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If your Android phone still turns on but its touchscreen or display is unusable, the free, open-source desktop tool scrcpy may let you control it and copy files. It works best when USB debugging was already enabled and your computer was authorized. If that setup is unavailable, scrcpy’s OTG mode can send mouse or keyboard input without USB debugging—but it offers no visual mirror, so you may have to navigate blind.
What scrcpy can—and cannot—do
Genymobile describes scrcpy as an application that mirrors Android devices connected over USB or TCP/IP and allows control with a computer’s keyboard and mouse. It runs on Linux, Windows, and macOS, is free and open source, does not require root or a phone app, and supports Android API 21 (Android 5.0) and later, according to the project documentation.
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In normal use, scrcpy opens a desktop window with the phone’s display. You interact with the phone using the computer’s mouse and keyboard, which can make it possible to unlock the device, navigate its interface, and copy important files. That depends on the phone booting, the computer seeing it through ADB, and the required USB debugging authorization being in place.
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Choose an approach based on the phone’s condition
| Situation | What to try | Main constraint |
|---|---|---|
| USB debugging was enabled, and this computer was previously authorized | Connect with a USB data cable and launch scrcpy. | The phone must still boot and appear to the computer through ADB. The scrcpy project documents USB debugging as a prerequisite for normal mirroring and control. |
| Touch input is unusable, but the phone supports USB OTG | Connect a compatible OTG adapter and a wired mouse or keyboard; use scrcpy --otg. |
OTG mode sends input without USB debugging, but does not show a mirrored display. Navigation is blind. |
| USB debugging was never enabled, or an authorization prompt cannot be accepted | Try OTG input if supported and usable without seeing the screen; otherwise seek model-specific repair or data-recovery help. | Normal scrcpy mirroring may fail because ADB access is not authorized. |
Exact behavior depends on the phone model, connector, Android build, and whether the device still boots. OTG is not a way to bypass a lock or restore a dead display; it provides input, not a view of what is on the phone.
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Try the least disruptive steps first
Google recommends basic physical checks and a restart for Android screens that do not respond, flicker, jump, flash, show dead pixels, or remain blank. Follow its screen troubleshooting steps before attempting deeper recovery.
- Check for obvious physical damage. Remove the case or screen protector, clean the screen, and restart the phone if possible.
- If USB debugging was previously enabled and the computer authorized, connect the phone with a USB data cable and launch scrcpy. If the computer does not recognize the phone, try a known data-capable cable and another USB port; a charging-only cable will not provide the needed data connection.
- If the display or touch input cannot be used and the phone supports OTG, connect an OTG adapter that matches the phone’s connector and attach a wired mouse or keyboard. Run
scrcpy --otgon the computer. This is blind input, so it is most practical when you know the screen layout or only need simple actions. - Once you regain access, copy important files to a safe location before attempting resets, repairs, or other recovery actions that could change or erase data.
What you need for scrcpy OTG mode
For OTG input, you may need a USB OTG adapter compatible with the phone’s USB-C or Micro-USB connector, plus a basic wired USB mouse or keyboard. Confirm that the specific phone supports USB OTG; connector shape alone does not guarantee support. These accessories enable a connection but do not replace scrcpy or provide the missing visual display.
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Compatibility details and common snags
- Android version: The scrcpy project documents Android API 21 (Android 5.0) as its minimum. Audio forwarding is documented for API 30 (Android 11) and later, but audio is not needed for basic control or file recovery.
- Debugging and authorization: Normal mirroring relies on USB debugging and ADB authorization. If debugging was never enabled, or you cannot approve an authorization prompt on the phone, normal control may not start.
- Xiaomi input permission: The project notes that some Xiaomi devices need the separate “USB debugging (Security Settings)” permission for input injection.
- OTG visibility:
scrcpy --otgavoids the USB-debugging requirement for input simulation but does not provide the normal mirrored video view. - Computer detection: A phone that does not appear to the computer may have a cable, port, connector, device, or boot problem. ADB authorization must also be available for normal scrcpy use.
When scrcpy is not enough
If the phone will not boot, the computer cannot recognize it, or you cannot authorize ADB and cannot safely navigate through OTG, scrcpy may not provide a route to your files. Avoid factory resetting the phone while data recovery is the priority. A screen repair or qualified device-recovery service may be necessary, depending on the damage and the data you need.
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Quick Recap
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