How to Get Photos off a Broken Phone: Complete Guide for Fast & Safe Recovery

Part 1. Can You Recover Photos from a Broken Phone? (Quick Answer)

When you lose an image from a non-functioning phone, the question of how to get pictures from a broken phone will definitely come to mind. It can still be recovered, but this will depend on how much they were destroyed and where they were stored or saved.

In case it still has power, then you are able to hook the phone to a computer or an SD card, where you can copy your pictures. You can also access your files with the aid of tools such as USB adapters or external displays, even in the event that the screen is not functioning.

Is It Possible to Retrieve Photos When the Screen Is Broken?

It is possible to retrieve photos from a phone with a broken screen. For that, numerous ways exist, and to know about them, adhere to this guide till the end. However, if the phone is locked and USB debugging is off, you may need professional help to recover data.

What Affects Your Recovery Success Rate?

When you are out to know how to retrieve photos from a broken phone, the listed factors can affect the recovery success rate:

• Damage to the memory chip can make photos impossible to retrieve.
• A locked phone can prevent access unless specialist methods are used.
• If cloud backup or SD card backup was never enabled, recovery options become limited.
• Recovery software cannot access the device if USB settings were never configured.
• Severe physical damage reduces the chances of successful extraction.
• Encrypted or locked storage increases the complexity of data recovery.

Part 2. How to Retrieve Photos from a Broken Phone [Android]?

If you are an Android user and are wondering how to recover photos from a broken phone, review the simple fixes given below:

Solution 1: Use AutoPlay to Retrieve Photos

This way gives direct access to folders, lets you copy photos without extra software, and moves large numbers of files fast. Even if the screen is not working, files remain accessible if the phone powers on and USB transfer is active, as guided:

• Step 1. On your Windows PC, go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > AutoPlay and make sure the feature is switched on.



• Step 2. Connect the phone to the PC, unlock it if possible, then select "Import Photos and Videos" or "Open Device To View Files."

Solution 2. Restore Google Drive Backup

For those who question how can i get pictures off a broken phone, try to restore the Google Drive backup. You can view or download all backed-up photos from any device by signing in to your Google account. Backups store photos safely in the cloud, protect them with strong security, as illustrated:

Instructions: Set up the new device, connect to Wi-Fi, press the "Next" button, and log in with the same Google account used on the broken phone. Once the phone reads your account details, select the backup you want, choose the data you need, and press "Restore."

Note: Google Drive can restore your device settings and certain app data, and includes the photos saved in your internal storage if they are part of your backup. For photos synced through Google Photos, refer to the next solution.

Solution 3. Check Google Photos

With the web version of Google Photos, you can view or download all photos from any device by logging into your Google account. This method works without access to the phone, needs no extra tools, and keeps photos safe.

Solution 4. Use One-Click Broken Android Recovery Software - Dr.Fone

While trying the basic fixes, use Dr.Fone - Data Recovery solution to get answers on how can you get pictures off a broken phone. Using this tool, you can easily recover data from all broken Android phones without Root or USB Debugging. It also allows you to retrieve WhatsApp & Business data instantly, even View Once media.

While doing so, it also enables users to restore 14+ file types across over 6000 Android models. Users can selectively choose the data to fix to get complete control over the process. Once you put Android into Download Mode, you can retrieve the data in 3 simple steps. Thus, all these aspects make this tool an ideal option for beginners and professionals who seek a high success rate.

Dr.Fone - Data Recovery (Android)

Recover whatsapp/contacts/messages/call history saved in Google Drive to your computer.

• Recover Android data by scanning your Android phone & tablet directly.
• Preview and selectively recover what you want from your Android phone & tablet.
• Supports various file types, including WhatsApp, Messages & Contacts & Photos & Videos & Audio & Document.
• Supports 6000+ Android Device Models & Various Android OS.

Available on: Windows

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Guide to Retrieve Data from a Broken Android Device via Dr.Fone

To learn how to get pics from a broken phone with Dr.Fone - Data Recovery (Android), review the simple guide given below:

• Step 1. Choose the Required Android Data Recovery Tool

After accessing the Data Recovery tool for Android from the "Toolbox" tab, select the "Recover from Broken Phone" option.



• Step 2. Select Your Current Android Problem

Following this, choose the option that best suits your device's condition, such as selecting the "Screen On but Unresponsive" option, then hit the "Next" button.




Note: The "Screen On but Unresponsive" option is compatible with all Android phones that have a display that turns on but does not respond to touch.
• Step 3. Connect Device and Authorize Control

Connect your Android phone to the computer. The program will automatically install the required driver, enabling you to control the phone's screen using your computer mouse.



• Step 4. Choose Data Recovery Method

Select a method to recover your data:

• Cloud Service: Upload data to the cloud before downloading it to your computer.
• Social Media App: Transfer data directly to another device via social media applications.



