Data recovery - AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshootin

So I broke my S4. Now the screen has a big crack and the display is shot. Once in a while it flickers just enough to see my wallpaper is still set how I had it so I'm assuming everything else is working. My question is how would I copy over the data (contacts, messages, etc) with the screen in this condition? I figure it must be simple and right under my nose since I haven't figured it out yet. I appreciate any help given.

I've tried to do this but am getting nowhere. There's no option I can find that doesn't require the display to work. Not to mention the PIN to get in from lock screen. I don't know. I guess I'm out of luck.

Is it not worth it to you to replace the screen?

I can't afford to and I have an s5 active now that I'm begrudgingly paying $33 a month for.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Afaik a new screen is your only real option. Maybe someone with more experience can tell you how to adb into the phone without unlocking it but I don't know if you can issue the unlock pin or password with adb. The trick, I would think, would be to get the drives to mount. Maybe if you drop into recovery mode using the button combo there might be a way to adb into the phone. Personally I think your stuck until you get a new screen. I'm assuming you haven't backed up any of your info. Your contacts will transfer over but without a backup you may just have to do without. In the future, I know this doesn't help but I had this happen with a really old htc, try using box. You get 50 Gb of data so there is just plenty of room to keep backups. I use tasker to automatically backup my important stuff to box. I hope you get better help than what I'm giving you.

If you used Kies would need your pin? This won't work I just looked it up.
Perhaps you could try this http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B009QW3TBK/ref=aw_d_dsc_wireless
HDMI out and USB ports for keyboard and mouse to enter your pin. [emoji41]

You should be able to get into recovery mode and access data via adb from there.
Kids may work as well if u haven't tried that try it first.
Sent from my SGH-I337M using XDA Free mobile app

Wouldn't kies request the unlock PIN? And how would I get into recovery without the display? I appreciate all the help.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Related

[Q] remote access

Hello all. Sorry upfront if this has already been addressed, but i could not find it using search feature.
My digitizer has cracked on the S4 on ATT and i am sending it back to samsung for repair. My problem is 1st off i dont want to loose any information/pictures. and 2nd its rooted and running some custom mods.
I would like to try and make a backup onto my 32gb sd card already in the phone but i cannot see or use the screen. it is completely unresponsive.
Is there software that will allow me to connect with usb to see what is trying to display on the screen and allow me to interact via mouse?
the other problem is as with allshare it has to be "turned on" on the phone. i dont have that option.
If anyone knows of a way, please let me know.
Thanks
Use adb to backup the device (boot into your custom recovery)
Then use Odin to flash stock rom and stock recovery
You could send it back like that but
I'd want to run triangle away on it 1st and as u have no screen I don't see it working, unless u figure out what buttons to press to get the ROM past startup and change dev options input them via adb but its a lot of hope n pray
Or just get your self a new screen, s4 is designed to easily swap parts. I'm sure you can just pull the screen out using a suction cup
Sent from my GT-I9505 using xda app-developers app
JustSueMe said:
Use adb to backup the device (boot into your custom recovery)
Then use Odin to flash stock rom and stock recovery
You could send it back like that but
I'd want to run triangle away on it 1st and as u have no screen I don't see it working, unless u figure out what buttons to press to get the ROM past startup and change dev options input them via adb but its a lot of hope n pray
Or just get your self a new screen, s4 is designed to easily swap parts. I'm sure you can just pull the screen out using a suction cup
Sent from my GT-I9505 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks i ended up just sending it in. they said if theres no sign of damage caused by neglect/miscare they will replace it. if there is any dents or dings that they think caused the screen to crack they will charge 200$.
The way i see changing myself is that the replacement is most likely not an actual samsung part and the cheapest i could find was 170ish. so for 30$ extra they replace with their part and they paid for the ups shipping. we will see how it goes!

