Urgent: need backup of A8 2018 with broken/black screen for upcoming court case. - Samsung Galaxy A8 (2018) Questions & Answers

I'm helping a friend who needs backup of her broken phone for an upcoming court case.
I need to extract all photos (camera, snapchat etc) and text messages (sms/mms).
The phone seems to be working other than the screen and touch controls.
Replacing/repairing the screen isn't an option as we both have minimal funds, and my friend has a new phone already)
i have "access" to the phone, but neither USB Debughing nor MTP is enabled so i cannot access any files.
I'm able to unlock it with a keyboard connected (i hear the little unlock click after entering the pin, and the "turn off screen" click when i press the power button.) But i have to navigate blindly, and any guide i find seems arbitrary how to get to settings, it says to press win+n (same as pulling down the quick settings menu from home) and press tab an arbitrary number of times to get to the settings gear in the corner. i tried doing this on my own working note 10 plus with the external keyboard, but i see it scrolls through every notification, so unless you know the number of notifications, hitting the gear is just pure luck.
I have also tried hooking up a usb-c to hdmi dongle (which works and starts dex on my n10+) but it says no signal on the A80, so external monitor seems out of the question.
Is there a consistent way to enter settings, or any way to enable the following settings:
* enable voice assistant (accessibility settings so i can hear where i am and navigate using voice/sound)
* enable USB MTP (or similar so i atleast can access files from a computer)
* enable USB debugging (to use ADB to screenmirror and/or etc)
* alternatively clear notifications so entering settings should become consistant with number of keypresses
I have tried some apps like dr fone but it doesnt support backup from this model, and any other settings wants to wipe the phone.
I have tried holding both volume buttons to enable google voice assist, but also unsure if this ever worked
The phone is not on wifi and i am not 100% sure if wifi is enabled at the moment, nor if it has the current wifi password my friend uses, but i can try do do things from there if internet access will help.
I dont think google now nor bixby (if this phone has that) is enabled as i dont get any reply or voice ding while pressing the win key (home button normally on working android)
I think i can enter recovery and download modes, i got COM5 on odin, but I'm unsure if i ever get into recovery menu.. but even then, is there any custom recovery firmware that will enable usb mtp access at all for this device?
Also, I'm not able to have a computer connected at the same time as a keyboard as I'm using a wired keyboard with OTG adapter.
Tl;dr:
Have:
* A80 with broken unresponsive screen.
* Have access blindly through otg keyboard
Need:
* Need to enable mtp and/or usb debug (alt. Voice assist)
* Need consistent way to access settings
Both MUST be done using only wired otg keyboard.
Tried:
* Hdmi out (no signal)
* computer recovery software (no dice)
* having computer and keyboard connected simultaneously (keyboard works, pc doesnt recognize, could be dongle)
Hope someone can help me (us) fast.

enter adb

almeria53 said:
enter adb
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
please read the post.

Changis said:
Tl;dr:
Have:
* A80 with broken unresponsive screen.
* Have access blindly through otg keyboard
Need:
* Need to enable mtp and/or usb debug (alt. Voice assist)
* Need consistent way to access settings
Both MUST be done using only wired otg keyboard.
Tried:
* Hdmi out (no signal)
* computer recovery software (no dice)
* having computer and keyboard connected simultaneously (keyboard works, pc doesnt recognize, could be dongle)
Hope someone can help me (us) fast.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
have you been able to verify that the MTP device actually works with other phones?
those things can be picky

youdoofus said:
have you been able to verify that the MTP device actually works with other phones?
those things can be picky
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
USB MTP is just file tranfer?
F.ex. if i use smartswitch on pc, it first tells me to unlock the phone, if i unlock the phone with the otg keyboard and reconnect it it says i cannot tranfer files because MTP is not enabled in settings.

Changis said:
USB MTP is just file tranfer?
F.ex. if i use smartswitch on pc, it first tells me to unlock the phone, if i unlock the phone with the otg keyboard and reconnect it it says i cannot tranfer files because MTP is not enabled in settings.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sorry man, i meant MHL adapter.

