Your phone probably holds years of photos, your messages, your banking apps and the codes you use to log in to almost everything. Most repairs don't touch any of that, but it's still worth preparing. Ten minutes now can save a lot of worry later.
Why back up, even for a simple repair?
Screen, battery and port replacements don't normally affect stored data. But no repairer can promise that in every case. Phones with liquid damage can fail during or after a repair, and some software faults can only be fixed by resetting the phone, which erases it. A recent backup means none of that is a disaster.
Back up your phone
iPhone
- iCloud: go to Settings, tap your name, then iCloud, then iCloud Backup, and tap Back Up Now. Stay on Wi-Fi until it finishes.
- Computer: connect to a Mac and use Finder, or to a Windows PC and use the Apple Devices app or iTunes.
Android
- Google backup: look in Settings for Google, then Backup (the exact location varies by make). Check it has run recently.
- Samsung: you can also use Samsung Cloud or Smart Switch to back up to a computer.
Check your photos separately
If you use iCloud Photos or Google Photos, open the app and check your most recent photos have finished uploading.
Don't forget your messaging apps
WhatsApp chats are backed up separately from the rest of the phone. In WhatsApp, go to Settings, then Chats, then Chat backup, and run a backup to iCloud or Google Drive. Other messaging apps may have their own backup settings too.
Two-factor login codes
If you use an authenticator app for logging in to accounts, check that you have backup codes or another sign-in method saved somewhere safe. Some authenticator apps can sync to an account; others can't be recovered if the phone is reset. Banking apps may also need re-registering, so make sure you know how to do that.
If your phone won't turn on
You won't be able to back it up first. Tell the repairer clearly if your data matters to you and you don't have a recent backup. That can affect how they approach the repair, and they should talk to you before doing anything that could put it at risk.
Protect your privacy
- Remove your SIM and memory card, unless the repairer needs the SIM to test calls. Ask.
- Use a maintenance or repair mode if your phone has one. Many recent Samsung Galaxy phones have Maintenance mode, which hides your personal data behind a separate profile while the phone is being worked on. It's usually found under Battery and device care in Settings, though the location varies.
- Find My or Find My Device. Some repairs or repairers may ask you to turn this off. Ask whether it's needed, and remember to turn it back on afterwards.
- Sign out of anything particularly sensitive if you'd feel more comfortable, but you don't normally need to factory reset your phone for a repair.
Questions to ask the repairer about access
- Do you need my passcode? What for?
- Can I unlock the phone myself when you need to test it, instead of leaving the code?
- Will anyone need to open my photos, messages or apps?
- Where is the phone stored while it's with you?
A good repairer will explain why they need any access. There are more questions worth asking in our guide on what to ask before booking a phone repair in High Wycombe.
After the repair
- Check your photos, contacts, messages and key apps are all there.
- Test the repaired part, and calls, camera, Wi-Fi and charging, before you leave.
- Turn Find My back on if you switched it off, and exit any maintenance mode.
- Change your passcode if you shared it.
- Make sure automatic backups have resumed.
