Samsung’s “repair mode” lets technicians look at your phone, not your data

> Any time I send a device into a manufacturer for repair, standard practice for me is to completely wipe the device if I can. I assume I'm getting a refurbished unit back since it's easier for their repair depot probably.

And I hate that, really. If I send in my phone I want my phone back, not some random schmuck's phone. I shouldn't have to worry about my phone being wiped or getting another phone entirely just because the battery died.

I don't know why we as consumers would balk at the idea of Apple/HP/Dell giving you a different, refurbished laptop when you send yours in for repair, but are okay with it potentially happening to your phone.

I also try to erase data from the phone before bringing it to the service shop. Recently the screen went unresponsive, luckily connecting a USB mouse was enough for some basic control.

I imagine that Repair mode is an enhanced version of their Emergency mode (which disables almost all the apps) while also encrypting the data partition (this way, cloning it to a refurbished phone would preserve privacy).