Back Up Your Phone Before Repair: Here's How

Phone tips

You're bringing your phone in for a screen or battery replacement. Good call. One thing to do first: back it up. Repairs rarely touch your data, but any time a device is opened, a fresh backup is cheap insurance. Here's the fastest way on each platform.

iPhone: iCloud backup

1. Connect to Wi-Fi.
2. Go to Settings → tap your name → iCloud → iCloud Backup.
3. Tap Back Up Now and wait for it to finish.

If you're out of iCloud space, back up to a computer instead: plug into a Mac (Finder → select iPhone → Back Up Now) or a Windows PC (iTunes → Back Up Now). A computer backup is free and unlimited.

Android: Google One backup

1. Go to Settings → Google → Backup.
2. Make sure "Backup by Google One" is on.
3. Tap Back up now.

This covers apps, call history, contacts, settings, and SMS. For photos and videos, open Google Photos and confirm backup is complete. Look for "Backup complete" in the app before you hand over the phone.

Don't forget these

• Authenticator apps: if you use Google Authenticator or similar for two-factor login, make sure it's backed up or transferred, losing it can lock you out of accounts.
• WhatsApp chats: back these up separately inside WhatsApp (Settings → Chats → Chat Backup), they're not included in the standard phone backup.
• Know your passwords: you'll need your Apple ID / Google account password after some repairs. Make sure you know it before you come in.

What about your privacy?

A reputable shop doesn't need your passcode for a screen or battery repair, and shouldn't ask to browse your phone. At our Escondido shop, we test with our own SIM and ask for your passcode only if a repair genuinely requires it (like testing Face ID), and you're welcome to remove sensitive content beforehand. Your data stays yours.

Related: cracked screen? here's what to do · phone repair in Escondido