Hello, and apologies if this is posted somewhere in the forum already, but there are just so many threads to search through and i'm panicking!:crying:
Last night my Nexus 4 fell out of my jeans pocket about 2 ft onto my tiled bathroom floor. it has a diagonal crack from bottom right corner to 3/4 way up to the left side of the screen. I had a pattern lock applied and now because of the damage only the top 3 characters work which means in my case i cant unlock the screen. I am desperate to unlock it before repairing it because i have pictures of our newborn son; just 18 days old.
I have been told that whoever repairs it will hard reset the phone 'due to data protection'. I dont care about anything else on the phone, but i cant replace those photo's, so please, can anybody help me and let me know a way that i could retrieve these precious pictures?
some info that might be helpful? :-
It isn't rooted
Its the 16gb version
its running android 4.2.2
Its a UK handset (i'm based in the UK)
It does recognise the handset when plugged into a computer via USB, but i assume because the handset is 'locked' with the pattern, it won't let me download the pics.
Please help if you can. Thanks in advance.
Cydonian74
Keep doing the wrong pattern until it has you enter your gmail password.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
do i need to have 4 characters minimum available? i can only use 3 and what you are suggesting (unless it takes ages) isn't doing anything?
Thanks.
Have you tried connecting your phone through USB onto another computer and accessing the phone's Internal SD card in "my computer"? If that didn't work... Then, do you have USB debugging enabled in your phone? If you do, then you can use ADB from the computer to pull the SD card contents (you don't need to have root access for that).
I can understand how you are feeling. I went through a similar situation when my Handycam hard disk got corrupted... but that's another story...
______________________________
Hit the "THANKS" button if I helped!
i have plugged it into my home laptop; it recognises the nexus 4, but i assume that because the screen/phone is locked, that for (security?) it wont let me download or indeed show any pictures.
Where do or would i find the ADB on my computer? i never turned on or off android debugging, so if it was switched on from the factory then it still will be.
Gutted!
cydonian74 said:
i have plugged it into my home laptop; it recognises the nexus 4, but i assume that because the screen/phone is locked, that for (security?) it wont let me download or indeed show any pictures.
Where do or would i find the ADB on my computer? i never turned on or off android debugging, so if it was switched on from the factory then it still will be.
Gutted!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately, USB debugging is turned off by factory defaults, so ADB is out of the question.
I'd like to know what you mean when you say that the computer recognizes the phone...
Apart from that, you might wanna try one of these Freeware Android file explorers/browsers that don't require root access (google them). That way there's still a chance.
Don't give up.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
I mean that it says on my computer when plugged into the usb 'Nexus 4' but shows no files to extract. I pressume that means that because the screen'phone is locked that it won't allow access?
cydonian74 said:
I mean that it says on my computer when plugged into the usb 'Nexus 4' but shows no files to extract. I pressume that means that because the screen'phone is locked that it won't allow access?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try a 3rd party file explorer like this for Windows OS : http://de.codeplex.com/releases/view/96251
It might help accessing your precious photos...
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
jj_95nano said:
Try a 3rd party file explorer like this for Windows OS : http://de.codeplex.com/releases/view/96251
It might help accessing your precious photos...
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've downloaded that but i really have no idea how i will use it?! What am i looking for here?
flash TWRP in fastboot. Then boot to the bootloader and select recovery. You can use adb no problem from recovery. The exception is, I think you need to have the bootloader unlocked to flash a custom recovery (someone correct me if I'm wrong).
username8611 said:
flash TWRP in fastboot. Then boot to the bootloader and select recovery. You can use adb no problem from recovery. The exception is, I think you need to have the bootloader unlocked to flash a custom recovery (someone correct me if I'm wrong).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm a real layman here, a noob i think you would say. I am really unfamiliar with all of this and its pretty scary; i just want to retrieve these photos. Can somebody 'hold my hand' and walk me through this step by step please?
Cydonian74
May b its stupid idea bt if nexus4 has UTG and if you have the cable,
Connect a mouse and try to do a pattern unlock..... may b it will work
Sent from my GT-I9001
cydonian74 said:
I've downloaded that but i really have no idea how i will use it?! What am i looking for here?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
See this video on how to use the software: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmPdW6US5X0&feature=youtube_gdata_player
What you are looking for here is to use the file explorer to navigate to your SD card and get your pictures.
You wanna be willing to do/learn anything if you really wanna get your pics...