As far as i found out, A8 does not support MHL/HDMI out..
guess ill spend the weekend to try to get voice assist working by blind trail and error :/
If anyone could provide screenshots of the settings menu and/or recovery menu (and if its possible to enter without touching the screen, and if so how) that would be greatly appreciated.
The phone should be mostly completely stock set up, but home icons might have moved and menu icons might not be in the same place, but i think the pull down menu should be the same as any stock setup, so a screenshot of that would be nice too

Hi
As far as Android goes, by unlocking the phone and plugging it into a computer then you should be able to view the files on the phone from the PC like any USB drive. What you can also do is use Samsung Smart Switch and do a backup of the phone on a PC as this will be able to pull all text messages, photos, etc into a backup folder. Then you can restore any part of that backup on another Samsung phone, including messages.
There may be a few things that will not transfer over. As far as viewing the photos and other files, you can navigate to the backup folder on the PC and check everything there. This is all provided that the phone actually works and is unlocked.

Havok_2k said:
Hi
As far as Android goes, by unlocking the phone and plugging it into a computer then you should be able to view the files on the phone from the PC like any USB drive. What you can also do is use Samsung Smart Switch and do a backup of the phone on a PC as this will be able to pull all text messages, photos, etc into a backup folder. Then you can restore any part of that backup on another Samsung phone, including messages.
There may be a few things that will not transfer over. As far as viewing the photos and other files, you can navigate to the backup folder on the PC and check everything there. This is all provided that the phone actually works and is unlocked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As stated in my original post, usb-MTP (file transfer) is not enabled by default, and my friend never connected the phone to a computer, so i have to enable it to be able to access anything.
The phone connects and seems to work fine except the display, smart switch says to enable mtp pn the phone to transfer files after i unlock it, so my problem is activating talkback so i have aural navigation help so i can turn on usb/mtp for file transfer(and hopefully adb) or to turn on usb directly, but i think talckback is the highest priority as it will help me navigate the phone and be sure of where i am, an accidental keypress on can ruin a long sequence and i would have to start again from scratch as i cannot know if im in the same location.

Hi.
Any update on this? I have exactly the same problem and no solution so far...
Thanks

Related

Fixing the optimus 3d usb mass storage issue

Hello, I have been turning mad lately since my Optimus 3D began acting weird once I connected it to my PC to transfer large amounts of data in USB MASS STORAGE mode.
In the beginning, the transfer was ok and connection didn't show any problem. However, at a given (arbitrary) point, it just connected and disconnected by itself several times in just few seconds.
I thought it was the usb cable, so I changed it, but that didn't fixed it. Then I tried it with several other computers, and that happened randomly on all of them.
Then I thought it could be the micro-usb connector being damage, but as I closely analysed it in the computer side, I found that the phone was connecting ok, but was recognised the wrong way. (drivers were ok, as I reinstalled everything several times)
In fact, the LG update recognised the phone's model and connection. It simply didn't worked as a mass storage usb device.
I spent hours searching the web for answers about this issue, but the only thing I could found was one guy telling to remove the battery for 10 minutes in order really reset the phone's usb mode.
I did it and it worked! HOWEVER, the issue reapeared quickly once I connected the phone to the PC via USB. (it took several minutes to happen, but happened)
I finally found this forum and read a lot of complaints about LG phones.
However, it seemed to be a software error, not a hardware one. Wich was good news.
I was thinking to send the phone to LG for repair, but I had little hope they would even check such an arbitrary issue with usb connection and I thought they would simply say it's my computers fault, so I kept searching.
I finally found a similar issues with Galaxy S2 on the forums, and someone fixed it accessing the "PhoneUtil" hidden app in that phone.
This app don't exist in LG phones, but there IS a hidden menu to fix this, but you will have to install a free shortcut creator app form the market place in order to access it:
- download "ANY CUT" from the market place
- run it and create a NEW shortcut
- select ACTIVITY
- scroll down and tap on: com.lge.hiddenmenu.port_setting.PortSetting
- give the shortcut a short name like "Port Setting"
now you have created a new shortcut in your home screen (somewhere)
Once you tap on it, a menu will pop and let you choose the type of connection to be used by the USB port.
By default, "NO RETENTION" is selected.
If you want to force the phone to use the usb connection for data transfer with your PC, then select AP USB
(if you check the "retain AP USB after reboot" it will freeze your phone and you will have to long press the power button to shut it down, but it will actually work and will be set this way until you change it again)
Voila! That fixed my LG P920 Optimus 3D USB transfering issues.
If you need to make a software upgrade at some point instead of using it for USB transfer, just change the setting to "NO RETENTION" again and check the "reatin after reboot" option.
I just wanted to share this, as I found no fix for my problem in the net and I think this should be happening to someone else.
Feedback is very welcome! (even needed, just in case this is braking something)
By the way, it's a good idea to activate the "Debugging mode for USB" in settings/applications since it seems to make a more robust conection with the phone for mass storage transfer.
As why this entire issue is happening, it seems the USB conection can handle multiple transfer modes. One of those is USB Mass Storage mode (like every pendrive out there) but the other one is a LG propietary comunication mode that I suppose was done in order to have full access to the phone firmware through the computer.
The bug appears in the moment when the phone have to decide if it should engage on mode or the other.
I have noticed (since I forced the port setting to AP USB) that the phones screen will turn itself on randomly once connected and that it don't stay active even if you specifically check that option in the development menu.
I suppose the original bug is still there in someway, but at least it will not ruin the data transfers.
Ok, just in case you don't want / can't make the shortcut for the hidden menu, you can use this method to access the full hidden menu right out of the box without any external app:
push the button to make a call,
now enter the number:
3845#*920#
This will redirect you to the full hidden menu. Once there, you can go to the PORT SETTINGS menu and set it to AP USB.
And if you want to upgrade with the LG software, you must set this to AP USB and make it stay. Then when you are upgrading, you must stay vigilant and press (and keep pressed) the volume up button in the moment it reboot the phone (or before it reboots, just to be sure)
This way, a white screen with red text "factory upload" will show and upgrades will have no problems.
(this mode normally only happens when you press the volume up button with the phone off, and then connect it to the usb port and there is an LG software commanding the phone via usb)

