How to Get Data off an iPhone That Won’t Turn On
We all depend on our iPhones to stay connected and organized. However, sometimes our iPhones stop working and won’t turn on, often unexpectedly. This can be incredibly frustrating, especially if you have important data and memories on the device that you need access to. When your iPhone suddenly won’t power on, recovering the data on it should be a top priority.
Getting data off an unresponsive iPhone may seem daunting, but there are several methods you can try. With some persistence and the right tools, you have a good chance of recovering your irreplaceable photos, messages, notes and more. This guide will walk through your options to access data on an iPhone that won’t turn on.
Reasons An iPhone May Not Turn On
There are a few common reasons why an iPhone may not power on:
Dead Battery
The most common reason an iPhone won’t turn on is a depleted or faulty battery, according to Apple support [1]. If the battery charge is completely empty, the iPhone will be unresponsive when you try to power it on, even when plugged into a charger. Letting the phone charge for at least 30 minutes before trying again may allow enough juice to turn it on. If the battery is unable to hold a charge or is damaged, a replacement battery may be needed.
Software Crash
Sometimes a serious software glitch or crash can cause an iPhone to get stuck on the Apple logo screen during start up and be unresponsive, per iSmash experts [2]. Attempting a forced restart by pressing Volume Up, Volume Down, then holding the Side button may bypass the glitch and boot the phone. If not, the phone may need to be connected to a computer to restore the software.
Hardware Failure
Physical damage from drops or liquid can prevent an iPhone from powering on fully. Common points of hardware failure include the logic board, power button, battery connectors, and charging port. In these cases, professional repair may be required if the phone does not turn on after trying basic troubleshooting steps.
Data That May Be On a Non-Functioning iPhone
There are several types of data that can be stored on an iPhone, even if it won’t turn on. Some of the most common and important data types include:
Photos – iPhones can store thousands of photos taken with the built-in camera or saved from apps, messages, emails, and the internet. Photos may include irreplaceable memories and important documentation. According to Apple, photos and videos can take up a significant portion of an iPhone’s storage.
Contacts – The iPhone Contacts app contains names, phone numbers, addresses, and other information for everyone the user knows. This data may have been manually entered or synced from social media and email accounts.
Messages – The Messages app stores conversations with other iPhone users via iMessage as well as SMS/MMS messages. These can contain important information not saved elsewhere.
Notes – Notes and voice memos typed or recorded on the iPhone are stored locally. Though synced to iCloud, some notes may only exist on the device.
App Data – Many apps store data locally on the iPhone, such as login credentials, high scores, and preferences. This data may not be recoverable if not backed up.
Importance of Recovering Data
When an iPhone fails to turn on, the data stored on it becomes inaccessible. For many users, recovering this data is extremely important. The data on our phones contains our most precious personal memories, including photos and videos of loved ones. Phones also contain important business contacts and confidential information related to work. In addition, private messages and personal information in apps like social media or email hold great sentimental value for many users.
According to a report by NetApp, “Data recovery is the process of retrieving inaccessible, lost, corrupted, or deleted data.”[1] When a phone won’t turn on, the data is inaccessible but often not erased. With the right methods, there is a good chance of recovering personal data from the device. This makes data recovery an essential process for any iPhone owner facing this situation.
Losing access to the memories, contacts, messages, and other personal information on your phone can be devastating. Thankfully, there are techniques available to recover or extract the data for use on a new device. Taking the time to attempt data recovery is crucial for maintaining digital memories and contacts that may exist nowhere else.
[1] https://www.netapp.com/cyber-resilience/data-protection/data-backup-recovery/what-is-backup-recovery/
Trying to Turn on the iPhone
If your iPhone won’t turn on, the first step is to try some basic troubleshooting to get it to power back up. Here are some things you can try:
Charge the battery – Many times an unresponsive iPhone simply has a drained battery. Plug your iPhone into a charger and let it charge for at least 10-15 minutes, even if the screen stays black. This may provide enough charge to get the iPhone to turn back on [1].
Hard reset – If charging doesn’t work, try hard resetting your iPhone by pressing and holding both the Side/Power button and the Volume Down button at the same time for at least 10 seconds, until you see the Apple logo. This will force your iPhone to restart [2].
Put in DFU mode – As a last resort, you can put your iPhone into DFU (Device Firmware Upgrade) mode. This will allow you to restore your device through iTunes. To enter DFU mode, connect your iPhone to your computer while powered off. Then press and hold the Power and Home buttons together for 10 seconds. Release the Power button but keep holding the Home button until you see the “Connect to iTunes” screen [3].