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
I think you will be able to factory reset your phone from stock recovery..
This should just factory reset your phone but not get rid of anything on your sd card
When your phone boots back up it will be as if you just took your phone out the box.. Hopefully you should be able to get the files on your pc as the screen lock would have been reset
Can anyone confirm?
Rizy7 said:
I think you will be able to factory reset your phone from stock recovery..
This should just factory reset your phone but not get rid of anything on your sd card
When your phone boots back up it will be as if you just took your phone out the box.. Hopefully you should be able to get the files on your pc as the screen lock would have been reset
Can anyone confirm?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. That wipes the SD as well
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
El Daddy said:
No. That wipes the SD as well
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm what if he uses safe mode? Does that get rid of the need to pin unlock
Rizy7 said:
I think you will be able to factory reset your phone from stock recovery..
This should just factory reset your phone but not get rid of anything on your sd card
When your phone boots back up it will be as if you just took your phone out the box.. Hopefully you should be able to get the files on your pc as the screen lock would have been reset
Can anyone confirm?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually on my Galaxy S2, if i do a factory reset, all the things remain on the internal SD. But I don't know how it works on theNexus 4...
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
El Daddy said:
No. That wipes the SD as well
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have mananged to get the phone to this point and i am unsure wether to proceed with any of the options for fear of wiping the photos and data. Can anybody confirm wether or not any of these options would work or not in unlocking my phone without deleting the photos on the sd card?
Thanks.
cydonian74 said:
I have mananged to get the phone to this point and i am unsure wether to proceed with any of the options for fear of wiping the photos and data. Can anybody confirm wether or not any of these options would work or not in unlocking my phone without deleting the photos on the sd card?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Anybody?
Believe it or not, but I actually have a spare nexus 4 that is in exactly the state your phone is in. Let me do some testing and I'll post results.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
Related
I was playing a game on my nexus 7, it froze then when rebooted it it just got stuck on google screen. Read a bunch of stuff, went into recovery and tried to recover, it would say erasing but never go any further, just sits there. got toolkit tried to restore factory with that, now when it boots I still just get google screen but I get the menu in corner for start/boot/recover/power off. still never boots, when I try to run recovery now it doesnt even go to erasing. Ive read everything I can find to restore it, got 2 toolkits, unfortunatly everything tells me to put it in debug mode, which is funny cause if I could boot up and go into settings to turn on bebug mode then I wouldnt be having these problems... Can someone please help, Im good with computers but dont know much of tablets. I did no messing with tablet besides downloading updates when they came out.
unlock bootloader
wcorey1974 said:
I was playing a game on my nexus 7, it froze then when rebooted it it just got stuck on google screen. Read a bunch of stuff, went into recovery and tried to recover, it would say erasing but never go any further, just sits there. got toolkit tried to restore factory with that, now when it boots I still just get google screen but I get the menu in corner for start/boot/recover/power off. still never boots, when I try to run recovery now it doesnt even go to erasing. Ive read everything I can find to restore it, got 2 toolkits, unfortunatly everything tells me to put it in debug mode, which is funny cause if I could boot up and go into settings to turn on bebug mode then I wouldnt be having these problems... Can someone please help, Im good with computers but dont know much of tablets. I did no messing with tablet besides downloading updates when they came out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Also forgot to add, hen I try and run recovery from toolkit it tells me to unlock bootloader, when I try to unlock bootloadermy nexus asks me if I want to then when I hit yes, unlock it gives me neither usp nor cac partitions found.
Are you rooted?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD
Dark Jedi said:
Are you rooted?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My guess is no, I never messed with any of my system stuff. Everything was factory except for the updates it had me do as they came out.
How long you let it sit in recovery erasing before you rebooted it? Is there an option in boot loader or recovery for a factory reset? Beings you're not rooted I doubt those one click tool kits will work for you.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD
Dark Jedi said:
How long you let it sit in recovery erasing before you rebooted it? Is there an option in boot loader or recovery for a factory reset? Beings you're not rooted I doubt those one click tool kits will work for you.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It sat in erasing for 1 hour and didnt do anything. I was doing factory reset in recovery.
As long as the boot loader starts you can recover your Nexus. Check this guide: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1907796
If he can't unlock the bootloader then there's not a whole lot he can do. Run "fastboot getvar all" while in bootloader and tell us what it says please. If adb is seeing your phone in recovery, then run an adb shell and do "ls -l /dev/block/platform/sdhci-tegra.3/by-name/" please.
