Quick Answer
Yes, it is often possible to back up a phone that won’t turn on, but it depends on the specific situation. The main options are:
- Back up from recovery mode if the phone will turn on but gets stuck booting up.
- Use phone backup software to extract a backup from the phone storage if it is still accessible.
- Use professional data recovery services to attempt to recover data from the internal memory or SD card.
Backing Up a Phone That Gets Stuck Booting Up
If your phone won’t fully turn on and boot properly, but you can get it into recovery mode or download mode, then you may be able to use that to back up the phone.
Recovery mode is available on many Android phones and iPhones. It starts up some basic functions without fully loading the operating system. This may allow you to use phone backup tools or functions while in recovery mode.
For an iPhone, you can put it into recovery mode by connecting it to a computer while holding the Home button. This will let you access iTunes and create a backup of the iPhone even if it is having major software issues.
On Android phones, you can usually get into recovery mode by pressing Volume Up + Power + Home, or a similar key combination when the phone is starting up. This will display a menu with recovery options. From here you may be able to access data transfer or backup tools.
The steps to take a backup in recovery mode vary by device and which backup method you want to use. But if your phone can get into recovery mode, always try taking a backup from there before attempting any other fixes.
Using Backup Software to Extract Data
If your phone won’t turn on at all, you may still be able to take a backup if the internal storage is still accessible from a computer. Most phones use standard storage interfaces like USB mass storage or MTP (Media Transfer Protocol) that allow the phone’s storage to be viewed and accessed from a PC when connected via USB.
There are various third-party phone backup apps for Windows and Mac that know how to read data from Android and iOS devices and back it up. Examples include Android Backup Extractor, iExplorer, EaseUS MobiSaver, dr.fone, and PhoneRescue.
The process usually involves:
- Installing and opening the phone backup software on your computer.
- Connecting the unresponsive phone to your computer’s USB port.
- If the phone storage mounts properly, the app will detect it and let you scan for data or take a full backup.
- You can then save the extracted backup files and data to your computer.
This method relies on the internal storage still being readable and not encrypted. It may not work if the phone hardware or storage components are damaged. But if the storage seems intact, specialized backup apps can often recover quite a bit of data.
Advantages of Using Backup Software
– Allows backup of phones that won’t fully turn on
– Provides access to photos, videos, contacts, messages, and other data types
– Can generate a full phone backup depending on phone model
– More thorough than basic file copy methods
Disadvantages of Using Backup Software
– Won’t work if hardware components are damaged
– May not work on encrypted storage
– Paid versions often required to backup more data types
– Requires Windows or Mac computer with USB connection
Using Professional Data Recovery Services
For phones that won’t power on at all and have non-responsive internal storage, you may need professional data recovery. Data recovery services physically access the storage chips inside devices to copy data at the lowest level.
There are specialized phone and tablet data recovery companies that can work with iOS, Android, and other mobile platforms. The process involves carefully disassembling the phone and using advanced hardware tools to interface with the memory chips.
If the storage hardware itself is not too badly damaged, they can often retrieve most or all of the stored data. This would include contacts, photos, videos, messages, app data, and more. The data can be provided back on a USB drive or via cloud download.
Advantages of Professional Phone Data Recovery
– Can recover data even from phones that won’t turn on or have damaged storage
– Often able to retrieve full backups and all data types
– Works when DIY backup attempts have failed
– High recovery success rate when hardware allows
Disadvantages of Professional Phone Data Recovery
– Expensive – often $400+ and not guaranteed
– Requires mailing your phone to a facility
– May take 1-2 weeks to get data returned
– Not a feasible option for water damaged phones
So in summary, if your phone will not power on or boot properly, there are three main options for getting a backup of its data before attempting any repairs:
1. Use recovery mode if available to create a backup.
2. Connect the phone to a computer and run phone backup software to extract data.
3. Send the phone to a professional recovery service to disassemble and read data from the storage chips.
The best success often comes from combining these – like first taking a backup in recovery mode, then using backup software if needed, and finally professional recovery if the data is still inaccessible. With the right tools and persistence, you have a good chance at backing up important phone data even if the device is not working.
