220-1101 Mobile Devices Practice Question
A user dropped their smartphone and the touchscreen is now completely unresponsive. The display shows the home screen normally, the device powers on, and physical buttons (power, volume) work. The user has already performed a forced restart (holding power and volume down) but the touchscreen remains unresponsive. The device is not backed up, and the user needs to recover data before sending it for repair. Which of the following is the NEXT best step?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many candidates assume a forced restart or factory reset will fix a hardware failure, or that connecting to a computer automatically grants file access without on-screen confirmation, ignoring the digitizer's role in user authentication for data transfer.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use an external mouse via USB-OTG
Using an external mouse via USB-OTG (On-The-Go) bypasses the broken digitizer by sending touch input through the USB host controller, allowing the user to navigate the phone and initiate data transfer. Since the display and system are functional, this method enables data recovery without repair or data loss.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Connect the phone to a computer and use file management software to extract data
Why it's wrong here
A direct USB connection typically uses MTP, which requires the user to accept a permission prompt on the phone and often needs the screen unlocked. With a dead touchscreen, you cannot grant that authorization, and if USB debugging was not previously enabled, ADB commands will be rejected. Additionally, file encryption tied to the lock screen prevents data extraction without valid decryption, making this method unreliable.
- ✗
Replace the digitizer assembly
Why it's wrong here
Swapping the digitizer assembly is a hardware replacement that does not itself recover any data and can take significant time, tools, and technical skill. The phone must still boot, and you must still unlock the screen to access files, so the new digitizer only restores touch input after installation. Moreover, opening the device risks electrostatic discharge or cable damage, which could permanently destroy the storage and the data you were trying to save.
- ✓
Use an external mouse via USB-OTG
Why this is correct
A USB-OTG adapter allows connecting a wired or wireless mouse to the phone. The pointer appears on screen, enabling navigation to back up data or enable USB debugging. This is the least invasive and most effective next step.
- ✗
Perform a factory reset from recovery mode
Why it's wrong here
A factory reset from recovery mode deliberately wipes the userdata partition and rebuilds the filesystem, erasing all apps, settings, and personal files in the process. It also invalidates the existing filesystem encryption keys, making any remnants unrecoverable. Since the stated goal is to recover data, this option is the opposite of helpful and should only be considered after the user has accepted total data loss or a backup already exists.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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