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You can retrieve Samsung Galaxy data by restoring an existing Samsung or Google backup, copying files from a working and unlocked phone, or using Smart Switch. If the screen or touch input is damaged, an adapter, mouse, keyboard, or external display may help—provided the phone still powers on and supports the connection. If the phone will not turn on, the self-service options may not work; repair may be necessary, and recovery is not guaranteed.
Choose the recovery route that matches your situation
| Route | Does the original phone need to work? | Prior setup or access needed | Best for | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung or Google account restore | No, if a usable backup exists | A backup and access to the matching account | A lost, reset, or replacement phone | Only saved or synced data is available; included categories vary. Samsung UK and Samsung France |
| Smart Switch computer backup or restore | Usually, to create a new backup; no, to restore an existing computer backup | Smart Switch; a connected phone may require on-device approval | A working phone or an existing computer backup | Some secure, encrypted, DRM-protected, app, and login data will not transfer. Samsung UK and Samsung UK |
| HDMI adapter and external monitor | Yes | The phone must power on and support video output | A phone with a damaged display but working touch | Model and adapter compatibility vary. Samsung UK |
| USB mouse or keyboard and compatible adapter | Yes | The peripheral must connect, and you must know the screen-lock credentials | A phone whose touch input does not respond | Does not bypass the lock or fix a phone that will not boot. Samsung UK |
| Removable memory card and card reader | No, after removing the card | The files must have been stored on the card | Files on an inserted SD card | Does not retrieve data from internal storage. Samsung UK |
| Professional repair or data recovery | Depends on the fault and service | Service-specific | A phone that will not turn on or has hardware damage | Recovery is not guaranteed. Samsung UK |
Check account backups first if the phone is unavailable
On a replacement Galaxy, sign in to the Samsung or Google account used on the old phone and check for an existing backup. Samsung places backup and restore options under Settings > Accounts and backup in its guidance, though names and screens vary by Android version and device. Google Photos may need to have been enabled separately for photos and videos. Samsung France also lists OneDrive for Gallery synchronization and My Files backup; availability and configuration can vary by region.
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Do not assume every type of data was included. Check the account’s backup details for the specific contacts, messages, settings, photos, or other files you need. A cloud sync is not the same as a complete copy of the phone: Samsung says it cannot retrieve data that existed only on a lost device. Samsung UK’s backup and restore instructions and Samsung France’s overview describe the account options.
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Back up a working phone to a computer with Smart Switch
Samsung describes Smart Switch for PC and Mac as free. You need a computer and a USB cable that supports data transfer. The phone may ask you to approve the connection on its screen; a computer connection is not a way to skip that prompt or unlock a locked phone.
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- Install Smart Switch on the computer from Samsung’s Smart Switch support page.
- Connect the Galaxy phone to the computer with a data-capable USB cable.
- Open Smart Switch and select Backup.
- If prompted, approve the connection on the phone, then wait for the backup to finish.
If the computer does not recognize the phone, Samsung’s guidance suggests reinstalling the device driver through Smart Switch. If the phone cannot be unlocked or the on-device approval cannot be completed, this route may not be available.
Restore a Smart Switch computer backup
- Open Smart Switch on the computer and connect the destination Galaxy.
- Select Restore.
- Choose the latest backup or another available backup, then follow the prompts. Approve on the phone if asked.
Exact screens can differ by device and software version. Samsung’s backup and restore guide and Smart Switch guide provide its documented steps.
Transfer directly to another Galaxy with Smart Switch
If both phones are usable, Smart Switch can transfer data wirelessly, by USB cable, or through a computer. Samsung lists common Android categories such as contacts, schedules, messages, photos, videos, music, documents, call logs, settings, and some Galaxy-specific app data. It also describes importing selected items from iCloud, including contacts, calendar, notes, photos, videos, and documents. What transfers depends on the source and destination, operating system, and app restrictions. See Samsung’s Smart Switch instructions.
Smart Switch is not a perfect clone of the old phone. Secure or encrypted data—such as WhatsApp chats—may require the app’s own transfer or backup method. Banking app logins may need to be entered again; app data and credentials vary; DRM-protected content cannot transfer; and some OS-version combinations restrict call logs, email settings, or internet settings. Before switching phones, keep app-specific backup details and account credentials available. Samsung’s transfer guidance describes supported content and restrictions.
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Retrieve data when the screen or touchscreen is damaged
Display is unusable, but touch still works
If the phone remains powered and its model supports video output, connect it to a TV or monitor using a compatible HDMI adapter. This can give you a visible way to operate the phone and back it up. Compatibility depends on the Galaxy model and adapter; Samsung’s broken-screen access guidance describes this option.
Touch does not respond
Connect a wired USB mouse or keyboard through a compatible micro-USB or USB-C adapter, such as a suitable USB-C OTG adapter. If the phone and adapter work together, use the peripheral to enter your PIN, password, or pattern, then operate the phone to make a backup. This does not defeat the screen lock: you still need the correct credentials. Samsung documents the adapter approach in its touchscreen access instructions.
Copy files to a computer over USB
For direct file browsing, Samsung says the phone must be unlocked. Its UK support wording is: “Your phone has to be unlocked for you to access your files this way.” That requirement applies to browsing files through a computer connection; it does not describe every backup or restore method. Samsung UK Support
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If the phone has an inserted memory card, remove it and use a computer slot or card reader to copy files stored on that card. This can retrieve only card contents, not files held in the phone’s internal storage. Samsung includes this option in its broken-screen data-access guidance.
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Understand when remote backup can help
Samsung’s Find My Mobile remote backup is conditional, not a fallback that can be switched on after a phone is lost or damaged. The phone must be online, signed in to a Samsung account, and have the required remote-control settings enabled; you also need the account credentials. If those conditions were not met beforehand, remote backup may not be available. Check Samsung’s backup guidance for the options it describes.
If the Galaxy will not power on
A cable, adapter, mouse, or computer cannot retrieve data from a phone that cannot start. Samsung cautions that its listed methods may not work in all cases, including when a device will not switch on or the touchscreen is no longer responsive. Repair or a data-recovery service may be the next option, but neither outcome nor successful recovery is guaranteed by Samsung’s guidance. See Samsung’s damaged-device guidance and screen-access instructions.
Set up backups before you need them
- Review Samsung and Google backup settings and confirm which data categories are actually included.
- Enable photo and video syncing separately if you want those items stored through Google Photos or another supported service.
- Make periodic Smart Switch computer backups while the phone is unlocked and working.
- Use an app’s own backup or migration feature for secure chats and other data Smart Switch may not carry.
- Keep account credentials available so you can sign in to a replacement phone.
Samsung’s backup overview explains account backup options and recommends setting up automatic backups, but inclusion and availability depend on configuration and region: Samsung UK and Samsung France.
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