We’ve all been there. That terrifying moment when your phone slips out of your hand and hits the floor. You pick it up, hoping for the best, but alas, the screen is shattered. But wait, that’s not all! What about all your precious data? Photos, contacts, messages… are they lost forever?
When your phone screen breaks, it’s often a moment of panic. Not only are you faced with the prospect of having to replace or repair your device, but you also risk losing all your precious data. Fortunately, there are several methods for recovering this data, even with a broken screen.
THE PROBLEM OF A PHONE WITH A BROKEN SCREEN
Why do screens break?
Screens are delicate. Despite technological advances, they remain vulnerable to drops, pressure, and sometimes, simple bad luck. Whether it’s a fall from your pocket, the phone being placed too close to the edge of a table, or it slipping out of your hands, screens can break for a myriad of reasons.
Granted, modern screens are designed to be resistant, but they’re not indestructible either. The materials used, while sturdy, have their limits. Additionally, environmental factors such as extreme temperatures can also affect the durability of the screen.
The moment of panic: losing your data
The real horror isn’t just the broken screen; it’s the potential loss of invaluable data. Memories captured in photos, important contacts, work-related documents, and those texts that made you smile. Can you recover them?
In our digital world, we store a large part of our lives on our phones. Losing access to this information can feel devastating, especially since we often don’t have copies of it. That’s why it’s essential to remember that there are solutions for recovering this data.
UNDERSTANDING DATA RECOVERY
What is data recovery?
In simple terms, data recovery is the process of retrieving inaccessible or lost data from a damaged device. Think of it as a digital rescue mission!
Data recovery is a specialized field of computer science. It requires specific tools and skills to navigate damaged storage systems and retrieve information.
What is data recovery?
Here’s a comforting thought: just because your screen is broken doesn’t mean your data is lost. The screen is just a display unit. Your data resides in the phone’s internal storage, waiting to be accessed.
The data on your phone isn’t stored on the screen itself. It’s stored on internal memory, which is generally intact even if the screen is damaged.
STEPS TO RECOVER DATA FROM A PHONE WITH A BROKEN SCREEN
Act quickly and take preliminary precautions
It’s crucial to act quickly when your phone’s screen is damaged. Even if the screen is partially functional, it can continue to deteriorate over time. If you can still access parts of your screen, make sure to back up your data as soon as possible.
Avoid further damage
First of all, make sure your phone doesn’t suffer any further damage. Keep it away from water and avoid pressing on the broken screen. Handle your phone with care. Even if the screen is already broken, avoid shaking it or handling it roughly, as this could cause further internal damage. And above all, if your phone is still on, don’t turn it off and keep it charged, since once powered off it may be difficult to turn it back on and, especially, to unlock it if its screen is broken.
Ensure sufficient battery life
If possible, make sure your phone has enough battery. You don’t want it to shut down in the middle of the recovery process. If you can’t see the battery level due to the broken screen, plug your phone into a charger to be safe. It’s best to have a full charge before starting the recovery process.
Check whether you don’t already have a cloud backup
Many smartphones automatically sync your data with the cloud. Whether it’s Google Drive for Android users or iCloud for iPhones, you may already have a backup of your essential data. Be sure to check these services to see if your data is available.
Sync your data to the Cloud if a solution is already in place
Given the potential fragility of our devices, it’s essential to take preventive measures to protect our data. If your phone is still functional, it’s wise to act quickly to back up your information. Make sure your data is properly backed up and synced. We’ll look in more detail later in this article at the various backup solutions you can set up. Also consider solutions that let you access your phone remotely, giving you the ability to keep using it even if its screen is damaged.
Enable an alternative unlocking method
To make it easier to access your device in case of screen malfunction, consider enabling alternative unlocking methods. Facial recognition is a convenient option that removes the need to enter a code, as does fingerprint sensing. In addition, proximity unlocking or using a companion device, such as a smartwatch, can prove useful for accessing your Android smartphone without having to interact directly with its screen. These precautions can prove invaluable if your phone’s screen were to fail.
RECOVERING YOUR DATA WHEN THE SCREEN IS BROKEN BUT STILL WORKS
If you’re lucky within your misfortune, your phone’s screen still works partially, and you can unlock it as we just saw above. These are the easiest cases of data loss on a smartphone with a broken screen to resolve. If that’s not your case, you’ll need to consider other solutions such as using a mouse connected via an OTG cable, data recovery software, or calling on a professional data recovery service.
