Dead Digitizer, Unlock Screen with USB mouse?

ajames53

Hey everyone!

I have a Pixel 6a running the most recent GrapheneOS. This morning, the digitizer went out. The display still displays, but it won't accept touch input. It started out with only a small part of the screen not accepting input, so I rebooted in the hopes that it would fix the issue. But after rebooting, it won't take any touch input. So now I have a phone in Before First Unlock state.

I have almost all of my data backed up elsewhere -- photos, documents, stuff like that is all safe. However, I apparently didn't set up my Aegis OTP backup correctly, and I really need those. I tried plugging in a USB mouse and keyboard, but the cursor didn't show up and the keyboard didn't seem to do anything. I bought a Pixel 10a this afternoon, and I did some tests. It seems that, by default, USB devices don't load on the lock screen. They only loaded after unlocking, and I could use them on the lock screen after that.

Is this expected behavior? I'm guessing it is because of this issue. Or should the USB devices work on the lock screen? The only other thing I can think of is to use adb to get my data off the old phone, but again, charging only until first unlock. Well, I could also replace the screen but I would rather avoid that.

Is there anything y'all can think of to unlock this phone? I can get all the data off with a mouse, I just need to unlock it once.

Thanks in advance!

Johnnyloans

ajames53 Is this expected behavior?

Sorry to hear that mate.

settings > security > exploit protections > USB c
Is probably set to charging only or charging only when locked. No data from the keyboard or mouse can pass through.

There is an option for charging only when locked except for BFU.

The creator of GOS has suggested to use a peripheral for unlocking the phone so it should be possible.

de0u

ajames53 If the phone is configured so that only the digitizer can unlock it, and the digitizer has gone bad, and the phone must be unlocked, then replacing the digitizer seems like the only way forward.

ajames53

I'm looking at that setting on my new device. I didn't change that setting on my old one. If I'm reading it right, the default of "Charging-only when locked" disables data transfer when locked until the device is unlocked. Data transfer mode then ends as soon as the device is locked unless something is already plugged in, then it will keep data transfer available until the cable is removed.

So it sounds like data transfer will not start until the device is unlocked, just like you said. Can you point me to where the creator of GOS mentioned using a peripheral for unlocking?

ajames53

de0u I was afraid of that, thanks for confirming though. I guess it's time to do my first phone surgery in over ten years!

de0u

ajames53 I guess it's time to do my first phone surgery in over ten years!

There are complexities with Pixels. I have read that getting the fingerprint sensor transferred from one screen to another may not be easy, and may require recalibration (see forum threads for advice). If the information is genuinely necessary it might make sense to consider a repair shop.

Johnnyloans

ajames53

Let us know how it goes mate.
Here's a guide for the 6a screen replacement and fingerprint reader calibration. There are new screens that come with a new fingerprint reader as well. Then you calibrate the fingerprint reader real easy.

https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Google+Pixel+6a+Screen+Replacement/152304