Most repairs don't touch your data, but it's always smart to have a fresh backup before handing a phone over. A backup also protects you if the phone gets lost, stolen or damaged beyond repair.
iPhone
iCloud backup
- Connect to Wi-Fi.
- Go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup.
- Turn on Back Up This iPhone, then tap Back Up Now and wait until it finishes.
Free iCloud storage is 5 GB, so you may need more storage or to back up to a computer instead.
Computer backup
- On a Mac, connect the phone and open it in Finder. On Windows, use the Apple Devices app or iTunes.
- Choose Back up all of the data on your iPhone to this computer. Ticking Encrypt local backup also saves passwords and health data. Write down the password you choose.
Android
- Go to Settings and search for Backup. On most phones it's under Google > Backup.
- Make sure Backup by Google One is on, then tap Back up now.
- Photos and videos are backed up separately in Google Photos. Check that backup is on and finished.
Samsung phones can also back up to Samsung Cloud or to a computer with Smart Switch.
Don't forget
- Two-factor authentication apps like Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator. Use their export or cloud backup option, or make sure you have backup codes.
- Chat apps like WhatsApp have their own backup setting inside the app.
- Know your passcode and account passwords (Apple ID or Google account). You'll need them to restore.
Before you hand it over
- Check the backup actually finished. Look at the date and time of the last backup.
- Ask whether the repair needs your passcode, or whether the phone should be left with Find My turned off.
- Remove any case, and make note of any existing damage.
With a current backup, you can get your phone repaired with peace of mind.