Openai/695a7af2-5e84-8010-9788-4cb115a7cf10

This conversation was exported from ChatGPT

gpt-5-2

User: Can I get the pictures off my cellphone that has a swollen battery?

Can I get the pictures off my cellphone that has a swollen battery?

Assistant: Yes — often you can, but how you do it matters a lot for safety.

Yes — often you can, but how you do it matters a lot for safety. A swollen battery is a fire risk, so the goal is to recover photos without charging or stressing the phone.

Here are the safest options, from best to worst:

✅ Best & Safest Options

1. Use a computer (no charging)

If the phone still turns on without being plugged in:

• Turn it on briefly
• Connect it to a computer with a USB cable
• Copy photos/videos directly

⚠️ Stop immediately if:

• The phone gets hot
• The screen lifts more
• It smells sweet/metallic or hisses

2. Cloud recovery (even if phone is now off)

If you ever had cloud backup enabled:

Android

• Google Photos → photos.google.com
• Google Drive → drive.google.com

iPhone

• iCloud → icloud.com → Photos

👉 This works even if the phone is now dead.

3. Phone repair shop data recovery

Many repair shops will:

• Temporarily disconnect/remove the swollen battery
• Power the phone safely
• Extract your photos

This is very common and much safer than DIY battery removal.

⚠️ What NOT to Do

❌ Do not charge the phone ❌ Do not press the screen flat ❌ Do not puncture or bend the battery ❌ Do not leave it in heat or sunlight

A swollen battery can ignite without warning.

🧯 If the phone is already badly swollen

• Place it on a non-flammable surface (ceramic, concrete)
• Keep it away from people and pets
• If needed, put it in a metal container (not airtight)

💡 Important question (so I can give you the safest next step):

• Does the phone still turn on at all?
• Android or iPhone?
• Is the screen lifting or cracked?

Once I know that, I can walk you through the exact safest method for your situation.