[Q] Breaking into a locked device

Hello all,
This is a strange request but desperate times call for desperate measures. My father recently got himself a new Samsung Galaxy S5 here in Australia, unfortunately a tragic motorcycle accident on the 1st of this month led to my father no longer being with us. This was heartbreaking for my family and I, I now have in my possession his phone, It is still operational from what I can gather, it still rings, still vibrates when hooking up to my laptop and it detects it. The screen is completely smashed and doesn't work and the phone is locked. I want to be able to access the phone to recover any photos etc he has on the phone itself, I am unaware of what type of screenlock is on it.
So far I tried Samsung Kies but due to the phone being locked I can't use that,. Nothing shows up on the phone in windows explorer. I've downloaded [email protected] and android studio and have tried to get that to show up so I can see whats on the screen and attempt to use android control to unlock the phone but so far I've had no such luck. I need usb debugging enabled but I'm going to have to assume its disabled and thus proving my attempts so far to be fruitless.
If anyone can give me any ideas or things to try I'm all ears, I'm ok with computers so should be able to figure out most things but this is my first exposure to these types of applications.
Kind regards,
Eric.
trekster83 said:
Hello all,
This is a strange request but desperate times call for desperate measures. My father recently got himself a new Samsung Galaxy S5 here in Australia, unfortunately a tragic motorcycle accident on the 1st of this month led to my father no longer being with us. This was heartbreaking for my family and I, I now have in my possession his phone, It is still operational from what I can gather, it still rings, still vibrates when hooking up to my laptop and it detects it. The screen is completely smashed and doesn't work and the phone is locked. I want to be able to access the phone to recover any photos etc he has on the phone itself, I am unaware of what type of screenlock is on it.
So far I tried Samsung Kies but due to the phone being locked I can't use that,. Nothing shows up on the phone in windows explorer. I've downloaded [email protected] and android studio and have tried to get that to show up so I can see whats on the screen and attempt to use android control to unlock the phone but so far I've had no such luck. I need usb debugging enabled but I'm going to have to assume its disabled and thus proving my attempts so far to be fruitless.
If anyone can give me any ideas or things to try I'm all ears, I'm ok with computers so should be able to figure out most things but this is my first exposure to these types of applications.
Kind regards,
Eric.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First of all, I'm really sorry for your loss..
If he had a microSD card in his phone, it's likely that his pictures (and other documents) are on the card.
If that's the case, unless he encrypted the content, you should be able to just remove the microSD card and read it on your computer with a card reader.
Eric, do you have a MHL adaptor & HDMI tv?
You can view the screen on this via tv.
If I understand well he is able to see the screen but cannot pass the security lock. If that's the case try to connect the phone to your PC and copy all the internal SD card, I think you will be able to access the content. Also not sure if a factory reset will deactivate the screen lock but you can try it in an ultimate attempt.
Sent from my SM-G900F using XDA Free mobile app
mikka06 said:
If I understand well he is able to see the screen but cannot pass the security lock. If that's the case try to connect the phone to your PC and copy all the internal SD card, I think you will be able to access the content. Also not sure if a factory reset will deactivate the screen lock but you can try it in an ultimate attempt.
Sent from my SM-G900F using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It depends on the type of security lock.
If it's swipe, then he can see the content by connecting the phone to the PC, but not if it's a password, fingerprint, pin, ...
He would have to unlock the screen before the files are available.
Sorry to hear of your loss, especially at this time of year.
The idea of copying the SD card is the first step. If I read you're message right you can't see the screen at all?? I would take the device to a repair shop and get the screen replaced - tell them very clearly NOT to wipe / reset the device. Then you should be able to see the screen and might be able to figure out the screen lock. If the fingerprint reader was used there will always be an alternative password, you might be able to reset this to the gmail account used on the phone (assuming you have access to this?).
Hope you get it sorted.
Mithrandir007 said:
First of all, I'm really sorry for your loss..
If he had a microSD card in his phone, it's likely that his pictures (and other documents) are on the card.
If that's the case, unless he encrypted the content, you should be able to just remove the microSD card and read it on your computer with a card reader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I copied all of the sd card and as it was copying it died, so I have most of the data off that.
DeanonZL said:
Eric, do you have a MHL adaptor & HDMI tv?
You can view the screen on this via tv.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No I don't have the adaptor but I do have a HDMI tv, so I will investigate this, thank you.
