Customer security - 28 Sep 2026

How to keep your phone safe before handing it in for repair

A simple customer-facing guide repair shops can share before a phone, tablet or laptop is booked in.

Customer security Phone repair Data backup Passcode
How to keep your phone safe before handing it in for repair
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Most repairs are straightforward, but a few simple steps help customers protect their photos, messages, accounts and personal information before a device is handed over.

Back up first

Back up important data before the appointment. Use iCloud, Google backup, a computer backup or another trusted method. A backup gives the customer peace of mind if the device needs deeper testing, a reset or extra work.

Lock screen privacy

Remove sensitive notifications from the lock screen where possible. Banking alerts, private messages and one-time passcodes can appear even when a device is locked.

Passwords and passcodes

Never share banking passwords, email passwords or account recovery codes. A repair shop may need a way to test the device, but customers should not hand over passwords for financial accounts or private services.

If a passcode is needed for testing, use a temporary passcode and change it again after collection. The shop should only request access when it is genuinely needed for diagnosis, camera testing, charging checks, screen testing or other repair work.

After collection

After collection, check the device, confirm key apps still work, review security settings and change any temporary passcodes. These steps keep the repair process simple while helping customers stay in control of their data.

Image credit

Image: Photo by Los Muertos Crew on Pexels, saved locally under the Pexels License.