Sorry I can't help further but I just got this and don't know much. I am glad others came in to give you more help.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD
Damn... I didn't see he can't unlock the bootloader. This is going to be difficult.
wcorey1974 said:
My guess is no, I never messed with any of my system stuff. Everything was factory except for the updates it had me do as they came out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im exact in the same situation. No rooted phone, nexus wont boot anymore, cant dont anything in the bootloader section ...
I would be extremley thankfull for hints how to fix this issue.
Cheers
Papa
Just sayin, I think you guys need to pull the back cover and disconnect the battery for at least one hour.
I am really new at this but it helped me save mine twice. I think?
After you plug the battery back in try fast boot.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium HD app
tnt0303 said:
Just sayin, I think you guys need to pull the back cover and disconnect the battery for at least one hour.
I am really new at this but it helped me save mine twice. I think?
After you plug the battery back in try fast boot.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium HD app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But this will void my warranty right ?
They have no way in knowing you pulled your back cover off. Just be careful so not to leave pry marks. Only way they will know is if you tell them you did it.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD
I don't know how, but my S4's screen broke internally (Through pressure, according to AT&T saying they are "pressure cracks").
Beyond that
I upgraded to the S5 (Knowing if I get a replacement S4, it's likely to be upgraded which I don't want so might as well get the S5), and I would love to get my pictures and stuff back without having to repair the S4 screen. The only problem is that it has a pattern lock on it. I do not think it had USB debugging on it, but it was rooted with SS. Kies and Windows don't completely recognize the device, only that it's plugged in. Need help on getting the stuff off. Please help!!
If usb debugging is off there's not much you can do. You could try to boot into recovery and the use adb to pull files off. Try "adb devices" and see if it regonizes your device. If it does then use "adb pull/sdcard/ c:\sdcard"
Sent from my Nexus 5
jd1639 said:
If usb debugging is off there's not much you can do. You could try to boot into recovery and the use adb to pull files off. Try "adb devices" and see if it regonizes your device. If it does then use "adb pull/sdcard/ c:\sdcard"
Sent from my Nexus 5
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Boot to stock recovery or SS recovery? Also, can you use the volume keys on SS? I haven't tried it, so if you can I could use screenshots so I can guide myself through and mount USB. Or do that through the stock recovery but I don't know if it has that option. Other than that, just booting into either recoveries doesn't detect the device....
Bumppp?
SkyAttacksX said:
Bumppp?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try booting into ss and then use adb pull /sdcard/*·* c:\sdcard If it works it'll take a long time
Edited
Sent from my Nexus 5
jd1639 said:
Try booting into ss and then use adb pull /sdcard/*·* c:\sdcard If it works it'll take a long time
Edited
Sent from my Nexus 5
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No devices attached....
SkyAttacksX said:
No devices attached....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry man, I'm out of ideas.
Sent from my Nexus 5
You could probably send it off to mobiletechvideos who could probably pull the data off.
Brain fact! What about using Heimdall to do a partial flash. You might be able to get past that lockscreen then.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Red_81 said:
You could probably send it off to mobiletechvideos who could probably pull the data off.
Brain fact! What about using Heimdall to do a partial flash. You might be able to get past that lockscreen then.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Heimdall? Sorry for being a noob, I only had the S4 from September xD
Heimdall is an open source alternative to Odin. The MAC guys are forced to use it since Odin will not run on a MAC.
The part I was curious about is why your device does not mount as a hard drive when you plug it into your PC. Is that because of the lockscreen? I never use once personally.
It sounds like you may just have driver issues. You could even try downloading the Ubuntu LiveCD, booting to that, and then plug in your phone to see if it appears.
Red_81 said:
Heimdall is an open source alternative to Odin. The MAC guys are forced to use it since Odin will not run on a MAC.
The part I was curious about is why your device does not mount as a hard drive when you plug it into your PC. Is that because of the lockscreen? I never use once personally.
It sounds like you may just have driver issues. You could even try downloading the Ubuntu LiveCD, booting to that, and then plug in your phone to see if it appears.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, it does mount. The problem is that no files are shown since it has a lockscreen... And alright I think http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2374441 that's it right?
