Assessing the Damage
The first step in extracting data from a broken iPhone is to assess the nature and extent of the damage. This will help determine the best approach for data recovery. Some common issues to look out for include:
- Physically broken screen or housing – Cracks, dents, or water damage can prevent the phone from turning on or being recognized when connected to a computer.
- Phone won’t turn on – This could indicate an issue with the battery, charging port, or internal components. Try charging for several hours and holding down the power button.
- Touchscreen unresponsive – The digitizer may be damaged even if the glass isn’t cracked. Try using AssistiveTouch to navigate if enabled.
- Error messages – Note any error codes or prompts that come up when trying to turn on the phone.
- Won’t connect to computer – The charging port could be broken or obstructed with debris.
- Third-party damage indicators – Some repair shops place small dots inside devices that change color if exposed to water.
Thoroughly inspect the iPhone and make note of all visible damage or issues. Consult Apple Support articles like How to identify iPhone model if you’re unsure of the specific device. Documenting the exact symptoms can help diagnose software vs hardware problems (Market Business News).
Backing Up Data
Before attempting to extract data from a broken iPhone, it’s important to try and back up the data first. Connecting the phone to a working computer and doing an iTunes or iCloud backup can ensure you have a copy of the data to work with in case the manual extraction is unsuccessful.
To do an iTunes backup, connect the iPhone to a computer it has previously synced with, open iTunes, select the iPhone, then click Back Up Now. iTunes will create a full backup of the iPhone data to the computer.
If you have iCloud Backup enabled on the iPhone, you can trigger a manual iCloud backup by going to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup on the iPhone, then tapping Back Up Now. This will back up your data to Apple’s servers.
Once you have a recent iTunes or iCloud backup, you can proceed with attempting the data extraction knowing that if it fails, you can recover the data from the backup.
Software-Based Data Extraction
One of the most common methods for extracting data from a broken iPhone is to use data recovery software or apps. Some popular options include:
- Dr.Fone – This data recovery software works on both Mac and Windows computers. It can recover data like contacts, messages, photos, notes and more from iOS devices.
- PhoneRescue – Available for Mac and Windows, PhoneRescue can extract various data like text messages, contacts, photos, notes, reminders and more from an iPhone.
Data recovery software connects your iOS device to a computer and scans the phone for recoverable data. It will extract data directly from your iPhone and save it on your computer. Many options provide both a free trial version, as well as paid versions with full functionality. This offers a convenient way to recover data without relying on backups.
However, data recovery software relies on the phone still being functional enough to establish a connection. If the phone is not recognized or the software cannot fully access the files on the device, this method may not work.
Manual Extraction
If your iPhone is totally non-functional, or if software-based methods have failed, you may need to manually extract the data. This involves carefully opening up the iPhone to remove internal components.
First, you’ll need to source the proper tiny screwdriver kits and spudgers to open the iPhone. Be very gentle, as the components and connections inside are fragile.
Carefully remove the rear casing to expose the internal hardware. Locate and gently remove the SIM card to recover contacts and messages stored on it. You can use a SIM card reader to transfer the data to a computer.
If your iPhone has removable flash storage, gently disconnect and remove the memory card. Use a memory card reader to access any media files stored on it. Be careful not to damage any connectors or components.
With the casing off, you may be able to disconnect and remove the flash memory chip itself. This advanced process requires electronics skills and special reader devices. Consult a repair specialist first, as improper techniques could destroy the chip.
Manually extracting components this way poses risks of permanent damage, and should only be attempted if you have specialty technical skills and the proper tools.
Repairing the Screen
If the only issue with your broken iPhone is a cracked or smashed screen, repairing just the screen can allow you to regain access to the data. Replacing only the screen is often much cheaper and easier than getting the entire device repaired or replaced.
You can take the iPhone to an Apple store or an authorized service provider to have the screen repaired professionally. The cost typically ranges from $129 to $279 depending on the iPhone model [1]. The repair usually takes 1-2 days.
Another option is to purchase an iPhone screen replacement kit and do the repair yourself. These kits can be found online for $50 or less. Replacing an iPhone screen is an involved process but can be done with the right tools, patience, and by following detailed video tutorials available on YouTube or repair websites like iFixit.
Once the screen is repaired, you should be able to turn on the iPhone and access the data normally. Be sure to immediately back up the data in case the screen stops working again.
