Essential guide · June 2026
How to back up your phone before a repair.
Taking your phone to a repair shop? Back it up first. It takes 5 minutes and protects irreplaceable photos, messages, and data. Here's how — for iPhone and Android, including what to do if your screen is broken.
Why you should always back up before a repair
Most repairs (screen replacement, battery swap, charging port) don't touch your data. But you should still back up because things can go wrong during any repair — a disconnected cable, a diagnostic factory reset, or a complication that requires the logic board to be reflowed. The 5 minutes it takes to back up is the cheapest insurance you'll ever get against losing years of photos and messages.
iPhone backup — two methods
Method 1: iCloud backup (fastest — no computer needed)
Steps: Connect to Wi-Fi → Settings → [your name] → iCloud → iCloud Backup → tap "Back Up Now." What it saves: Photos, messages, app data, settings, home screen layout, ringtones, purchase history. What it doesn't save: Apps themselves (they re-download), music you didn't buy through iTunes, data already in iCloud (contacts, calendars, notes — these are synced, not backed up). Storage: 5GB free. If you need more, 50GB costs $1.49/month — turn it on for one month, back up, then cancel. Time: 5–30 minutes depending on data size and Wi-Fi speed.
Method 2: Computer backup via Finder/iTunes (most complete)
Steps: Connect iPhone to Mac (Finder) or PC (iTunes) via USB cable → trust the computer if prompted → select the device → check "Encrypt local backup" (this includes passwords, Health data, and Wi-Fi settings) → click "Back Up Now." What it saves: Everything — a complete snapshot of your entire phone including Health data, saved passwords, and app-specific data that iCloud doesn't capture. Time: 10–60 minutes depending on phone storage used. When to use this: If you have sensitive data you can't risk losing, or if you don't want to pay for iCloud storage.
Pro tip: Do BOTH. iCloud backup as your safety net (it happens automatically overnight if enabled), plus a computer backup before the repair for a complete snapshot. Belt and suspenders.
Android backup — Samsung, Pixel, and others
Google Drive backup (all Android phones)
Steps: Settings → System → Backup (path varies by brand: Samsung uses Settings → Accounts and Backup → Google Drive). Toggle on "Back up to Google Drive" → tap "Back Up Now." What it saves: Contacts, app data, call history, SMS messages, device settings, Wi-Fi passwords. Photos: Google Photos must be backed up separately — open Google Photos → Settings → Backup → toggle on. 15GB free across Google Drive + Gmail + Photos. Time: 5–20 minutes.
Samsung Cloud (Samsung phones only)
Steps: Settings → Accounts and Backup → Samsung Cloud → Back up data. What it saves: Home screen layout, Samsung app data (Samsung Notes, Samsung Internet bookmarks, Samsung Health), phone settings. Storage: 5GB free with Samsung account. Use alongside Google Drive — Samsung Cloud covers Samsung-specific data that Google Drive misses, and vice versa.
Manual USB backup (most reliable for photos)
Steps: Connect phone to PC via USB → on the phone, select "File Transfer" (MTP) mode → open File Explorer on PC → navigate to the phone → copy these folders to your PC: DCIM (camera photos), Pictures (screenshots, app-saved images), Documents, Downloads, WhatsApp/Media (if you use WhatsApp). Time: 10–60 minutes depending on how many photos you have. When to use: When you want physical copies of your files that don't depend on any cloud service.
What if your screen is broken?
This is the tricky scenario — your phone needs repair but you can't interact with the screen to start a backup. Here's what to do for each situation:
Screen is cracked but touch still works: Back up normally using the methods above. A cracked screen that still responds to touch is fully functional for backup purposes. Do the backup before taking it in for repair.
Screen is completely black but phone is on (vibrates, makes sounds): See our black screen guide. For backup: iPhone — if you've previously trusted this computer, connect via USB and Finder/iTunes can back up without any screen interaction. If you haven't trusted the computer before, you need the screen working to tap "Trust" (catch-22). Android — if USB debugging was enabled in developer settings, you can use ADB commands to pull files. If not, connect via USB and check if the computer recognises it in file transfer mode.
Phone is completely dead: You can't back up a dead phone. But check whether automatic cloud backup was enabled before it died — sign in to icloud.com (iPhone) or drive.google.com (Android) from another device and see if your data is there. If it is, you're covered even if the repair goes wrong.
Important: If your phone needs water damage repair, do NOT try to back up by charging or connecting it to a computer. The priority is getting it to a repair shop for ultrasonic cleaning ASAP. Connecting a wet phone to power risks short-circuiting the logic board, which can destroy your data permanently. Let the shop handle the backup after cleaning.
What to tell the repair shop about your data
Before handing over your phone, ask: "Will you need to factory reset my phone during the repair?" For screen/battery/port repairs, the answer should be no. For water damage or logic board repairs, it might be yes. Knowing this upfront sets your expectations.
Remove your screen lock? No. Some shops ask you to remove your passcode before they work on it. Don't do this — a reputable shop doesn't need your passcode for a hardware repair. They test the screen, battery, or port using their own test tools, not by logging into your phone. If a shop insists on your passcode, find a different shop. See our guide to finding a trustworthy shop.
Disable Find My iPhone / Find My Device? Sometimes. Apple authorised service requires Find My iPhone to be disabled before they'll start work. Independent shops don't usually require this — but if your repair involves a logic board or motherboard replacement, you may need to disable it afterward to re-activate the phone.
Quick backup checklist
iPhone: Settings → [name] → iCloud → iCloud Backup → Back Up Now. Done.
Samsung: Settings → Accounts and Backup → Google Drive → Back Up Now. Then: Google Photos → Settings → Backup → On.
Pixel / other Android: Settings → System → Backup → Back Up Now. Then: Google Photos → Settings → Backup → On.
Everyone: Make sure you know your Apple ID password (iPhone) or Google account password (Android). You'll need these to restore after the repair if a reset is needed.
For pricing on any repair, use the repair calculator or browse all 75+ models with pricing.