Menu
If you are reading this, you are likely already experiencing an issue with your device. You’re not alone! More than 50 million Americans will break their smartphone this year. Luckily finding a reliable and trusted repair professional is as easy as searching a repair location near you in the WISE™ Certification Repair Store Directory.
But what should you do prior to handing your phone over to a repair technician? We are here to help!
First, review all your available warranty options.
Between the device manufacturers, carriers, and insurance providers, many people are unaware that they have options when it comes to fixing their broken device. It is always smart to check which warranty options you already have available before you visit a repair service provider.
Some warranty providers may ask for your sales receipt, invoice, or warranty paperwork. Please check that you have the necessary paperwork prior to going to your selected repair shop. Understanding your warranty options may save you money on your repair.
Do not worry, if your device is not currently covered by an existing warranty, repair shops can absolutely still help you!
Next, backup your smartphone.
Thankfully, most devices that are running the most current OS (operating systems) tend to backup automatically when plugged into power and when connected to a wireless network. This minimizes the risk of losing data on your device.
Remove SIM and Micro SD Cards.
This may seem silly to some and obvious to others, but it’s always smart to keep your SIM or SD Card in your possession while your device is under repair. If your SIM or SD card falls into the wrong hands by mistake, it is at risk of misuse. By keeping the SIM or SD cards in your possession, you can also use the existing card in other devices to ensure you don’t miss any important calls while your phone is under repair.
Temporarily remove security locks.
As a best practice, technicians should not require passcodes to perform repair services. If a technician requests your passcode and you are not comfortable sharing it, ask the technician to perform the required test under your supervision. If you feel comfortable allowing the technician to bypass the device’s security locks without your supervision, then you will want to disable any PINs, fingerprint or pattern locks prior to the repair. This will allow the repair technician to easily test the performance and functionality of your phone once they believe they have properly repaired your device.
Unlink personal accounts.
Be sure to unlink your phone from personal accounts and applications such as e-mail, messengers, social media accounts, or anywhere else your phone may have stored personal data. Many of these account types have an option to ‘log out all devices’ in the system settings. This ensures the repair technician does not have access to your personal data.
Remove any personal data.
This includes photos, videos, chats, memos, and any other personal content you may have created that you wish to keep private. This is as easy as deleting the content from your device until the phone is back in your possession.
You should know your IMEI number.
IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is a unique fifteen-digit serial number that every device in world is assigned at the factory level. If your device is mistakenly given to the wrong person, lost or stolen, you can identify your device by referencing this unique IMEI number.
If you’re having trouble locating the IMEI, dial *#06# on the dial pad. Your phone’s IMEI number will appear on the screen.
To check if your device is lost or stolen, reference the CTIA Stolen Phone Checker at https://stolenphonechecker.org using your device’s unique IMEI number.
Remove cases and screen protectors.
The technician will need to remove your case and screen protector to properly triage and repair the device. By removing them yourself, you ensure they are not mishandled during the repair.
Find an industry-recognized and certified repair shop.
WISE™ Certification has already vetted more than 2,000 Repair Shops and 17,500 Repair Technicians in the US, Canada and Ireland. The Repair Shop Directory is a great way to find a trusted retailer with certified technicians near you!
Share details how the damage happened with the technician.
Now that you have found a quality repair shop near you, make sure to discuss all issues with the technician. A phone that went through your dryer will be serviced differently than a phone that was dropped on the sidewalk. Be open and honest about what happened so the technician can repair your phone as quickly and accurately as possible.
Tips to further secure your data.
For those who are more tech savvy we suggest encrypting your data. This is not a critical step for the majority of smartphone owners, but is useful for those with heightened privacy concerns.
Utilizing the “factory reset” feature will remove all your data from the phone. You should only factory reset the device after you have backed up the device to cloud storage, and have verified the data resides in the cloud. You may want to discuss with the technician if this is a necessary step for you.
If your phone does not have a SIM Card or SD card, you might consider contacting your network provider to deactivate service during the repair. This ensures your device is not used by unauthorized individuals while the device is with the repair shop for service, and not in your possession.
Lastly, always ask to review the repair shop’s privacy policy.
While this may seem like a lot of effort to prepare a device for repair, these are important steps that can facilitate a more confident repair experience for you. Should you need additional guidance, don’t hesitate to visit a WISE™ Certified Repair Shop. WISE technicians are professionally trained to simplify the repair process and get your device back up and running as soon as possible. When you see the WISE™ owl on the repair shop door, know that you have chosen your repair service provider wisely!
© CTIA Certification
