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Recover data from a Samsung 8 with broken screen

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  • 15-09-2020 10:54am
    #1
    matzen
    Registered Users Posts: 287 ✭✭


    What would be the best approach to recover data from a Samsung Galaxy 8 with a broken screen. The phone was dropped and the screen is completely unresponsive. Most software out there requires the screen to be unlocked and/or USB debugging to be enabled but as it's not possible to open the phone via the screen, well...
    Using the ADB method is also not an option, again, due to the USB debugging not being enabled.


    The phone belongs to my father in law and I'm sure he has a Gmail account, but he can't remember his username and password which is a shame, cos most of the account data might be recoverable from his Google account.


    He's looking to get his messages, contacts, photos, and whatsapp recovered. What would be the best approach? I'm thinking getting the screen replaced but that looks like a 250 euro job. I checked ifixit and there's no way I would be technical enough to do it.


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    #2
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    Can he unlock it from here? https://findmymobile.samsung.com/


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    #3
    matzen
    Registered Users Posts: 287 ✭✭matzen


    [Deleted User] wrote: »
    Can he unlock it from here? https://findmymobile.samsung.com/
    Sadly not as it was never registered with Samsung. And if it was he would likely not remember the login details.


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    #4
    Nigel Fairservice
    Registered Users, Moderators, Regional Abroad Moderators Posts: 2,184 Mod ✭✭✭✭Nigel Fairservice


    Deleted User wrote: »
    Can he unlock it from here? https://findmymobile.samsung.com/

    Thanks, didn't know you could unlock the phone using this. Smashed my S8 a few months ago and can't get past the lock screen. Will give this a go.


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    #5
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    matzen wrote: »
    Sadly not as it was never registered with Samsung. And if it was he would likely not remember the login details.

    You say the issue is that the screen is unresponsive, so the screen still turns on is that right? If so, connect a USB mouse to the phone.


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    #6
    GBX
    Registered Users Posts: 11,917 ✭✭✭✭GBX


    Without knowing the Google details getting the screen fixed it might be the only option for recovering data.
    He could try going to

    contacts.google.com
    photos.google.com

    If he had previously been signed into Google on a pc he might still be able to access them.
    Whatsapp would need to have been set to save to Google Drive in the settings and set to regularly back up. If not, they won't be saved.


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    #7
    matzen
    Registered Users Posts: 287 ✭✭matzen


    [Deleted User] wrote: »
    You say the issue is that the screen is unresponsive, so the screen still turns on is that right? If so, connect a USB mouse to the phone.

    Ok, how would that work exactly? Where would you see the mouse?


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    #8
    CelticRambler
    Registered Users Posts: 6,712 ✭✭✭CelticRambler


    matzen wrote: »
    Ok, how would that work exactly? Where would you see the mouse?

    If the phone has on-the-go functionality, you connect the mouse to the USB port (might need an OTG adaptor, about 5€) Then the mouse functions just like a finger - swipe, tap/click, etc. That's it. No extra software or apps needed.


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    #9
    matzen
    Registered Users Posts: 287 ✭✭matzen


    CelticRambler wrote: »
    If the phone has on-the-go functionality, you connect the mouse to the USB port (might need an OTG adaptor, about 5€) Then the mouse functions just like a finger - swipe, tap/click, etc. That's it. No extra software or apps needed.


    I have an adapter and a USB mouse but since the screen is totally unresponsive I won't be able to see where the mouse cursor is, unfortunately.


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    #10
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    matzen wrote: »
    I have an adapter and a USB mouse but since the screen is totally unresponsive I won't be able to see where the mouse cursor is, unfortunately.

    So when you say unresponsive, you mean the screen doesn't turn on rather than it being only unresponsive?


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    #11
    matzen
    Registered Users Posts: 287 ✭✭matzen


    [Deleted User] wrote: »
    So when you say unresponsive, you mean the screen doesn't turn on rather than it being only unresponsive?

    It turns on but is unresponsive. Sliding up/down/sideways does nothing.


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    #12
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    matzen wrote: »
    It turns on but is unresponsive. Sliding up/down/sideways does nothing.

    So why would you not be able to see where the mouse cursor is? I'm a bit confused.


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    #13
    matzen
    Registered Users Posts: 287 ✭✭matzen


    Deleted User wrote: »
    So why would you not be able to see where the mouse cursor is? I'm a bit confused.


    A mouse cursor doesn't show on the screen when connecting a usb mouse to the phone. Clicking on the power button lights up the screen and I can see a snippet of the notifications but can't log into the phone as no swiping is recognised.


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    #14
    kirving
    Registered Users Posts: 5,910 ✭✭✭kirving


    A mouse had always worked for me in this situation. Is it a basic USB mouse and no some gaming one which might draw too much power or need drivers?

    You could try a Samsung Dex station, which has USB-C breakout for mouse and screen.


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    #15
    CelticRambler
    Registered Users Posts: 6,712 ✭✭✭CelticRambler


    matzen wrote: »
    A mouse cursor doesn't show on the screen when connecting a usb mouse to the phone. Clicking on the power button lights up the screen and I can see a snippet of the notifications but can't log into the phone as no swiping is recognised.

    A quick google suggests that there would have been an OTG adaptor in the s8's box. You need to find that. ;)


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    #16
    kirving
    Registered Users Posts: 5,910 ✭✭✭kirving


    Yeah, I think the OTG cable is wired differently to a standard USB adapter, so you need to find one that came with the phone, or buy/borrow another.

    Although, I'm not sure where else you would used a standard female USB - USB C Adaptor cable, if not for OTG.


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    #17
    matzen
    Registered Users Posts: 287 ✭✭matzen


    Kevin Irving wrote: »
    A mouse had always worked for me in this situation. Is it a basic USB mouse and no some gaming one which might draw too much power or need drivers?

    You could try a Samsung Dex station, which has USB-C breakout for mouse and screen.


    It's a basic Logitech mouse so should work.


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    #18
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    Are you using the adaptor that came with the phone or a different one? If you don't know the name of it take a photo of the adaptor you're using and post it here.


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    #19
    kirving
    Registered Users Posts: 5,910 ✭✭✭kirving


    Are you using either of the below setups?

    1) Phone / USB-C to Micro USB / Micro USB to USB-A / Mouse


    2) Phone / USB-C to USB-A / Mouse

    I think I tried to used the first combo in the past and it wouldn't work. I don't have the adapters on me so can't try it here.


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    #20
    matzen
    Registered Users Posts: 287 ✭✭matzen


    Got it working using the adapter that came with the Galaxy 8. Actually didn't think he'd still have it but luckily he never throws boxes out. Many thanks to everyone for your help!!


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    #21
    kirving
    Registered Users Posts: 5,910 ✭✭✭kirving


    Glad to hear it! Out of interest, what cable/connectors were you using up to that point?


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    #22
    matzen
    Registered Users Posts: 287 ✭✭matzen


    A generic adapter I use for a MacBook Pro that only has usb-c connections.


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