Should I give my phone passcode to shop for repair?

ShellBob

Can anyone advise me if I should give my passcode to a repair shop for my phone to have its screen replaced? The owner asked me for it, but I am very reluctant.  

victor2

ShellBob said:

Can anyone advise me if I should give my passcode to a repair shop for my phone to have its screen replaced? The owner asked me for it, but I am very reluctant.  

Can't you backup everything and then factory reset it?
I wouldn't willingly give a stranger access to my phone and everything it contains.

Newcad

How else do you think the technician can test if the the new screen works properly or not following the repair?

If they can't activate/access the phone they can't test it.

Either you trust them. or you go somewhere else. who will ask for the same access, or you repair it yourself.

anmarj

i just changed mine to a genric code for them doing the work, and then changed back once it had been repaired.

baser999

Newcad said:

How else do you think the technician can test if the the new screen works properly or not following the repair?

If they can't activate/access the phone they can't test it.

Either you trust them. or you go somewhere else. who will ask for the same access, or you repair it yourself.

Had a local shop replace my screen while I waited. He then asked me to unlock phone so he could test it so no need for him to be told my pin.

oldernonethewiser

I'm with victor2.

If I had to hand the phone over I would have backed it up, reset it and removed the SIM.

flaneurs_lobster

anmarj said:

i just changed mine to a genric code for them doing the work, and then changed back once it had been repaired.

How does this protect your data?

macy08

Depends what phone you have. I know Samsung have something called 'maintenance mode' which protects your data whilst in for repair.

https://www.samsung.com/ae/support/mobile-devices/protect-your-privacy-during-repairs-with-maintenance-mode/

Vectis

Newcad said:

How else do you think the technician can test if the the new screen works properly or not following the repair?

By switching the phone on?

You don't need access to the data on the phone to test if the screen works or not. That will be obvious when you start the phone up.

Simply tapping on the locked screen will show if everything has been connected up ok and the screen is responsive. There's absolutely no need for someone to delve into files, folders, photos etc to check if the screen works.

I've replaced batteries and screens for myself and family and friends, and also had it done by iFixit type people over the years, and never had to ask or be asked for the PIN code. Personally, I'd be suspicious if someone wanted to snoop around my phone. Like I said, you can see that the screen works and is touch sensitive at the lock screen stage.

But - if the place you take it insist on having the PIN code, give them a false one. They won't know it's wrong until the new screen is fitted and they try tapping in numbers to unlock it. The fact that they can type in (the wrong) numbers will show the screen is working ok. Job done.

GDB2222

Can I ask what data is stored on the sim? Two people suggested removing it.

HampshireH

GDB2222 said:

Can I ask what data is stored on the sim? Two people suggested removing it.

My SIM has a whole contact list stored on it