What should I do before taking my phone for repair?

Five essential steps: (1) Back up everything — iCloud, Google Drive, or computer backup. (2) Remove your eSIM or note your carrier details for re-activation. (3) Sign out of banking apps and disable 2FA temporarily if possible. (4) Remove your case and screen protector. (5) Know your model number and the exact problem. Optional but smart: take photos of the phone's condition before handing it over, and note the IMEI (dial *#06#).

Should I factory reset my phone before repair?

No — don't factory reset before a repair. The technician needs the phone in its current state to test that the repair was successful (they need to verify touch, Face ID, fingerprint, cameras, speakers all work). A factory reset also makes data recovery impossible if the repair goes wrong. Just sign out of sensitive apps (banking, email) and back up. The shop doesn't need your passwords or personal data to replace a screen.

What should I check when picking up my repaired phone?

Before leaving the shop, verify: (1) The repaired component works (test screen touch in all corners, verify charging, check camera). (2) Face ID or fingerprint still works. (3) All speakers and microphones work (make a test call). (4) No new damage (scratches, dents, gaps between screen and frame). (5) Get a written receipt showing what was done, what part was used, and the warranty period. (6) Check the screen for dead pixels by displaying a solid white and solid black image.

Phone repair checklist — before, during, and after

Before the repair (10 minutes that matter)

1. Back up everything

iPhone: Settings → [your name] → iCloud → iCloud Backup → Back Up Now. Or connect to a Mac/PC and back up via Finder/iTunes. Android: Settings → System → Backup → Back up now. This is non-negotiable — if the repair requires a factory reset or something goes wrong, your backup is your safety net. If the screen is broken and you can't access settings, connect to a computer via USB (see our black screen guide for data recovery options).

2. Handle your eSIM

If you use an eSIM (no physical SIM card), remove the eSIM profile before handing over the phone. This prevents the shop from receiving your calls/texts and protects your carrier account. Full step-by-step instructions for Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone eSIM removal and re-activation. If you use a physical SIM, pop it out and keep it with you.

3. Sign out of sensitive apps

Sign out of banking apps, email, and any app with payment information. You don't need to sign out of everything — just the apps that could cost you money if someone accessed them. Do NOT factory reset — the technician needs the phone working to test the repair. Just sign out of the sensitive ones.

4. Disable Find My iPhone / Google Find My Device

iPhone: Settings → [your name] → Find My → Find My iPhone → toggle off. Android: Settings → Security → Find My Device → toggle off. Some repairs require a restart, and Activation Lock can prevent the technician from testing the phone after the repair. You can re-enable it immediately after pickup.

5. Remove case and screen protector

The technician needs these off anyway. Remove them at home so you don't forget them at the shop. If your screen protector is expensive (like a Whitestone Dome), ask the shop if they can remove and reapply it — most will do this for free.

6. Document the phone's condition

Take photos of all sides of the phone before handing it over. Note any existing scratches, dents, or cosmetic issues. This protects you if the shop causes additional damage during the repair — you have photo evidence of the phone's pre-repair condition. Also note your IMEI number (dial *#06#) — this proves the phone is yours.

7. Know your repair details

Know your exact phone model (Settings → About → Model Name) and the specific problem. "My screen is cracked" is better than "my phone is broken." Check the repair cost on the repair calculator so you know what a fair quote looks like before you walk in. Read our guide to finding a good shop if you haven't chosen one yet.

At the shop (what to ask and agree)

8. Get a quote in writing before they start

A good shop gives you a firm quote (or narrow range) before touching your phone. "I won't know until I open it" is acceptable for complex issues (water damage, unknown faults) but not for a straightforward screen or battery replacement. Never agree to "we'll let you know" without a maximum price.

9. Ask the three critical questions

"What grade of part will you use?" — you want to hear OEM, hard OLED, or genuine refurbished. "Will Face ID / fingerprint still work?" — tests their knowledge and part quality. "What's your warranty?" — 90 days minimum is the industry standard. Full explanation of what these answers mean in our trustworthy shop guide.

10. Confirm turnaround time

Most screen and battery repairs are same-day (30–90 minutes). Water damage is 24–72 hours. If the shop quotes longer than expected, ask why — they may need to order parts. Full turnaround reference in our repair time guide.

After the repair (check before you leave)

11. Test the repaired component

Screen replacement: Test touch in all four corners and centre. Open a drawing app and draw diagonal lines — look for gaps or missed touches. Display a solid white image and solid black image — check for dead pixels, light bleed, or colour inconsistency. Test auto-brightness. Battery: Check battery health percentage (it should read 100% on a new battery). Charging port: Plug in a cable — it should click in firmly and charge immediately.

12. Verify biometrics

iPhone Face ID: Settings → Face ID & Passcode — verify it's still active. Try unlocking with your face. If Face ID is gone, the TrueDepth module wasn't transferred correctly — this is the shop's responsibility to fix. Samsung fingerprint: Settings → Biometrics → Fingerprints — test each registered finger. If fingerprint is gone, the screen doesn't support the ultrasonic sensor. See our fingerprint guide. True Tone (iPhone): Settings → Display & Brightness — check if True Tone toggle is present. Missing True Tone confirms an aftermarket screen. See our screen quality test guide.

13. Check for collateral damage

Make a phone call (tests earpiece speaker + microphone). Play music out loud (tests loudspeaker). Take a photo (tests camera). Test the vibration motor. Check all buttons. Look for new scratches, dents, or gaps between the screen and frame. Under Australian Consumer Law, the shop must not make the phone worse than it was before — any new damage is their responsibility.

14. Get a proper receipt

The receipt should state: what repair was done, what part was used (grade/brand), the warranty period, total cost paid, and the date. This receipt is your warranty claim evidence if anything goes wrong. A shop that won't give a detailed receipt is a red flag.

15. Re-enable everything

Turn Find My iPhone / Find My Device back on. Re-download your eSIM from your carrier (carrier-specific instructions). Sign back into your banking and email apps. Re-insert your physical SIM if applicable. Apply a new screen protector if the old one was removed.

The quick-reference version

Before: Back up → remove eSIM/SIM → sign out of banks → disable Find My → remove case → photograph condition → know your model + fair price.

At the shop: Written quote → ask about part grade, biometrics, warranty → confirm turnaround time.

After: Test screen corners → verify Face ID/fingerprint → test speakers/camera → check for new damage → get detailed receipt → re-enable Find My → re-download eSIM → sign back into apps.

For pricing: Repair calculator | All 75+ models | Find a local shop

The complete phone repair checklist.