If you have a broken screen on your Android device, you may think that all hope is lost. However, there is still a way to access your device and retrieve important data – by enabling USB debugging. In this article, we’ll explain what USB debugging is, why it’s important, and how to enable it on your Android device with a broken screen.
What is USB Debugging?
USB debugging is a feature on Android devices that allows for communication between a computer and the device. It is typically used by developers to test and debug apps, but it can also be useful for retrieving data from a device with a broken screen.
When USB debugging is enabled, your computer can access your device’s data and perform actions such as transferring files, installing apps, and even controlling your device remotely. This can be incredibly helpful if your screen is broken and you need to access your device.
Why is USB Debugging Important
If your Android device has a broken screen, you may think that all of your data is lost. However, by enabling USB debugging, you can still access your device and retrieve important data such as photos, contacts, and messages.
Without USB debugging, your computer will not be able to communicate with your device, making it nearly impossible to retrieve any data. This is why it’s important to enable USB debugging before your screen breaks, as it can save you a lot of trouble and frustration in the future.
How to Enable USB Debugging on Android with a Broken Screen
Enabling USB debugging on an Android device with a broken screen can be a bit tricky, but it is possible. Follow these steps to enable USB debugging on your device:
- Connect your device to your computer using a USB cable.
- On your computer, open the Android SDK platform-tools folder.
- Hold down the Shift key and right-click on an empty space in the folder.
- Select “Open command window here” from the drop-down menu.
- In the command prompt, type “adb devices” and press Enter.
- You should see a list of devices connected to your computer. If your device is listed, you can proceed to the next step. If not, make sure your device is connected properly and that USB debugging is enabled on your device (if possible).
- Type “adb shell” and press Enter.
- Type “su” and press Enter. This will give you root access to your device.
- Type “settings put global development_settings_enabled 1” and press Enter.
- Type “settings put global usb_debugging_enabled 1” and press Enter.
- Type “reboot” and press Enter. Your device will now reboot.
- Once your device has rebooted, you should be able to access your device’s data through your computer.
Troubleshooting
If you encounter any issues while trying to enable USB debugging, here are a few troubleshooting tips:
- Make sure your device is properly connected to your computer.
- Make sure you have the correct drivers installed for your device.
- If you are using a Mac, you may need to use “./adb” instead of “adb” in the command prompt.
- If you are using a Windows computer, you may need to add “.\” before “adb” in the command prompt.
Alternative Methods for Enabling USB Debugging
If the above method does not work for you, there are a few alternative methods you can try to enable USB debugging on your Android device with a broken screen.
Using a USB OTG Cable
If your device supports USB OTG (On-The-Go), you can use a USB OTG cable to connect a mouse to your device. This will allow you to control your device and enable USB debugging through the settings menu.
To use this method, you will need a USB OTG cable, a USB mouse, and a USB keyboard (optional). Follow these steps:
- Connect the USB OTG cable to your device.
- Connect the USB mouse to the USB OTG cable.
- If you have a USB keyboard, you can also connect it to the USB OTG cable.
- Use the mouse to navigate to the settings menu on your device.
- Go to “About phone” and tap on “Build number” 7 times to enable developer options.
- Go back to the main settings menu and select “Developer options”.
- Toggle on “USB debugging”.
- You should now be able to access your device’s data through your computer.
Using a Custom Recovery
If your device has a custom recovery such as TWRP or ClockworkMod, you can use it to enable USB debugging. Follow these steps:
- Download the ADB tools on your computer.
- Connect your device to your computer using a USB cable.
- Boot your device into recovery mode.
- In the command prompt, type “adb devices” and press Enter.
- You should see a list of devices connected to your computer. If your device is listed, you can proceed to the next step. If not, make sure your device is connected properly and that USB debugging is enabled on your device (if possible).
- Type “adb shell” and press Enter.
- Type “su” and press Enter. This will give you root access to your device.
- Type “settings put global development_settings_enabled 1” and press Enter.
- Type “settings put global usb_debugging_enabled 1” and press Enter.
- Type “reboot” and press Enter. Your device will now reboot.
- Once your device has rebooted, you should be able to access your device’s data through your computer.
Conclusion
Enabling USB debugging on an Android device with a broken screen can be a bit tricky, but it is possible. By following the steps outlined in this article, you should be able to access your device’s data and retrieve important information. Remember to always enable USB debugging before your screen breaks to avoid any future headaches.