Gathering files/data from a "dead" phone

[gotdurt]

I have a S20+ (probably v13) that recently went blank after taking a swim... it was presumed dead, but after a few days and a bit of desperation, I was able to get access through my PC by unlocking the touch pattern blind...

Now that I'm in, I'd like to recover:
Text messages
Contacts
FastNote files (the note app that comes on the phone, not downloaded from Play)
... and anything else I can recover aside from photos and the obvious easy-to-locate stuff.

Looking for locations of the above data/files. I located a folder that is com.fastnotepad.notes/files, but it is empty, so I assume it has been moved elsewhere in an update or something.

Also, I bought another refurb S20+, and wondering if there is a way to duplicate the phone via cable... I've used Smart Switch in the past, but not sure what is possible without being able to navigate the old phone...

Thoughts/ideas?

 

[SpookDroid]

If you were able to connect it to a computer, have you tried connecting to a TV or monitor? Maybe you can see the screen there and initiate the backup through smart switch. Messages are encrypted so unless you back them up with an app or cloud service, even getting to the files wouldn't help to restore them.

 

[VidJunky]

Maybe one of these videos will help you.

Good luck and best wishes.

 

[gotdurt]

If you were able to connect it to a computer, have you tried connecting to a TV or monitor? Maybe you can see the screen there and initiate the backup through smart switch. Messages are encrypted so unless you back them up with an app or cloud service, even getting to the files wouldn't help to restore them.

Just ordered a cable, we'll try the TV/monitor idea.

 

[gotdurt]

Got a cable and tried connecting it to both a monitor and a TV; I got past the lock screen, but there isn't a way to navigate or select anything, at least not that I can find... the screen looks different than my phone, and touching the phone doesn't do anything. Ideas?

 

[SpookDroid]

It probably went into DeX mode... you should be able to use the phone as a trackpad, however (and you should see a mouse pointer on the TV). You can exit this mode that way or use the apps there; it's still your phone, just a more 'PC-like' interface. If you have a port hub that supports USB-C-to-HDMI, you could even connect a wired mouse and use that to navigate the phone.

 

[gotdurt]

It probably went into DeX mode... you should be able to use the phone as a trackpad, however (and you should see a mouse pointer on the TV). You can exit this mode that way or use the apps there; it's still your phone, just a more 'PC-like' interface. If you have a port hub that supports USB-C-to-HDMI, you could even connect a wired mouse and use that to navigate the phone.

"Dex" did pop up briefly when I unlocked it, and there is a pointer, but nothing I do moves it. The touch pad works, until I get to that point, then nothing.

 

[gotdurt]

As for a mouse, what would I plug the mouse into? I have a wireless usb mouse, but of course, with the phone connected to the TV via USB-C>HDMI, there are no available ports...

Edit: I connected to a monitor again using my switcher that I use to run keyboard/mouse/monitors on 2 different desktop machines, but the mouse does nothing... and now when I connect it the other way with the USB-C>HDMI adapter to any TV/display , there is no pointer at all.

 

[SpookDroid]

You'd need to use a multi-port USB-c hub. But if you can use the phone screen as a trackpad, just like one, you have left/right buttons (and gestures on the trackpad to emulate these buttons) to perform taps and tap-and-holds. It may be easier to use gestures (one finger tap, two finger tap, double tap, etc.) than the 'buttons' since you can't really see the phone screen...

 

[gotdurt]

You'd need to use a multi-port USB-c hub. But if you can use the phone screen as a trackpad, just like one, you have left/right buttons (and gestures on the trackpad to emulate these buttons) to perform taps and tap-and-holds. It may be easier to use gestures (one finger tap, two finger tap, double tap, etc.) than the 'buttons' since you can't really see the phone screen...

Oops, looks like you posted about the same time as my last edit... it seems in theory that the switcher should work as a multi-port hub, but the mouse didn't work.

I connected my old (working) S9+ to the TV, and had the same problem, but when I swiped down to access settings, etc, there was a Dex notification that stated "tap here to open the touchpad"... which then worked, so I'll probably need to do the same thing with the S20+, but I can't see the notifications... The help on Samsung's website claims that I should be able to operate the phone via HDMI, no mention of Dex

 

[gotdurt]

Well, I went ahead and ordered a multi-port hub like the one in the video above, then got an idea...

What if I could navigate the phone by tapping in approximate locations, taking screen shots after each and opening the screenshot folder on the PC to see where I was and what I did... and it worked. I was able to get Dex set up and then navigation was easy; everything is backed up now and data saved. I came across a lot of folks online with the same problem and no solutions, so maybe this thread will help.

 

[SpookDroid]

Glad you got it working!