I bought a Moto Z4 when my Z2 Force was no longer usable. I wanted to keep my TMobile account, but TMobile wasn't selling the Z4, and Verison was now the Z4 seller. I went online to Motorola's site and bought an unlocked Z4 so I could keep TMobile. When I have the phone charging through my PC, it opens a window for the phone saying it's the phones folder, but that folder is always empty. I have files on my phone that I would like to transfer to my PC, but with an empty folder I don't get very far. I've never rooted a phone before, and to be honest, it sounds pretty scary. I don't need my phone bricked because the method I used wasn't the right one, and I don't need malware issues. As much as I would love to get rid of some of the apps that came preinstalled in TMobile's version of the system, I can live with them if it means not having problems with my phone. But I still need to find a way to get to the files on my phone so I can copy them to my PC. So, the question in the title. Is it necessary to root my phone to get access to the files on the phone from my PC? Also, I have read that Motorola allows rooting of some devices. Is the Z4 one of them? and, how easy is it if Motorola allows it?
Rooting is not necessary to transfer files between your phone and your PC. You might need to enable developer's options and allow for USB debugging but I'm not sure. I just always do that immediately. Once your phone is connected to your PC you should have a notification at the top of screen saying Android System and when you expand it it should say "Charging this device via USB" and Tap for more options. Tap and USB Preferences screen comes up and you can select USE USB FOR option File Transfer instead of No data transfer and then you will be able to have the phone mounted like a drive on your computer.
WayneCa said:
I bought a Moto Z4 when my Z2 Force was no longer usable. I wanted to keep my TMobile account, but TMobile wasn't selling the Z4, and Verison was now the Z4 seller. I went online to Motorola's site and bought an unlocked Z4 so I could keep TMobile. When I have the phone charging through my PC, it opens a window for the phone saying it's the phones folder, but that folder is always empty. I have files on my phone that I would like to transfer to my PC, but with an empty folder I don't get very far. I've never rooted a phone before, and to be honest, it sounds pretty scary. I don't need my phone bricked because the method I used wasn't the right one, and I don't need malware issues. As much as I would love to get rid of some of the apps that came preinstalled in TMobile's version of the system, I can live with them if it means not having problems with my phone. But I still need to find a way to get to the files on my phone so I can copy them to my PC. So, the question in the title. Is it necessary to root my phone to get access to the files on the phone from my PC? Also, I have read that Motorola allows rooting of some devices. Is the Z4 one of them? and, how easy is it if Motorola allows it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could also try LMSA's file backup options
https://forum.xda-developers.com/general/general/update-moto-lenovo-moto-smart-assistant-t3951714
To use LMSA you will need to enable USB debugging, but otherwise usb debugging should be toggled off if trying to transfer files.
Sent from my Moto E (4) using Tapatalk
kingstu said:
Rooting is not necessary to transfer files between your phone and your PC. You might need to enable developer's options and allow for USB debugging but I'm not sure. I just always do that immediately. Once your phone is connected to your PC you should have a notification at the top of screen saying Android System and when you expand it it should say "Charging this device via USB" and Tap for more options. Tap and USB Preferences screen comes up and you can select USE USB FOR option File Transfer instead of No data transfer and then you will be able to have the phone mounted like a drive on your computer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. This is what I needed to know. I found out quickly that I was going to have to set file transfer every time I connected my phone to my PC, so I had to enable developer mode to be able to set the preference to file transfer so I wouldn't have to do it manually every time I connected my phone. Again, thanks for the help.
sd_shadow said:
You could also try LMSA's file backup options
https://forum.xda-developers.com/general/general/update-moto-lenovo-moto-smart-assistant-t3951714
To use LMSA you will need to enable USB debugging, but otherwise usb debugging should be toggled off if trying to transfer files.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the information. Fortunately, I didn't need this, but it could always prove useful in the future.
Related
My friend desparately needs to extract the SMS log from his razr maxx. Unfortunately, he dropped it and the display is completely broken. The phone is unrooted and USB debugging is not enabled. The phone seems to be functional other than the display - the softtouch buttons light up and when plugged in over USB, it is recognized. Is there any method by which I might extract the SMS data for him? Keep in mind that with a broken display, I can't enable debugging or install anything on the phone itself.
