A ​​broken screen on an Android smartphone is one of the most unpleasant situations for the user. Especially if you have important photos on your device that haven't been synced to the cloud or backed up. When the display is completely dead (no image, no touch response, or the phone won't even turn on), it seems like your data is lost forever. However, this is not so: there are several ways to extract photos even from a completely “blind” device.

In this article we will look at all possible methods - from simple (connecting to a PC) to advanced (using ADB or Fastboot). Important: the choice of method depends on whether the phone itself is working (vibrates when turned on, makes sounds), is USB debugging enabled and is the bootloader unlocked. We will analyze the options for each case, including situations where the phone not detected by the computer or will ask you to unlock the screen.

If you are not confident in your technical skills, some methods (for example, working with TWRP or soldering) are best left to specialists. But most problems are solved without repair - the main thing is to act carefully and follow the instructions.

1. Connecting to a computer via USB (the easiest way)

If the phone is turned onmakes sounds or vibrates, but the screen does not show an image, first try connecting it to the PC. This method will work if:

  • 🔌 The phone previously had USB debugging enabled (Settings → For developers → USB debugging).
  • 📁 The phone is defined as media device (MTP) or storage.
  • 🔓 The screen is not locked with a password/pattern (or you remember the combination).

Connect your phone to your computer using the original cable. If the PC makes a connection sound, but does not display files:

  1. Open Device Manager (click Win + X → select item).
  2. Check to see if there are devices with an exclamation mark in the list (usually in the section Portable devices or Other devices).
  3. If the device is not recognized, right-click on it → Update driver → Search for drivers on this computer → specify the path to the folder with drivers Android SDK (if installed) or download official drivers from Google.

If the phone is detected as a storage device, but asks to unlock the screen, try:

  • 🔄 Restart phone in safe mode (hold the power button until it vibrates, then long tap on "Turn off" → "Safe Mode"). Sometimes this disables the screen lock.
  • 🎧 Connect Bluetooth keyboard or mouse via OTG adapter —if the screen responds to touches, but they are not visible, you can enter the password “blindly.”
💡

If the phone vibrates when USB is connected, but the PC does not see it, try a different cable or port. Often the problem is a damaged connector Micro-USB/Type-C - carefully clean it with a toothpick to remove dust and oxidation.

2. Using Recovery mode to copy data

If USB debugging has not been enabled, but the phone enabled responds to buttons, you can try to copy the photo via Recovery mode. This method is suitable for devices with unlocked bootloader or custom Recovery (for example, TWRP).

Instructions:

  1. Turn off the phone (hold the power button for 10-15 seconds).
  2. Hold the combination to enter Recovery (depending on the model):
    • 📱 Samsung: Power + Volume up + Bixby (or Home on older models).
    • 📱 Xiaomi/Redmi: Power + Volume up.
    • 📱 Google Pixel, OnePlus: Power + Volume down.
  • In the menu Recovery (control the volume buttons, select with the power button) find the item Mount or Advanced → File Manager.
  • Connect the phone to the PC - in some versions TWRP it will be possible to copy files via MTP.

    • If you stock Recovery (without TWRP), there will be no possibility of copying data. In this case, proceed to the following methods.

    What to do if the phone does not enter Recovery?

    If the button combination does not work, the motherboard or buttons may be damaged. An alternative is to use ADB to reboot into Recovery:

    adb reboot recovery

    But this will only work if USB debugging was enabled previously.

    3. Photo extraction via ADB (for advanced users)

    Android Debug Bridge (ADB) is a powerful tool for managing your phone via the command line. It will help copy photos even if the screen does not work, but requires preliminary configuration (USB debugging must be enabled!).

    Steps:

    1. Download and install Platform Tools (ADB and Fastboot).
    2. Connect your phone to the PC, open Command Line (or Terminal on Mac/Linux) in the folder with ADB.
    3. Check the connection: 
      adb devices

      If the device is displayed, proceed further. If not, install the drivers or try a different cable.

    4. Copy the photo to your PC: 
      adb pull /sdcard/DCIM/ C:\Photos\

      (replace the path C:\Photos\ with the desired folder on your PC).

    If the phone is locked with a password, but USB debugging has been enabled, you can try to bypass the blocking:

    adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key

    After a reboot, the graphic key will be reset (does not work on all versions of Android!).

    Install Platform Tools|Enable USB debugging (if the screen worked)|Connect the original cable|Check the connection with the command `adb devices`-->

    4. OTG adapter and external drive

    If the phone turns onbut the screen does not respond to touches, you can try connecting USB flash drive or memory card via OTG adapter. This method works if:

    • 🔄 The function is enabled on the phone Transferring files via USB (even if the screen is not visible).
    • 📱 The phone supports OTG (most modern models - yes).
    • 🔓 The screen is not locked with a password (or you can enter it "blind").