[Resolved]
Help, I downgraded from 2.3 to 2.2 for various reasons,but now when I try to upgrade again I just get the pink screen ,if I try using the option from settings/storage,it says key data couldn't be backed up , the installation will stop. Also if I boot into the system it runs fine for about a minute then locks up completely so I can't even continue to use it in 2.2 can anyone advise ?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Free mobile app
Try to put the 2.3 dload folder to a sd card, then remove the battery, plug in a USB cable to the computer and the phone, volume up+down+power (if I remember right lol). See if it will update that way.
no, that's the usual way I've been flashing it, I can get to the image folder ,but it won't boot into recovery either
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Free mobile app
totsy1972 said:
no, that's the usual way I've been flashing it, I can get to the image folder ,but it won't boot into recovery either
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Odd. Maybe try to flash the ICS pink screen unlocker? I had weird issues at some point too, then I flashed that and the problems went away. Afterwards flash ICS.
Just tried that,still no luck,it doesn't even get to the unpacking screen,it just stays pink. beginning to think its beyond repair
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Free mobile app
totsy1972 said:
Just tried that,still no luck,it doesn't even get to the unpacking screen,it just stays pink. beginning to think its beyond repair
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think it's still possible to fix it. I was loosing hopes too, but I messed around with it anyway and got it working. Just try different dload's, different methods and maybe you'll get it running. Maybe other users will have some ideas too.
CrysisLTU said:
I think it's still possible to fix it. I was loosing hopes too, but I messed around with it anyway and got it working. Just try different dload's, different methods and maybe you'll get it running. Maybe other users will have some ideas too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been trying all different ways, this is what I get when trying it from storage menu
Sent from my ST15i using XDA Free mobile app
@Moihack maybe you have any ideas? You've written this to me before:
Moihack said:
As long as your phone still gets power and pink/blue screen shows there is nothing to be afraid of yet,since this isn't a hardbrick.
Contact me on hangouts telling me what you have done resulting in the above issue.
I have bricked my u8800pro in every possible way both soft and hard brick (thank god warranty was still active back then).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi there!
I think when you upgrade from software menu there is an option for data back-up.
Uncheck this option and the error should go away.
Also what do you mean with this: "Also if I boot into the system it runs fine for about a minute then locks up" ?
What do you mean it locks up? Touchscreen is not responsive for example?
My suggestions:
1) Do a factory reset and then check if you can upgrade
2) Try re-installing your recovery(use cwm 5.0.27 by geno for best compatibility) or even replace the whole image folder with the froyo one from here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2146856
Your phone is not beyond repair that's for sure. Since it boots fine.
Moihack said:
Hi there!
I think when you upgrade from software menu there is an option for data back-up.
Uncheck this option and the error should go away.
Also what do you mean with this: "Also if I boot into the system it runs fine for about a minute then locks up" ?
What do you mean it locks up? Touchscreen is not responsive for example?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't noticed an option for data backup,will check again later on. And yes when it locks up touch screen becomes unresponsive and none of the buttons respond either. Also when I try to enter recovery ,both custom and stock, it displays the kernel logo then vibrates with a black screen for a second then back to kernel logo and continues to boot.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Free mobile app
Ok guys,I copied over the stock image folder and now it works ok, however I still can't upgrade from froyo. At least I can use it again though so thanks for your help, its much appreciated. Incidentally, there wasn't an option to back up data when upgrading, but that error has now gone, except it now just reboots instead, so I will just keep trying.
Sent from my U8800Pro using XDA Free mobile app
[Edit] Finally I've managed to upgrade to GB , had to put both step 1 and step 2 in the same dload folder and it worked. So cheers for the tips
You've put all steps in one folder?
DarkSkyGhost said:
You've put all steps in one folder?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Steps 1&2 in dload folder ,step 2 renamed to UPDATE_G.APP.
Didn't use step 3 as I was updating to ICS after that
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Hey guys. I tried to unroot my nexus 4 from cyangongenmod using the nexus root tookit and it was all dandy until my phone just cut out. It won't turn on. I got into recovery mode, but i cant figure out what to do from there. How do i know if its still rooted? or if all i need to do is lock it again? Can anyone help? I really need help. Thanks
amali7861 said:
Hey guys. I tried to unroot my nexus 4 from cyangongenmod using the nexus root tookit and it was all dandy until my phone just cut out. It won't turn on. I got into recovery mode, but i cant figure out what to do from there. How do i know if its still rooted? or if all i need to do is lock it again? Can anyone help? I really need help. Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is why I don't recommend tool kits. I don't what you did to the device. I would try to do a factory reset in the stock recovery. It will wipe your device. Locking the phone won't do anything so don't bother with that.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
jd1639 said:
This is why I don't recommend tool kits. I don't what you did to the device. I would try to do a factory reset in the stock recovery. It will wipe your device. Locking the phone won't do anything so don't bother with that.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So how would i do that? Sorry, Im rather slow with all this stuff. What i have so far is the zip file from google developer page. Should I flash that from the sd card? Or is there a better way?
