How to Completely Clone an Android Phone When It Has a Broken Screen?

glub on 10/06/2021 - 14:20
Last edited 10/06/2021 - 16:17

At the gym today, my phone decided to give the treadmill a go - phone flew into wall - phone dead.

Half the screen works (the top half) so I can still unlock it… and see the time?

I have Google backup set-up but it doesn't pull overall data, such as the audiobooks I have downloaded offline or any videos, it also doesn't keep all my app data logged in etc and when I have 100s of apps this is a PITA to set up again on a new phone, especially as I have to do this to a temporary phone first and then whatever deal I find on a flagship.

Are there any apps that will literally just create a complete copy of my phone onto my new phone, so it will be the same as it was before without me needing to do anything? Ideally without the need to download an app on my current phone as I can't really do that. Unless I can somehow control my phone by my PC to download the app?
Any help appreciated!

Update: I may now be registered as a genius. But I managed to download windows companion for my phone.
From a lot of turning and touch typing!

So I have remote access to my phone now, is there any apps that I can install to help me acheive the above?

Mobile Android

Comments

  • bobokingdom on 10/06/2021 - 14:33

    What model is your phone? Some phones (like Samsung S Series) can connect to external monitor and keyboard so you can fully control the phone.

    • Xistn on 10/06/2021 - 15:01
      +1

      Would need developer activated (debug)

      • pformag on 10/06/2021 - 15:20

        DEX support via Windows

    • glub on 10/06/2021 - 15:52

      Samsung > Pixel > whatever I get next, looking like an S20/21

  • specks on 10/06/2021 - 14:34

    what phone?
    not possible to download an app on new phone to clone without downloading the same app on your old phone

    • glub on 10/06/2021 - 15:59

      S10 > Pixel

      Whats the best app if I could access the phone using screen mirroring or something?

      • specks on 10/06/2021 - 22:55

        samsung has inbuilt functionality called Samsung Flow. Plug into computer and can use your mouse to navigate. Not sure if it has been discontinued or what not

  • ESEMCE on 10/06/2021 - 14:47
    +2

    The only real way would be to root it and install something like Helium to run the backup.

    Then you'd need to root the new phone to recover the backup.

    • bongom on 10/06/2021 - 16:13

      A few years ago I restored a Helium backup from an old phone to a new phone without root.
      Some of the apps were no longer available to download from the play store and 1 app I used would not allow new registrations as the service had been discontinued.

  • MS Paint on 10/06/2021 - 14:53
    +1

    If you find it or invent you will be an overnight android legend (AL)

    Good luck.

    Also, do you genuinely have 100s of apps that are logged in or just exaggerating to embellish a point?

    I just counted mine. I have 8 apps that are permanently logged in.

    • glub on 10/06/2021 - 15:53

      I just went to check how many apps I have… but the screen dead.

      Maybe 100 is an exaggeration, but I have a lot! I also have a work profile that has a bunch of work specific apps.

    • glub on 10/06/2021 - 16:21
      +1

      Now I have got access to my phone, I just checked I have 93 apps lol, I am not sure how many would be logged in but I would guess quite a few!
      How many of these do I need? That's another question entirely.

  • mr-incredulous on 10/06/2021 - 15:00
    +2

    A few suggestions for you:

    1. Plug into your PC with USB cable, open as a USB drive and copy to your PC. You should be able to find all of your files, audiobooks, videos, etc.

    2. Set up screen mirroring/remote control on a PC. The problem here is that you need to enable USB debugging and then install an app which is probably too difficult. https://fossbytes.com/android-screen-mirroring-apps-pc/

    3. Replace the screen. Find instructions for your phone's model here www.ifixit.com and see whether it sounds like its within your ability.

    • ESEMCE on 10/06/2021 - 15:12
      +1

      Most phones can cast (mirror) their screen to a Chromecast and you can navigate with a mouse if touchscreen stops responding.

    • glub on 10/06/2021 - 15:58

      Thanks for the suggestions,

      The first might be an option, I guess it just won't solve the apps issue!

      I could maybe try to install it if I do it side by side with a phone that is working, but if I have to enter any email address etc I am not sure how much I trust my phone touch typing.

      Screen is too expensive to even bother with IMO.

  • NewbiefromVic on 10/06/2021 - 15:19
    +1

    Might be easier to have the phone screen replaced?

    • glub on 10/06/2021 - 15:56

      Easier, but probably way more expensive.

      The phone is probably only worth $350 screen costs around $300 at least!

  • spackbace on 10/06/2021 - 15:59

    Hmm could use an OTG adapter to plug a mouse into the phone, but you'd need to miracast to a device of some sort, for screen sharing

    That would solve the accessibility, as for the app logins I think you're SOOL. On my S20, website and app logins can be stored to my Samsung account, which wasn't an option on my S8

  • jlien on 10/06/2021 - 16:07

    If you plug a usb c dock into it, connect a mouse; keyboard and monitor you should be able to control the phone. You should then be able to install some sort of migration app onto it

  • glub on 10/06/2021 - 16:17

    Update: I may now be registered as a genius. But I managed to download windows companion for my phone.
    From a lot of turning and touch typing!

    So I have remote access to my phone now, is there any apps that I can install to help me acheive the above?

    • scrimshaw on 10/06/2021 - 17:15

      Samsung Smart Switch https://www.samsung.com/au/apps/smart-switch/ lets you download a backup of your samsung device to another Samsung phone, or store it on your PC.

      it lets you:

      Transfer wirelessly from device to device
      Transfer when Connected with a USB cable
      Backup and Restore from external storage
      Backup and Restore from PC or Mac

      Smart switch can restore complete app data for apps that don't have any encrypted data. Certain apps like those used for banking and password management will not be transferred.

      • glub on 10/06/2021 - 17:34

        Can I use this from Samsung to Pixel?

        • scrimshaw on 10/06/2021 - 17:36

          Nopes. Has to be Samsung to Samsung.

  • ShannonN on 10/06/2021 - 19:28

    where are the apps installed phone or sim card? if you can access phone on PC can you move the apps etc to sim card and just transfer sim to new phone then do the setup there?

    • spackbace on 10/06/2021 - 19:34

      where are the apps installed phone or sim card?

      You mean SD card right? You can't store apps on a sim card

      • ShannonN on 10/06/2021 - 21:27

        yeah mistyped been a long day think most ppl knew what I meant

  • dirtybigbjelke on 11/06/2021 - 09:27
    +1

    I used to use a USB On The Go cable to plug in a wired mouse, as long as the LCD still works. Then you can connect a bluetooth keyboard and use a HDMI cable to a display.

  • Noblejoker on 11/06/2021 - 09:57

    There is no way to clone a phone to a different brand that I know of, probably not even to a different model of the same brand
    There sure would be a way to back-up data, settings, etc. of individual apps and reinstate on a new phone
    I would suggest pick the small number of apps that are critical and research them individually
    Now you have access to the phone you hopefully can backup or export settings for them individually
    Cheers

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