mikka06 said:
If I understand well he is able to see the screen but cannot pass the security lock. If that's the case try to connect the phone to your PC and copy all the internal SD card, I think you will be able to access the content. Also not sure if a factory reset will deactivate the screen lock but you can try it in an ultimate attempt.
Sent from my SM-G900F using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cannot see the screen, and when I connect it to pc to check if there is anything on the phone itself, It won't let me as the phone is keypad/swipe/fingerprint locked.
Mithrandir007 said:
It depends on the type of security lock.
If it's swipe, then he can see the content by connecting the phone to the PC, but not if it's a password, fingerprint, pin, ...
He would have to unlock the screen before the files are available.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is what I am trying to find out what lock is on the phone.
MadMic said:
Sorry to hear of your loss, especially at this time of year.
The idea of copying the SD card is the first step. If I read you're message right you can't see the screen at all?? I would take the device to a repair shop and get the screen replaced - tell them very clearly NOT to wipe / reset the device. Then you should be able to see the screen and might be able to figure out the screen lock. If the fingerprint reader was used there will always be an alternative password, you might be able to reset this to the gmail account used on the phone (assuming you have access to this?).
Hope you get it sorted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I took it to a repair shop, its a catch 22 situation, They want $150 to pull the data off the phone, and if there is no data of use then thats a waste of money, They wants $240 to replace the screen, the phone has a very slight bend in it so if I replace the screen the phone still may not be able to be used properly so again would be a waste of money.
This is the main reason why I am trying to at least view the screen to ascertain what lock is used, I do have his gmail credentials so I can reset from there, from what I understand resetting the phone also loses any data (messages, pictures, etc) that is on the actual phone.
Last but not least thank you to everyone so far for your replies, I really appreciate you all taking the time to reply and try to help!
Regards,
Eric.
trekster83 said:
I copied all of the sd card and as it was copying it died, so I have most of the data off that.
No I don't have the adaptor but I do have a HDMI tv, so I will investigate this, thank you.
Cannot see the screen, and when I connect it to pc to check if there is anything on the phone itself, It won't let me as the phone is keypad/swipe/fingerprint locked.
This is what I am trying to find out what lock is on the phone.
I took it to a repair shop, its a catch 22 situation, They want $150 to pull the data off the phone, and if there is no data of use then thats a waste of money, They wants $240 to replace the screen, the phone has a very slight bend in it so if I replace the screen the phone still may not be able to be used properly so again would be a waste of money.
This is the main reason why I am trying to at least view the screen to ascertain what lock is used, I do have his gmail credentials so I can reset from there, from what I understand resetting the phone also loses any data (messages, pictures, etc) that is on the actual phone.
Last but not least thank you to everyone so far for your replies, I really appreciate you all taking the time to reply and try to help!
Regards,
Eric.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No worries.
Do you know if he was using Cerberus or Theftspy or another anti theft tool?
If he did and you can find out his credentials, you should also be able to unlock the phone with a command (at least Cerberus does that) or even transfer all the data to a cloud (dropbox, google drive,...).
Could he not physically open the phone and get to the actual sd card that the phone comes with that the OS and all that is on? Or is that locked down?
Sent from my SM-G900A using Tapatalk
I had a idea for the lock screen but it will not help with seeing which you would have to deal with first. Any chance he left Gmail loged on any computer you have access to. You could try installing a app to bypass the lock screen.
I have never tried this one it was just the first I found that fit my theory of a workaround, although you could look around for a free one that may be better then you wouldn't have to worry about passwords to do the purchase.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.thomascannon.screenlockbypass.pro
shadowofdarkness said:
I had a idea for the lock screen but it will not help with seeing which you would have to deal with first. Any chance he left Gmail loged on any computer you have access to. You could try installing a app to bypass the lock screen.
I have never tried this one it was just the first I found that fit my theory of a workaround, although you could look around for a free one that may be better then you wouldn't have to worry about passwords to do the purchase.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.thomascannon.screenlockbypass.pro
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you know his samsung account information, you can login to their web service and remove the lockscreen passcode. From there, you should be able to USB the files off of it.

