How do I recover my photos on a phone with a broken screen?

ColonelCha wrote:

I dropped my iPhone 12 Pro and the screen turned black. The phone itself still works but its just a black screen. I'm trying to recover my photos that did not get uploaded to icloud because I did not have enough storage.

Hope this info helps

Try doing a force restart Force restart iPhone - Apple Support

if that doesn't work, there isn't much you can do with a broken screen.

Icloud storage should've been purchased once your storage was full so that way you could've backed up or synced your data to the cloud.

Not sure why you waited until a crisis to try and save your data.

I haven't done this:

Connect iPhone to a display with a cable - Apple Support

but it might be worth a try. Unfortunately, you may have to answer questions like "Trust this Device?" that require you to tap on the screen, or Enter Passcode, so it's another long shot.

Have you gone to one of those places that replaces broken screens? It might cost more than it's worth. On the other hand they may have tools to help.

If all else fails make an appointment at the nearest Genius Bar and have Apple take a look at it. If the screen can be fixed that would preserve your photos and other data. They may have methods to recover data from a non-working screen.

Also if you plan on getting another iPhone Apple should be able to transfer your photos and data to the new phone.

Another possibility is to connect your iPhone to your Mac and launch Image Capture. You will be asked to unlock your iPhone and if the face recognition is still working you can unlock the phone and recover your photos.

If you are (somehow) certain your iPhone is still functioning behind the black screen, you could try using another device to increase your iCloud storage quota and see if any more of your photos and videos get uploaded.

Even if the phone is still working, it is a long shot. Being connected to iCloud Photos with a full iCloud storage quota can have unpredictable and unpleasant effects on the library on your phone (judging by complaints we see here).