Do I Have to Give My Passcode for a Phone Repair? (And Can the Shop See My Photos?)

🔑 Do I Have to Give My Passcode?

Not always. Most repairs, like screens, batteries, and charging ports, don't touch your data. Apple recommends never sharing your passcode. You can type it in yourself when it's needed. If you'd like me to finish those steps for you, you can choose to share it. That's always your call, and I only need it for that.

Never give your Apple Account password to anyone, including us. Apple says the same. If Apple's Repair Assistant step needs it, you type it in yourself, or finish that step at home.

📸 Can a Repair Shop See My Photos?

Anyone holding an unlocked phone could open your apps. That's why it's fair to ask. Here's how we handle it:

• We don't browse your photos, messages, or apps.
• We never wipe or reset your phone without asking you first.
• Your phone stays at a small home-based workshop, not behind a busy counter.
• You can test the phone yourself while we watch.

🧪 What We Can Test Without Your Code

• Screen color, brightness, and touch on the Lock Screen.
• Charging and the charging port.
• Speakers and the camera from the Lock Screen.
• Buttons and vibration.

Some checks, like Face ID setup or app tests, may need you to unlock the phone. You can do that yourself.

🤖 Samsung Maintenance Mode and Pixel Repair Mode

Samsung: Maintenance mode creates a separate user account so your photos and messages stay hidden. Samsung says it needs One UI 5 or higher. Go to Settings > Device care > Maintenance mode > Turn on, then follow the prompts to restart. Menu names can vary. See Samsung's guide.

Google Pixel: Repair Mode starts a clean, separate system so your data stays protected. Go to Settings > System > Repair mode. Google says not to share your PIN with the technician. See Google's guide.

Both companies still say to back up first. More on repairs: Samsung Galaxy repair, Google Pixel repair.

📲 What to Do Before Any Repair

• Back up to iCloud, Google, or a computer.
• Know your passcode so you can test the phone after.
• Ask if your repair needs the Repair Assistant step. With Find My on, you finish it at home; or turn Find My off before drop-off. More in iOS 27 Ready for Repair or Trade In.
• Remove any cards from your case.

If your phone won't turn on and your photos matter most, tell us. We'll focus on getting it running long enough to back it up when possible. See Water-Damaged Phone? What to Do in the First Hour. Prices: iPhone screen repair prices, iPhone 14 prices, iPhone 15 prices. Not sure what's wrong? See the iPhone diagnostics guide.