Using Data Recovery Services
For severely damaged iPhones that you can’t extract data from yourself, using a professional data recovery service may be your best option. Companies like DriveSavers specialize in recovering data from devices with major physical damage or corruption. They use advanced tools and techniques like chip-off forensics to directly read data off the storage chips.
The cost for iPhone data recovery services ranges widely depending on the extent of damage and desired turnaround time. DriveSavers charges between $500-$3000+ for iPhone recovery depending on the service level. Expedited services under 72 hours cost more. Overall, data recovery services are not cheap, but can retrieve irreplaceable data from devices that are otherwise unusable.
The advantage of using a dedicated service like DriveSavers is they have decades of experience extracting data from seriously damaged devices. They claim a 90% success rate for iOS devices. However, data recovery cannot be guaranteed, so there is some risk involved when paying these high costs.
Recovering Data from iCloud
If you had your iPhone set up to backup to iCloud, you may be able to restore data from your iCloud backup. To access and restore from an iCloud backup:
1. Go to iCloud.com and sign in using your Apple ID credentials. This allows you to access your iCloud account online.
2. Click on ‘Settings’ and select ‘Restore Backup’. Here you’ll see a list of your device backups.
3. Choose the backup associated with your broken iPhone. Click ‘Restore’ to begin downloading the content from iCloud.
4. Once the restore completes, you can access your iPhone data like contacts, messages, photos, etc again. This content will download to your new iPhone or device.
Restoring from an iCloud backup allows you to get back personal data that may have been lost when your iPhone broke. As long as you had iCloud backups enabled, this offers a way to recover your information.
Using iTunes to Restore
Once you are able to get the broken iPhone powered on and connected to your computer, one option for recovering data is restoring from an iTunes backup. iTunes creates backups of iOS devices like the iPhone which contain user data and settings. As long as you have a relatively recent iTunes backup of your iPhone, you can use it to restore your data onto a working device.
To restore from a backup in iTunes, first connect your iPhone to your computer and open iTunes. If your iPhone screen is still functional, you will need to trust the computer connection when prompted. Once iTunes detects the iPhone, go to the Summary screen and look under Backups to see available backups. Select the desired backup and click Restore to initiate the process. iTunes will wipe your iPhone and reinstall the operating system before restoring your data and settings from the backup.
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The length of time it takes to restore will depend on the size of the backup. Make sure your iPhone stays connected and powered on during the entire restore process. When finished, your device should be restored to the state it was in when the backup was made with your data and settings intact. Restoring from iTunes requires a working screen and the ability to power on the device, but can fully recover your data if the backup is sufficient.
Avoiding Data Loss
The best way to avoid needing to extract data from a broken iPhone is to proactively prevent data loss in the first place. This involves regularly backing up your data to external sources like iCloud or an external hard drive. According to Apple Support, “The easiest way to back up your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch is to use iCloud. When you turn on iCloud Backup, your iOS or iPadOS device is automatically backed up to iCloud every day or when you plug it in. Your device data is stored in iCloud.” (source).
In addition to iCloud, you can also back up your iPhone to your computer using iTunes. Connect your device to your computer, open iTunes, and select “Back Up Now” to create a full backup. You should also back up important data like photos to an external hard drive periodically. This gives you multiple copies of your data across different devices, protecting you in case one backup fails or a device like your iPhone breaks.
Following regular backup practices dramatically reduces the risk of losing your data if your iPhone screen cracks or any other hardware damage occurs. Even if your phone won’t turn on, you’ll still be able to recover your data from an external source. Backups complement the built-in security protections of your iPhone like Find My and passcodes, providing comprehensive protection.
When to Give Up
There comes a point when recovering data from a broken iPhone is impossible. If the phone is completely destroyed beyond physical repair, with major internal components like the logic board damaged beyond function, data is likely unrecoverable.
Signs that point to unrecoverable data include:
- The phone won’t power on at all, even when connected to power.
- The phone’s internals are burnt or melted.
- The storage chips are physically cracked or broken.
- The phone was submerged in water long enough to cause corrosion.
At this stage, even professional data recovery services likely won’t be able to extract anything usable from the device. It’s best to accept the data as lost, and focus efforts on setting up a new phone and preventing future data loss by backing up regularly.
As a last resort before giving up, you can consult with data recovery experts to see if they have any solutions. But be prepared that the phone and data may be too damaged to save.