Sony Support

Article ID : SX603102 / Last Modified : 01/22/2019Print

The display is black - how can I still use the phone (Xperia Z3 series)

    Question

    • How can I try to move content saved on the internal memory to an external memory when the screen is broken?

    Valid for

    • The Xperia™ Z3 series
    • Xperia Z2
    • The Xperia Z1 series
    • Xperia Z Ultra
    • Xperia Z
    • Xperia ZL
    • Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact
    • Xperia Z2 Tablet
    • Xperia Tablet Z

    Solution

    If the screen of your smartphone or tablet has stopped working, you might still be able to view what's on the device and use it as long as it's turned on. Before you hand in the device for repair, you may want to move or copy content, such as contacts or media files from your device to a memory card (SD card) or to a cloud backup service (online account). However, your device must be unlocked for this to be possible. So, if you use a screen lock on your device, you might be able to unlock the screen lock using the method described below, and then backup your content. Depending on the extent of damage to the Xperia device, the solution given here might not work.

    The screen doesn't display anything (it's black) but the touch functionality might still be working

    You might be able to mirror the display of the Xperia device on a TV. You can then navigate the device by touching the broken screen or by using the TV remote control.

    If the TV supports MHL input, you need the following:

    • an MHL cable

    If the TV supports HDMI™ input, you need the following:

    • an HDMI cable
    • an MHL to HDMI adaptor, for example, the Sony IM750.

    Note! MHL and HDMI cables and adaptors are sold separately.

    Viewing content on TVs with MHL support

    To view content from an Xperia device on a TV which supports MHL input

    1. Connect your device to the TV using an MHL cable. The TV displays the screen of your device.
    2. To navigate the Xperia device, touch the screen of the Xperia device or use the the navigation keys on the TV remote control.

    Viewing content on TVs with HDMI support

    To view content from your device on a TV which supports HDMI input

    1. Connect your device to an MHL adaptor and then connect the adaptor to a USB power supply.
    2. Connect the adaptor to a TV using an HDMI cable. The TV displays the screen of your device.
    3. To navigate the Xperia device, touch the screen of the Xperia device or use the the navigation keys on the TV remote control.