[Help] Enable MTP and/or USB Debugging via OTG kb/m w/ Broken Screen

So my sister is gonna bring by her S7 (Sprint) tomorrow to pull photos/videos off it, the screen & digitizer are shot, yet it is functioning from what she says (there is no screen lock, just swipe to unlock). I'm certain Developer Options isn't enabled, and from what I see when connected to a PC, MTP has to be enabled from a notification, yet I would have no idea which notification I am selecting (Gmail, YouTube, Ect.) So I am thinking enabling USB Debugging, then while right there in Developer Options I can just change USB Mode to MTP (does this make it auto-select MTP when connected, or is it like PN on my Nexus 6 where it doesn't matter what u select, it still has to be changed via notification?).
The problem I'll have looking ahead is opening the settings menu via OTG keyboard. Can someone with an S7, OTG adapter, and kb, please, if not too much trouble, post a sequence of directional keys/ect in an order I may follow to 1.) Open Settings 2.) Enable Developer Options 3.) Enable USB Debugging 4.) When any prompts come up to authorize connections to accept/reject (on my Nexus 6 on prompts appear with OTG KB connected, Cancel is highlighted, requiring you to press the right directional key to highlight Ok followed by Enter).
I know it's alot to ask, if anyone has the time/patience to do this for me, or anyone that may find this useful in the future, I would greatly appreciate it. While a text list of actions in order would be great to have, If anyone would rather find it easier to just record a simple video showing the phone & keyboard in frame doing this that would also work, no need to talk or anything. Thank You!