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Solution 5. Recover Pictures from SD Card

Through this, the card can be removed and read on a computer or another device, so the phone does not need to work. Users can select specific photos, as long as the card is not damaged. Plus, no extra software is required, and files can be copied quickly, as guided:

Instructions: To begin with, power off the phone and remove the SD card. Insert the SD card into a card reader and connect it to a computer or another phone. Open the SD card in File Explorer (Windows), Finder (Mac), or a file manager app. Locate folders like "DCIM" or "Pictures," then select and copy photos to your chosen storage.



Solution 6. Try Using a USB-C Dongle & External Display

Knowing how to get photos off of a broken phone, a USB-C dongle, and an external display can help. An external display shows the phone's interface, and a mouse or keyboard lets you unlock the device and switch to file transfer. This method avoids repairs, works with many phones, and is easy to perform via the given guide:

• Step 1. Check your phone supports USB-C video output, then get a USB-C to HDMI dongle, an HDMI cable, a monitor, and a mouse. Plug the USB-C dongle into the phone, connect the HDMI cable to the display, and switch to the correct HDMI input.



• Step 2. Connect a mouse to the dongle's USB port to control the phone through the external display if the touchscreen fails. Use the mouse to unlock the phone, enter the PIN or password, and set the USB mode to "File Transfer" or "MTP." Afterward, transfer photos to a USB drive or a computer, then open the DCIM or Photos folder to manage the files.



Note: This method only works if the phone supports video output; use other recovery options if it does not.

Part 3. How to Get Photos from a Broken Phone [iPhone]?

iOS users also look for simple solutions on how to get photos off a broken phone. Thus, they can adhere to the 5 guided and straightforward solutions for better guidance:

Solution 1: Via USB

You can retrieve photos from a broken iPhone if it powers on and connects to a computer. Access photo and video folders directly and copy files fast without internet or extra software. Doing this is easy, as you have to choose the Trust option once you connect the device or have done it before it got broken via the listed guide:

Instructions: Connect the iPhone to a computer with a trusted USB cable, unlock it, and tap "Trust".

• On Windows, open This PC, go to Internal Storage > DCIM, and copy photos.
• On Mac, use Photos, Image Capture, or Finder (Catalina or later) to select and import pictures.

If the screen is unresponsive, use Face ID, Touch ID, or Siri to unlock; otherwise, USB access may fail.

Solution 2: iCloud Photos/Google Photos

To know how to get pictures from a broken phone, try accessing them from iCloud Photos or Google Photos. You can view, download, or restore photos from any device by logging into your account. Cloud storage prevents permanent loss and provides a simple, reliable way to recover pictures, as shown:

Instructions: Open a browser and go to iCloud.com, then sign in with the Apple ID linked to your iPhone. Click "Photos" to view backed-up images, select the ones you want, and right-click to choose the "Download" option.

Note: These steps work only if you had iCloud Photos backup enabled on your iPhone before it broke.

Solution 3: iTunes/Finder Backup

iTunes or Finder backups can recover photos from a broken iPhone via the given guide if backups exist on your computer, or you can create a new backup. Photos and other data stay on your computer, so you do not need the internet or a working phone. You can restore the backup to another device, and all files remain safe under your control.

Instructions: Connect a working iPhone to the computer and open iTunes or Finder. Select your device, click "Restore Backup," choose the backup from the broken phone, and click "Restore." After completion, access all photos and data on the restored iPhone. If you have no backup, then first connect your broken iPhone to a trusted computer and create a backup.

Solution 4: Dr.Fone - Data Recovery (iOS)

Those iPhone users who question how to retrieve photos from a broken phone can also rely on Dr.Fone - Data Recovery (iOS). This tool enables users to quickly and securely recover from iTunes & iCloud backups. Users can choose from 35+ data types, including photos, messages, WhatsApp, iWork files & more. You can also use it to restore WhatsApp View Once messages & restore social app data.

The tool allows you to selectively choose the data you seek to restore and determine the Save To location. Overall, its use is seamless, as it requires no technical skills and updates weekly. This means that iOS users can access updated solutions in upcoming versions with Dr.Fone.

Dr.Fone - Data Recovery (iOS)

The Best Tool to Recover From Any iOS Devices!

• Designed with the technology of recovering files from iTunes, iCloud or phone directly.
• Capable of recovering data in serious scenarios like device damage, system crash or accidental deletion of files.
• Fully supports all the popular forms of iOS devices.
• Provision of exporting the files recovered from Dr.Fone - Data Recovery (iOS) to your computer easily.
• Users can speedily recover selective data types without having to load the entire chunk of data altogether.

Available on: Windows Mac

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Note: To use the Dr.Fone - Data Recovery (iOS) solution, follow the given guide links to recover from iTunes backups & recover from iCloud backups.

Solution 5: Contact Apple Support/Professional Data Recovery

If you are still unable to get answers for how to get pictures off a broken phone, contact Apple Support or professional data recovery solutions. Experts have specialized tools to handle internal or water damage and can safely extract data.

Conclusion

To wrap up, many Android and iOS users want to know how to get photos off a broken phone in a simple, effective way. However, if you seek simple solutions to restore data with no technical skills required, try Dr.Fone - Data Recovery for Android and iOS. This helps you recover your important photos with confidence and clarity.

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