How to Recover Data from iPhone with broken screen?

Don’t know how to recover data from iPhone with broken screen? This tutorial will help you extract data from iPhone with broken screen with/without backup.

By @Lora Last Updated September 18, 2024

“How can I access my iPhone with a broken screen?”

Screens of phones are delicate and prone to get broken both by physical damage and logical damage. Some users have found iPhone touch screen not working after iOS updates.

Damage caused by external force would be much more severe. As an iPhone user, you definitely understand the pain of dropping your iPhone and having the screen smashed/broken.

Not to mention how high it will cost for you to repair or replace the smashed screen; the data stored on it was no longer accessible!

Your priceless pics of family and friends, job files you have spent weeks on, and valuable contacts! That is the most depressing thing.

How to pull data off of a broken iPhone

I have an older iPhone that I would like to pull data off of but the screen is smashed. What is the best way to pull data off of this phone?

- Question from Apple Community

Then, is it possible to get data from iPhone with broken screen? Don’t panic, the answer is YES. In this article, several practicable methods will help you to get data off iPhone with broken screen, both with and without backups.

How to recover data from iPhone with broken screen?

To recover data from broken iPhone, the very first course of action would be to check if your iPhone is bootable. If it can be booted up, you could extract data from it using an iPhone data recovery tool.

But if you could not start your iPhone, check if you have any backups available. If so, you could load backup on iPhone from another device. Please follow this guide.

If you could neither boot it up nor have a backup, it is suggested to seek help from Apple service, to see if they could help you out with it.

Case 1. Get data from iPhone with broken screen from backup

First, let’s start with the case when you are equipped with a backup. The two official methods of data backup and sync can enable you to download data to your new iOS device.

Method 1. Get data off from iPhone with broken screen from iCloud backup

How to recover data from iPhone with broken screen using iCloud? If you have enabled iCloud Backup, it will back up your data automatically every time you connect your iPhone to a power supply and a WiFi network.

Thus, easily, you could get data from iPhone with broken screen to a newly bought device. Now, here are something you need to prepare.

What you need:

  • Your old iPhone with a broken screen.
  • A new iPhone.
  • A WiFi network working in good condition.
  • An available iCloud backup.

With everything ready, you could start to follow the steps below.

Notes:✎...
Some types of data like photos and iMessages would not be covered in your iCloud backup if you have activated these apps in “APPS USING ICLOUD”, but you could get them through a WiFi network after logging in to the same iCloud account. 
If you have set up your new iPhone, please start from Step 1. If not, start from Step 2, please. 
If trying to restore from iCloud backup not working, please get help here.

Step 1. Go to General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. Input your passcode.

Step 2. Set up your iPhone > connect to a WiFi network > Apps & Data > Restore from iCloud Backup > sign in with your iCloud Apple ID. Choose a backup to recover from.

Thus, you could safely get data from broken iPhone.

Method 2. Get data from iPhone with broken screen from iTunes backup

How to recover data from broken iPhone? If you have connected your broken iPhone to your computer and created backups on iTunes, you can readily restore data from it.

What you need:

  • Your old iPhone with broken screen.
  • A new iOS device.
  • A compatible charging cable. A lightning one is preferable.
  • The latest version of iTunes.
  • An available iTunes backup.

Now let’s follow the detailed steps.

Notes:✎...
Some private data like Health, Activity, KeyChain, etc. will only be included in the iTunes backup when you ticked “Encrypt Local Backup”. Next time you want to back up your data, please make sure to toggle it so you can easily retrieve Health data on iPhone.
In the process, please ensure the connection between your iOS device and the PC. 
If iTunes cannot restore iPhone from backup, please get help here.

Step 1. Run the latest version of iTunes, and connect your iPhone via a charging cable.

Step 2. Find the iPhone icon below the toolbar.

Step 3. Go to Summary > Restore Backup. Choose the latest version of a backup.

Now, you could successfully retrieve data from broken iPhone.

Case 2. Without backup: use data recovery software [Recommended]

How to recover data from iPhone with broken screen without a backup? If unfortunately, you didn’t make any backups ever, please don’t panic, keep calm.

Here are still a chance to get data from iPhone with broken screen. MyRecover for iOS could be your helper. It is a good option for its helpful features.

Efficient. It facilitates users to recover not only photos but also videos, notes, voice memos, calendars, reminders, etc.
Efficient. It facilitates users to recover not only photos but also videos, notes, voice memos, calendars, reminders, etc. 
Easy. With its user-friendly interface, and clear and easy operation, users could perform iPhone data recovery with ease, even if they are green hands. 
Compatible. It supports iPhone/iPad/iPod touch, iOS 10.0 and above to the latest iOS 15/16.

Now please follow the steps here to learn how to recover data from broken iPhone.

Notes:✎...
To use this method, please make sure your iPhone is bootable and you have authenticated your computer, which means, you must have chosen “Trust” to the prompt question “Trust This Computer?
Using a lightning cable to ensure the connection is advisable.
Download Software iOS 10 and later
Secure Download

Step 1. Install MyRecover Assistant for iOS > connect your iPhone properly to Windows.

Step 2. Click Scan Now. This process will last for several minutes to 1 hour, please wait patiently.

Step 3. After that, select the data you need > click Recover.

Then you can extract from iPhone with broken screen to your computer. With the help of this powerful app, users can recover iPhone data without backup efficiently.

To sum up

In this article, you could learn how to recover data from iPhone with broken screen in 3 different ways. If you possess a backup, you could restore data from smashed iPhones easily using that backup.

You could utilize MyRecover Assistant for iOS even if you don’t have an available backup if your iPhone is bootable and you have ever “Trusted” your PC.