I suspect the answer is "no", but I figured I'd check before he has to go through the process of getting a court order to get the logs from verizon.
candre23 said:
My friend desparately needs to extract the SMS log from his razr maxx. Unfortunately, he dropped it and the display is completely broken. The phone is unrooted and USB debugging is not enabled. The phone seems to be functional other than the display - the softtouch buttons light up and when plugged in over USB, it is recognized. Is there any method by which I might extract the SMS data for him? Keep in mind that with a broken display, I can't enable debugging or install anything on the phone itself.
I suspect the answer is "no", but I figured I'd check before he has to go through the process of getting a court order to get the logs from verizon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately you need root to do anything that would help. But it appears that the LCD is broken, maybe you could get it replaced?
Sent from my MB508 using xda premium
I have the same problem, but my razr is rooted. Also my phone is locked with the pattern. Can I use the usb to control my phone with my laptop? The cracked screen wont let me enter my pattern. I just need to access the phone and backup the internal memory.
Thanks
ford freak said:
I have the same problem, but my razr is rooted. Also my phone is locked with the pattern. Can I use the usb to control my phone with my laptop? The cracked screen wont let me enter my pattern. I just need to access the phone and backup the internal memory.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If USB-Debugging is enabled on your phone, you might be able to connect from a computer via ADB.
If Debugging is disabled, I don't think you will be able to access the phone via the computer.
There is a lot of tutorials on how to install ADB on your computer if you haven't done yet. Try it to see if you get access.
I have adb installed and bugging is enabled. i can connect to the device, but when I try to do an adb backup it says to say yes to the prompt on the phone. Problem is that I cant use my phone cause of the screen. Is my only option to dock it with a keyboard and mouse? Is there a way to remove the lock pattern through adb??
Update... Here's what I did.
I ran adb pull /mnt/sdcard but that didnt pull my dcim folder. There were two dcim folders. One on the internal sd and one on the external sd.
What's the best way to pull everything off the phone??
When I try to back up it says this...
C:\users\admin>adb backup -all
Now unlock your device and confirm the backup operation.
Hi there.
Please could someone suggest how I can migrate all the data from a Galaxy S5 with a broken screen over to a new Galaxy S5 which is the identical model.
The broken phone is not locked and internally is working normally but after being dropped I think the LCD has gone so badly that I cannot make out anything on the screen. It still seems to respond to any touch input OK.
If I could see it I would have simply used Samsung Smartswitch which is installed on both phones to transfer everything. However, without being able to see the screen I can’t find it in the apps to open it.
If I could remotely get the phones desktop up on my PC maybe I could open the app from there. With Smartswitch open on both phones I could see on the new phone where to tap on the old on to make it start the transfer.
Does anyone have any suggestions how I can either open the app remotely or maybe suggest another way to move everything across.
MarylinC said:
Hi there.
Please could someone suggest how I can migrate all the data from a Galaxy S5 with a broken screen over to a new Galaxy S5 which is the identical model.
The broken phone is not locked and internally is working normally but after being dropped I think the LCD has gone so badly that I cannot make out anything on the screen. It still seems to respond to any touch input OK.
If I could see it I would have simply used Samsung Smartswitch which is installed on both phones to transfer everything. However, without being able to see the screen I can’t find it in the apps to open it.
If I could remotely get the phones desktop up on my PC maybe I could open the app from there. With Smartswitch open on both phones I could see on the new phone where to tap on the old on to make it start the transfer.
Does anyone have any suggestions how I can either open the app remotely or maybe suggest another way to move everything across.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have or can get USB debugging enabled on the device, this tool should work well for you.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2786395
If you never personally enabled USB debugging in the system settings on your device, then it isn't enabled, which means you'll have to get it enabled somehow. There are few ways to get it enabled even with the broken screen, but it very much depends on exactly which model number your S5 is. Look in system settings>about phone>device info>model number or system settings>about phone>hardware info>model number to find your model number, or you can remove the back cover and look behind your battery to find the model number.
I'll try to help as much as your device will allow me.
But first, tell me exactly what kind of data you want to transfer.
Do you mean the usual user data such as pictures and etc..?
Or do you also mean the user settings, info for their various logins/accounts, banking info and deeper more personal or even system info?
Does the user have an active Samung account with the broken device registered in their account? If so, you can try transferring via their Samsung account.
Sent from my LGL84VL using Tapatalk
Thanks for replying Droidriven.
The exact model number is SM-G900F.
Just to clarify, it is my brothers phone that is broken and he and I both have the same model. The new phone is also the same model which has been ordered but has not arrived yet. It should arrive either this morning or Monday.