Backups
Before attempting any data recovery methods, it’s important to check if you have a recent backup of your iPhone data. The two main ways to back up an iPhone are using iCloud and backing up to a computer through iTunes.
An iCloud backup will automatically save your iPhone data including photos, messages, contacts, and more to Apple’s servers [1]. As long as you had iCloud Backup enabled on your iPhone before it stopped working, you should be able to restore a backup to a new or working iPhone and get your data back. To check if you have an iCloud backup, go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Manage Storage > Backups on a working iPhone.
You can also backup your iPhone by connecting it to a computer and using iTunes. An iTunes backup saves to your computer rather than iCloud servers. Make sure you’ve installed the latest version of iTunes on your computer, then connect your iPhone with a Lightning cable. Open iTunes, select your iPhone, then right click and choose “Back Up Now” [2]. This will save a backup of your iPhone data to your computer.
Extracting Data from iCloud Backup
If you have an iCloud backup of your iPhone data, you may be able to extract and restore specific data files from it without needing to erase and restore the entire iPhone. This requires using iPhone data recovery software designed for this purpose, such as iMobie PhoneRescue [1]. The key steps are:
- Download, install and launch the iPhone data recovery software on a computer the broken iPhone has previously been connected to. Ensure you are logged into the same iCloud account.
- The software will scan and find iCloud backups associated with the account. Select the desired backup of the broken iPhone.
- You can now browse and preview different data categories from the backup, such as Photos, Messages, Contacts, etc. Select the specific data files you need to recover.
- Choose a save location on your computer. The software will then extract and recover the data files from the iCloud backup to your computer.
This method allows recovering select data files from the iCloud backup without needing to erase the iPhone or restore from a full backup. It gives you access directly to the backup data files stored in iCloud. However, not all data may be extractable in this manner depending on the app.
Using Data Recovery Software
If your iPhone won’t turn on, one option for recovering your data is to use third-party iOS data recovery software. There are a few reputable software options available, including iMyFone D-Back [1], Dr. Fone [2], and PhoneRescue.
To use data recovery software, you’ll first need to connect your unresponsive iPhone to a computer using the USB cable. The computer will recognize the device even though the screen is black. Once connected, launch the software and it should detect your iPhone model automatically.
The next step is to scan the iPhone for recoverable data. The software will dig deep and extract documents, messages, photos, videos, call logs, contacts, notes, and other data that can be recovered. The scanning process may take some time depending on the storage capacity.
When the scan is complete, you’ll be presented with a preview of all the retrievable data. You can browse through it selectively recovering only the most important files if desired. Finally, save the recovered data to your computer.
Data recovery software provides an efficient way to access and restore data from an unresponsive iPhone. As long as the phone hardware itself is still intact, the programs can bypass the operating system to pull data off the storage chips inside.
Using a Repair Service
Taking the iPhone to a repair shop is another option if you need to recover data from a non-functional device. There are mail-in and local repair shops that specialize in data recovery services.
Mail-in iPhone data recovery services allow you to ship your device to a repair facility. The convenience of mail-in service comes at a cost premium compared to local shops. Mail-in data recovery for an iPhone can cost $300-$600 depending on the model and extent of damage source.
Local repair shops may offer more affordable iPhone data recovery, with typical costs ranging from $200-$450. The advantage of a local shop is you can bring in your device and get an estimate right away. Success rates can vary depending on the shop’s experience and capabilities. Well-reviewed local shops claim iPhone data recovery success rates of 80-90% source.
When choosing a repair shop for data recovery, it’s important to research their reputation and expertise specifically for your iPhone model. Avoid shops that make unrealistic promises about recovering data no matter how damaged the device is.
Preventing Data Loss
Taking steps to prevent data loss from your iPhone can save you from dealing with the headache of trying to recover inaccessible data. Here are some tips for preventing data loss:
Regular backups – The simplest way to protect your data is to back it up regularly. You can use iCloud backups which happen automatically when your phone is charging, connected to WiFi, and has a strong cellular connection. You can also connect your iPhone to your computer to do local iTunes backups. Keep regular local and cloud backups so you always have a recent version of your data.
Software updates – Always keep your iPhone’s operating system up to date and install the latest iOS updates when available. These often include bug fixes and security patches that can prevent crashes, freezes, and potential data loss.
Handle phone carefully – Be careful not to drop your iPhone or get it wet, as physical damage can lead to data loss. Also avoid overcharging the battery which can degrade battery health over time and lead to crashes or freezing.
Additional precautions like setting a passcode, enabling Find My iPhone, and reviewing your privacy settings can also help keep your data secure. Taking preventative measures is the best way to avoid losing important photos, messages, notes, and other iPhone data.