What to Do When Your iPhone is Stuck in Recovery Mode After a Drop?

Honestly, it sounds like your best bet is to go back to that repair shop. They were able to connect a working screen, so they might have some way to access your data again. If your phone went into recovery mode after plugging it in, it could be that the drop caused some internal damage that only showed up once you tried that connection. Just a heads up, though—if you're trying to avoid a full restore, be prepared that options might be limited since recovery mode typically means you'll need to erase the data to regain full functionality. But don’t lose hope—check with the pros first!

It's tough, but it looks like you might have to spend the money to recover your files. The recovery mode usually doesn't mean the data is lost, but if the phone was working in the shop and now it’s not, it could indicate some miscommunication on the repair shop's end about whether they could guarantee recovery. If a working screen showed your lock screen, they might have done something to show it off rather than properly backing it up. Definitely bring that up with them!

I feel for you! I think what happened could be related to how the device handles hardware failures. Since the screen was damaged, maybe it was just temporarily responsive when they hooked it up, but your connection at home unleashed another issue. Keep in mind that unlocking the phone and seeing the screen doesn’t always mean the system is stable. You may want to try another repair shop for a second opinion. Just make sure they know exactly what’s going on and that you need data recovery options that don’t involve resetting the phone.