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TL;DR Smashed phone, need to find a ROM with ADB enabled to use it
Long story short, I smashed my phone last Friday. The LCD screen works and the phone appears to be fully functional except for the digitiser. I had ADB disabled as I frequently plug my phone into computers at university and elsewhere and I don't want to run the risk of ADB commands being run maliciously. Since the Nexus 4 can't do USB OTG without a splitter cable (and, I believe, some configuration) I can't just plug in a mouse to control the phone. Annoyingly, this happened while moving house and I don't have internet at home until tomorrow; I was planning on using USB or WiFi tethering to get my PC online.
I found this page with a suggestion on what I might be able to do. Alternatively, my other plan is to connect an Ouya controller by bluetooth and use the touch pad on that to control the phone. Either way, the plan hinges on using ADB to control the phone to begin with to either configure an app or enable bluetooth.
I've noticed a lot of ROMs (since 4.3.1?) have ADB disabled until the user enables it. Also, whether or not ADB is enabled to begin with isn't something a developer is likely to list in their first post. Does anyone know any ROMs that have ADB enabled on first boot? Any other suggestions on what to do would also be great.
Hello, I have a Galaxy S4 i337 running 4.4.4 Kitkat. It is stock rooted. I have broken the screen and digitizer, so I cannot see what is on the screen and there is no touch input. The phone has a pattern lock with a backup pin. I know the pattern and possibly the backup pin, but I can't input them due to no touch input and I can't see the display. I have an MHL connector that shows the display on my TV, but I can't provide any input. I also have a USB OTG cable and a mouse and keyboard, but input with these devices is essentially useless since I can't see what's on the screen at the same time.
I was going to try the "Android Control" Windows app that I found here at XDA, however, I am unable to unlock the phone and then allow the PC to connect to the phone using ADB. I am referring to the "Allow USB debugging?" prompt. I believe USB debugging is enabled. Wifi is turned off, and bluetooth is turned off. I was thinking that I may be able to connect a bluetooth mouse and use the MHL adapter at the same time, but I can't enable bluetooth. I do not have a Samsung account, so I can't use the find my phone or whatever it's called to unlock it. Does anyone have ANY ideas of what I can try to gain access to the device? :fingers-crossed:
I'm sorry to hear that. I did the same thing trying to replace the glass on my phone. I'm sorry to tell you but you're going to have to go on to Amazon and order one the cheapest I found was for $77. I don't think there is any external application to unlock the pin pattern on your phone without being able to use the touch screen
Sent from my SGH i337 on deadly venom
There has to be some kind of back door or something. Surely Google isn't so inept that they have locked down MY device to the point that I have lost ALL of my data due to the lcd and digitizer being broken. Samsung Kies says that it isn't compatible and says to use something called Smart Switch, which won't work with the phone locked. I can presumably install software via the Google Play website, but that's the only thing that I am aware that I can do without operating the phone directly. I read about an app that can supposedly unlock your device if you install it from Google Play. I have no idea if it works, and that would only solve half of my problem. I still need to disable or bypass secure adb. If not for secure adb, I'd likely have full access to my device. Thanks Google; secure adb is awesome!
Ideally there would be an app that could be installed via Google Play that would automatically enable an FTP server on the device without any configuration. It would be preconfigured with the options in the documentation and would enable on install or after reboot. I have Filezilla and have used FTP before with the device via ES File Explorer, but I can't enable it with a broken lcd and digitizer.
There is a product called Samsung Remote Client/Server that I believe is intended for carrier unlocking devices. It is a paid product, but a free function of the software is the ability to bypass pattern lock. I can't get it to work though. It says:
"Opening Modemport at COM3"
"Bypassing Pattern lock...Please Wait..."
"Bypass Failed"
"Make sure you have set the correct modem or uart port as modemport!"
I have no idea what it is talking about regarding the port.
I read something about possibly being able to manually add my PC's RSA fingerprint to the device to allow adb to connect, but I can't access the filesystem to do this. As much as I despise Apple, I'm wondering if my data would be forever lost if I was using an iPhone and my screen broke. I'm betting either iTunes or one of the Apple stores could recover my data. I guess with Android, you're hosed if your device malfunctions.
Try sending an email to Josh at Mobile Tech Videos or give him a call. He has a shop in texas, and is the most knowledgable person on Galaxy phones of anyone I know outside of Samsung. You might be lucky enough to talk to him in person. (He's very busy.) He can probably get your data for you, for a reasonable price, and will also probably be forthcoming with any way you can do it yourself, if you ask. He is somewhat active here on XDA-Developers as @connexion2005.
