broken lcd screen, need to unlock and wipe data to sell - T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S 4

My bro broke his S4 lcd screen 2 times within 1 month. We already had it repaired once that costed over $250 to replace the screen. Somehow tmobile f'ed up when we bought the phones and they did not add insurance to ours plans even though they said over the phone over 5 times that it was on all of phones. We are trying to cut our losses and now we have to sell all of our phones and rebuy them to get the insurance that we requested in the first place. My bro's lcd is still broken and now we are trying to sell it. How can we sell my bro's s4 with the broken screen for the most money so we can throw less money into the pit. I was thinking if we got it factory unlocked we could probably sell it for $100 more. His screen wont turn on at all. It seems that everything is working except the screen. Are there any ways to unlock the phone, back up everything and erase everything before we sell it with a non functional screen? How much do you think that could fetch on ebay and do you think it will sell for less once the note 3 comes out? Thanks.

Have you tried hooking to PC via USB cable to see if you can access the sd card?
That way you can get pictures off the phone and delete the one on the phone.
If you have "wipe device" enable in Google settings you could wipe all the data from the phone before selling it. Without a working screen it's kinda hard to do much. Does the screen still react to touch or is it completely dead?

If the touch screen still works buy an mhl cable and connect to your TV so u can navigate to setting and do a reset or even unlock it.
Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk 4

Thank you for all of your suggestions.
baseballfanz said:
Have you tried hooking to PC via USB cable to see if you can access the sd card?
That way you can get pictures off the phone and delete the one on the phone.
If you have "wipe device" enable in Google settings you could wipe all the data from the phone before selling it. Without a working screen it's kinda hard to do much. Does the screen still react to touch or is it completely dead?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is the wipe device setting need to be turned on or is it on by default? How does it work/activate? He somehow needs to get some information from an app. Is there a way that I could just copy the data while connected to a PC and somehow load it on my phone so he can get the info that he needs. I have not used Samsung Kies, do you think that could help me out in any way? Are there ways to control the phone through a command prompt while connected to a PC, his phone is rooted? If somehow I could do a nandroid backup that would help things a lot. If I can't wipe the phone through googles settings should I just delete as many files on the internal sd I can without corrupting the phone. I don't know which files are crucial without breaking the phone. Where should I start? Thank you.
aznmode said:
If the touch screen still works buy an mhl cable and connect to your TV so u can navigate to setting and do a reset or even unlock it.
Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do have an mhl adapter but I do not think that the screen is responsive. However, the soft keys are reacting. I do not have the mhl adapter with me right now to test it out. Doesn't the screen need to be first unlocked for it to show up on the TV? Lucky, I did not set it up with a complex unlock method. However it still could be very difficult to unlock the screen. If this does not work out do I have any other options? What about the value for resale? Should I try to sell it before the unveiling of the note 3 or do you guys think that the value will not drop much?
I noticed that the screen that was used to replace the original broken screen was a little less vibrant and clear than mine. The repair guy swears that the screen was made by Samsung. Are there other companys now making screens for the S4 that are inferior to the originals? Could that be why the screen broke so soon? Thank you all for helping me.

Wipe device feature would have to be turn on by the user (not default)
https://www.google.com/android/devicemanager

Related

Can't access Phone HD!

