A ​​broken screen, a smartphone that does not respond to touch, or a phone that does not turn on at all is a situation familiar to many. The main problem in such cases: how to save contactsif the device does not respond to commands? This is especially critical for owners Samsung Galaxy, Xiaomi Redmi or Huawei, where contacts are often stored only in the phone’s memory and not in the cloud.

In this article - 5 proven ways to extract contacts from a damaged Android device to a PC, including methods for phones with a black screen, broken touchscreen or completely dead battery. We will look at options for both root devices and standard smartphones without superuser rights. Important: some methods require preliminary setup (for example, USB debugging is enabled), but we will also offer solutions for cases where no preparation has been carried out.

If your phone still somehow reacts when connected to a charger or computer, the chances of success are high. Even if the screen is completely black, the device is detected as Media Device (MTP) or Portable Device, you can try to extract the data. Let's start with the simplest methods and gradually move on to more complex technical solutions.

1. Retrieving contacts via Google Account (if synchronization was enabled)

The fastest and most reliable way is to restore contacts from Google Accountif synchronization was activated on your phone. Even if you don't remember whether you turned it on, it's worth checking: many manufacturers (for example Sony or Motorola) enable this feature by default when you first set up the device.

To check for a backup:

  • 📱 Open a browser on your computer and go to the website Google Contacts.
  • 🔑 Log in using the same account that was linked to the phone.
  • 🔍 In the left menu, select More → Restore contacts.
  • 📅 The system will show available backup copies with dates - select the most recent one.

If contacts are displayed, they can be exported to a file .vcf (for further import into another phone) or .csv (for editing in Excel). To do this:

  1. Click More → Export.
  2. Select the format and confirm the export.
  3. The file will be saved in the folder Downloads of your PC.
⚠️ Attention: If your phone was installed two-factor authentication for Google Account, and SMS codes are sent to the same broken number, it will be more difficult to restore access to your account. In this case, try using backup codes (if you saved them when setting up 2FA) or contact Google support with proof of account ownership.
📊 Did your phone synchronize contacts with Google?
Yes, all contacts were saved
Yes, but only part of it
No, synchronization was disabled
I don’t know, I didn’t check

2. Transferring contacts from a SIM card (if they were stored there)

Many users save contacts to SIM cardthe old fashioned way, especially owners of budget models (Nokia Android, Alcatel, TECNO). If this is your case, you can extract data even without turning on the phone:

You will need:

  • 📲 Another working phone (any, even push-button) with support for your SIM size.
  • 💻 Computer with a card reader (if you want copy contacts directly from SIM to PC).

Instructions:

  1. Remove the SIM card from the broken phone (use a paper clip or a special key).
  2. Insert it into the working device.
  3. On the working phone, go to Contacts → Settings → Import/Export → Import from SIM.
  4. After import, export contacts to a file .vcf and transfer it to your PC via USB or via messenger.

If you want to do without a second phone:

  • Buy USB-SIM adapter (costs ~300–500 rubles).
  • Connect the SIM to the computer via an adapter.
  • Use the app SIM Card Data Recovery or PhoneBook to read contacts.
⚠️ Attention: SIM cards store a limited number of contacts (usually up to 250) and only name + number (no email, addresses or photos). If you had a complete contact book with additional data, this method will not work.
💡

Before removing the SIM from a broken phone, make sure it is turned off. If the screen does not respond, but the phone is turned on, wait 10–15 minutes (it may discharge itself). Removing the SIM from a working device may damage the card.

3. Connecting the phone to the PC in MTP mode (if the screen does not work, but the phone turns on)

If the phone turns on, but the screen does not respond to touches (or is completely black), you can try connecting it to the computer in the Media Transfer Protocol (MTP)mode. This method works if:

  • 🔌 USB debugging was enabled before failure.
  • 📱 The phone is detected by the computer as external drive.
  • 🔒 There is no screen lock (or it can be removed via USB).

Step-by-step guide:

  1. Connect the phone to the PC via a USB cable (preferably original).
  2. Open on the computer This computer (or My computer in Windows).
  3. If the phone is detected as a removable disk, go to the folder Internal Storage → data → com.android.providers.contacts.
  4. Copy files contacts.db and contacts.db-wal to your computer.
  5. Use the app DB Browser for SQLite to open contacts.db and export contacts to .csv.

