You can still transfer pictures from your cell phone to your computer if the screen is broken, with a USB data cable and driver software to handle the transfer.

Question: I need to move some pictures from my phone to my PC. I have a usb cable, but I can’t see the screen on my phone. AT&T sent me a new phone but need pictures off the old phone. Can you help me with this?

Answer: You can still transfer pictures from your cell phone to your computer if the screen is broken, by using your usb data cable and driver software to handle the transfer (which doesn’t rely on your phone menus or screen).

The usb cable will connect your phone to your PC, and the driver software will show you a list of all the files on your phone. That includes photos, ring tones, contacts, and videos (if your phone plays videos).

Here’s what you’ll need to do:

1. Turn your cell phone on and connect it to your computer.

Any USB data cable that fits the standard USB port on your phone and your computer will work, so there’s no need to go buy an expensive cable. It should also charge your phone while it’s connected.

2. Start up the driver software that came with the USB cable.

If no software came with your USB data cable, then you’ll need to purchase that separately, since Windows needs the right drivers in order to recognize your phone. One program I’ve tried is Data Pilot:

You can get a copy of Data Pilot for pretty cheap it works with all major phone types. It will show you a list of folders on your phone containing photos, music (ring tones), contacts, and videos (if your phone supports video).

Another program that works well is Motorola Phonetools, and it works the same way as Data Pilot (and can also be purchased for about $15 on Amazon).

3. Select the files you want, and transfer them to your computer.

When you’re finished transferring pictures from your broken phone to your computer, then you can turn around and connect the usb cable to your new phone and transfer the files from your computer to the new phone.

Hope that helps!

17 Comments

  1. Ashley

    I have a similar problem. I
    I have a similar problem. I have the motorokr Z6m and my screen is broken. It didn’t come with a software, so I just downloaded a trial version of ringtone media. When I plug my phone into the computer using a usb corb [because I don’t have a memory card] it says that it doesn’t recognize the device. Therefore, I’m guessing that’s why I can’t find the pictures on ringtone media to transfer to my computer. Please help.

    • Wasd591

      I’d like to ask what version
      I’d like to ask what version of Windows you are running. And did you try and find the cell phone drivers on the manufacturer’s website? Hope that helps!

  2. Rex

    should it still work when
    should it still work when the screen is broken and i can not go into the phone menu?

  3. Robyn

    My phone is a nokia 6205
    My phone is a nokia 6205 that now is only flashing a black screen and a verizon wireless logo alternately. It has a mini sd slot, but the phone isn’t even turning on in a way that I know it is on. Screen is not working for sure. And it doesn’t have a usb port that I can tell. Any hope for me?

    Thank you!

  4. Carly

    My phone broke in half!!!
    Ok so, I had a touch-screen with a slide keyboard and the phone was great except it broke in half!! Before then, I was able to connect to my computer but now that it’s broken, can I still use the cable to get my pics????? I wanted my pics transferred to my computer so that when I get my new phone, I can just download the pictures. Please help me!!!!!

  5. Anonymous

    Razor V3 Phone problems
    I am having trouble as well with my husband’s company handed out cell phone Razor V3 it is not recognizing the phone/device after it’s outside screen broke and it did before it was broke. My husband will be turning it in anyway for a new phone and I am sure they will give him a different one not a razor v3 I we don’t want to buy the software and it not work. Can we take it to the AT&T store and have them retrieve the pics and other data from the phone. Please answer asap we need to turn this in so we can get another work cell phone from his boss he hasn’t told him yet it is broken cause we have pics we want off the phone first if we tell him then it will be turned off and we won’t be able to get our pics. Thank you MR and MRS C.

  6. Anonymous

    uggghhh
    I am having issues with my phone. i dont have a sd card and now the screen is broken. and on top of that i cant find the cord. damn it

  7. Anonymous

    I have a motorola krzr and
    I have a motorola krzr and the screen broke! I can’t see anything and for some reason the software on my computer won’t let me load anything at all! Can anyone help?

  8. Sara

    Well I have a touch screen
    Well I have a touch screen phone and I bought a new one and I would like to get the pictures off my old phone to my computer and I have the usb cord and everything but to connect it to the computer I have to use the screen to click :Connet to pc” but the screen doesn’t work. So is there any other way I can get my pictures ot my computer?

  9. Anonymous

    My phones screen is not
    My phones screen is not working. yesterday my phone was working like it normal does and today it is not working. how do i get my contacts from the phone i have now to my new phone that i am getting soon? thanks for your help

  10. Anonymous

    Is there any way to transfer
    Is there any way to transfer info if the mobile will not turn on? I’ve used a USB cable, but my phone keeps turning itself off. Is there anything else I can do?

    Thanks

  11. Anonymous

    My samsung tranformer touch
    My samsung tranformer touch from sprint isent working my screen blacked out i need to get some pictures from their but im not sure how to do it.. my cumputer keeps telling me that it dosent recognize that file every time i connect it to it. thanks

  12. HL

    I need to transfer my phone
    I need to transfer my phone book to my PC but my mobile screen was black out and can’t see anythings. I’m using windows mobile device,any idea can solve it?

  13. Jose

    What if you have a galaxy
    What if you have a galaxy note and the screen is craked where you cant see anything and the charging port is not letting any charger or data cable access the phone…is there any other way ? please help – I have thousands of pics in there

  14. Adline

    my phone is an LG fierce and
    my phone is an LG fierce and my screen is cracked completely, but the lights turn on when I plug the phone into my computer. I want to put pictures from that phone to my computer, but how will I know if its on or not. its pitch black

  15. Michelle

    I have a Pantech discover I’m
    I have a Pantech discover I’m trying to get my pics and videos onto my computer..my screen is completeled shattered so I can’t touch it without it glitching
    please help

  16. christina

    Hi I have a iphone 4 and I
    Hi I have a iphone 4 and I would love to get my photos off of it it doesn’t work I think I broke the ink pad but anyways when I connect it to my computer iTunes shows up and I try and get my photos off but it say I have to type the password for my iphone to y photos but I cant see anything on my screen. Is there another way? I know the password I just cant see my screen.

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