How to Recover Photos from Your Broken iPhone – 5 Powerful Methods That Actually Work
Understanding the Situation
How to recover photos from your broken iPhone is a common question, especially if your phone contains precious memories or work-related content. Whether your iPhone is cracked, dead, or water-damaged, there’s still a chance you can retrieve your pictures.
Why? Because your iPhone stores data in multiple places—not just on the device but also in the cloud and backups.
Initial Checks and Preparation
Before diving into recovery methods, it’s essential to figure out the condition of your iPhone and the backup situation.
1. Assess the Damage
Is your phone:
- Turning on but unresponsive?
- Cracked screen only?
- Dead or not charging?
- Water-damaged?
Knowing the condition helps determine the best recovery strategy.
2. Check for Existing Backups
Have you:
- Enabled iCloud Photos?
- Backed up via iTunes or Finder recently?
If yes, you’re already one step closer to photo recovery.
3. What You’ll Need
To get started, gather:
- A computer (Mac or PC)
- Lightning cable
- Apple ID & password
- Optional: Data recovery software (explained below)
Top Methods to Recover Photos from Your Broken iPhone
Whether your iPhone is partly functional or completely dead, these methods will help you get your pictures back.
1. Use iCloud to Recover Photos
Best for: Screen damage, device won’t turn on, or lost iPhone
Steps:
- Go to iCloud.com
- Sign in with your Apple ID
- Click Photos
- Browse, select, and download the images you need
Alt Text for Image: Screenshot of iCloud Photo Library displaying thumbnails of iPhone photos
You can also restore from an iCloud backup when setting up a new device:
- Choose “Restore from iCloud Backup” during setup
- Select the latest backup
Pro Tip: iCloud keeps recently deleted photos for 30 days in the “Recently Deleted” folder.
2. Restore via iTunes or Finder
Best for: Phones that turn on but have screen issues
Steps:
- Connect your broken iPhone to your computer
- Launch iTunes (or Finder for macOS Catalina+)
- Select your device → Click “Back Up Now”
- Connect your new or another iPhone
- Click “Restore Backup” and select the latest version
You’ll get all your photos along with other data.
🔗3.recover Photos from Your Broken iPhone : Use Third-Party Recovery Tools
Best for: Broken screen or corrupted software
These software solutions are lifesavers when standard Apple recovery doesn’t work.
Popular Tools:
How it Works:
- Install the tool on your PC/Mac
- Connect your broken iPhone
- Run the scan for “Photos”
- Preview and recover the images
These apps let you recover photos even from a damaged phone that still powers on.
🔗 4. recover Photos from Your Broken iPhone a Professional Data Recovery Service
Best for: Water-damaged, dead, or severely broken devices
If nothing else works, bring in the pros. Services like:
- Apple Authorized Repair Centers
- iSmash or WeRecoverData
- Local phone repair shops
Some companies offer a “no data, no fee” policy.
💰 Cost: Can range from £50 to £500+, depending on damage severity.
Special Cases
📱 If the Screen is Broken But Phone Works
- Enable AssistiveTouch to simulate screen taps
- Use Siri to enable iCloud Backup
- Control iPhone from a Mac using QuickTime screen recording (USB connection)
If the iPhone Won’t Turn On
- Try a hard reset (Volume Up + Volume Down + Hold Side Button)
- Charge using a different cable and power source
- If backup exists, use it to restore to a new device
If the iPhone is Water Damaged
- Do not plug it in
- Dry it using silica gel or send it for professional cleaning
- Avoid DIY methods—they often worsen the damage
Preventing Data Loss in the Future
recover Photos from Your Broken iPhone
You’ve learned the hard way. Now let’s protect your memories moving forward.
Enable iCloud Photos
Settings → iCloud → Photos → Toggle ON iCloud Photos
Back Up Regularly
Set auto backups to iCloud, or use Finder/iTunes to manually back up.
Use Google Photos or Dropbox
They offer free photo storage and can act as secondary backups.
External Drives & Flash Drives
Products like SanDisk iXpand let you back up your photos to a USB instantly.
Conclusion
Knowing how to recover photos from your broken iPhone can make all the difference between panic and peace of mind. From cloud backups to third-party software and professional services, you’ve got options—no matter how bad the damage looks.
The key? Act fast, avoid DIY risks, and always back up your memories before the unexpected happens.
recover Photos from Your Broken iPhone
recover Photos from Your Broken iPhone
FAQs
1. Can I recover photos from a completely dead iPhone?
Yes, if you’ve used iCloud or iTunes backup. Even if the device is dead, you can restore to a new phone.
2. What if I never backed up my iPhone?
Your best bet is third-party recovery software or professional data recovery services.
3. How long does iCloud keep my deleted photos?
iCloud keeps deleted photos in the “Recently Deleted” folder for 30 days.
4. Can I transfer photos from a broken iPhone to a new one?
Yes! Use iCloud, iTunes, or third-party tools to move your photo library.
5. Is it worth paying for data recovery services?
If your photos are priceless and irreplaceable, then yes. Just be sure to check their success rate and reviews.