I accidentally dropped my Samsung phone and now the once-pristine display looks like a spider web of cracks. Additionally, the touch screen is frozen and not working at all. Now I am stressed: How can I access my photos, messages, and other device data?
If you’re dealing with a Samsung phone that has a broken screen, then you are not alone. In the U.S. alone, over 50 million phone screens break each year, and in the UK, 1 in 10 people walk around with a broken screen.
So, yes, the issue of a broken Samsung screen is frustrating, but it is very common. But the good news is that there are several ways to access and recover data from your broken Samsung phone. Let’s learn how to access and recover data from a broken Samsung screen.
1. Connect your Samsung Phone to a TV screen or PC monitor
If your Samsung phone screen is damaged and you can no longer see it, the touchscreen is still responsive, then connect the device to a PC monitor, TV, or any display with an HDMI connection. Moreover, to connect your Samsung phone, you will need a micro USB or a USB-C to HDMI cable adapter or a multiport adapter.
Note – Make sure your Samsung phone is sufficiently charged.
- Connect the adapter to the charging port on your Samsung phone and connect an HDMI cable to the adapter.
- Connect the other end of the HDMI cable to the HDMI port on your TV or monitor.
- Turn on the TV or monitor and select the channel or source that the HDMI cable is plugged into.
- To locate the channel on your TV, press the “Source” or “Input” button on the remote (label varies by TV brand), choose the appropriate HDMI option, and your Samsung phone’s screen will appear.
- From here, you can mirror your Samsung phone’s movements on your TV, navigate apps, adjust settings, and use features like the camera, though a slight delay may occur. Now, copy your photos and other data from your phone to your PC.
2. Access your Samsung Data via USB cable
You can access your Samsung phone files by plugging your device into a computer using a USB cable.
Note: Your phone has to be unlocked for you to access your files this way.
- Insert one end of the USB cable into your Samsung phone and the other end of the cable into your computer.
- Open the computer’s file explorer and click on the name of your phone
- Select the files you want to copy to your computer. You can drag and drop them onto your computer or copy and paste them to a new location
3. Connect a USB keyboard or Mouse
If your Samsung phone’s screen is broken and the touchscreen doesn’t work, you can still access photos, messages, and other data on your device by connecting a USB mouse. A USB mouse or keyboard can also help you unlock the device if it’s secured with a PIN, password, or pattern, allowing you to back up your data.
To connect a USB keyboard or mouse to your Samsung phone, you will either need a micro USB or a USB-C to female USB cable adapter or a multiport adapter.
- Connect the keyboard or mouse’s USB cable to the female end of the adapter. Then, connect the adapter to the charging port on your phone.
- You will now be able to use a mouse on your Samsung phone. You can make a backup of your device data on the cloud or send the important data via email.
4. Check the memory card
If you have an SD card inserted into your Samsung phone, you can easily restore the data stored there:
- Remove the memory card from your phone and insert it into a card reader or directly into your computer.
- Then copy-paste any files to your PC that you wish to keep.
5. Restore from Samsung Cloud or Google Backup
If your Samsung phone screen is black and is not opening, then Google or Samsung Cloud backup is the easiest way to recover data from a broken phone.
Samsung Cloud
You can view your Samsung Cloud data (if backed up earlier) on a PC using almost any web browser.
- Open your desired web browser, and then navigate to the Samsung Cloud website.
- Select Sign in, and then enter your Samsung account information. You may need to perform two-step verification, so follow the on-screen instructions.
- Once you are signed in, you can see all of your synced data. You can even download synced contacts, photos, notes, and other supported data.
Google Backup
You can use the Google Backup only if backups were active before the Samsung screen damage occurred.
- Open the web browser and log in to your Google account used on your Samsung phone.
- Now go to Google Drive and go to My Drive and look for the photos and videos folder, or manually search for your files.
- If you find your photos or videos, you can select and download them easily.
6. Transfer Data with Samsung Smart Switch
Samsung’s Smart Switch can back up data to a PC even if your screen is damaged.
- Download and install the Samsung Smart Switch app on your Windows or Mac.
- Now, if your Samsung phone screen is partly functional, unlock it if possible. But if the touchscreen of the phone doesn’t work, use a USB mouse with an OTG adapter to unlock the device.
- Connect your Samsung phone to your computer using the original USB cable.
Next, launch the Smart Switch app on your computer and wait for it to detect your phone.
- Click on the Backup, and the software will begin copying your photos, contacts, apps, and other supported data to your PC.
- Keep the phone connected until the backup finishes. Once done, you’ll get a confirmation message.
7. Recover Files Using Stellar Data Recovery for Android
If your Samsung phone’s screen is badly damaged and you can’t access your device data using standard methods, Stellar Data Recovery for Android is a reliable third-party tool that can help recover files, photos, or other data.
- Download and install the Stellar Data Recovery for Android software on your Windows Computer.
- Open the software and connect your Android device to the computer.
Select the type of files or data you want to recover. For example, Photos, Videos, Audio, etc.
- Allow permissions to help the software scan your device’s internal storage.
- Once connected, select the device, and then hit the Scan button to start the device scan.
- Preview the recoverable files and save them with a few taps.
Final Thoughts
A damaged Samsung screen doesn’t mean that you cannot access your precious memories or important files. There are various ways to access and recover data from a broken Samsung phone screen, including built-in options like Samsung Cloud and Smart Switch, to hardware workarounds like USB cable, keyboard, or mouse, and professional solutions such as Stellar Data Recovery for Android.
The key is to act quickly, handle your broken Samsung phone carefully, and choose the right method that fits your situation. Once your Samsung phone files are safe, ensure to set up regular backups and invest in strong protection for your device. After all, your Samsung phone screen might be broken, but your data doesn’t have to be lost.
One of the Editors for Tech on the Go, I love covering mobile tech and social media. I also manage the reviews we cover so all the writers stay on my good side!
