Having an iPhone that won’t turn on can be extremely frustrating, especially if you have important data stored on it that you need to access. The good news is that even if your iPhone won’t power on, there are still ways to recover and transfer the data from it to a working device.
Can I transfer data from a dead iPhone to a new iPhone?
Yes, you can transfer data from a dead or broken iPhone to a new iPhone. Even if your old iPhone is not turning on, the data is likely still intact on the device’s storage. As long as the phone is not damaged beyond physical repair, you should be able to recover the data and move it to the new phone.
Methods to transfer data from a dead iPhone to a new iPhone
Here are a few methods you can use to transfer data from an unresponsive iPhone to a new iPhone:
- Use a backup – If you previously backed up your iPhone through iCloud or iTunes, you can use that backup to transfer the data to the new phone.
- Plug into a computer – Connect the unresponsive iPhone to a computer and see if you can access the files and backup using software like iTunes.
- Remove the SSD – On some iPhones, you can remove the solid-state drive (SSD) and connect it to a computer to access the data.
- Use specialized data recovery software – Software like iMyFone D-Back and Dr.Fone can extract data from an unresponsive iPhone and transfer it to a new device.
- Take it to a repair shop – Cell phone repair experts may have tools to remove iPhone memory chips and recover data from them.
Can I transfer data from a dead iPhone to an Android device?
It is possible to transfer data like photos, videos, contacts, calendars, and notes from an unresponsive iPhone to an Android smartphone or tablet. Here are some ways to do this:
Ways to transfer data from a dead iPhone to Android
- Use Google Drive – If you backed up your iPhone to Google Drive, you can restore that backup to an Android device.
- Connect to a computer – Use a computer to access the files on the unresponsive iPhone, then transfer them to your Android device via USB or cloud storage.
- Try dedicated transfer apps – Apps like Move to iOS and iSkysoft iTransfer can transfer data between an unresponsive iPhone and Android device.
- Sync with iCloud – You can set up your Google account on iCloud.com, then use iCloud to sync iPhone data like contacts, calendars and photos to your Android device.
- Manually transfer data – For contacts and calendars, you may be able to manually add them one-by-one on your Android phone.
However, apps and music purchased through the Apple App Store will not transfer over in most cases due to DRM protections.
What type of data can I recover from a dead iPhone?
Here are some of the main types of data you may be able to recover from an iPhone that won’t turn on:
Data that can be recovered from a non-functional iPhone
- Contacts
- Call history
- Text messages
- WhatsApp and iMessage conversations
- Photos and videos
- Calendars and notes
- Web bookmarks
- Voice memos
- Apple Health and Activity data
- Files and documents
The ability to recover each data type depends on the nature of the issue with your iPhone and the backup situation. For example, iCloud backups may store your contacts and photos, while text messages may only be retrievable by connecting the iPhone directly to data recovery software.
Can I recover deleted photos from a dead iPhone?
Yes, it is often possible to recover deleted photos from an iPhone that won’t turn on. As long as the photos were not deleted from the iPhone too long ago, data recovery software should be able to retrieve them.
Here are some ways you may be able to get deleted photos back from a non-working iPhone:
- Restore from an iCloud backup – If you have iCloud Photo Library enabled, your deleted photos may be preserved in a recent backup.
- Use data recovery software – Programs like iSkysoft iMyFone D-Back can scan your iPhone’s storage and find deleted photos.
- Extract data from logic board – A cell phone repair shop may be able to remove the storage chips from the logic board and recover deleted photos using special tools.
The sooner you act after deleting the photos, the better chance you have of getting them back from an unresponsive device. Avoid actions that may overwrite the data.
What are the best free ways to recover data from a dead iPhone?
Here are some of the best free methods you can try to recover data from an iPhone that won’t power on:
Free ways to recover data from dead iPhone
- Restore from iTunes or iCloud backup – Restore your most recent backup to a new iPhone.
- Use recovery mode – Put your iPhone into recovery mode and connect to iTunes to access files.
- Dr.Fone free trial – Scan and preview recoverable data with the free trial of this software.
