Recovering data from Z3 with swipe code and broken display

[arias00]

Hi there - I've had my Xperia Z3 from T-Mobile for the last 8-9 months, no issues till, well, today when I decided to test if the phone was really waterproof (1.5m for 30min as per the specs).  Verified all slots were tightly closed and used for about 15 minutes taking some pictures and video underwater (approx 50cm deep), no problem at all.  After those 15 minutes however the screen stopped responding to inputs.  It was still displaying content though (camera), just not responding to inputs.  

I was able to reboot the phone by pressing power + volume up for a few seconds. The phone seems to be rebooting fine but the screen is not displaying anything now.  I can see the screen is backlit, and if I press the volume up or down buttons I hear the usual beeps, but the screen is not displaying anything at all.  

My biggest issue now, besides what seems to be water damage on my display, is that I need to recover my phone data (images and some docs) as soon as possible.  I tried connecting it to my PC via USB to access the internal storage and get what I needed, but my phone has a swipe code and since the screen is not displaying anything I can't unlock it for my PC to see it.

In short - my phone is alive but with a non-functioning screen, and I need to recover my data somehow.  Any suggestions?  Thanks all in advance for your help!

[Uliwooly]

@arias00

Check this post

http://talk.sonymobile.com/t5/Xperia-Z3-Z3-Dual/unresponsive-screen/m-p/1007534

[arias00]

Thanks @uliwooly for your quick response!  I did see that post earlier but unfortunately my screen won't display anything so I can't really unlock the phone with a OTG cable.  Any other suggestions would be deeply appreciated!

[Uliwooly]

@arias00

Does the touchscreen work at all? because if it does, perhaps you can change the pin lock to 0000, that way it'll be easier to unlock it. 

[arias00]

@uliwooly

No, it doesn't.  It's dark and the back light goes on for a few seconds any time I push the power button.  The phone seems to be in the unlock screen but I can't do anything as nothing is displayed.

Thanks.

 -- pablo

[Uliwooly]

@arias00

You might want to connect the phone to a TV/screen with a MHL adapter to see if the phone its actually turning on (working)

[arias00]

Thanks @uliwooly that makes sense. I'm on the road overseas though so finding that cable may be hard.  I'm almost positive the phone boots fine as it beeps when you press the volume buttons, but I agree the only way to know is by seeing what's displayed.

Assuming the phone is alive and just waiting for the swipe code to unlock, is there any other way I can access its internal storage via USB?

Thanks.

 -- pablo

[Uliwooly]

@arias00

If the phone has a pin lock not that I can think of (with a broken/non working screen) 

Maybe @Thommo  or @alexdon have suggestions. 

[Thommo]

All options have been covered by @uliwooly