amali7861 said:
So how would i do that? Sorry, Im rather slow with all this stuff. What i have so far is the zip file from google developer page. Should I flash that from the sd card? Or is there a better way?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Boot into the bootloader. Then go to recovery and do a factory reset.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
jd1639 said:
Boot into the bootloader. Then go to recovery and do a factory reset.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just reset the phone. I can see that the screen is on, but it's staying black. And i tried to plug it into the computer, but it wont recognize the phone anymore. Any ideas?
amali7861 said:
Just reset the phone. I can see that the screen is on, but it's staying black. And i tried to plug it into the computer, but it wont recognize the phone anymore. Any ideas?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's sounding like a hardware problem. I would try flashing the factory image with fastboot. Is your device recognized by your pc when you're booted into the bootloader? If not, go to device manager on your pc. Is there a device with a yellow exclamation mark. If so right click on it and go to where it lets you choose from a list on your computer. Choose android adb composite interface.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
jd1639 said:
It's sounding like a hardware problem. I would try flashing the factory image with fastboot. Is your device recognized by your pc when you're booted into the bootloader? If not, go to device manager on your pc. Is there a device with a yellow exclamation mark. If so right click on it and go to where it lets you choose from a list on your computer. Choose android adb composite interface.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You, my friend, are a lifesaver. Thank you so much for all of your help.
amali7861 said:
You, my friend, are a lifesaver. Thank you so much for all of your help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem!
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
I am experiencing with a soft bricked Nexus 4. Surely, I tried to do "Power + volume down" and tip on the internet. But, it did not work for me. my cell is on the bricked. For now, there is no way except for "reset to facory". But, I did not data back up. It's my dilemma. :crying: First of all, I should try to save data to my computer.
If my computer is broken, I can take the HDD(storage) out from that, and save data using connecting device like "SATA to USB". As Nexus 4 use only internal storage on (maybe, flash rom?)the board, I can not take it out.
Is there any way to save data from a soft bricked Nexus 4?
I found one thread have the same problem. My symptoms is the same as his
--------------------------------------------
the phone boots, shows the google logo then goes into those 4 colourful dots that fly around and it just stays like that. I left it like this over night and nothing happened.
--------------------------------------------
I am referring to the answer. So, I try to do wipe cache on recovery mode according to that. It doesn't help me.
Thanks for any other tips or comments in advance.
Is your bootloader unlocked? If it is flash a twrp.img file. Boot into it and you'll be able to connect your device to your pc and transfer files.
Sent from my Nexus 9 using XDA Free mobile app
no way if locked bootloader?
Thanks for your reply.
I 've never tried to unlock the bootloader. no way if locked bootloader?
Can I unlock the bootloader on the bricked Nexus 4?
jd1639 said:
Is your bootloader unlocked? If it is flash a twrp.img file. Boot into it and you'll be able to connect your device to your pc and transfer files.
Sent from my Nexus 9 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
kitwithbell said:
Thanks for your reply.
I 've never tried to unlock the bootloader. no way if locked bootloader?
Can I unlock the bootloader on the bricked Nexus 4?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unlocking your bootloader will wipe your device. So in your case it's not an option. You're probably going to have to give up on your data and lose it to get your device working again.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
Thanks jd1639.:good:
After reading about unlocking bootloader, unfortunately I get to know that will wipe all the system data and my data on my device. It's the same as what you comment.:crying:
A couple of years ago, there was an application program for Rom Flashing called Flashtool. I could do that with unchecking option "wipe user data". Surely, to back up data before that was strongly advised though.
Maybe, due to security, it seems to be impossible on recent version. I
am anticipating for any other idea to save data before get it work again.
Thanks in advance.
jd1639 said:
Unlocking your bootloader will wipe your device. So in your case it's not an option. You're probably going to have to give up on your data and lose it to get your device working again.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse