My Samsung phone's screen is cracked and stays black, but the phone still powers on and alarms work. I need to copy messages and gallery files to a laptop. What is the best way to access the phone and transfer the data when I can't see the display?
3 Answers
If the phone wasn’t already configured for file access or trusted with that computer, repairing the screen may be the simplest option. Android generally blocks full data access while locked, so a laptop usually can’t bypass the lock or approval screen.
Connect the phone to a computer with a USB cable, unlock it, and select the USB file-transfer option. Once it’s authorized, the phone should appear on the computer for copying files. The problem is that Android normally requires you to unlock the device and approve data access on the phone first.
Since it’s a Galaxy S23, you can try connecting it to an external monitor or TV with a USB-C to HDMI adapter or a USB-C DisplayPort-compatible cable. Samsung DeX may appear automatically, and you can use the monitor to unlock the phone and access your files. You typically don’t need extra software for the initial display connection, although DeX for Windows may require an app if you want to control it from the laptop.
How can I unlock it or approve the connection if I can’t see anything on the screen? Can that be done from the laptop?