Phone won't turn on: data recovery step by step

remarket Team · Published on 22.06.2026 · 4 min read

Handy geht nicht mehr an: Datenrettung Schritt für Schritt

Contents Step 1: charge it, but for at least 30 minutes Step 2: forced restart Step 3: read the signs of life Step 4: what NOT to do now Step 5: professional data recovery And for the future: the backup

The moment your phone stops turning on hits twice: the device may be broken, but far worse is the thought of the photos, videos and contacts on it. The reassuring news first: in most cases the data is not lost, even if the device seems dead.

Step 1: charge it, but for at least 30 minutes

A deeply discharged battery often shows nothing at all for several minutes, not even a charging symbol. Connect the device with a working cable and power adapter (if in doubt, try a different combination) and give it at least 30 minutes before drawing any conclusions.

Step 2: forced restart

If the system has merely frozen, a forced restart helps: on an iPhone, briefly press volume up, briefly press volume down, then hold the side button until the Apple logo appears. On most Android devices, hold the power button together with volume down for 10 to 20 seconds. This does not delete any data; it only restarts the system.

Step 3: read the signs of life

Vibrates or rings on a call, but the screen stays black: Good news, the device is running; only the display is broken. Your data is safe, and a display replacement will fix it.
Charging symbol appears, but startup fails: A software or battery problem, often fixable in the workshop.
No response at all, even after 30 minutes of charging: Time for the professionals.

Step 4: what NOT to do now

No dubious recovery tools from the internet, no opening the device with a kitchen knife, and above all: no repeated reset attempts via recovery modes that could wipe the device. Every wrong step can lower the chances of recovery.

Step 5: professional data recovery

Our data recovery picks up where home remedies end: the device is opened and the cause diagnosed. Often, replacing a single defective component (battery, charging port, display connection) is enough to revive it for a data backup. We then save your photos, videos, contacts and chats to a medium of your choice. Discretion and a fixed price after diagnosis included, in Basel, Bern and Solothurn.

And for the future: the backup

The best data rescuer is the backup that already exists. Enable iCloud or Google backup; once set up, it runs automatically. Our guide Setting up your iPhone and moving your data shows you how to transfer everything cleanly when switching devices.

Frequently asked questions

Are my photos gone if my phone won't turn on?

Usually not. The data sits in the storage chip and survives most defects. Often, repairing a single component is enough to revive the device for a backup.

Does a forced restart delete my data?

No. A forced restart only reboots the system; all data is preserved. Be careful, however, with recovery and reset options that wipe the device.

How much does data recovery cost?

That depends on the cause. After the diagnosis, you get a fixed price before we start the recovery.

Does data recovery work after water damage too?

Often yes, if you act quickly. Corrosion works against the clock, though, so bring the device in as soon as possible.