A couple of days ago I threw my phone is rage.... I need to turn it in for a replacement however I cannot use my touchscreen at all. Nothing displays and none of the touches have any effect. Only the hard buttons work.
Im pretty sure I can get it into download mode and reset it to stock rom, but I was wondering if there was anyway I can access the phones internal HD without connecting USB data from the pull down menu to save my pictures and other data.
Also, the phone is going to cost me $130 to replace, since I don't have insurance. Does anyone have any suggestions that might be cheaper?
Sorry for what sounds like a dumb post and any help is greatly appreciated!!
Don't think you can access besides going into recovery and get your pics and data like that.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk
You can refer to this thread
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1501169
Broken Screen
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium
Lo N Slo said:
A couple of days ago I threw my phone is rage.... I need to turn it in for a replacement however I cannot use my touchscreen at all. Nothing displays and none of the touches have any effect. Only the hard buttons work.
Im pretty sure I can get it into download mode and reset it to stock rom, but I was wondering if there was anyway I can access the phones internal HD without connecting USB data from the pull down menu to save my pictures and other data.
Also, the phone is going to cost me $130 to replace, since I don't have insurance. Does anyone have any suggestions that might be cheaper?
Sorry for what sounds like a dumb post and any help is greatly appreciated!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It costs $130 (deductible) to file a claim if you have insurance.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using XDA App
Lo N Slo said:
A couple of days ago I threw my phone is rage.... I need to turn it in for a replacement however I cannot use my touchscreen at all. Nothing displays and none of the touches have any effect. Only the hard buttons work.
Im pretty sure I can get it into download mode and reset it to stock rom, but I was wondering if there was anyway I can access the phones internal HD without connecting USB data from the pull down menu to save my pictures and other data.
Also, the phone is going to cost me $130 to replace, since I don't have insurance. Does anyone have any suggestions that might be cheaper?
Sorry for what sounds like a dumb post and any help is greatly appreciated!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why did you throw it?
Rage for buying a useless device.
--sarcasm

[Q] Cracked Screen - Need to Backup Data

Unfortunately I managed to drop my phone over the weekend. Not particularly far, but as a result the screen is cracked. The display actually seems to work fine, but touch recognician is gone so I can't use my unlock code or access any of my data.
It isn't a total loss as I have equipment protection. My new phone will be here today. I need to do two things. First get all my pictures off the device and second wipe everything off it before I send the broken one back. The phone is on V9 and is rooted. The boot loader is locked. USB debugging is turned on. As I mentioned I have an unlock pattern. Please help!
Thanks all,
Jager
yikes
Jaegerrr said:
Unfortunately I managed to drop my phone over the weekend. Not particularly far, but as a result the screen is cracked. The display actually seems to work fine, but touch recognician is gone so I can't use my unlock code or access any of my data.
