Need to repair your smartphone? Here’s what to do; plus a list of independent service centres in Bengaluru

Remove the SIM card and keep it safe

Our phone numbers are our digital identity and nowadays they are linked to a slew of digital services. Always remove the SIM card before handing over the device for repair, even if it is for just a couple of hours. If you have a spare smartphone, we recommend inserting your SIM card into it and keeping the line active.

Backup all your files

The Sandisk Ultra Dual Drive Go USB-C is a perfect device to use as a backup to save all your important files and to create a backup for files that don’t need to be on your iPhone or Android smartphone all the time. (Nandagopal Rajan / Express photo)

If your smartphone is still in working condition, a full backup and reset is a must before getting it repaired. However, some brands like Samsung offer a dedicated repair mode which ensures that your private data cannot be accessed by the service centre.

If there is an issue with the motherboard, there is a high probability that you might lose all the data stored on the device, and in case the device has completely broken down, you might not be able to back up any of the data. This is why it is important to use cloud storage services like Google Drive to upload all important media, documents, and WhatsApp messages.

Request a ‘transparent’ repair

When relying on an independent smartphone repair service, ask them if they can repair the device in front of you. If not, you can also ask them to share a video of the repair process. These additional steps reduce the likelihood of the repair centre taking advantage of the situation, which could prove troublesome for you later on.

While official service centres have a fixed price when it comes to repairing smartphones, when approaching third-party stores, one can always bargain for a better deal. The latter also offer more options, including the use of genuine, used, or third-party components.

This is important, especially if the repair is related to the battery or screen, as a third-party component can hamper the overall user experience, and they also need to be careful while repairing the device. In the wrong hands, use of third-party components could even harm the device.

The price and experience will vary depending on the service centre you approach. Try to look for a centre that specialises in repairing the brand of phone you use. For example, some repair stores are known for their expertise in repairing iPhones, while others mostly deal with Samsung devices.

How to choose the right smartphone repair centre?

The right smartphone repair centre need not be the one that is closest to your home, but spotting a good one is pretty straightforward. Always look for Google reviews of the store – not just a higher rating, but check the number of users who have rated the store.

Even if the centre offers online booking for repairs, we recommend calling the store, explaining the issue, and getting a quote. This is likely to get you an estimate that is closer to the actual price of repair.

Here are some of the best smartphone repair centres in Bengaluru: