

adb shell setprop persist.sys.usb.config mtp,adb

This will force file transfer mode.

How to copy data from a phone if it is locked and the screen does not work?

Options (from simple to complex):

  1. If USB debugging was enabled, use ADB to copy files.
  2. If the phone was synchronized with Google —restore the data from a backup on the new device.
  3. If there is SD card - remove it and connect to the PC via a card reader.
  4. If all else fails, contact the service center to extract data via JTAG.
Is it possible to enable USB debugging on a switched off phone?

No. USB debugging can only be enabled through the settings menu on a running phone. If the screen does not work and debugging has not been enabled in advance, you can only bypass this limitation:

  • Via OTGmouse (if the phone supports it).
  • Via the voice assistant (if configured).
  • Through custom recovery firmware (risk of loss data).
Which phones support control via an OTG mouse?

Almost all modern Androiddevices (starting from version 4.0) support USB OTG, but to control the mouse you need:

  • Working display (even if broken, but backlit).
  • Enabled function USB OTG in the settings (usually enabled by default).
  • Adapter USB-C/Micro-USB → USB-A (depending on the phone connector).

On phones Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei i Google Pixel OTG mouse works without additional settings.

⚠️ Attention: If you use firmware-related methods (Fastboot, TWRP), be prepared for the phone's warranty to be void. On some models (Samsung c Knox, Huawei) this may also block access to some functions (for example, Samsung Pay).
⚠️ Attention: On phones with Android 10+ and newer, user data is encrypted by hardware key linked to the lock screen password. This means that after resetting the settings or firmware, the data will be irretrievably lost, even if you remove the memory chip. Backup via Google Account is the only reliable way to save information.