If folder data not visible:

  • Install on PC ADB (Android Debug Bridge).
  • On the command line, run: 
    adb pull /data/data/com.android.providers.contacts/databases/contacts.db
Condition Does the method work? What to do if no
USB debugging was enabled ✅ Yes Use ADB (section 4)
The screen is completely black, but the phone vibrates when connected ✅ Yes (if there is no lock) Try to unlock via Smart Lock (section 5)
The phone does not turn on ❌ No Use the method with a flash drive (section 6)
The phone asks to unlock when connected ⚠️ Partially Try entering the password blindly or through an OTG keyboard

Make sure the cable is working|Try another USB port on your PC|Disable the antivirus (it may block access)|Use the original cable from the phone-->

4. Using ADB (Android Debug Bridge) to retrieve contacts

ADB (Android Debug Bridge) is a powerful tool for working with Android devices through the command line. It will help if:

  • 🔧 USB debugging was enabled on the phone USB debugging.
  • 🖥️ The phone is detected by the computer (even without a screen).
  • 🔓 There is no pattern or PIN code (or you you know).

Instructions for Windows:

  1. Download ADB and Fastboot Tools from Google.
  2. Extract the archive into a folder C:\adb.
  3. Connect your phone to the PC and open the command line in the folder with ADB (press Shift + RMB → Open a PowerShell window here).
  4. Run the command to check the connection: 
    adb devices

    If the phone appears in the list, continue.

  5. Copy the contact database: 
    adb pull /data/data/com.android.providers.contacts/databases/contacts.db
  6. Open contacts.db to DB Browser for SQLite and export the data.

If the phone is locked:

  • Try to unlock it blindly (for example, swipe finger on the screen in the place where there should be a swipe to unlock).
  • Use an OTG adapter and connect a USB keyboard to enter the PIN code.
  • If all else fails, try resetting the pattern via ADB: 
    adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key
    Attention: this will only work on Android 4.4 and below! new versions require root.
⚠️ Attention: ADB commands provide low-level access to the system. Do not execute commands that you do not understand —this can lead to complete loss of data or bricking of the phone. For example, the command adb shell rm -rf /data will delete all user data without the possibility of recovery!
What to do if ADB does not see the device?

If the command adb devices returns empty list, try:

1. Install drivers for your phone model (download from the manufacturer’s website, for example Samsung USB Driver for Galaxy).

2. Reboot the phone in Fastboot mode (press Power + Volume Down when connecting to a PC).

3. Use another USB cable (preferably the original one).

4. Disable driver signing in Windows (to do this, enter in the command line as an administrator: bcdedit /set nointegritychecks on, then restart the PC).

5. Bypassing the screen lock via Smart Lock or Find My Device

If your phone is locked, but you have configured Smart Lock (automatic unlocking in trusted places) or linked Google Account, you can try to bypass the lock without resetting your data.

Method 1: Smart Lock (if the phone recognizes a trusted device or location)

  • 📍 Bring the phone to trusted location (for example, home or work, if it has been added to Smart Lock).
  • 🔊 Connect Bluetooth devicethat was in the trusted list (for example, a smart watch or car system).
  • 👤 If it was configured face/voice recognition —try to unlock the phone with your voice (tell "Okay, Google").

Method 2: Find My Device (remote unlocking)

  1. Go to the website Find My Device.
  2. Select your phone in the list of devices.
  3. Click Lock device and enter new temporary password.
  4. Connect your phone to the PC and enter this password to unlock.

Method 3: OTG keyboard or mouse

If the screen does not work, but the phone turns on:

  • Buy OTG adapter (USB-C/microUSB → USB-A).
  • Connect to the phone USB keyboard or mouse.
  • Press Enter to unlock (if you swipe) or enter the PIN code.
  • After unlocking, connect the phone to the PC and copy contacts via MTP.
⚠️ Attention: On some models (for example, Xiaomi with MIUI or Huawei with EMUI) Find My Device may not work if The function Remote control was disabled in the settings. In this case, only methods with ADB or hardware repair remain.

6. Retrieving contacts from a memory card (if they were exported there)

Many users periodically export contacts to a file .vcf on memory card. If you have done this before, the chances of recovery are high. Even if the phone does not turn on, the memory card can be removed and read on another device.

How to check:

  1. Remove the microSD from the phone (unplug it first if it is still working).
  2. Insert the card into the card reader and connect to PC.
  3. Check the folders:
    • Download (downloads)
    • Documents
    • Android/data/com.android.contacts
  • Look for files with the extension .vcf or .csv.

