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How to Recover Text Messages from a Broken Android Phone (4 Easy Ways)

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"I really need to get text messages off this phone, however, I shattered the screen the other day. Is there any practical way of doing this? I have not googling for over an hour and can't seem to come up with a way of doing this. Any help is greatly appreciated."

- From Reddit

Accidentally breaking your Android phone doesn't just cause physical damage - it can also mean losing important data, like your text messages. Whether you dropped your phone, the screen went completely black, or it's become unresponsive, losing access to valuable messages can be extremely frustrating, especially if they contain sensitive information, passwords, or emotional memories.

The good news? Even if your Android phone is broken, you still have a chance to retrieve your text messages. In this article, we'll explore 4 practical and proven methods to help you recover text messages from a broken Android phone. Whether you have a backup or not, you'll find step-by-step solutions that can bring your messages back.

recover text messages from a broken android phone

 

Part 1. Can I Retrieve Text Messages from a Broken Phone?

Yes, you can recover text messages from a broken Android phone in many cases. The success of recovery depends on several factors, such as:

  • The extent of the damage: If only the screen is broken but the phone still powers on, recovery is much easier.
  • Whether USB debugging is enabled: Some recovery tools require USB debugging to access your phone's data.
  • Backup availability: If you've backed up your data using Google services or apps like SMS Backup & Restore, retrieving your messages will be straightforward.
  • Storage location: Text messages stored on an SD card can often be accessed separately using a card reader.

Part 2. How Do I Recover Text Messages from a Broken Android Phone?

Now that you know it's possible to retrieve messages from a broken phone, let's explore the best solutions to do so. Whether you have a backup or your phone is completely unresponsive, the following methods will guide you step by step to recover your text messages efficiently.

Solution 1. How to Recover Text Messages from Broken Android Phone Directly Without Backup

One of the most reliable ways to recover your text messages from a broken Android phone is by using Broken Android Data Extraction. This tool is designed specifically for scenarios where the phone is unresponsive or the screen is damaged without backup.

What is Broken Android Data Extraction?

  • Fix Android devices in all scenarios: Virus attack, system crash, broken screen, black screen, phone frozen, phone drowned, etc.
  • Extract data from the damaged phone's internal storage and SD card.
  • Support to extract messages, message attachments, contacts, call logs, WhatsApp, WhatsApp attachments, gallery, picture library, videos, audio files, and documents from a broken Android phone to a computer for backup. See how to recover contacts from a broken phone>>
  • Safe, fast, and easy to use.
  • Support Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7/Vista/XP and most Samsung phones, like Samsung Galaxy Note 3/4/5, Samsung Galaxy S4/S5/S6, Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro 10.1, etc.

Step-by-Step Guide to Retrieve Texts Using Broken Android Data Extraction

Here's how to recover text messages from a broken Android phone using Broken Android Data Extraction:

01Install and launch Broken Android Extraction on your computer and select "Broken Android Data Extraction" from the left panel.

install and launch broken android extraction on computer

02Connect your Android phone to your computer via a USB cable, and make sure this program can automatically detect your device. Then, click "Start" to select the device name and model and follow the prompt to enter the Download mode. During this process, you can choose the exact problem of your device to fix it in this program accordingly.

connect android device to computer via broken android extraction and enter the download mode

03Once done, this program will automatically scan the phone data. After scanning, choose "Messages" from the left window, read and tick the messages you want to recover from the list, and tap the "Recover" option below to recover text messages from your broken phone to your computer.

how to recover text messages from broken phone via broken android extraction

Solution 2. How to Get Old Text Messages from a Broken Phone Using Google Account Backup

Google offers a built-in backup service for Android users, which automatically backs up your data, including text messages. Here's how you can check if your messages are backed up:

  • Go to "Settings" on your Android phone.
  • Tap on "Google" and then "Backup".
  • Check the Backup status to see if your messages were included in the last backup.
  • If they were, the backup would typically list Messages as one of the data types saved, giving you peace of mind that your texts are recoverable.

check google backup

Steps to Recover Text Messages from a Broken Android Phone with Google Backup

If your messages are backed up, you can easily restore them when setting up a new or factory-reset Android phone:

Step 1. During the setup process, sign in to your Google account. Make sure you're connected to a stable Wi-Fi network to avoid any interruptions during the restoration process.

Step 2. When prompted, choose to restore data from your Google backup. The process may take some time, depending on the size of the backup and the speed of your internet connection.

Step 3. Select the appropriate backup, and your text messages will be restored along with other data. Users often find that their restored messages include not just recent texts but also older conversations that they had thought were lost, highlighting the thoroughness of Google's backup service.

how to recover text messages from broken phone via google backup

Solution 3. How to Recover Texts from Broken Android Using SD Card Reader

If your Android phone uses an SD card to store data, you might be able to recover text messages directly from the card. Here's how:

Step 1. Remove the SD card from your broken phone. If the card slot is difficult to access, be careful not to damage the SD card during removal.

Step 2. Insert the SD card into a card reader and connect it to your computer. Make sure the card reader is functioning properly, as a faulty reader could corrupt the data on the SD card.

how to recover text messages from android with broken screen via sd card

Step 3. Once connected, open the SD card on your computer and navigate to the relevant folder. Be sure to check hidden folders as well, as some apps store data in directories that aren't immediately visible.

Step 4. Copy the files to your computer.

Solution 4. How to Retrieve Text Messages from Broken Android Phone via SMS Backup & Restore

For users who have backed up text messages from their Android phone to the app SMS Backup & Restore before, you can retrieve texts from the SMS backup files easily.

Steps to Recover Text Messages via SMS Backup & Restore:

Step 1. Install and launch SMS Backup & Restore on your computer or other device and sign in to the app with the same account.

Step 2. Click the "Restore" option from the interface > select "Text messages" > choose the last backup > and tap the "Restore" option below to retrieve text messages from a broken Android phone.

how to retrieve text messages from a broken phone via sms backup app

FAQ About Data Recovery from Broken Phone

1. Lost my phone, can I check text messages on Android?

Yes, if your text messages were backed up to your Google account, you can check them by restoring the backup on a new Android device.

2. How to restore text messages from another phone?

You can restore text messages on a new phone by using a backup that was saved on your old phone. During the setup process of the new phone, choose to restore data from your Google backup, including your messages.

3. How to get text messages off a phone that is deactivated?

If your phone is deactivated, you can still retrieve text messages by connecting it to a computer using file transfer software or by accessing any existing backups on cloud services.

Conclusion

Recovering text messages from a broken Android phone may seem daunting, but with the right tools and methods, it's entirely possible. Whether you use specialized software like Broken Android Data Extraction, leverage Google Backup, or explore SD card recovery, each solution offers a viable way to retrieve your lost messages.

By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can minimize data loss and recover your important conversations. If you run into difficulties during use, feel free to leave a comment below. We will give you aid soon.

Related Articles:

Broken Android Data Recovery: Recover Data from Broken Android

How to Retrieve Text Messages from a Broken Samsung Phone [4 Ways]

[Easy & Secure] Recover Text Messages from Android with Black Screen

Powerful SMS Recovery Apps for Android - 9 Options for You

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