Edit: I hadn't looked at his web site for some time. That note about not taking new orders has been up there for the better part of a year now. Also, it looks like he is making good money fixing blacklisted phones with his jtag equipment. So, I'm not sure if this is good advice or not. But it can't hurt anything to ask.
Thanks for the information. I'll look into it. I may have found a broken Galaxy S4 with a working screen and digitizer. If that pans out, I think I can connect the screen and digitizer from that phone to my phone and at least unlock the pattern and authorize my PC. I also found a dock on Amazon for $16 that supposedly lets you connect an HDMI cable and mouse and keyboard simultaneously. I'll try that if the other phone doesn't come through.
OTG cable
Use a generic OTG cable, then connect a wireless Keyboard/Mouse combo. I use one of these: Logitech K400 for my customers, works for most phones.
tigueraje said:
Use a generic OTG cable, then connect a wireless Keyboard/Mouse combo.
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I appreciate the input and suggestions, but as stated in the OP:
I also have a USB OTG cable and a mouse and keyboard, but input with these devices is essentially useless since I can't see what's on the screen at the same time.
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I have a semi-complex lock pattern. Using a mouse to input the pattern without being able to see the screen is virtually impossible. I have tried. Just getting it to accept the WRONG pattern 5x while hitting at least 4 points each time is very frustrating and nearly impossible. Unless the trackpad on the keyboard you linked works differently (touching the center of the pad centers the on-screen cursor), that method won't work. I doubt it works that way in my experience with laptop trackpads. The only solution that I know of regarding OTG would be to buy a dock that enables both HDMI and mouse input simultaneously.
Regardless, someone came through with a broken Galaxy S4 that I can possibly take the screen off of to at least unlock my phone, remove the pattern lock, and authorize my PC's connection via ADB. I'm about to tear into that now.
I managed to get into developer mode on my new NGP, there's no more "build number" as I've seen in several blog posts with the latest update you click on the Nook icon on the About page it takes you to Developer mode. I've been able to install a few apps, but here's what I'd like to do.
I'd like to plug in a USB keyboard and use it to SSH into another machine through my WiFi hotspot to do some HTML/JS/CSS text editing while I'm outdoors (at the pool, the park, etc) as my other laptops/tablets aren't visible at all outdoors with glare. This would be a nice portable solution if I could get it to work, even editing locally on the device through some editor and sending via SFTP would be just fine.
However, I can get my USB OTG cable and USB keyboard to work on my Samsung J3 phone just fine, but not on my NGP it does nothing when plugged in, keyboard caps lock doesn't activate. Is there a way to get it to work, and does it require rooting the NGP? I haven't rooted the device yet.
JohnnyFriendly said:
However, I can get my USB OTG cable and USB keyboard to work on my Samsung J3 phone just fine, but not on my NGP it does nothing when plugged in, keyboard caps lock doesn't activate. Is there a way to get it to work, and does it require rooting the NGP? I haven't rooted the device yet.
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As a workaround I put a VNC client on it so I can access my other devices and do the typing from there, that way I can use my RPI3 as the system with a keyboard on battery power and do some Python (Django)/NodeJS/ReactJS from the NGP using it as a monitor outdoors, but if I issue the following commands via adb to rotate into landscape mode I lose input on the NGP and have to reboot:
adb shell settings put system accelerometer_rotation 0
adb shell settings put system user_rotation 1
Any ideas?
I believe I looked at this once.
At least one of the problems is that the ID pin on the micro USB connector is not connected through to the processor.
B&N has never shown any interest in putting Bluetooth in a Nook.
We'll have to see if the latest "Nook Glowlight 3" will have either OTG or BT.
Hello.
I've got my mother's Samsung A20. And i need to recover data, but the screen doesn't work.
When power button is pressed, display flashes the lock screen (wallpaper, current time and so on). And then it turns black (backlight stays on for 30 seconds, and then turns off). Pressing the button doesn't guarantee flashing the display, sometimes it goes black immediately. Touch screen gives no input as far as i know (can't hear anything when trying to type pin). Problem still occurs during and after reboots.
I managed to connect a mouse and keyboard with USB OTG, and i was able to unlock. But the phone has no MHL support, so i can't get any image through USB. I'd try pressing the power button repeatedly to get some image and inch my way through the interface, but the lockscreen interferes.
