Phonewell
Hand your phone in for repair without sharing your data
Maintenance mode, step by step on Samsung and Pixel phones.
Why it helps
The repair shop gets a clean, separate account to test the phone, while your photos, messages and apps stay locked away.
What you'll notice
The phone restarts into an empty account. Your own data comes back when you turn the mode off with your PIN.
When to use it
When you hand your phone in for repair, then turn on Maintenance mode first.
How to set it up
Pick your phone.
Samsung Galaxy
- Settings
- Device care
- Maintenance mode
- Tap "Device care", then "Maintenance mode".
- Tap "Turn on" and let the phone restart.
Based on reports from owners and the tech press. We have not yet checked it on a phone ourselves.
Google Pixel
- Settings
- System
- Repair mode
- Tap "System", then "Repair mode".
- Follow the steps and let the phone restart.
Based on reports from owners and the tech press. We have not yet checked it on a phone ourselves.
How to undo it
Turn the mode off and enter your PIN to get your own data back.
Labels can differ. Menu names and their order vary between models and can change with a system update. If a step doesn't match your phone, search Settings for the feature name or one of its other names: Repair mode.