Accessing files on a broken phone?

[Dominato3r]

Nexus 4 fell out of my pocket, top half of the screen shattered and touch doesn't work at all.

But how do I get my files off of this thing now? My PC recognizes the phone but wont let me through, I'm guessing because I can't unlock the phone (no touch).

Having a hard time choosing the correct keywords to search for this on Google as well

 

[bonkers325]

is your phone rooted? you can possibly simulate touches with ADB, or you can use it to pull files off of your phone using shell commands.

 

[Dominato3r]

No, it's not rooted.. it's just the way it came from google. They dont make phones like they used to. My nexus s lasted 2 years without a scratch, and ive dropped that thing at least 100 times, and on practically every surface

 

[jacktesterson]

I'm not sure if the Nexus 4 has a Mount option with the stock recovery (if you have a Custom one like TWRP or CWM it would)

With power off, hold both volume buttons and power button at same time. Choose "recovery" by using volume buttons as up and down and power button as ok.

See if there is a mount option here. (I can't remember if stock has a mount option)

 

[Dominato3r]

I'm not sure if the Nexus 4 has a Mount option with the stock recovery (if you have a Custom one like TWRP or CWM it would)

With power off, hold both volume buttons and power button at same time. Choose "recovery" by using volume buttons as up and down and power button as ok.

See if there is a mount option here. (I can't remember if stock has a mount option)

Thanks, I'll try this once the battery drains. Luckily I left my brightness on max before it fell

 

[vshah]

the phone doesn't show up in my computer when you plug it in?

 

[ChronoReverse]

Thanks, I'll try this once the battery drains. Luckily I left my brightness on max before it fell

Why do you need to wait until it drains? If you hold the power button long enough, it'll restart anyway.

 

[bonkers325]

the phone doesn't show up in my computer when you plug it in?

if you lock your phone, it won't be recognized until it is unlocked.

 

[jacktesterson]

Thanks, I'll try this once the battery drains. Luckily I left my brightness on max before it fell

Hopefully it does.

I haven't run a phone stock in a long time. First thing I do is unlock the bootloader (If needed) and install a custom recovery as it opens up a lot more options for issues like this, and other cool things in general.. Hopefully it does.

 

[bonkers325]

No, it's not rooted.. it's just the way it came from google. They dont make phones like they used to. My nexus s lasted 2 years without a scratch, and ive dropped that thing at least 100 times, and on practically every surface

then chances are you never got into the Developer Options to active USB debugging...

there are ways to unlock your phone via USB, but you need USB debugging to be active.

 

[Dominato3r]

the phone doesn't show up in my computer when you plug it in?

It shows up, but I can't access my phone because it has a password on it. The touch doesnt work so I can't open it up that way

Why do you need to wait until it drains? If you hold the power button long enough, it'll restart anyway.

did not know that, thanks.

 

[ChronoReverse]

If you can't access the data still, you should still be able to reboot into Fastboot, unlock your phone, install a custom recovery like ClockworkMod (don't use the touch version) and then get access to the mass storage.

 

[ponyo]

If you can't access the data still, you should still be able to reboot into Fastboot, unlock your phone, install a custom recovery like ClockworkMod (don't use the touch version) and then get access to the mass storage.

unlocking his phone will wipe all data from his phone the first time.

 

[ChronoReverse]

Oshit. I totally forgot about that part. Please ignore my idiot advice there.

 

[Dominato3r]

So I try to enter Recovery mode and it says "No File Command"

 

[isekii]

just pay one of those repair places to replace the screen.
It'll cost you, but you also get back a working phone.

 

[jacktesterson]

its actually not too bad to change yourself.

Kits can be bought on ebay and there are how to videos on youtube.

 

[Dominato3r]

Im thinking about replacing it myself. The only thing that's holding me back is that the replacement screen cost is something around a 1/3 of the phone price... So I'm thinking about getting a new phone all together in that regard.

But at the same time I have a ton of pictures and notes on the broken phone that I can't get to.

 

[NikolaeVarius]

How about you get a micro usb - usb adaptor, and plug a usb mouse into the phone, and unlock it from there.

You could also get a hub thingy to attack a USB drive to move the files onto there.

Should cost like 4 bucks.

I'm 99% certain that should work

 

[vshah]

or use a usb keyboard to enter in the password maybe?

 

[NikolaeVarius]

or use a usb keyboard to enter in the password maybe?

I just assumed the screen was cracked but readable and his digitizer was broken.

 

[vshah]

oh, in that case a mouse should work great!

 

[datarecovery]

I think your should take your phone to a service center.Since you are no expert in this and if you have important files then you should do it.
Thanks

 

[Fire&Blood]

Nexus 4 fell out of my pocket, top half of the screen shattered and touch doesn't work at all.

But how do I get my files off of this thing now? My PC recognizes the phone but wont let me through, I'm guessing because I can't unlock the phone (no touch).

Having a hard time choosing the correct keywords to search for this on Google as well

Ask on XDA. Do you by any chance work for pocketnow.com?