- Screen, battery, charging port repairs — your data is not touched
- We don’t need your PIN to do a screen, battery, or port repair
- We only ask you to unlock the phone at the end — to test the repair worked
- Water damage: factory reset is sometimes needed — we always ask first
- Backing up beforehand takes 5 minutes and removes any worry
The most common repairs and your data
For the vast majority of phone repairs, your data is completely untouched. Here’s what happens for each:
The old screen is removed and a new one fitted. Your phone doesn’t need to be unlocked to do this. Your data, apps, settings and photos stay exactly as they are. We only ask you to unlock at the end so we can verify touch and display are working correctly.
The old battery is swapped out for a new one. Nothing is wiped, nothing is accessed. The phone powers off during the repair and powers back on with all your data intact. Same unlock-to-test at the end.
The port is replaced at board level. Your data is completely safe. We need you to unlock after to verify charging and data transfer are working.
What about water damage?
Water damage is the one repair where things can get complicated. In most cases we can clean and dry the board without touching your data. But in some situations — where components are corroded or the software becomes unstable — a factory reset may be required as a last step.
We will always tell you before we do anything that would affect your data and get your agreement first. We never wipe a phone without the customer knowing. If there’s a risk to your data, we’ll explain it before we start.
The one thing worth doing before any repair: back up
Even if your data won’t be touched, a fresh backup takes 5 minutes and removes any worry entirely. Here’s how:
Settings → [Your Name] → iCloud → iCloud Backup → Back Up Now. Or connect to a computer and back up via Finder (Mac) or iTunes (Windows).
Settings → Accounts and Backup → Back up data. Or use Google One Backup: Settings → Google → Backup → Back up now.
Photos backed up to Google Photos or iCloud automatically? Then they’re already safe. The backup above covers contacts, messages, settings and app data.
Do you need to give us your passcode?
No. For screen, battery and port repairs we don’t need your PIN, password, or face ID during the repair itself. The only time we’ll ask you to unlock is at the end, so we can check everything works correctly — and you can do that yourself while you’re standing at the counter.
Before handing your phone over, you can set a temporary PIN you don’t normally use. Change it back yourself at the end when you unlock to test. Some customers prefer this — completely fine with us.
What about Face ID or fingerprint after a screen repair?
On iPhones, Face ID is stored in a secure chip on the motherboard — not in the screen — so it works normally after a screen repair. For Touch ID iPhones (models with a home button), the fingerprint sensor is paired to the chip, so an OEM screen swap doesn’t affect it. On Samsung, fingerprint recognition on the screen does need re-registering after a screen replacement, which takes about 30 seconds — we’ll walk you through it.
Ready to get it fixed?
Walk in or book ahead — we’ll do a free diagnosis first and tell you exactly what needs doing. No surprises, no pressure. Clapham Junction, open 7 days.