How to save data from a broken Android: from connecting to a PC to disassembling the phone

A ​​broken smartphone screen is one of the most unpleasant situations for the owner. Especially if the device stores important photos, work documents or contacts that urgently need access. Even if Android phone does not respond to touches, it does not turn on or shows only a black backlit screen, there are still chances to get the data back. In this article - 7 proven methods information extraction, from simple (via cloud services) to radical (disassembling and connecting to a PC via test points).

The main rule: do not panic and don’t rush to take your phone for repair. In 80% of cases, data can be saved on your own, even without special skills. We will analyze the options for different scenarios: when the screen totally black, when only part of the display works, when the phone loadsbut does not respond to touches, and even when the device does not turn on at all. Important: the sooner you start acting, the higher the chances of success - some methods (for example, through ADB) require that the phone at least somehow respond to the connection.

If your Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei or another Android device has crashed, but is still showing signs of life, this guide is for you. For convenience, we have arranged the methods from the simplest to the most complex. Start with the first section and move on to the next only if the previous one did not work.

1. Retrieving data through cloud services (if synchronization was enabled)

The fastest and safest way is to restore data from cloud backup. If synchronization with Google Account, Mi Cloud (for Xiaomi), Samsung Cloud or other services of the manufacturer has been activated on the phone, some of the data may already be safe.

What can be returned to such method:

• 📇 Contact (synchronizes with Google automatically, unless manually disabled)
• 📷 Photos and videos (if enabled Google Photos or a similar service)
• 📅 Calendar, notes, tasks (via Google or proprietary clouds)
• 🎵 Music and documents (if downloaded to Google Drive, OneDrive etc.)

How check:

1. Log in to your Google Account from another device (PC, tablet, phone).
2. Go to Google Drive → section Backup copies.
3. For photos, open Google Photos and check the folder Devices.
4. Contacts can be seen on the page Google Contacts.

⚠️ Attention: If the broken phone was turned on Two-step authentication via SMS, but the SIM card remains in the device, access to the account may be blocked. In this case, try using backup codes (if saved) or restore access via confirmation by email.

2. Connecting to a PC via USB (if the phone turns on and is detected)

If the screen is broken, but the phone turns on and the computer recognize it as an external drive, you can copy the files directly. This method works even if the sensor does not respond to touches - the main thing is that the device is detected in the system.

Instructions:

1. Connect the phone to the PC via USB cable (preferably original).
2. A request for File transfer mode should appear on the phone (usually pops up in the notification shade). If the screen does not work, try Blind input:
   • 🔄 Press the button Volume up + connect the cable - this can forcefully activate the mode MTP.
   • 🔍 On some models (Samsung, LG), holding Volume down + Power for 10 seconds helps.

If the phone is not detected:

• 🔌 Try another USB port or cable (preferably with support USB 3.0).
• 🖥️ On your PC, install drivers for your model (you can download it from the manufacturer’s website, for example Samsung or Xiaomi).
• 🔄 Restart your phone in Safe Mode (hold Power until the menu appears).

Stock an original cable|Check the functionality of the USB port on your PC|Install drivers for the model phone|Prepare an external drive for copying data|Try different connection modes (MTP, PTP)

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3. Wireless data transfer (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, FTP)

If USB port the phone is damaged or the phone is not detected via the cable, you can try to transfer files by air. To do this you will need:

• 📶 Working Wi-Fi or mobile data on the phone.
• 📱 A second phone or PC for receiving data.
• 🔧 Application for remote control (for example, TeamViewer QuickSupport, AirDroid, FTP server).

Method 1: Via an FTP server (if the phone is connected to Wi-Fi)

1. Install the application on your broken phone FTP Server (for example, WiFi FTP Server). If the screen does not work, try voice control via Google Assistant:

Okay, Google, open WiFi FTP Server

2. On another device, connect to FTP server via a browser or FileZillausing the IP address and port from the application.
3. Download the necessary files.

Method 2: Via Bluetooth (if the sensor is partially working)

If the screen responds to touches in certain areas, you can turn on Bluetooth and transfer files one by one:

1. Activate Bluetooth in the notification shade (usually swipe down from the top edge of the screen).
2. Connect a second phone or PC.
3. Select files and send them through the menu Share.

⚠️ Attention: Wireless methods are slow and not suitable for large amounts of data (for example, 4K video If you need to save). tens of gigabytes, it is better to use USB debugging (section 4) or physical disassembly (section 6).

4. Using ADB (Android Debug Bridge) to access files

ADB (Android Debug Bridge) is a debugging tool that allows you to manage your phone via command line PC. The method works even if the screen is completely black, but the phone is detected by the computer. The command line is turned on. installed turns on and is determined by the computer.

What you will need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB (you can download it as part of Android Studio or separately).
• 🔌 USB cable (preferably original).
• 🔧 Enabled USB debugging on the phone (if not, see spoiler below).

Instructions:

1. Connect the phone to the PC and open command line (Windows) or Terminal (Mac/Linux).
2. Check if the PC sees the device:

   adb devices

   If the serial number appears in the response, you can continue.

3. Copy the files to the computer (example for photo):

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

   Here /sdcard/DCIM/ is the path to the folder on the phone, a C:\Backup\Photos is a folder on the PC.

If USB debugging was not enabled in advance, try activating it blind method:

adb shell input keyevent 82

List of useful ADB commands for data extraction:

5. Connecting a mouse or OTG cable for control

If the phone screen is works, but does not respond to touches, you can connect USB mouse or keyboard via OTG adapter. This will allow you to control the device like a regular computer.

What you need:

• 🖱️ USB mouse (wired or wireless with a USB receiver).
• 🔌 OTG adapter (adapter from USB-C/Micro-USB to USB-A).
• 🔋 The phone must be turned on and unlocked (if you have a PIN, try entering it blindly).

How to connect:

1. Insert OTG adapter into the phone connector.
2. Connect the mouse to adapter.
3. The cursor should appear on the screen. Now you can:
• 📂 Open Explorer and copy files to a flash drive (if your phone supports OTG drives).
• ☁️ Upload data to cloud via browser.
• 📧 Send files by email.

If the mouse does not work:

• 🔄 Try another OTG adapter (not all support power for the mouse).
• 🔋 Make sure the phone is charged (some adapters consume a lot of power).
• 🖱️ Use wireless mouse with its own power.

⚠️ Attention: On some phones (Huawei, Honor), the function OTG is disabled by default. If the mouse is not detected, check the settings in the Additional functions or System.

6. Disassembling the phone and connecting the internal memory to the PC

If the phone does not turn on or the screen is completely dead, but you are sure that the internal memory (eMMC or UFS chip) is intact - you can remove it and connect it to the PC via card reader. This method requires skills in working with electronics and is suitable for skilled users.

What you will need:

• ⚙️ A set of screwdrivers (Torx, Phillips) for disassembly.
• 🔥 Hair dryer or soldering station (for desoldering the chip memory).
• 💾 Card reader with support eMMC/UFS (for example, ASProgrammer or EasyJTAG).
• 🖥️ app for working with memory (for example, Flash Tool or UFi Box).

Step-by-step guide:

1. Disassemble phone:
   • Remove the back cover (by heating the glue with a hairdryer or using suction cups).
   • Disconnect the battery (required!).
   • Find the memory chip (usually marked as eMMC or UFS, for example, KLM8G1GETF-B041).
2. Connect the chip to the card reader:
   • Carefully unsolder the chip (if you have no experience, it is better to contact the service).
   • Install it into the card reader adapter.