- Dig through archives – Check your computer and cloud storage accounts for old synced archives of iPhone data.
While paid software or professional data recovery services will offer the best results, the free methods allow you to preview or restore some recoverable data at no cost.
How do I backup an iPhone that won’t turn on?
Backing up a dead iPhone that won’t power on requires using recovery mode, iTunes, iCloud, or third-party software:
- Recovery mode: Press certain button combinations to put the iPhone in recovery mode. Then connect it to iTunes.
- iTunes: Connect the unresponsive iPhone to a computer with iTunes installed. iTunes may detect and offer to backup the device.
- iCloud: Use trusted data recovery software to extract the data, then selectively sync it to iCloud.
- Software: Programs like iSkysoft iMyFone D-Back can backup data from an unresponsive iPhone to a computer.
If no backup exists, creating one from the dead device ensures you have a copy of your data to restore if the phone cannot be revived.
Can I still recover data if my iPhone was water damaged?
It is often possible to recover data from a water damaged iPhone that won’t turn on. The water could have shorted circuits and prevented the phone from powering up. But the data storage chips inside may still be intact.
Steps you can take to recover data from water damaged iPhones include:
- Dry it out completely before attempting data recovery methods.
- Connect it to a computer to scan for accessible data.
- Use data recovery software designed to retrieve data from water damaged devices.
- Detach and dry storage chips, then read them with special readers.
- Take it to data recovery experts for clean room disassembly and chip reading.
The less time the phone spends wet, the greater your chances. Quickly dry the device, avoid charging it, and contact an iPhone water damage specialist for the best chance at recovering your data.
Can I still transfer data if my iPhone screen is cracked or broken?
You can still recover and transfer data from an iPhone with a cracked or broken screen in most cases. As long as the phone still turns on and the internal components are undamaged, you should be able to get the data off.
Options for transferring data from an iPhone with cracked screen include:
- Using Siri voice commands to initiate backups or data transfers.
- Connecting the iPhone to a computer and scanning it with data recovery software.
- Enabling iCloud backups and restoring them to a new iPhone.
- Getting the screen repaired temporarily to enable data transfers.
- Connecting external keyboards and mice to control the iPhone.
For iPhones that won’t turn on due to screen damage, you may need to take other data recovery steps, like extracting storage chips or performing board-level repairs.
Should I try to turn on a water damaged iPhone to recover the data?
It’s best not to try turning on a water damaged iPhone until you’ve given it ample time to dry out. Powering up a phone that still has moisture inside can short circuit and permanently damage components.
Follow these tips for recovering data from a wet iPhone:
- Do not try to turn it on or charge it until thoroughly dry.
- Dry it quickly with compressed air, desiccant packets, sunlight, or rice.
- Disassemble and clean with isopropyl alcohol if needed.
- Let it sit for at least 24-48 hours after drying before attempting power up.
- When ready, connect to power without battery and attempt data recovery.
- If it won’t turn on, consider professional chip-off or repair options.
Leaving the phone powered off until all internal moisture is gone gives the best chance at revival and data recovery without short circuit damage.
How much does it cost to recover data from a dead iPhone?
The cost to recover data from an unresponsive iPhone can range from $0 to over $1000 depending on the method used:
- DIY recovery: Using iTunes or iCloud backups to restore data yourself costs nothing.
- Local shop: Smaller phone repair shops may charge $20-$300 depending on work needed.
- Mail-in service: Some dedicated iPhone data recovery services charge $300-$1500.
- Clean room recovery: This sophisticated chip-off method done by pros costs $500-$3000+.
More extensive repair work needed on the iPhone to access the storage chips will increase the cost. Ease of access to device backups also impacts cost effectiveness of different methods.
Conclusion
Recovering data from an iPhone that won’t power on can seem daunting, but is often possible through various DIY methods or professional services. The key is acting quickly before data is overwritten, avoiding any actions that can further damage the iPhone, and using trusted data recovery software or experts when needed. With some time and effort, you can likely get those precious photos, messages, contacts and other personal data off your unresponsive iPhone.