Rescuing Lost Treasures: A Comprehensive Guide to Recovering Data From Damaged Android and iOS Phones
Accidents can happen quickly and it can happen that the screen of your smartphone breaks following a fall. In this situation, the priority is often to recover personal data before repairing or replacing the device. This detailed guide shows you how to recover data from an Android or iOS phone with a broken screen, based on different possible scenarios.
Method 1: The screen is partially working
If your screen is cracked but still partially responds to touch, you can try the following steps:
- Connect the smartphone to a computer: Use the USB cable that came with your device to connect it to your PC or Mac.
- Allow access to files: On some Android models, you must select “File Transfer” after connecting the device. For iPhones, make sure you have iTunes installed on your computer.
- Copy your files: Explore smartphone contents from computer and copy the files you want to recover.
Note that this method cannot recover app data, such as WhatsApp messages or contacts. To do this, you will need to use an online backup (Google Drive for Android or iCloud for iOS).
Method 2: The screen becomes completely unresponsive
If the screen is completely unusable, here are some possible solutions:
For Android:
- Use an OTG adapter: This accessory allows you to connect a mouse to your smartphone via the USB port. This will allow you to control the device without needing to touch the screen.
- USB debugging enabled: If you already had USB debugging enabled on your phone before it broke, you can use software like Vysor or scrcpy to view and control your device from a computer.
- Online backup: If your data was synced with Google Drive, you can access it from any other compatible device using your Google credentials.
For iOS:
- VoiceOver: This accessibility feature allows visually impaired people to use their iPhone using voice commands. Activate it by pressing the Home button (or side button for models without Home button) three times quickly. You can then navigate the menus by following the voice instructions.
- iCloud Backup: If your data was backed up to iCloud, you can restore your iPhone from a backup by connecting it to iTunes and choosing “Restore Backup.”
Method 3: The phone has not been prepared for USB debugging
If your screen is broken and you haven’t enabled USB debugging first, the situation is more complicated. Here are some avenues to explore:
- Data recovery via specialized software: Software such as Dr.Fone or EaseUS MobiSaver can help recover some lost data, but their effectiveness depends on several factors (phone model, type of files sought, etc.).
- Have the screen repaired temporarily: Some stores offer temporary repairs for broken screens. This may be enough to access the data and perform a backup before permanently replacing the screen.
Call a professional for secure recovery
In some cases, it is best to entrust data recovery to a professional. Specialized companies have advanced tools and in-depth knowledge to extract information from your phone safely. This option can be expensive, but it generally guarantees optimal results.
As we just saw, recovering data from an Android or iOS phone with a broken screen can be complex, but there are several methods suitable for different scenarios. Depending on the condition of the screen and the preparation of the smartphone before the accident, you can try to use a USB connection, an OTG adapter or even specialized software. As a last resort, do not hesitate to call a professional for secure recovery of your precious data.