It isn't a total loss as I have equipment protection. My new phone will be here today. I need to do two things. First get all my pictures off the device and second wipe everything off it before I send the broken one back. The phone is on V9 and is rooted. The boot loader is locked. USB debugging is turned on. As I mentioned I have an unlock pattern. Please help!
Thanks all,
Jager
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Probably not very helpful tip but here goes.
Obviously you cant take it to Sprint while its rooted, since that voids your warranty. The ONLY options I can think of is either to try to open your phones files onto your PC with the USB cord and troubleshooting trying to get it back to anything stock. 2.) Try using your phones screen sideways? ( Had an HTC with busted digitizer, this worked for me.) 3.) Last but not least, there is a way to get the phone apart via two very small T bits. not sure what size. But if your tech savvy, you can always try replacing the screen and or digitizer yourself with parts from overseas. They may take several weeks to arrive, but there cheap.
If I find anything else, Ill let you know. Hope I helped? And sorry man, thats a frustrating predicament.
Jaegerrr said:
Unfortunately I managed to drop my phone over the weekend. Not particularly far, but as a result the screen is cracked. The display actually seems to work fine, but touch recognician is gone so I can't use my unlock code or access any of my data.
It isn't a total loss as I have equipment protection. My new phone will be here today. I need to do two things. First get all my pictures off the device and second wipe everything off it before I send the broken one back. The phone is on V9 and is rooted. The boot loader is locked. USB debugging is turned on. As I mentioned I have an unlock pattern. Please help!
Thanks all,
Jager
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what i suggest doing is lgnpst it back to stock, this will unroot you BUT will not erase any of your personal files. then when you get your new phone go to sprint and ask them to transfer everything over. if you wanna do this just pm me and ill give you the files. they are copyrighted so i cant post them on here.
Tried USB... What about ADB?
I tried plugging in with USB and I can't see my files. I guess that is probably because I have the phone locked with a pattern. As I mentioned, I got a replacement via equipment protections so I'm not going to fix it... It's a work phone anyway. I got a replacement today and have to send the old one back.
I was hoping someone savy with ADB could tell me how to get the pictures from my phone that way. In addition, I would think there would be a way to force a factory reset at the leass so I won't sending the broken phone back with all my personal information on it.
Thanks again,
Jaeger
Figured it out....
I found my way and wanted to post what I did incase anyone else is ever searching for this.
I guess I was lucky that USB debugging was turned on. I simply connected and used the adb shell to look at my files and adb pull commands to download all my pictures.
The next part was wiping my data. This was luckily a work phone connected to my companies exchange server. I simply went into outlook via the web interface and went to options and then phone. You could easily wipe the phone from there.
I guess what I really learned from this is to have phone cloud back-ups in place. Even if you are careful with your stuff (as I am), the unforseen always occurs.
-Jaeger