However, for the moment I can at least try things out on my phone first. On my phone USB Debugging is off by default so I am sure it has not been enabled.
As I said previouly, the touch screen seems to respond because I can still answer calls simply by knowing where to swipe. I know where the apps button is on the home screen but obviously I cannot scroll through the apps to find the settings icon.
I am hoping to transfer as much as I can including apps and user settings, texts, etc.
My brother has not registered for a Samsung account.
MarylinC said:
Thanks for replying Droidriven.
The exact model number is SM-G900F.
Just to clarify, it is my brothers phone that is broken and he and I both have the same model. The new phone is also the same model which has been ordered but has not arrived yet. It should arrive either this morning or Monday.
However, for the moment I can at least try things out on my phone first. On my phone USB Debugging is off by default so I am sure it has not been enabled.
As I said previouly, the touch screen seems to respond because I can still answer calls simply by knowing where to swipe. I know where the apps button is on the home screen but obviously I cannot scroll through the apps to find the settings icon.
I am hoping to transfer as much as I can including apps and user settings, texts, etc.
My brother has not registered for a Samsung account.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To enable USB debugging, you can try using one phone as a guide to go through the settings menu. On the broken phone, using the working phone side by side while copying the exact motions and touchs try navigating to system settings>about phone>software info>build number(or wherever build number is located in your device settings, it varies), tap 7-10 times really quickly on the spot where build number is located on the list, if you get it right, you'll enable developer options, from there, using the other phone as a guide, go to system settings>developer options>USB debugging and enable it.
Or, try this tool to get USB debugging enabled while in download mode, and then use Odin to flash TWRP custom recovery instead of the stock firmware as described in the guide, you don't need to flash the firmware, just TWRP if you choose to do so while you are at it, TWRP can be used to backup and transfer the data but involves flashing the other device with TWRP also.
http://www.99mediasector.com/enable-usb-debugging-locked-phone-without-access-setting/
Once you get USB debugging enabled there are options:
1) You can use the tool I linked you earlier.
2) You can use adb to backup the data that you want to keep then use adb to transfer the data to the new device, adb works through a command terminal on PC and requires no touch input, you can do everything by command line if you find/know the correct commands to do what you need, as described in the link below, but you can ignore the stuff about unlocking your bootloader.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-nexus/general/guide-phone-backup-unlock-root-t1420351
3) You can flash TWRP custom recovery via Odin and then use TWRP to backup the data that you want to save and then flash TWRP on the device the data is to be transferred to then use TWRP on that device to restore all of the data that you saved onto the new device, if the device that is being replaced via warranty is the exact same device and will be used by the same person, you can completely backup everything on the device and then completely restore all of it on the new device. Just verify that your bootloader is not locked before you flash TWRP, it won't work with a locked bootloader.
4) You can try using Samsung Smartswitch on PC.
Those are just the options I can think of off the top of my head, there may be some other ways, it's just a matter of what you are comfortable with or not.
If you are comfortable with one of these options, I'll try to help you through whatever you need or don't understand. If you choose the stuff that involves flashing the device(s), I need to check some specifics about your device(s) before you do so and I need to be certain you understand how the flash/backup/restore process works in order to make sure that nothing gets messed up or lost/wiped during the process.
Sent from my LGL84VL using Tapatalk
Thank you so much Droidriven. The new phone arrived this morning and your idea of using smartswitch from my windiws PC did the trick.
I only had to touch once on the broken phone to trigger the backup to my PC which worked a treat. After that everything else was plain sailing and the new phone is all set up with all the data intact.
MarylinC said:
Thank you so much Droidriven. The new phone arrived this morning and your idea of using smartswitch from my windiws PC did the trick.
I only had to touch once on the broken phone to trigger the backup to my PC which worked a treat. After that everything else was plain sailing and the new phone is all set up with all the data intact.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good to go, glad to help.
I thought it might, I just wasn't sure about whether USB debugging was required by SmartSwitch, I have never needed to use SmartSwitch so I'm not familiar with its ins and outs.
Sent from my LGL84VL using Tapatalk
No, USB debugging isn't required on smartswitch.
My brother is like a kid with a new toy now that he has his phone back with all his stuff restored and working.
Thank you again.
Hi, I have a Ul40 cellphone version 7.1.1. for years I have been downloading into my phone, then using a USB cable to transfer what I want into my old Dell PC.
