How to Prep Your Device Before a Repair: 5-Minute Checklist

# How to Prep Your Device Before a Repair Five minutes of prep can cut a day off your repair turnaround. Here's what we ask every customer to do before dropping off. ## 1. Back up your data (if you can still use the device) This is the big one. Most screen / battery repairs don't risk your data — but sometimes a repair reveals a deeper issue, and having a backup is cheap insurance. - **iPhone:** Settings → [your name] → iCloud → iCloud Backup → Back Up Now - **Android:** Settings → Google → Backup → Back up now - **Laptop:** external drive or iCloud / OneDrive / Google Drive clone If the device won't turn on, bring it in anyway — we often have data-recovery options. ## 2. Remove screen locks, Find My, and account passwords We can't diagnose or test a phone we can't unlock. Please: - Turn off **Find My iPhone** / **Find My Device** before drop-off - Know your Apple ID / Google password (not biometrics — a full logout may be needed) - Remove screen-lock if the repair involves touch-screen testing (e.g. a new digitizer) If you're uncomfortable disabling these, come in; we'll walk you through it at the counter. ## 3. Note what the problem is — in your words "Sometimes the call quality cuts out, usually after an hour of use, only on cellular, not on Wi-Fi calling" is **ten times more useful** than "phone is broken." The more specific, the faster we triage. Write it on the bag. Screenshot error messages if you can. ## 4. Remove cases, SIM trays, and accessories Bring the device bare. We need to see the device, not the case. And cases occasionally need to be removed with force we'd rather you keep intact. Exception: **wallet cases with cards in them** — take the cards out and keep them. ## 5. Pack it so it survives the trip A shoebox with bubble wrap beats a backpack with a water bottle. If you're shipping a device in, double-box it and mark "FRAGILE" — not because shippers care, but because it's a reminder to the person carrying it the last 20 feet. --- ## On drop-off We'll ask for: - Your name, email, phone - A way to contact you with quotes + status - A signature authorizing the diagnostic (free) We email or text every status change. Most devices are back in your hands the same day. *Ready to bring one in? [Request a quote](/quote) and we'll reply with turnaround time + price.*