Connect to an external screen
Some phones can be connected to an external screen via an HDMI dongle or simply with your charger’s USB cable. This lets you display your phone’s content on another screen, even if the original screen is broken. This is particularly useful for iPhones with a Lightning-to-HDMI adapter or Android smartphones equipped with USB connectivity.
- Connect your phone to the PC
- Unlock your phone to allow access to the PC
- Using Windows Explorer, navigate to your phone’s directory. (in most cases your phone will be recognized as a new device and a window will open automatically)
- Double-click on your smartphone’s icon to open it and access its content folders.
- Then choose the documents you want to save and paste them into a folder on your PC.
RECOVERING YOUR DATA WHEN THE SCREEN IS BROKEN AND NO LONGER WORKS
Unfortunately your screen no longer responds after your phone’s unfortunate fall. Don’t panic, there are still solutions to try to recover your data. The photos of all the memorable events of your life aren’t necessarily lost for good.
Use a USB OTG adapter and a mouse
If your phone’s display works but the touchscreen no longer responds, you can plug in a mouse to navigate. This can be particularly useful for accessing your settings and backing up your data. This clever trick involves using a USB On-The-Go (OTG) cable to connect a mouse to your phone. This way, you can navigate your phone without using the touchscreen. Once connected, simply transfer your data to a safe location. Make sure your phone is compatible with the OTG function before trying this method.
Use data recovery software
There are several software programs available that can help you recover data from a damaged phone. These tools can be a lifesaver, especially when the USB OTG method doesn’t work. When choosing software, make sure it’s compatible with your phone’s make and model. Read reviews and be sure to choose reputable software.
If you’ve enabled USB debugging on your phone, or if you can still do so, you’ll be able to use a Chrome extension that will let you save your data. Chrome Vysor is fortunately very simple to use.
- Download and install Chrome Vysor by following this link.
- Connect your smartphone to your PC.
- Launch the extension and search for your phone by clicking Find devices.
- Select your device and save your data to the computer.
Recovering data from a phone with a broken screen using backup software
Some phone manufacturers offer backup software that can help recover data even if the screen is broken. For example, Samsung users can use Smart Switch to back up and restore their data.
Call on data recovery specialists
If DIY methods fail, consider asking for help from professional services such as Chronodisk. We have the expertise and the tools to recover data even from severely damaged devices. While this option may be more costly, it often offers the best chances of success, particularly for complex or severe damage.
AND FINALLY, THINK ABOUT PREVENTING FUTURE DATA LOSS
Make regular backups
The best defense against data loss? Regular backups! Get into the habit of backing up your data periodically, so you’re always prepared for the unexpected. There are many apps and services that can automate this process for you. Find one that suits your needs and set up automatic backups.
Use cloud storage
Cloud storage solutions like Google Drive, iCloud, and Dropbox can automatically sync your data, ensuring it’s safe even if your device isn’t.
Cloud storage also offers the advantage of being able to access your data from any device. If your phone is damaged, you can still access your data from a computer or another phone.
To back up your phone’s data to the cloud, several solutions are available to you:
- Google Drive : A popular solution for Android users that automatically backs up data such as photos, texts, and contacts.
- OneDrive: Microsoft’s solution is also very useful, as you can take advantage of this free space for anyone with a Microsoft account. .
- Dropbox : Another option for backing up your data, compatible with many devices and operating systems.
- Manufacturer-specific solutions : Some phone manufacturers offer their own cloud backup solutions, such as Samsung Cloud or Xiaomi Cloud.
It’s essential to choose a solution that fits your needs and to make sure your data is regularly backed up to avoid any loss.
LOSING DATA FROM A PHONE WITH A BROKEN SCREEN ISN’T INEVITABLE
A broken phone screen isn’t the end of the world. With the right methods and a bit of patience, you can recover your data and keep using your device. Remember to always back up your data regularly to avoid future problems.
Taking the time to understand how to protect and recover your data is essential. With the right practices and a bit of preparation, you can minimize the risks and ensure your data is always safe.
And if, despite all our advice, you haven’t managed to recover your data, you can entrust your device to our experienced technicians — data recovery from any type of media holds no secrets for them. Don’t lose hope, we can help you recover all of your documents.