How to Retrieve Data from a Cracked Android Screen

Introduction

Your Android phone or tablet has a cracked touchscreen, which prevents you from accessing the lockscreen. While this is frustrating, there are several steps you can take to try and retrieve your vital data. In this article, we'll guide you on how to proceed with data retrieval.

Seek Professional Help

If your phone's screen is cracked, the first step is to have it repaired. You can take it to a local phone repair store or your mobile service provider's store. Apple Stores also offer repair services, which can cost around $45. In some cases, if the damage is severe, the cost can range between $100 to $200.

Using a Computer for Data Retrieval

If you desperately need to retrieve your data immediately and the repair service is not an option, you can use your computer to access and transfer the files. Here's how you can do it:

Connecting the Phone to a Computer

To start, connect your phone to a computer using a USB cable. On the computer, you should see your phone appear as a new storage device or a specific name, as mentioned in your example (e.g., J8110). If you have two storage cards, typically one will be the internal storage, and the other might be an additional card with more capacity.

Accessing Files on the Phone

Once your phone is recognized by your computer, open the file manager. You should be able to see the files stored on your phone. However, if your phone is asking what you want to do with it, the default option is typically "Only charging." Unfortunately, you might not see any other options, such as "Data transfer." If you can swipe up to "Data transfer," you can proceed from there.

Alternative Methods for Data Recovery

If connecting the phone directly to a computer doesn't work, consider the following options:

Using External Hardware

If your computer has a SATA, DHH, SATA SSD, or PCIe NVME SSD and you haven't backed up your computer to an external hard drive or cloud storage, you can attempt the following:

If the SSD is soldered onto the logic board: You may need to connect an external monitor to boot your computer and copy the data from the internal drive to an external USB drive. If you have a SATA HDD or SATA SSD: Remove the drive from the computer and install it in a USB HDD enclosure. Then, you can access it on another computer to retrieve your data. If you have a PCIe NVME SSD: Remove the drive, install it in an external USB NVME enclosure, and access the data.

Using the USB Charge Cord for Data Transfer

Another method is to use the USB charge cord directly. On a Windows machine, your phone should show up as a device in the file manager. On a Mac, you may need to enable file sharing in the USB settings.

Professional Data Recovery Services

If you're not comfortable doing it yourself, you can take your phone to a professional. Many reputable stores or online services offer data recovery services. They can help you extract your data and either put it on a USB drive or another storage device for you.

Practical Tips for Data Recovery

Once you have your data transferred, here are some useful tips:

Organize your files on a different drive if necessary. For example, if your phone has two cards (e.g., one internal 64GB and an additional 32GB), you might want to store some files on the additional card or in a folder on the computer. Consider transferring large files or videos to a USB drive hub and a spare 500GB HDD to free up space on your computer. Archive old or unnecessary files to make sure you have the most important data stored safely.

Conclusion

While a cracked screen can be inconvenient, there are several ways to retrieve your valued data from your Android phone. With a bit of patience and the right tools, you can safeguard your information until you can have your screen repaired or replaced.