The USB port is set to Charging Only mode, so i can't copy files to my computer. USB Debugging is disabled, bootloader is locked.
Does anybody have a clue, how to get image? Some way to get data? Maybe some keyboard shortcuts, so i can disable lockscreen and make my way easier? And maybe disable 20 alarms in the morning?
damiandbcz said:
I'd try pressing the power button repeatedly to get some image and inch my way through the interface, but the lockscreen interferes.
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I like to be helpful so I'll try to give you some suggestions but I hope others pitch in who know far more than I do.
I never use the USB cable anymore to operate my phone from my PC (but my screen isn't broken so your situation will be much harder).
I connect to my phone from Windows over Wi-Fi without USB all the time, and I can unlock my screen from the PC, and I can mount my entire Android device as a drive letter on Windows over Wi-Fi, etc., so "maybe" (just maybe though), you can consider using either a WebDav server on Android to access your files and/or adb to bring up and manipulate activities on Android....
damiandbcz said:
The USB port is set to Charging Only mode, so i can't copy files to my computer. USB Debugging is disabled, bootloader is locked.
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However, I don't know if adb will work for you if you can't turn on USB debugging in the first place... but as of Android 12, adb now works completely over Wi-Fi (see screenshots below) without needing the USB cable to establish the initial connection like it used to be prior to Android 12.
damiandbcz said:
Does anybody have a clue, how to get image? Some way to get data? Maybe some keyboard shortcuts, so i can disable lockscreen and make my way easier? And maybe disable 20 alarms in the morning?
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Click to collapse
If the screen problem is "just" hardware and not software, and if you can turn on Wireless Debugging, you might be able to display your phone over scrcpy or vysor (both of which use adb over Wi-Fi) as shown in the screenshots below on my phone - which never needs the USB cable connection.
Hope this helps, but you seem to need folks who know more than I do as adb/vysor/scrcpy all work for me because I can set up USB Debugging & Wireless Debugging as shown below.
Note that you might have an FTP server or a WebDav Server on your Android phone, and if you do, you might be able to at least transfer important files since they each can mount your entire Android phone as a drive letter on Windows over Wi-Fi (without needing the USB cable).
GalaxyA325G said:
I like to be helpful so I'll try to give you some suggestions but I hope others pitch in who know far more than I do.
I never use the USB cable anymore to operate my phone from my PC (but my screen isn't broken so your situation will be much harder).
I connect to my phone from Windows over Wi-Fi without USB all the time, and I can unlock my screen from the PC, and I can mount my entire Android device as a drive letter on Windows over Wi-Fi, etc., so "maybe" (just maybe though), you can consider using either a WebDav server on Android to access your files and/or adb to bring up and manipulate activities on Android....
However, I don't know if adb will work for you if you can't turn on USB debugging in the first place... but as of Android 12, adb now works completely over Wi-Fi (see screenshots below) without needing the USB cable to establish the initial connection like it used to be prior to Android 12.
If the screen problem is "just" hardware and not software, and if you can turn on Wireless Debugging, you might be able to display your phone over scrcpy or vysor (both of which use adb over Wi-Fi) as shown in the screenshots below on my phone - which never needs the USB cable connection.
Hope this helps, but you seem to need folks who know more than I do as adb/vysor/scrcpy all work for me because I can set up USB Debugging & Wireless Debugging as shown below.
Note that you might have an FTP server or a WebDav Server on your Android phone, and if you do, you might be able to at least transfer important files since they each can mount your entire Android phone as a drive letter on Windows over Wi-Fi (without needing the USB cable).
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A20 can have only Android 9, 10 or 11, but thanks for ideas anyway.
I didn't even know adb can work over WiFi, I'll look into it. Hopefully this version can do it too.
Now trying blindly to turn on the screen reader…
damiandbcz said:
A20 can have only Android 9, 10 or 11, but thanks for ideas anyway.
I didn't even know adb can work over WiFi, I'll look into it. Hopefully this version can do it too.
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Ooops. My bad. I apologize. You'll need the USB cable in Android 11 for a moment to establish the connection first. Then you can switch over to Wi-Fi after that (or you can stay on USB).
damiandbcz said:
Now trying blindly to turn on the screen reader…
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I feel for you. I really do. It hurts me when people can't access their phone remotely to get their data back. I am searching all over the XDA site for a solution for you, where I just moments ago opened this thread to help (I'm still searching for you though).