[Q] Samsung Captivate Blank Display

Hello,
Captivate Glide i927 replaced cracked screen
I replaced the cracked screen assembly and installed a new ribbon. The lower lights (home, search, back button etc) work and also the keyboard lights. The ATT chime sound works too but the display does not light up when powered on.
Connected the phone after replacing ribbon/ screen to the comp for Kies to back up and it is saying the phone is locked. It is the lock code that you set to keep others from accessing. Since the display does not light, the correct code can not be placed in. Can someone please place a picture of the unlock screen mode here? The display touch pad works so if the position of the numbers can be acquired, this may help me to get the phone files accessed and reset hoping to get the display working.
The phone is not rooted and upgraded to the ICS as of October 2012.
Up $86 for the ribbon and new screen and the repair shops want $100 plus the cost of possible parts needed. Would like to try my best so this route can be avoided.
Cheers,
Robert
By now the phone SIM is locked out. I believe there is a way to reboot the phone through a computer?
mer80cedes said:
By now the phone SIM is locked out. I believe there is a way to reboot the phone through a computer?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only way I can think of is rebooting via adb. If you're not rooted (the "reboot" command in shell requires root, i don't know if "adb reboot" wants it), or haven't even turned on USB Debugging at all, then you're doomed.
However, since Odin-ing is not that hard (only requires several key pressing), you could try Odin in a custom recovery (or not, if you already have one), back your system up to external SD in tar or other formats, and then extract the data you want from the backed-up packages (I've done this with tar packages). If you ever need the screenshot of a particular version of recovery, ask again in this thread and I think we'll be more active (and easier) to help.
Sent from Samsung Captivate Glide @ CM10.1.2
AndyYan said:
The only way I can think of is rebooting via adb. If you're not rooted (the "reboot" command in shell requires root, i don't know if "adb reboot" wants it), or haven't even turned on USB Debugging at all, then you're doomed.
However, since Odin-ing is not that hard (only requires several key pressing), you could try Odin in a custom recovery (or not, if you already have one), back your system up to external SD in tar or other formats, and then extract the data you want from the backed-up packages (I've done this with tar packages). If you ever need the screenshot of a particular version of recovery, ask again in this thread and I think we'll be more active (and easier) to help.
Sent from Samsung Captivate Glide @ CM10.1.2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you AndYan.
This Captivate has only been upgraded to the Sandwich version. Non-rooted nor modified in any other way. The only reason to remove the files is due to it having solar cell module prototype designs and concepts on it (Reason why it can not be shipped out for professional repairs). Since most of the information was wrote on paper, it's best to just wipe the phone out completely to get it back to working condition for use again.
This is quite interesting learning about programming and such since I have never done this before. Just like building cars, took many many years to do and this programming is just another cool thing to learn about
It takes a special knowledge and experience to understand the programming of Odin and phones which I do not comprehend, I will be destroying the motherboard with a hammer and tossing it out. It is way too much to understand how to set coding and such. Best off investing in another phone and moving on.
The parts that will be saved if anyone can use will be the ribbon strip and also brand new display screen.
Paid $86 for the display and will sell for $75 free shipping with insurance.
Ribbon strip will be $20 free shipping with insurance. If both are wanted $95 free shipping.
Since I do love the Captivate so much another will be purchased.
mer80cedes said:
It takes a special knowledge and experience to understand the programming of Odin and phones which I do not comprehend, I will be destroying the motherboard with a hammer and tossing it out. It is way too much to understand how to set coding and such. Best off investing in another phone and moving on.
The parts that will be saved if anyone can use will be the ribbon strip and also brand new display screen.
Paid $86 for the display and will sell for $75 free shipping with insurance.
Ribbon strip will be $20 free shipping with insurance. If both are wanted $95 free shipping.
Since I do love the Captivate so much another will be purchased.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You mean you smashed your Glide?! God, I just had mine 5 days ago. Anyway, hope my tip still helps when you're in any smaller trouble next time.
AndyYan said:
You mean you smashed your Glide?! God, I just had mine 5 days ago. Anyway, hope my tip still helps when you're in any smaller trouble next time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No way lol! Only the mother board will be smashed to save the data on it from being used again. All of the other parts will be saved since another Captivate will be getting purchased.
mer80cedes said:
No way lol! Only the mother board will be smashed to save the data on it from being used again. All of the other parts will be saved since another Captivate will be getting purchased.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's still sad to see. Why not just solder off the storage chip, somehow destroy it, and find a similar model chip to replace it?
EDIT: I guess the Samsung-proprietary partition table and some data on special partitions like EFS are not reconstructible on a blank new chip. Then you did the easiest choice possible.
Sent from Google Nexus 4 @ CM10.2
Is it cool for someone to take a photo of their Captivate i927 when it is at the display for the personal unlock code (PIN). It will make a good reference point enough to possibly use my touch screen to unlock my cell to reboot. Just have to get the location of the numbers and also the OK button.
After many hours research (great learning experience), the phone was done on master reset without needing to see the screen. At least now it can be sent out to get repaired without the personal information being potentially taken by another.
Done
mer80cedes said:
After many hours research (great learning experience), the phone was done on master reset without needing to see the screen. At least now it can be sent out to get repaired without the personal information being potentially taken by another.
Done
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Woohoo, so no need to smash anything? You did an awesome deed to keep a nice phone alive