    Instructions:

    1. Buy OTG adapter (for example, Type-C → USB-A for modern phones).
    2. Connect to the adapter USB flash drive (formatted in FAT32 or exFAT).
    3. Insert the adapter into the phone. If the device responds, try copying the files:
      • 📂 Use file explorer (if the phone makes sounds when connected).
      • 🔍 Connect Bluetooth keyboard for blind navigation.

    If the phone is locked, but supports Smart Lock (unlocking by trusted device or location), bring it close to the previously paired smart watch or Bluetooth speaker —sometimes this removes the lock.

    📊 Which method did you try first?
    Connecting to a PC
    Recovery Mode
    ADB
    OTG adapter
    More I haven’t tried

    5. Retrieving data through the service center (if nothing helps)

    If the phone does not turn onis not detected by the computer and does not respond to buttons, there are two options left:

    1. Screen replacement (if the phone turns on, but the display is broken). Cost - from 1,500 to 10,000 rubles, depending on the model.
    2. Soldering the memory chip (if the phone does not turn on). This method is used when the motherboard is damaged, but flash memory (eMMC/UFS) is intact.

    Service centers use special equipment (JTAG, ISP) for direct memory reading. Average cost of data retrieval:

    Type of damage Cost, ₽ Time frame
    Screen replacement + data copying 2 000–15 000 1–3 days
    Memory reading via JTAG 5 000–20 000 3–7 days
    Recovery after flooding 3 000–25 000 5–10 days

    Before contacting service:

    • 🔍 Check if they have experience working with your phone model.
    • 💰 Ask for a fixed price (some centers charge for an “attempt”).
    • 📄 Ask for a guarantee of data safety (for example, if the chip is damaged during soldering).
    💡

    If the phone does not turn on, but heats up or vibrates when connected to a charger, the chances of data recovery are high. The main thing is not to try to turn it on multiple times, so as not to damage the board.

    6. Prevention: how to avoid data loss in the future

    To avoid the problem of losing photos, set up automatic backup:

    • ☁️ Google Photos: enable Auto-upload and synchronization in the application settings. Photos will be saved to the cloud even if the phone breaks down.
    • 📱 Local backup: use applications like Swift Backup (requires root) or the built-in backup function in Settings → System → Backup.
    • 💾 Regular export to PC: connect the phone to the computer once a month and copy the folder DCIM.

    Also:

    • 🔧 Enable USB Debugging in advance (tap Settings → About phone → Build number tap 7 times, then return to Settings → For developers).
    • 🔐 Use Smart Lock to unlock by trusted device or location.
    • 📵 Keep backup unlock codes (for example, for Google Account) in a safe place.
    💡

    If you often drop your phone, install the app Shake or Drop Alert —it will warn about a fall and automatically create backup copies of important data.

    7. Common mistakes and how to avoid them

    When trying to save data from a broken phone, users often make critical mistakes:

    • 🔋 Multiple attempts to turn on: if the phone does not turn on the first time, do not press the power button repeatedly - this can damage the board.
    • 💦 Independent repair without skills: disassembling the phone without experience often leads to damage to the cables or contacts.
    • 🔥 Using non-original chargers: cheap cables can cause a short circuit.
    • 📵 Reset to factory settings: this will delete all data without the possibility of recovery!

    If the phone falls into water:

    ⚠️ Attention: Turn it off immediately, remove the SIM card and battery (if possible), and blot it with a napkin. Do not turn onuntil dry (at least 24 hours in rice or silica gel). Do not use a hair dryer - this will damage the microcircuits!

    If the phone does not respond to charging:

    • Try a different cable and unit power supply.
    • Clean the connector Type-C with a toothpick (contacts may be oxidized).
    • Connect to power bank - sometimes the phone responds only to low current.

    FAQ: Frequent questions

    Is it possible to pull out a photo if the phone does not turn on and does not respond to charging?

    Yes, but only at the service center via JTAG or ISP. If the phone is completely dead (does not heat up, does not vibrate), the chances are minimal - the board or memory may be damaged.

    What to do if the phone asks to unlock the screen, but the screen is not visible?

    Try:

    1. Connect Bluetooth keyboard and enter the password "blindly".
    2. Use ADB to delete the lock file (if debugging was enabled).
    3. Contact the service to replace the screen (if the phone turns on).
    How much does it cost to retrieve data at a service center?

    The cost depends on the type of damage:

    • Screen replacement + copying: 2 000–15 000 ₽.
    • Memory reading via JTAG: 5 000–20 000 ₽.
    • Recovery after uploads: 3 000–25 000 ₽.

    Check prices in advance - some centers charge payment even if the data could not be recovered.

    Is it possible to restore a photo if I reset it to factory settings?

    Unfortunately, no. Resetting deletes all data from the internal memory without the possibility of recovery. The exception is if the photos were saved to SD card or to the cloud.

    Does the ADB method work on all phones?

    No. ADB requires preliminary activation USB debugging. If this feature has been disabled, the method will not work. Also, on some phones (for example, Xiaomi s MIUI) additional authorization is required for ADB.