What is the best XDA solution to control Android on the PC & recover data over Wi-Fi when the user suddenly has an unresponsive broken screen?
I made the mistake of buying this tablet, so -thanks- Walmart for the unexpected, unwelcome headaches.
I got it for reading ebooks, because of the slightly larger screen compared to my phone. I saw it was limited when I got it home and turned it on, but I was still able to install a couple of book-reader apps so I thought it would be OK for my purposes. But when I plug it into my Windows 11 laptop with the USB cable the tablet doesn't show up on the computer. I have books on the laptop to transfer over.
Is there any way I can force the USB to be a data transfer connection instead of only a battery charger? There is no "use USB for" option when it's plugged in, like there is on my phone. Is there maybe a third party app I could install that will enable this -usually- normal function? Thanks, any advice and help is appreciated!
Hi @Lookstwice
Enable MTP:
Settings > Connected devices > USB > File transfer
Enable ADB:
Settings > About Tablet > Build number (7 x tap)
Settings > System > Advanced > USB debugging
Some people like Calibre on their desktop for organizing books. I believe that understands MTP.
Me, I use my adbsync.exe (in my sig) to synchronize directories. It uses ADB (duh).
Also check out this thread on the 8" which has some info that may be applicable:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/new-generation-3-onn-tablets-are-now-available.4464147/
Hello Renate and thanks for the advice!
I did find the developer mode and turned on USB debugging. Also, I selected File Transfer under Default USB Configuration.
Under Settings > Connected devices there is no USB on my tablet, only +Pair New Device and Connection preferences, Bluetooth.
The tablet still doesn't show up at all, when I connect via USB to my laptop.
Is there anything else I should try? Under System > Developer options maybe? How about OEM Unlocking? Disable adb authorization timeout? Thanks!
Are you sure that you have a data cable? Cheesy ones only supply power.
If you're connected to Windows enabling/disabling USB debugging should make it "bong".
To check out if I am using an inferior cable, I switched to my cellphone cable. It works fine on my cell, but no luck with this tablet. I know it makes no sense!
Thanks for your help anyway. I'm open to any ideas.
Lookstwice said:
I'm open to any ideas.
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Sorry, I missed your response.
These devices come up in the MTK preloader whenever they reboot.
You don't actually need to load a loader or do anything.
Connect the USB. I presume you're using Windows? Does it "bong"?
Use the regular Android reboot option on the power menu.
Does it do a bunch of bong-ing and Windows flashes popups complaining about devices?
You may have a hardware problem and you need to return the device.
Wow, Renate, you've got some serious skills. Pretty impressive to turn such a low-end device into a custom machine...
I'm having trouble pulling the boot.img from this device... If anyone was willing to share the stock boot.img for the 100071481 that would be SUPER appreciated...
otherwise I'm just going to keep trying to get this MTK client thing to work although nothing seems to get the device to be visible...
Joined the forum to post this message though I hope to contribute in the future! Thanks!
@oneiromon Yes, try the (Python) MTK client
I've had problems getting that to run under Windows. I finally used a Raspberry Pi with Linux.
I was working on writing a native Windows MTK client but I haven't got that working yet.
After successfully writing a native Windows EDL (Qualcomm) client it was a bit disheartening to dive into the MediaTek gobble-dee-gook.
FWIW: I've not had luck with fastboot boot whatever.img
It works fine with fastboot flash boot whatever.img, then fastboot reset
@Renate - THANKS! for all your help with this onn tablet . Sorry I've not been keeping current on responses. I use the tablet to read books on while getting medical treatments and I was able to upload the files to my Google drive and then download to the tablet.
I'm on a Windows 11 laptop and it doesn't "bong" when I attach the tablet. I'll try the reboot option and let y'all know .
@oneiromon - I totally agree with this statement: "Wow, Renate, you've got some serious skills."
@Lookstwice I haven't got up to Windows 11, so maybe it's hiding some stuff from you.
It could also be that the 7" has some differences to the 8"
The USB/VID of my 8" is 0e8d/201c (MediaTek)
Try using UsbView.exe
See if anything appears/disappears as you plug in. For sanity, check against a known working device.
Oh, and if you're thinking reading, you really ought to consider Eink devices.
Yeah, a lot of them are annoying and underpowered, but see if you like the concept first.
I like the Onyx Poke3, but buttons/no buttons is contentious and personal.
I use no buttons but a tiny Bluetooth clicker. I love it!