Are you struggling to get photos off an old iPhone that won’t turn on? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Using tools like iTunes, iCloud, or data recovery software, you can still retrieve those precious memories. There are several methods available that can help rescue your photos, whether or not you have a backup.
Even if your iPhone refuses to power on, all hope is not lost. Many users have successfully retrieved their data using these techniques. In this guide, you’ll learn easy steps to recover your photos from a disabled iPhone.
How to Get Pictures Off an Old iPhone That Won’t Turn On
If your old iPhone won’t power on, it can feel like your photos are gone forever. Fortunately, there are several ways you may still be able to recover your pictures—depending on whether you previously backed up your device and what caused it to stop working.
Step 1: Try Basic Power and Charging Fixes First
Before assuming the phone is permanently dead, try these quick checks:
- Charge for at least 30–60 minutes using a known working cable and wall adapter
- Force restart the iPhone
- iPhone 8 or newer: Press Volume Up → Volume Down → hold Power
- iPhone 7/7 Plus: Hold Volume Down + Power
- iPhone 6s or older: Hold Home + Power
- Clean the charging port gently with a wooden toothpick
- Try wireless charging (if supported)
If the phone turns on, immediately back up your photos to iCloud or a computer.
Step 2: Check iCloud Backups (Best Option)
If you had iCloud Photos or iCloud Backup enabled, your pictures may already be safe.
How to Check:
- Go to icloud.com on a computer or another phone
- Sign in with your Apple ID
- Click Photos
If you see your pictures there, you can download them directly—no iPhone required.
✅ This works even if the iPhone is completely dead.
Step 3: Restore Photos from an iTunes or Finder Backup
If you ever backed up your iPhone to a computer:
- Open Finder (macOS Catalina or later) or iTunes (Windows or older macOS)
- Connect a new or working iPhone
- Choose Restore from Backup
- Select the backup from your old phone
⚠️ This restores the entire backup, not just photos.
Step 4: Use Data Recovery Software (If Phone Partially Works)
If the phone shows signs of life (Apple logo, vibration, detected by computer), recovery software may help.
Popular options include:
- iMobie PhoneRescue
- Dr.Fone – iOS Data Recovery
- iMyFone D-Back
These tools may:
- Extract photos from iTunes or iCloud backups
- Recover data from a device stuck in boot loops
⚠️ Success depends heavily on the phone’s condition.
Step 5: Visit a Professional Repair or Data Recovery Service
If the phone is physically damaged or won’t power on at all:
- Apple Authorized Service Providers may repair it enough to power on
- Third-party microsoldering shops can fix logic board issues
- Data recovery specialists can extract storage chips (expensive but effective)
✅ This is often the only option for phones with water damage or dead motherboards.
Step 6: Check Other Places Photos Might Be Stored
Photos may exist outside the phone itself:
- Google Photos, Dropbox, OneDrive
- Email attachments
- Social media (Facebook, Instagram)
- Old computers where photos were imported
Search using the date range when you owned the iPhone.
What Won’t Work
- Removing the storage chip yourself (encrypted, requires original logic board)
- SIM cards (they do not store photos)
- DIY freezer or heating tricks (can permanently destroy data)
Final Tips
- Always enable iCloud Photos or regular backups
- Back up photos to more than one location
- If photos are irreplaceable, avoid repeated power attempts—this can worsen hardware damage
Quick Summary
| Situation | Best Option |
|---|---|
| iCloud enabled | Download from iCloud |
| Backed up to computer | Restore backup |
| Phone partially powers on | Recovery software |
| Completely dead | Professional data recovery |
Key Takeaways
- Check if you have backups in iTunes or iCloud.
- Use data recovery tools if no backups exist.
- Follow simple steps to retrieve photos.
Assessing the iPhone’s Condition and Retrieving Data
To retrieve photos from an old iPhone that won’t turn on, you must assess its condition first. This helps in deciding the best recovery method. Here are the key steps to take.
Understanding the State of Your iPhone
First, determine why the iPhone is not turning on. Check if it’s a power issue. The battery might be dead or the charging port damaged. Look for signs of physical damage or water exposure. If the screen is cracked or there’s water damage, the phone may need professional repair.
If the iPhone is in a loop restart or stuck on the Apple logo, it could be a firmware issue. Knowing the issue helps in finding the right solution.
Initial Steps to Recover Photos
Start with simple fixes. Charge the iPhone for at least 30 minutes. Use a different charger or cable if it doesn’t work. Next, try a force restart. For most iPhones, press and hold both the Home and the Power buttons until the Apple logo appears.
If the iPhone powers up, connect it to your computer. Use iTunes to create a backup. Check iCloud backup options if you’ve enabled them before. Explore iTunes or iCloud for photo recovery.
Professional Data Recovery Options
If basic fixes fail, using professional data recovery tools may be necessary. FoneGeek iPhone Data Recovery and MobiKin are popular tools. They can scan your iPhone or backup files for photos and data.
To use these tools, install the software on your computer. Connect the iPhone via USB and follow the instructions to recover photos. If the phone is severely damaged, consider professional services. Some companies specialize in recovering data from broken or water-damaged iPhones.
Choose a trusted service provider. They might have higher success rates for complex issues. Professional repair services can also help if the phone needs physical repairs before data recovery.