Data Recovery Galaxy S7 with broken screen

Hey guys and gals, so my brother has broken his S7, the LCD and touch are gone, the phone still turns on and it can connect through usb no problem for backing up music and photos, but he needs his contacts, sms and call logs, something usually done with superbackup or similar apps, but obviously they aren't available,
I've tried the official Samsung apps like smart-switch, but they require me to click yes to a pop up on the screen which I obviously cant do, my idea was to use a USB OTG cable with a usb hub, plug in a mouse and use a home made USB A to USB A cable to connect it to the pc at the same time and click randomly to hopefully hit yes, but frankly that sounds so stupid and doesn't seem likely to work (but I will try it if I have no other option)
my next idea was to use one of the many data recovery apps, however despite what almost every page states, none of them support the S7, just the S6 and lower and a few of the tab and note devices, so at this point im out of ideas, the phone doesnt have Root or usb debugging enabled so no hopes of ADB or anything,
any ideas here?
Thanks guys!
Use SydeSync or app like visor (Chrome add-on) to cast your phone screen to PC.
If you needed to install these apps to your mobile phone, you can install them via google play store on PC.
When you connect your mobile phone to internet, it will automatically be installed to your mobile phone.
Then you can cast your screen to your PC.
Sorry, I did not read the last sentence you wrote "No USB Debugging enabled".
Sorry...
Seen this asked quite a few times, doesn't seem like many solutions, basically if it's deadly important, fix the screen
Contacts should be on contacts.google.com

SOLVED: S7 dropped > broken screen > how to recover images? Not rooted,not "usb mode"

SOLVED: S7 dropped > broken screen > how to recover images? Not rooted,not "usb mode"
So my wife dropped S7 to the floor and device ended up to be fully powered, but screen is now all black. Back and "software" button illuminates. I can change volume. I can take photos. So phone works, but screen is all black. Main concern is to have photos out from the phone. Contacts are synced, software etc. can be installed to new phone.
Kies finds the phone, but says that is' locked. Although phone does not have any passcodes or fingerprint, Kies cannot access to photos. Also the PC does see the device, but it won't allow me to see the contents. Find My Mobile is not activated, I think that I can't activate it now without phone. Also Smart Switch says that phone is locked. Phone settings are pretty much as out from the box. USB debugging is off, Developper options off, etc...
But I found that possible via ABD (?) I could access phone storage. Is it so? I sould start the phone to Recovery Mode / Download Mode? How to do that? Normally the phone is on and I can't switch it off. I can only soft reset is by keeping vol- + power buttons pressed for 10sec. But after that, phone just restarts to OS.
Please give hints how to proceed. What to try. New LCD is around 50USD and takes forever to get from Aliexpress/Ebay.
Why not use an external display? Hook it up to the USB-connector via an adaptor and it should work to unlock the phone using a PC-mouse.
gedhe said:
Why not use an external display? Hook it up to the USB-connector via an adaptor and it should work to unlock the phone using a PC-mouse.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
O, it has such feature? Quick googling did not help how to do it. How does it work? Do I need some cable or device?
Any ideas how to proceed? I either can reboot device to Recovery mode and use ADB or connect external display to the device. Or if someone has any better solution
Please help. Family photos are in the phone
Try to unlock your lock screen with a usb mouse connected via otg and swiping up with the mouse. Then connect it to the computer and try to backup your data with kies or switch.
Tried many thing how to allow the connection from another phone or computer. However it was not possible to connect, so I ordered a new screen. Once new screen installed, it was not even a challenge Ordered new screen from Aliexpress.