Common Causes of Phones Not Turning on
There are a number of possible reasons why a phone may fail to turn on or get stuck during the boot process:
Out of battery
– The battery may be completely depleted. Let the phone charge for at least 30 minutes before trying to turn it on even if it shows no signs of charging at first. Leaving it on the charger for several hours can revive some batteries enough to boot up temporarily.
Battery failure
– Lithium-ion batteries can fail over time leading to inability to hold charge and power on the phone. Replacing the battery may resolve the power issue.
Logic board failure
– Issues with the phone’s logic/motherboard like short circuits or failed components can prevent booting. This often requires logic board repair or replacement.
Stuck on Apple logo or Android boot screen
– A core software issue is preventing startup. This may be repairable by wiping and reloading the operating system.
Screen won’t turn on but phone is working
– Phones will still power on but the screen stays black. If haptic feedback is felt, it indicates the phone is on but the display or connectors are faulty.
Water or liquid damage
– Fluid getting inside the phone can short circuit components and prevent powering up until boards are thoroughly cleaned and dried out.
Physical damage
– Drops/impacts that damage electronic components, buttons or connectors can result in failure to boot.
Corrupt operating system
– Software damage from hacking, failed updates or jailbreaking may cause booting issues.
Diagnosing the exact cause requires disassembling the phone and testing components. But trying the backup options first is the top priority in any phone not turning on situation.
Taking Backup Precautions When Phone is Working
To avoid being locked out of your data, it is highly recommended to:
– Set up automatic backups to cloud services or external storage.
– Manually back up to a computer periodically.
– Enable USB debugging to access Android phones via ADB.
– Know account passwords to access cloud backups.
– Maintain up-to-date OS and security patches.
– Avoid damage by using protective cases and handles with care.
– Charge battery properly and replace it if holding less charge.
Following good backup procedures when your phone is working properly will ensure you have more options to recover data if it ever stops turning on.
Backup Options for Different Mobile Operating Systems
The built-in backup methods and procedures vary depending on the mobile OS:
iPhone and iPad Backup
– iTunes lets you take encrypted backups with file-level granularity when device is connected to a computer via USB. Compatible with iPhone and iPad models.
– iCloud provides seamless cloud backups over WiFi including device settings, app data, photos, and more. Integrates across iOS, iPadOS, and MacOS devices.
– Time Machine backup on Mac also includes connected iOS devices.
Android Phone and Tablet Backup
– Google Drive app can automatically backup Android device data including contacts, photos, videos, calendar, and selected app data.
– External SD cards can be used to store image and video files as well as certain apps’ data files.
– Android Debug Bridge (ADB) tool allows full backup and recovery when enabled via developer settings.
– Some manufacturers have their own PC backup tools for Android phones, like Samsung Smart Switch.
Windows Phone Backup
– OneDrive app provides automated cloud backup for photos, videos, documents, and contacts.
– Windows Computer Backup creates a full system image during connection with Windows on PC.
– Files app facilitates manual copying of photos and videos to computer.
As you can see, most mobile operating systems have integrated backup tools that provide options for both local and cloud-based backup. Third-party apps also fill in any gaps to help preserve your personal data.
Conclusion
While a phone not powering on can make data recovery challenging, there are techniques available to successfully back up and salvage your information in many cases. The key options to try are:
- Using recovery/download mode if able to boot to that state.
- Phone backup software to scan storage and extract data if still accessible.
- Professional phone recovery services as a last resort.
Knowing the risk factors, preventative strategies, and troubleshooting steps for phones that won’t turn on allows you to better handle these situations without panic. Approaching the problem systematically can help maximize your chances of backing up precious photos, videos, messages, and other irreplaceable phone data.