Yesterday I hooked them up and my phone will charge but not transfer files. My PC doesn't seem to recognize it. I rebooted my phone, deleted cached files, etc.
I googled up the problem, new cable, same problem. One resource said to go to settings, storage & 3 dots, then USB connection. Instead of getting the option to use it as a mtp, it would only give storage clean up.
What do I do now? Is there something specific for my model? If I factory reset it will it go back to normal? At one point my PC said something about drivers. I downloaded a no ads app, it didn't seem to do a anything and wanted to add more stuff to my phone and/or PC.
Is it simply time to get a new phone?
Thanks, BA
OP...noticed there were 7 views but no reply. My tech skills are very limited. Sorry if I did not post this in the right place or something.
Did anybody else have this problem, how would I find it? Thanks.
Hello.
I am having a lot of trouble getting the USB drivers to work.
I am wanting to simply connect my Moto One 5G Ace with a USB cable and have it show up as a drive on Windows File Explorer. I want to copy files to/from the SD card.
But either I'm not downloading the right drivers, or my developer settings are wrong, or something else is going on.
I downloaded the "MotoroalDeviceManager_2.5.4.exe. All that seems to do is check for software updates.
I downloaded Motorola_Mobile_drivers_v6.4.0.zip, which seems to do absolutely nothing.
When I connect the phone to the computer, I get the popup from the system tray "Setting up the Motorola One 5G Ace device" (or whatever), then asks me what I want to do with it by default. I select "Open File Explorer". Well, the "motorola one 5G ace" selection in File explorer shows a blank screen.
If I go into USB Debugging and turn it on, the phone disappears from File Explorer entirely.
I've gotten this to work before with my Moto X4.
I'm running Windows 10.
Any help is greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
phlack2 said:
Hello.
I am having a lot of trouble getting the USB drivers to work.
I am wanting to simply connect my Moto One 5G Ace with a USB cable and have it show up as a drive on Windows File Explorer. I want to copy files to/from the SD card.
But either I'm not downloading the right drivers, or my developer settings are wrong, or something else is going on.
I downloaded the "MotoroalDeviceManager_2.5.4.exe. All that seems to do is check for software updates.
I downloaded Motorola_Mobile_drivers_v6.4.0.zip, which seems to do absolutely nothing.
When I connect the phone to the computer, I get the popup from the system tray "Setting up the Motorola One 5G Ace device" (or whatever), then asks me what I want to do with it by default. I select "Open File Explorer". Well, the "motorola one 5G ace" selection in File explorer shows a blank screen.
If I go into USB Debugging and turn it on, the phone disappears from File Explorer entirely.
I've gotten this to work before with my Moto X4.
I'm running Windows 10.
Any help is greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you set the default USB connection to "file transfer"?
RETIEF said:
Did you set the default USB connection to "file transfer"?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was actually looking for that, but couldn't find it. A search at the top of the interface found it.
So no, it wasn't set. I set it, and I got further. Thanks!
But not too much further.
What is now being shown in File Explorer, under "motorola one 5G ace" is:
android
Internal shared storage
I'm assuming "android" is my SD card, as that's how it seems to appear everywhere else on the phone. It also shows 115GB used, which is about right for that SD card, considering the junk I have on it.
Browsing under Internal shared storage is empty. Nothing is under there. ZIP.
Under "android" are a bunch of directories, such as .$recycle.bin$, Alarms, Android (yes, again), DCIM, Download, Movies, Podcasts, Ringtones, and a drive symbol.
Alarms has some small files. Everything else is empty.
So, I'm part way there. What can I check next? Permissions issue, perhaps?
Thanks
phlack2 said:
I was actually looking for that, but couldn't find it. A search at the top of the interface found it.
So no, it wasn't set. I set it, and I got further. Thanks!
But not too much further.
What is now being shown in File Explorer, under "motorola one 5G ace" is:
android
Internal shared storage
I'm assuming "android" is my SD card, as that's how it seems to appear everywhere else on the phone. It also shows 115GB used, which is about right for that SD card, considering the junk I have on it.
Browsing under Internal shared storage is empty. Nothing is under there. ZIP.
Under "android" are a bunch of directories, such as .$recycle.bin$, Alarms, Android (yes, again), DCIM, Download, Movies, Podcasts, Ringtones, and a drive symbol.
Alarms has some small files. Everything else is empty.