    • If there is no file, but the phone somehow reacts to the connection:

    • 📱 Connect your phone to the PC and try to blindly export contacts:
      1. Press and hold the button Power + Volume Up (to call the recovery menu).
      2. Use the volume keys to select Reboot to Safe Mode (if the phone will boot - try export).
  • 🔧 Use ADB to create a backup: 
    adb backup -f C:\contacts.ab -apk com.android.providers.contacts

    (File contacts.ab can be opened usingLater Android Backup Extractor.)

    • If the memory card is damaged:

    • Use recovery apps data: Recuva, EaseUS Data Recovery or PhotoRec.
    • Connect the card through a card reader and scan for deleted files.
    💡

    Even if the phone does not turn on, the memory card often remains working. Always check it on another device before sending the phone for repair or recycling!

    7. Hardware repair or contacting a service center

    If none of the software methods work, it remains hardware interventionThis is relevant for cases when:

    • 💥 The phone is physically damaged (for example, the motherboard burned out).
    • 🔋 The battery is swollen and blocks access to the connectors.
    • 🔒 The screen is completely dead, and USB debugging was not enabled.

    Solution options:

    Problem Solution Cost (approx.)
    The screen is broken, but the phone works Replacing the display + copying data via USB 1 500–5 000 ₽
    Phone does not turn on, but the board is intact Connection to the programmer (for example, RIFF Box or UFi) 3 000–10 000 ₽
    Damaged flash memory (NAND) Chip-off (removing the chip and reading on the programmer) 5 000–20 000 ₽
    Battery is swollen Battery replacement + board diagnostics 1 000–8 000 ₽

    How to choose a service center:

    • 🔍 Look for workshops with reviews about data recovery, and not just screen repair.
    • 📄 Check if they provide they a guarantee of data safety (some services charge money only for the result).
    • 💬 Ask if they use programmers (for example, JTAG or ISP) - this increases the chances of success.
      • ⚠️ Attention: Not all service centers undertake to extract data from damaged phones. For example, official services Samsung or Xiaomi often refuse such orders due to the risk of damaging the device. In this case, look for private specialists or data recovery laboratories (for example, Data Recovery Lab).

      If the phone is under warranty:

      • Check with the service center whether save the data before repair.
      • Some manufacturers (for example, Google Pixel) offer free data extraction during warranty repairs.
      • If they refuse, try copying contacts yourself via ADB (section 4) before returning the phone.

        • FAQ: Frequently asked questions about restoring contacts

        Is it possible to restore contacts if phone drowned?

        Yes, but do not turn it onFirst:

        1. Remove the battery (if possible).
        2. Place the phone in rice or silica gel for 24-48 hours.
        3. Contact the service where they do ultrasonic cleaning boards.

      The chances of data recovery depend on how quickly you responded. If the phone has already been turned on, the likelihood of contact corrosion is high.

      How to copy contacts if the phone asks for a password when connecting to a PC?

      Options:

      • Connect OTG keyboard and enter the password blindly.
      • If you have configured Smart Lock —unlock your phone on a trusted network.
      • Use ADB to delete the password file (only for older versions of Android!).

      On new phones (Android 10+) bypass the lock without losing data almost impossible.

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

      Yes, if:

      • It was turned on synchronization with Google - check Google Contacts.
      • A backup application was used (for example, Super Backup).
      • The phone was on Android 8 and below - try apps like Dr.Fone or Tenorshare UltData.

      On new versions of Android, after a reset, restore the data not possible —they are encrypted with a hardware key that is erased.

      What to do if the phone is not detected by the computer?

      Try:

      • Use another USB cable (preferably original).
      • Connect to another USB port (preferably USB 2.0 on the rear panel PC).
      • Install drivers for your model (download from the manufacturer's website).
      • Try to connect the phone in mode Fastboot (press Power + Volume Down).

      If the phone does not respond to charging at all, the problem may be power controller (needs repair).

      How to protect contacts from loss in the future?

      Recommendations:

      • 🔄 Enable auto-sync with Google (Settings → Accounts → Google → Contact synchronization).
      • 💾 Regularly export contacts to a file .vcf to a memory card or cloud.
      • 📱 Use backup applications (for example, Swift Backup for root or SMS Backup & Restore).
      • 🔧 Enable USB debugging (Settings → For developers → USB debugging) - this will help extract data in the future.

        • If you have corporate phone —check with the IT department whether backup is enabled via Microsoft Exchange or MDM system.