[Q] Cracked screen and no access to files

Howdy,
My wife's screen got shattered the other day. It turns on, but does not respond to touch at all. When I plug it in via USB to a PC it does not pull up as a drive (only charges). The phone is not rooted, runs stock Sprint firmware, and for some reason I am unable to get into the recovery mode (fast boot or whatever). I was thinking I could buy a female usb to micro usb male, plug in a usb mouse and use that to enable mass storage, but it looks like that isn't supported from what I could tell. Is that correct?
If it isn't supported, any other ideas to try to get data off of the phone?
Thanks!
Is adb debugging checked?
-Whiplashh
"I think a ducks opinion of me is heavily influenced by whether I have bread or not."
Whiplashh said:
Is adb debugging checked?
-Whiplashh
"I think a ducks opinion of me is heavily influenced by whether I have bread or not."
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is not. I was under the impression that it required root which this phone does not have.
Coldfirex said:
It is not. I was under the impression that it required root which this phone does not have.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It doesn't. It is in developer settings.
You can not in no way get into bootloader/recovery?
-Whiplashh
"I think a ducks opinion of me is heavily influenced by whether I have bread or not."
For some reason no. When I try I just get the LG bootscreen and then it cycles as long as I am holding down the vol and power button. Works just fine on my LGoG which is rooted, etc.
Should Plan A not work...
I don't mean to get ahead of you, and I don't know of a way to retrieve your information without being able to select "Connect as Media Device" on your touchscreen...but if you plan on getting the same replacement device from Asurion (Sprint Insurance), you could very easily do a motherboard swap between your defective phone and your replacement.
Assuming you file a claim online or at your local Sprint store, just be sure (if asked) to NOT have your replacement device be sent pre-activated. That way, when your motherboards get swapped between the two devices, your original ESN will still be active in its new body. All of your original data (pictures, contacts, SMS, music, etc) will be there. Device works just like it did before, and you'll be sending back the new motherboard with your broken screen. You get all new parts, like your charging port, speakerphone, LCD\TSP, etc but you get to retain all of your information. Asurion doesn't care what ESN they get back, as long as it's the model\brand device they believe it's supposed to be (Optimus G for an Optimus G).
I've been repairing phones at a Sprint store for over 3 years, so if you cannot get your information retrieved and want to try swapping motherboards, please let me know. The swap would take you roughly 45 minutes if you've never done it before, or bring it to a local Sprint store. I'm sure there are also plenty of others on this site who could help as well, but good luck!
Andrew
Coldfirex said:
Howdy,
My wife's screen got shattered the other day. It turns on, but does not respond to touch at all. When I plug it in via USB to a PC it does not pull up as a drive (only charges). The phone is not rooted, runs stock Sprint firmware, and for some reason I am unable to get into the recovery mode (fast boot or whatever). I was thinking I could buy a female usb to micro usb male, plug in a usb mouse and use that to enable mass storage, but it looks like that isn't supported from what I could tell. Is that correct?
If it isn't supported, any other ideas to try to get data off of the phone?
Thanks![/QUOTE
Ha, I just broke mine and had the same problem...I had ADB Debugging checked which allowed me to plug my device in and use a windows program called "MyPhoneExplorer" to bring up the OG screen on my desktop "remote control essentially" and navigate thru my phone like it was in my hand via mouse. Anyway, since you don't have debugging on you might be SOL. There may be other programs that are similar that will work without " Debugging " on. The only other thing that is relatively inexpensive you can do is just buy a new screen or an old OG someone is selling that has a good screen and LCD... I bought one, in good working condition and with a good ESN for $72 a couple days ago....Just swapped out the guts....and Whalla :laugh:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the last resort. I dont think I am that brave though.
I had the same issue without insurance and had to replace screen digitizer. It's not that hard off you can follow instructions and have a hair dryer.lol
Sent from my LG-LS970 using xda app-developers app

Broken screen on Canadian A70 (SM-A705W) - How to retrieve files?

Hello,
The screen on my A70 recently shattered. The internals are all still fine, when I plug it into the computer it is detected, however I cannot access the files because USB debugging is unfortunately turned off.
I have tried 3 different free softwares I found online and none of them work or have the A70 as a valid model.
What are my options? Is there a way to remotely turn on USB debugging? I used to have a modded Galaxy S5 with TWRP, Odin, etc all setup but I forgot how to do all of that. Is it possible to recover my files from my phone, or am I pretty much forced to replace the screen?
Thanks!
Hello. Can you unlock your phone? Because I was thinking about something that even though it may sound weird, you could actually find someone who has more or less the same phone (A80, A50, A70s, A71, Awhatever, but it would be great if you find someone with an A70) and try to guess where are the buttons on your broken phone. Or, if your friend or whoever agrees to swap the motherboards, you could do it by just replacing your phone's motherboard with your friend's hardware, I dont know if you understand me.
Someone204 said:
Hello. Can you unlock your phone? Because I was thinking about something that even though it may sound weird, you could actually find someone who has more or less the same phone (A80, A50, A70s, A71, Awhatever, but it would be great if you find someone with an A70) and try to guess where are the buttons on your broken phone. Or, if your friend or whoever agrees to swap the motherboards, you could do it by just replacing your phone's motherboard with your friend's hardware, I dont know if you understand me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi! I think I understand you. Do you mean like, memorizing where to hit on the screen to turn on USB debugging? Yeah I thought of that, but the touch screen doesn't work at all

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