Need help copying photos from old iPhone 4

Question

Level 1

14 points

Need help copying photos from old iPhone 4

I have an old iPhone 4. I think its battery is dead, but I can get it to live if connected to a charger.

I need to copy photos from it.

When I connect it using a USB cable to a macbook air and try to use iTunes, it is not showing up on iTunes.

The phone is showing no request to trust the device. Instead it shows a picture with iTunes and usb cable. I have attached a screenshot. So on one hand the phone seem to be alive when connected, but at the same time, no way to proceed. This phone has never been backed up, neither to the macbook, nor to the closud.

I would appreciate any constructive help.

Thanks

https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipPVrGuv3Uq66iVuut8jV6EyXyvP2TKTlg3XfT0U

Windows, Windows 10

Posted on Jan 23, 2026 9:23 AM

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Answer 1

edclange

Level 5

4,962 points

Jan 23, 2026 10:27 AM in response to MarkNYRock

The picture you describe, an iPhone showing the iTunes logo and a cable, usually means that iOS on the device has crashed in such a way that it has put itself into Recovery Mode. It needs the help of a computer to reinstall iOS. Modern iPhones show a different image.

When an iPhone gets into this state, it almost always means that the data on it cannot be retrieved. You could try forcing a restart by holding down the Power and Home buttons until the screen changes. But chances are it either will not work or go right back to the Recovery Mode screen. There may be third party tools that can help but I have not used any of them.

I do recall a time when my first generation iPhone went into recovery mode, and removing the SIM card caused it to come back to life without erasing its data. That was right after I had it unlocked from AT&T, when the unlock procedure was complicated. You could try removing the SIM card and see what happens, but I wouldn't put much hope in that.

See If the Restore screen appears on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

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Answer 2

MarkNYRock Author

Level 1

14 points

Jan 23, 2026 11:09 AM in response to edclange

This seems exactly my case. I've tried a hard restart as you described, but after that it still comes to the same screen. Now I know that this means it is in Recovery Mode. I believe SIM card is not removable on this model. I'm not sure whether or not it is still locked by the original provider: Verizon.

I've already tried a couple of 3rd party tools, no success.

In any case, your info is very clear and helpful.

Thanks!

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Answer 3

KiltedTim

Level 10

226,512 points

Jan 23, 2026 11:00 AM in response to MarkNYRock

It's in recovery mode. There is no data left on the device. There are no photos on it to copy. Toss it in the recycle bin at the Apple Store or your local electronics store. It's a lost cause.

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Answer 4

KiltedTim

Level 10

226,512 points

Jan 23, 2026 11:21 AM in response to MarkNYRock

The Verizon iPhone 4 is a CDMA device. There is no SIM. It was only possible to use it on Verizon. It is no longer usable as a phone. CDMA is dead.

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