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These days, our phones are the most valuable assets we have. They have our contacts information, our photos, our work schedules, and much more. One of the most frustrating experiences is when the phone is broken, and we can’t access anything on it. Like when you have important text messages on your broken Android phone that you urgently need to retrieve, but it seems impossible because it’s either not turning on, or the screen is damaged. Do you find yourself in such a situation? There’s no need to panic anymore! This blog post will guide you through practical steps on how to retrieve text messages from a broken android phone.
Video Tutorial:
Can I retrieve old Text Messages from A Broken Android Phone
Can I retrieve old Text Messages from A Broken Android Phone
Yes, it is possible to retrieve old text messages from a broken phone, depending on the severity of the damage, the phone’s operating system (Android or iOS), and whether the data was backed up. Here are the reasons why it’s possible:
- Data is Physically Stored: When you send or receive text messages, they’re stored in the internal memory of your phone or on the SIM card. This means the data physically exists somewhere and, in theory, can be retrieved unless the storage is irreparably damaged.
- Google Backup: Android has a built-in backup service that uses Google Drive. If you have previously enabled this feature in your device settings, your text messages, along with other data, might have been backed up to the cloud automatically. You can access these backups from another device using the same Google account.
- SMS Backup Apps: There are many third-party apps like SMS Backup & Restore that allow users to back up their messages. If you’ve used one of these apps, you can restore your texts on a new device.
- Data Recovery Software: There are data recovery tools available that can scan your device’s storage (even when it’s broken) and recover lost data, including text messages.
Method 1: Via Android Data Recovery Tool
Android Data Recovery is an excellent tool to retrieve messages from a broken android phone. The program works by scanning your device and restoring all the deleted images, videos, and text messages. Follow the steps below to recover your text messages using Android Data Recovery:
1. Download and install the Android Data Recovery on your computer.
2. Connect your broken android phone to the computer via USB cable.
3. Enable USB debugging on your phone. If your phone screen is damaged, you can do this manually by finding the build number of your device and then tapping on it seven times. This will allow the developer mode.
4. Once USB debugging is enabled, the program will ask you to select the file types you would like to recover.
5. Choose text messages and then tap on the "next" button, and let the program scan your phone.
6. After scanning, select the deleted text messages from the list and click on the "recover" button.
Pros:
– It can recover a variety of files
– It supports most android devices
– Easy to use and efficient
Cons:
– Might be tedious when scanning many files
– There is a possibility of the software creating duplicate files
Method 2: Via Google Drive Backup
If you had previously backed up your messages to Google Drive, this method is perfect for you. Google Drive offers cloud storage, where all your files are stored, and you can access them at any time. Here’s how to retrieve your messages using Google Drive.
1. Visit the Google Drive website and log in with your Google account details.
2. On the Google Drive dashboard, click on the Gear icon then select "Settings."
3. Select the "manage apps" option then click "WhatsApp".
4. To confirm if your messages were backed up, select "backup and reset".
5. Start a new backup of your messages to t Google Drive.
6. Once completed, on the new phone, reinstall WhatsApp, and the app will show a prompt that an older backup is detected.
7. Select Restore and wait for the process to complete.
Pros:
– Access from anywhere
– No external tool requirement
Cons:
– The experience is not uniform across all devices
– It might be slow and unstable
Method 3: Via Android Phone Manager
If you can’t retrieve text messages from your broken android phone using any other method, you can give Android Phone Manager a shot. It’s an all-in-one management tool that enables you to control your Android phone from a computer. Here are the steps;
1. Download and install the Android Phone Manager on your computer.
2. Connect your broken phone to the computer via USB cable.
3. Open the Android Phone Manager and click the "Android Data Backup & Restore”.
4. Select “Device Data Restore” from the interface.
5. Choose “messages" and click "confirm".
6. The program will scan your device and give you a preview of the messages.
7. Check the messages from the list and click "restore" to have them exported to a computer.
Pros:
– Easy to use and efficient
– Managers other areas of your phone
– No data loss
Cons:
– Limited features compared to Android Data Recovery
– Only compatible with Windows computer.
Method 4: Through SIM card
This method is only possible if your messages are stored on your SIM card. Sometimes, people choose to save messages here, rather than on their phones. If you’re among those people, try the following steps:
1. Remove the SIM card from the broken phone.
2. Insert the SIM card into another phone, and then connect it to the computer.
3. Go to the File Explorer and locate the SIM card folder.
4. Find the “SMS” folder and copy it to your computer.
Pros:
– Easy and simple
– Cost-Free
Cons:
– The method cannot work if your messages are not backed up on the SIM card.
What to Do If You Can’t Retrieve Text Messages from a Broken Android Phone
If you have tried all the methods above, and none of them have worked, then it’s possible that your phone is beyond repair. However, there are a few things you can do to fix the problem, as listed below:
– You can take your phone to an expert technician to retrieve the messages for you. They have techniques to access your messages and recover them.
– Try using recovery software like EaseUS MobiSaver and FonePaw. These tools are designed to retrieve data from broken phones.
– If the phone is slightly damaged, get it fixed. Once repaired, you can always retrieve your messages.
Bonus Tip
1. Always back up your messages to Google Drive or a third-party backup app to avoid data loss.
2. Invest in a phone protector to keep your phone in good condition and prevent it from breaking easily.
3. Always ensure your phone is up-to-date with the latest software. This helps to prevent damage to your phone.
5 FAQs
Q1: Is it possible to retrieve messages from a phone with a cracked screen?
A: Yes, it’s possible. Use any of the above-listed methods to retrieve your messages easily.
Q2: Can I retrieve text messages from a stolen phone?
A: No, it’s not possible. Once the phone is gone, there’s no way to retrieve the data on it.
Q3: What happens if I don’t back up my messages?
A: You risk losing your messages permanently in case your phone is damaged or stolen.
Q4: Can I transfer messages from one phone to another?
A: Yes, use a backup app to transfer the messages to another phone or save them to Google Drive and download them to the new phone.
Q5: Can I recover deleted messages from a broken Android phone?
A: Yes, you can use Android Data Recovery to do so.
Final Thoughts
Retrieving text messages from a broken Android phone can be a daunting task, but not anymore. With the methods and tools explained in this blog post, you can quickly and easily retrieve your messages with no hassle. Remember always to back up your messages to Google Drive or other backup apps and invest in a phone protector to prevent your phone from breaking easily. If you ever find yourself unable to restore your messages, take your phone to an expert technician, or try recovery software. Finally, always keep your phone updated with the latest software to avoid data loss.