So, I'm part way there. What can I check next? Permissions issue, perhaps?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The newest Moto drivers are here
Where can I download the USB drivers for my device?| Motorola Support US
Visit the customer support page to view user guides, FAQs, bluetooth pairing, software downloads, drivers, tutorials and to get repair and contact us information.Where can I download the USB drivers for my device?
motorola-global-portal.custhelp.com
Install, Reboot PC
Enable Dev options (Settings/System/About phone) tap on Build number until it says "you are now a developer"
go back to the Settings/System page
tap Advanced
Open Developer Options
Scroll down past networking
Select Default USB configuration
Select File Transer
Scroll Back up to Debugging
USB debugging should be off (Grey) unless you are using adb commands
Ok folks, so I did a repair job on the msi, and it got "further". I could see some directories.
But then I decided to swap out the cable. And that seemed to do the trick. I'm now able to transfer over some huge files. Odd, as I thought the original cable was a good one, too.
Thanks for all your help.
phlack2 said:
Ok folks, so I did a repair job on the msi, and it got "further". I could see some directories.
But then I decided to swap out the cable. And that seemed to do the trick. I'm now able to transfer over some huge files. Odd, as I thought the original cable was a good one, too.
Thanks for all your help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
More often than not, a bad cable or port on the PC end is the culprit. However, in my case, on my laptop, I have to uninstall and then reinstall the drivers after every time I have shut it down. All works well then until I shut down my laptop and then reboot the next day. Rinse and repeat. It's a head scratcher for sure. But at least I can get things working again.
pastorbob62 said:
More often than not, a bad cable or port on the PC end is the culprit. However, in my case, on my laptop, I have to uninstall and then reinstall the drivers after every time I have shut it down. All works well then until I shut down my laptop and then reboot the next day. Rinse and repeat. It's a head scratcher for sure. But at least I can get things working again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I've used that cable for other transfers, too. So I'm not sure what happened. Maybe this was the first time I used it in a USB 3.0 port, so it couldn't handle the higher speed. That's all I can think of.
I'll consider this the next time I have transfer issues.
Hello, I just broke the screen of my OnePlus8t Verizon network unlocked phone. The computer I previously linked 8t with also has a broken screen. ... Rains it ..... My Phoe has some important information in docs and screenshots I need to get. I just turned off ADB debugging thinking "Oh I don't need that just yet" the very morning I broke the LCD. Good news, I can still answer it. I already have adb.exe except in ADB shell it shows as unauthorized. I need those files like yesterday. I have an otg/ADB flash drive, but I still can not connect to retrieve files. I can see my phone when I directly connect to comp without the flash drive, however, I can not access it. I have tried to put the phone into recovery, but I have no way to enter the pin as I have tried to guess where it is. How can I receive the data I need from my phone?
Thank You.
P.S. I have little knowledge and only learn what I need to know for whatever project, in other words, I can not code and I barely speak dos.
Is the touch screen still working then?
If it's showing "unauthorized" you can try to plug it into your desktop and then hit the "authorize" button on the popup that you can't see.
Here is where ok is on a different phone. It's somewhere near there on yours.
Renate said:
Is the touch screen still working then?
If it's showing "unauthorized" you can try to plug it into your desktop and then hit the "authorize" button on the popup that you can't see.
Here is where ok is on a different phone. It's somewhere near there on yours.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have tried that. The finger print unlock screen only works ⅔ of the time. I have no way of knowing if it's unlocked. I keep my touch sounds silent. I keep trying to find where it might be. I have tried to slide as if answering a call. Is there a way to force the USB settings for media transfer? Maybe through Google? If any platform knows it's my phone is Google. I can go to the play store and push apps onto it. Unfortunately the two adb drivers I have installed on my Android didnt work.
Oh, actually, you've got it easier! The OnePlus 8t supports HDMI over USB Type C.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/does-one-plus-8t-have-video-out-through-usb-c.4465629/
Buy an adapter and hook up an HDMI monitor/TV.
Or just use a new monitor on the computer that is already authorized.
Is there any other way. Right now it is not with in the budget to afford any extras even with the price tag of $20. I am hoping there is a way within an adb shell to force turn on the adb debugging. I have developer options enabled. I would just rewrite the documents, except some of those items I need include the text messaging history. If I can't force the adb, can I remotely back up the phone? Is there a trustworthy app for that? I do have quick settings installed and if my memory is correct, I believe I have sideline installed even.