Samsung S7 Edge ADB Commands

Hi,
Basically I have a Samsung S7 Edge (SM-G935F) which the screen is completely smashed on (no display no touch). When I connect it to the PC it detects the phone but it doesn't show the folders inside (can only assume its got a prompt to accept PC or USB debugging isn't enabled).
After a lot of testing with OTG cables keyboards/mouse etc the furthest I got was putting the phone into Recovery Mode (PWR, VOL UP & HOME) then selected APPLY UPDATE ADB.
When I run the ADB in Powershell and run "adb devices" it finds the device ID and says "sideload".
Is there any command I can run to pull the files off my internal DCIM folder (thats all I really need)?
I did read up the only way this could be possible is to install a custom rom (TWP with ODIN?) and then pull files off.
Is this possible and would installing a custom rom delete my internal files as that would render this pointless.
Sorry im new to a lot of this so all my knowledge is just what ive read recently.
Thanks
1. To pull user data USB-debugging must got enabled. May be this method works for you to enable it:
2. To flash TWRP it's required device's bootloader got unlocked - what requires OEM unlock must got enabled . Note: Unlocking bootloader erases all user data.
jwoegerbauer said:
1. To pull user data USB-debugging must got enabled. May be this method works for you to enable it:
2. Once you unlock device's bootloader - what is required to flash TWRP - all user data get lost.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply,
Ok so my only option is the "blind" method.
I have the app installed via Google Play Store on my PC to the device however when I hold down the home button to ask google I hear no reply from her, is there any hotkey to use for this device to ask google or any alternative methods to open this app?
I can see the S7 Edge is connected to my WIFI as it shows on the Sky Hub and IPScanner.
Also is there a way to tell what android interface version I have so I can follow someone on Youtube going into Settings or Apps etc to open the app.
I feel like I am so close to getting these photos off the phone but its just a blind guess at the moment.
I managed to get a hold of a friends S7 Edge, using this I mapped out some keyboard functions to turn on developers options then usb debuggings.
What I have noticed is now when I connect the phone via USB to the PC and run ADB DEVICES it shows up the ID then unauthorised as the status, so I can only assume this means I have USB DEBUGGING ENABLED.
Is this correct?
If so why when I open the Samsung Galaxy in Windows does it still not show the folders, is there another setting I need to turn on/off?
Rowan88 said:
I managed to get a hold of a friends S7 Edge, using this I mapped out some keyboard functions to turn on developers options then usb debuggings.
What I have noticed is now when I connect the phone via USB to the PC and run ADB DEVICES it shows up the ID then unauthorised as the status, so I can only assume this means I have USB DEBUGGING ENABLED.
Is this correct?
If so why when I open the Samsung Galaxy in Windows does it still not show the folders, is there another setting I need to turn on/off?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you are confuse you want to view phone content and sd card? you need to change from charging to MTP connection from drop-down notification bar of your device
ineedroot69 said:
you are confuse you want to view phone content and sd card? you need to change from charging to MTP connection from drop-down notification bar of your device
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I want the internal storage contents of DCIM on the phone.
I followed the steps on my "donor" phone to go into Developer Options > USB Configuration > MTP but all that happens is the phone detects on Windows but wont show me the contents of it.
I also tried changing to PTP but same issue.
I know there is a pop-up that shows on the phone asking to ALLOW THE PC TO ACCESS FILES but I cannot have the USB DATA CABLE and OTG/KEYBOARD plugged in at the same time (and I also tried two OTG adapters both came up MOISTURE DETECTED when using).
So unless anyone knows of a OTG SPLITTER that 100% works with S7 EDGE then I need to find a way to either bypass the ALLOW MESSAGE or manually add my PC to its allow list.
Rowan88 said:
I want the internal storage contents of DCIM on the phone.
I followed the steps on my "donor" phone to go into Developer Options > USB Configuration > MTP but all that happens is the phone detects on Windows but wont show me the contents of it.
I also tried changing to PTP but same issue.
I know there is a pop-up that shows on the phone asking to ALLOW THE PC TO ACCESS FILES but I cannot have the USB DATA CABLE and OTG/KEYBOARD plugged in at the same time (and I also tried two OTG adapters both came up MOISTURE DETECTED when using).
So unless anyone knows of a OTG SPLITTER that 100% works with S7 EDGE then I need to find a way to either bypass the ALLOW MESSAGE or manually add my PC to its allow list.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Followed steps again and changed to PTP and FILES ARE NOW SHOWING!!
Happy man!
Thanks for all the help
Rowan88 said:
I want the internal storage contents of DCIM on the phone.
I followed the steps on my "donor" phone to go into Developer Options > USB Configuration > MTP but all that happens is the phone detects on Windows but wont show me the contents of it.
I also tried changing to PTP but same issue.
I know there is a pop-up that shows on the phone asking to ALLOW THE PC TO ACCESS FILES but I cannot have the USB DATA CABLE and OTG/KEYBOARD plugged in at the same time (and I also tried two OTG adapters both came up MOISTURE DETECTED when using).
So unless anyone knows of a OTG SPLITTER that 100% works with S7 EDGE then I need to find a way to either bypass the ALLOW MESSAGE or manually add my PC to its allow list.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
fully charge your phone and hopefully the heat generated from charging process remove the moisture detected warning or you can also use hair blower to heat your charging port area
also don't put your device on microwave oven unless you want to see some fireworks

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