The battery in our iPhone 13 has swollen, and the phone no longer turns on. It contains photos and other important data that were never fully backed up to iCloud or another location. We recently bought an iPhone 17, but we cannot transfer anything from the old phone because it will not boot. An authorized service center said they could send it to a central repair facility, but warned that the device would be erased during the process. Recovering the data matters more to us than repairing the phone permanently. Is there a safe way to have the battery replaced or the phone powered on temporarily so we can unlock it and copy the photos and other files?
3 Answers
First check whether some of the photos may already exist in iCloud Photos, an old computer backup, or another device previously synced with the phone. If the phone does start, unlock it and make several copies immediately. If it never boots after a safe battery replacement, a specialist may still be able to diagnose the logic board, but data recovery is not guaranteed because modern iPhones tie the stored data to the original device hardware and passcode.
Look for a reputable independent Apple-device repair shop or a specialist in phone data recovery, rather than a service provider whose standard process includes erasing the device. Explain clearly that data preservation is the priority. A skilled technician may be able to install a suitable battery temporarily and get the phone to boot long enough for you to unlock it and create a backup. Do not try to charge, press on, puncture, or open a visibly swollen battery yourself—the battery can become a fire hazard.
That is what we are hoping for: just enough power to unlock the phone and copy the remaining data before deciding whether to repair it properly.
Replacing the battery by itself normally does not erase an iPhone's storage, but DIY work can damage the phone or make the battery more dangerous. The phone's data is also protected by encryption, so a repair technician will generally need the device to boot and you will need to enter its passcode. Ask any shop in advance whether they can replace the battery without restoring or updating the phone, and whether they have experience with data-preserving repairs.
We did start syncing after noticing the battery problem, but much of the library was not uploaded in time. Even one successful boot would let us recover the rest.