A ​​broken smartphone screen is one of the most unpleasant breakdowns, especially if important contacts are at risk. Even when the display does not respond to touch or displays only a black image, the data often remains intact. The main thing is not to panic and not to try to “fix” the phone using makeshift methods (for example, heat or shock), which can completely destroy the device’s memory.

In this article we will analyze 7 proven methods extracting phone numbers from a Androiddevice whose screen is broken, the sensor is not working or there is no image. The methods are ranked from the simplest (for example, synchronization with Google Account) to advanced (using ADB or OTG mice). Choose the appropriate option depending on the degree of damage to the phone, the availability of backups and technical skills.

Important: if the screen is not just cracked, but the phone does not turn on at all (no vibration, charging indication), the problem may be a hardware failure of the board. In this case, independent data recovery is unlikely - you will need the help of a service center with equipment for chip-off (direct memory read).

1. Check synchronization with Google Account

The fastest way to get your contacts back is to use automatic backup from Google. If synchronization was enabled on your phone, all numbers are already saved in the cloud and are accessible from any device.

How to check:

  • 📱 Take another smartphone (or computer) and log in to the same Google Accountas on the broken phone.
  • 🔄 Open the application Google Contacts (or go to the website contacts.google.com).
  • 🔍 Check your contact list - if synchronization worked, all numbers will be displayed.
  • 📤 Export contacts to file .vcf (via the "Contact Management" → "Export" menu).

If there are no contacts, then synchronization has been disabled. In this case, proceed to the following methods. Please note: Google saves not only numbers, but also call history (if the option is enabled in the settings).

📊 Have you ever set up backup of contacts?
Yes, regularly
Yes, but for a long time
No, I didn’t know about such a function
I tried it, but it didn’t work
⚠️ Attention: If the broken phone was turned on two-factor login to Google (via SMS), and the SIM card is inaccessible, it will be more difficult to restore access to your account. Prepare backup codes or a spare email for recovery in advance.

2. Use a SIM card (if the contacts are saved on it)

Many users store some numbers on the old fashioned way. SIM cardIf your phone supports this format, you can remove the card and read the contacts on another device.

How to do it:

  1. Turn off the broken phone (press the power button for 10-15 seconds).
  2. Remove SIM card using a paperclip or a special key.
  3. Insert it into another smartphone (or USB-SIM readerif you connect to a PC).
  4. Open the application Contact → find the section "SIM Contacts" (name may vary).
  5. Copy numbers to the phone memory or export to a file.

This method has limitations:

  • ❌ SIM card stores only numbers and names (no photos, emails or notes).
  • ❌ Modern nano-SIM do not support recording contacts (only old ones mini-SIM).
  • ❌ If the phone does not turn off due to a damaged screen, it will be difficult to remove the card.
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If the SIM card is stuck in the tray, do not try to pull it out with tweezers - use a thin plastic plate (for example, guitar pick) or contact a service center.

3. Connect an OTG mouse or keyboard

If the screen is broken, but display works (the image is visible), and the sensor does not respond to touch, you can connect external input devices via OTG cable. copy contacts.

What you will need:

  • 🖱️ USB mouse (wired or wireless with OTG adapter).
  • ⌨️ Alternatively - USB keyboard (more convenient for navigating the menu).
  • 🔌 OTG adapter (for example, USB-C → USB-A).

Instructions:

  1. Connect the mouse/keyboard to the phone via OTG.
  2. If the screen is on, the mouse cursor should appear in 5-10 seconds.
  3. Use the mouse to unlock the phone (if you need a PIN/pattern, use the keyboard).
  4. Open Contact → export them to a file or send them to yourself via email.

If the mouse does not work:

  • Check whether your phone supports OTG (on some budget models the function is disabled).
  • Try another OTG cable (cheap ones often unstable).
  • Connect the charger - some phones block OTG when the charge is low.
Which phones do not support OTG?

Some models Xiaomi Redmi (for example, Redmi 5A), old Samsung Galaxy Jseries, as well as many devices with Mediatekprocessors without custom firmware. The full list can be checked on the manufacturer’s website or through the app OTG Checker (if the phone is still working).

4. Control via HDMI or Miracast (for TV/monitor)

If the screen is broken, but the phone turns on and displays an image (albeit with artifacts), you can display the image on an external display. This will help you see the interface and copy contacts.

Connection methods:

Method What you need Pros Cons
HDMI adapter USB-C/Micro-USB → HDMI cable + monitor/TV Stable connection, no delays You need to unlock the phone manually
Miracast Smart TV or Miracast adapter (for example, Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter) Wireless connection Image delays, not all phones support
Chromecast Device Google Chromecast + Wi-Fi Easy setup Requires working Wi-Fi on the phone

How to connect via HDMI:

  1. Buy an adapter compatible with your phone (for example, USB-C to HDMI for Samsung Galaxy S22).
  2. Connect your phone to a TV or monitor.
  3. If the phone screen is turned on, the image is duplicated on the external display.
  4. Use OTG mouse (from the previous method) for control.
⚠️ Attention: On some phones (for example, Xiaomi or Huaweiwhen connecting to HDMI, confirmation is required on the device screen. If the sensor does not work, this method will not work.

5. Retrieve contacts via ADB (for advanced users)

Android Debug Bridge (ADB) - a tool for managing your phone via a computer. It allows you to copy contacts even if the screen does not work, but requires preliminary configuration.

Conditions for the method to work:

  • ✅ It was turned on on the phone USB debugging (Settings → For developers).
  • ✅ The phone turns on and is detected by the computer (there is a connection sound).
  • ✅ You have USB cable (preferably original).

