If your phone needs fixing, prioritize the security of your data. While smartphones are resilient, they are not invincible. Even with self-service options provided by companies like Apple and Samsung, there are instances when visiting a local iPhone and iPad repair shop or a reputable doorstep phone repair company becomes unavoidable. In such cases, it is crucial to ensure the safety of your personal information.
Our phones are incredibly personal devices, and when we entrust them to someone else, often a stranger, we must take every precaution. This thing is especially true when we have to mail our phones for repairs since they may encounter additional individuals during transit.
You can consider the following steps before you drop off your phone for repair:
Retain Control Of Your Phone Number
If you anticipate that the repair process will take some time, finding a way to stay connected is important. If your phone has a physical SIM card, you can temporarily remove it and insert it into another phone. However, newer smartphones, like Apple’s iPhone 14 models in the United States, utilize embedded SIMs, making it difficult to transfer your phone number easily.
To address this, contact your wireless carrier when you know your phone needs repairs. If you are fortunate, you can temporarily transfer your service to another phone that supports an eSIM. This list includes iPhones, newer Samsung phones, and all except the first Google Pixel phone.
If this option is unavailable, you can temporarily reactivate a physical SIM card from your previous phone. As a last resort, consider visiting a carrier store to acquire a physical SIM card that you can use in one of your older phones until your repaired device is back in operation.
Opt For The Most Secure Approach
The only foolproof way to ensure that a repair technician cannot access your files is to eliminate them before handing over your phone. Follow these steps to achieve this securely:
Back-Up Your Phone
For iPhone and IPad repair, you can back up everything to iCloud or a computer using a USB cable. The latter option is typically faster and recommended. For Android phones, backing up your installed apps, messages, preferences, and more can be done using your Google account. However, ensure that your photos and important files are in safety. Google Photos, Google Drive, or storing files on your computer are suitable options.
Erase Your Phone
Wipe your phone completely once you have confirmed that your important files are safely stored. On iPhones, open the Settings app, go to General, select Transfer or Reset iPhone, and choose the option to Erase All Contents and Settings. Android phones have different interfaces, but generally, you can go to the Settings app, select System or General Management, choose Reset, and opt for a Factory Data Reset.
Restore Your Phone
Once you have your repaired, replaced, or new phone, set it up as you would normally. During the setup process, you will get a prompt to restore from a backup. Ensure that you select the most recent backup for a seamless transition.
The Alternatives
If you are entrusting your phone to someone else for repairs, following the backup-erase-restore process is good. However, if your phone is in such poor condition that it is not usable, you can still take precautions without physically accessing it.
If Your Phone Can Still Turn On
There are helpful options available for Android phones and iPhones that can still connect to the internet. If you have previously set up your device to back up to iCloud or Google One automatically, you can check the time of the last backup and wait for the next automatic backup, if necessary. This process may reveal that you already have a workable backup or may take additional precautions.
Additionally, you can remotely erase an iPhone or Android phone from your computer, ensuring that your data is protected.
If you have an Android phone that is too damaged to perform the above steps, you can try logging out of your Google account remotely. This step prevents unauthorized access to your Gmail or Google Drive data. Here’s how to do it from a computer:
- Visit myaccount.google.com to access your account settings.
- Click on the “Security” option on the left side of the screen.
- Scroll to the “Your devices” section and click “Manage all devices.”
- Select the name of the device you want to log out of, then click “Sign out.”
If Your Phone Won’t Turn On:
Unfortunately, there are limited options if your phone is completely unresponsive. If you are concerned about the data on your phone, you can attempt to erase it as described above remotely. If the phone manages to turn on and connect to the internet, it will automatically initiate a reset.
For basic repairs like phone repair service, doorstep mobile phone repair, and iPhone & iPad repair, visiting a local repair shop like Appcessories LLC is generally acceptable because they offer exceptional repair services. However, if your phone is beyond repair and unable to turn on, it may be best to contact the manufacturer for assistance, as this increases the chances of receiving a full replacement.