Need help with old Nexus 4

So I basically went into my drawer today, and found my old Nexus 4 and might I add its looking far from okay
Anyway, the problem is, the display will light up when turned on and the phone will obviously function as normal, apart from one thing, the display won't actually show a picture, just what looks like the backlight, and the touchscreen therefore will not respond, I basically have no screen for the phone
I need to get rid of this phone but first I want all my files gone, or at least I want them all backed up on my PC, as we as this I need some sort of screen mirroring software I can setup on my PC to actually see my messages, so here's what I am asking for
1. Is there a way I can push every file from my phone to my PC?
2. Bearing in mind I have no display/touchscreen so I can't install apps, is there anyway I can mirror the screen to my laptop?
I will add that the phone does have root with a custom ROM (I think CM11) and I am not sure if ADB debugging is on, I haven't checked this phone for 7 months
Thanks!
Boot into recovery then adb pull /data/media/0 to your pc (c:\yourfolder)
Sent from my Nexus 9 using XDA Free mobile app
Oh wow, didn't know it was that simple, thanks!

Verizon S5 - ClockworkMod Recovery? (Broken screen, need to enable USB debugging)

A very good friend of mine (whom I would like to earn a box of brownie points with) cracked the LCD on her G900V. The phone still works, alerts go off when she gets Facebook messages, etc, so that is good.
Initially I was going to use the MHL cable in conjunction with a USB OTG cable to gain access to it so we can get her photos off of it, as well as backup her SMS's and other things she didn't have backed up (read: everything). Unfortunately, for whatever reason, her phone will not display with the Samsung MHL adapter. It works on my Note 3, S4 and a busted LCD S4, but not on her S5. I think something else may have happened that caused the LCD to not work. It has been cracked for a while, but usable. Then one afternoon it just went black.
What I need to do is get USB debugging enabled so I can use ADB or AndroidControl to get the data / pictures off. After reading and reading, I came across a thread where it says CWM has debugging enabled by default. GREAT! I'm able to get the phone into download mode (ODIN recognizes it), but I can't seem to find an appropriate recovery to load on it.
Any help?
I'm 99% certain unless it was a developer device it has a locked bootloader, so not possible, sorry man.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk
I had the same problem with my S4. The screen broke and I could not veto the HML cable to work. I used it before to watch movies with the S4 so it must have been something to do with the broken screen. I didn't want to sell or give away my phone (or turn it in for warranty) with all of my personal data on it. My final solution was to swap the motherboard to another S4 and recover my data. While I was at it I wiped all of my data and encrypted the phone so nothing could be recovered from it.
Sent from my SM-P900 using Tapatalk
REHolt218 said:
I had the same problem with my S4. The screen broke and I could not veto the HML cable to work. I used it before to watch movies with the S4 so it must have been something to do with the broken screen. I didn't want to sell or give away my phone (or turn it in for warranty) with all of my personal data on it. My final solution was to swap the motherboard to another S4 and recover my data. While I was at it I wiped all of my data and encrypted the phone so nothing could be recovered from it.
Sent from my SM-P900 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Another possible variation on this is if youre already taking it apart, maybe just take out the internal sd card, im not sure how it works on this phone but on my old windows phone you just undid some screws and moved some foil stuff and the sd slot with the card was there, just dont confuse this with the already exposed one.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

[SM-9005] Recover data with dead screen ?

Hi !
My sister drop her SM-9005 on the ground and the screen turn immediatly to black. The phone can boot, but I clearly can't see anything and can't do anything on it btw. How can I access to the internal storage with any access on the screen ? I don't really know if the touchscreen is working. The phone is root with TWRP and a custom rom.
If you have any idea it will be awesome.
I'd try something like a Micro USB to HDMI
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/31HoLPCHu7L._SX425_.jpg
Oh right yes, that's a good idea, I think i'll give a try to this, thanks
Raeigis said:
Hi !
My sister drop her SM-9005 on the ground and the screen turn immediatly to black. The phone can boot, but I clearly can't see anything and can't do anything on it btw. How can I access to the internal storage with any access on the screen ? I don't really know if the touchscreen is working. The phone is root with TWRP and a custom rom.
If you have any idea it will be awesome.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can't you also get an android emulator to mirror your phone so it shows everything on your pc?
Sent from my SM-N900V using XDA Free mobile app
MACHEK said:
Can't you also get an android emulator to mirror your phone so it shows everything on your pc?
Sent from my SM-N900V using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm I don't think so. I can't have the access on the mobile. I can boot it, but still have a code to enter, and maybe have to install an app for it. But with a black screen... Kinda difficult I think. But if it's possible to do it, can you please explain to me how ?
Raeigis said:
Hmm I don't think so. I can't have the access on the mobile. I can boot it, but still have a code to enter, and maybe have to install an app for it. But with a black screen... Kinda difficult I think. But if it's possible to do it, can you please explain to me how ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hopefully you have USB debugging on http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/mirror-android-screen-pc-mac-without-root/
Sent from my SM-N900V using XDA Free mobile app
MACHEK said:
Hopefully you have USB debugging on http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/mirror-android-screen-pc-mac-without-root/
Sent from my SM-N900V using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure about this point... I'll try and see if it's good.
EDIT : Ok so, i tried, but it didn't work. I'm not in USB debugging. I tried also while booting on TWRP. And something different is happening. I can see the internal storage but I can't copy anything on my laptop desktop. Vysor see also my phone but it can't install the app so... Same point, I can"t see my screen and save anything :/ The touchscreen isn't seems to work too. I'm not sure about this, but I think it's not working.

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