Instructions:

  1. Download ADB Tools and unzip to a folder on your PC.
  2. Connect your phone to your computer.
  3. Open Command Line (Windows) or Terminal (Mac/Linux) in the folder with ADB.
  4. Enter the commands order: 
    adb devices

    (the serial number of the phone should appear)

    adb shell content query --uri content://com.android.contacts/data

    (will display a list of contacts in the format XML)

  5. Copy the output to a text file and convert to a convenient format (for example, via Excel).

Alternative method (if you only need numbers):

adb shell "sqlite3 /data/data/com.android.providers.contacts/databases/contacts2.db 'SELECT * FROM raw_contacts;'"

If ADB does not see the device:

  • 🔌 Try another USB port or cable.
  • 🔄 Restart your phone and PC.
  • 🛠️ Install drivers for your model (for example, Samsung USB Driver for Galaxy).

Make sure that USB debugging is enabled|Download ADB Tools from the official website|Connect the phone with the original cable|Check the visibility of the device using the adb devices command|Make a backup of your data before experiments-->

⚠️ Attention: Commands ADB give full access to the system Do not execute unknown commands from the Internet - this may happen. lead to data loss or phone blocking.

6. Restoring through a backup copy (if there is one)

If you have ever created a backup of your phone (for example, through Samsung Smart Switch, Xiaomi Cloud or Titanium Backup), you can restore contacts from the archive.

Where to look for backups:

  • 🖥️ Local copies: Check the folders on your PC (for example, C:\Users\Your_name\Backups or (for data-i="210">(if the backup was created through
  • ☁️ Cloud storage:
    • Samsung Cloud (For Galaxy)
    • Mi Cloud (For Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco)
    • Google Drive (if the backup was created via Settings → System → Backup)
  • 📱 Third-party applications: Titanium Backup, Super Backup (look for files with the extension .ab or .bak).

How to restore contacts from Google Drive:

  1. Log in to your Google Account other phone.
  2. Go to Settings → Google → Recovery.
  3. Select a backup copy of your broken phone.
  4. Tick the "Contacts" checkbox and click "Restore".

If the phone was linked to a brand account (for example, Samsung or Huawei), the backup copy can only be stored in their cloud. Check your personal account on the manufacturer’s official website.

7. Contact the service center (if all else fails)

If independent methods do not work, the last option remains - professional help. Service centers can extract data even from heavily damaged phones, but this is expensive and does not always guarantee results.

What the services offer:

  • 🔧 JTAG — connection to the motherboard for reading memory (suitable if the phone does not turn on).
  • 💾 Chip-off — removing the memory chip and reading data on a special equipment.
  • 🔄 Screen repair —if the problem is only in the display, you can replace it and copy the data.

Cost of services (approximately):

Service Average price (₽) Execution time Chance of success
Screen replacement 3 000 – 15 000 1–3 hours 95%
JTAG (reading data) 5 000 – 20 000 1–2 days 70–80%
Chip-off (chip removal) 10 000 – 30 000 3–5 days 50–60%

How to choose a service:

  • 🔍 Look for centers with reviews about data recovery (not just phone repair).
  • 📄 Ask for an agreement indicating guarantees for the safety of information.
  • 💰 Compare prices - too cheap services may mean low quality.
⚠️ Attention: Before handing over your phone to the service remove all passwords and PIN codes (if the screen works at least a little). Some centers may refuse to work with locked devices.
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If the phone falls into water or is subjected to physical impact (shock, fall), the chances of data recovery drop sharply. The sooner you contact the service, the higher the likelihood of success.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about restoring contacts

Is it possible to get contacts if the phone does not turn on and does not respond to charging?

If the phone is completely dead (no vibration, indication, sounds), independent data recovery is almost impossible. It will be required chip-off at a service center, but even this does not guarantee the result - if the memory is damaged, the information may be lost forever.

Try connecting the phone to the charger for 10-15 minutes - sometimes the device “comes to life” after a discharge. If there is no reaction, do not waste time with home methods (for example, heating with a hairdryer) - this will only make the situation worse.

I don’t remember if synchronization with Google was enabled. How to check this?

If you have access to another device with the same Google Account, check this way:

  1. Open contacts.google.com.
  2. Look at the number of contacts - if there are a lot of them, synchronization worked.
  3. Check the date of the last update (at the bottom of the page or in the account settings).

If there are no contacts, but you used Gmail, try to find letters with backup copies (for example, exported .vcffiles).

Is it possible to recover deleted contacts after resetting the phone?

If contacts were synchronized with Googlethey can be restored within 30 days:

  1. Go to contacts.google.com.
  2. In the menu, select "Cancel changes."
  3. Indicate the date to which you want to roll back contacts.

For other services (for example, Samsung Cloud), the restoration period may differ. If more than a month has passed, the chances are zero.

What to do if the phone asks to unlock when connected to a PC?

If an unlock request appears on the screen ("Allow debugging by USB? move,), but the sensor does not work, try:

  • Connect OTG mouse and click "Allow".
  • Use USB keyboard (key Tab to move, Enter to confirm).
  • If your phone supports voice assistant (for example, Google Assistant), try saying "Ok Google, allow debugging."

If all else fails, the only option left is to repair the screen or contact service.

How to protect contacts from loss in the future?

To avoid such situations:

  • 🔄 Turn on automatic synchronization with Google or the manufacturer's cloud.
  • 📤 Regularly export contacts to a file .vcf (via Settings → Contacts → Import/Export).
  • 📱 Use backup applications, for example Super Backup or Swift Backup.
  • 🔐 Configure two-factor authentication for cloud accounts.

Store backups in several places (for example, on a PC, in the cloud and on a flash drive).