Prepare your phone for service
— a short guide
Samsung has a one-tap option (Maintenance Mode). iPhone in most cases requires nothing. In the next few minutes of reading you'll learn exactly what to do — and what you don't need to do — before you bring your phone to Viper Mobile in New Belgrade.
Samsung and iPhone — different approaches, the same protection
In 2022, with the One UI 5 system, Samsung introduced Maintenance Mode — a security feature that with one tap creates a temporary guest profile for service. iPhone has no equivalent to this feature, but for most hardware repairs it isn't needed — the phone is serviced locked, and your passcode stays with you. The approach is different, but the outcome is the same: your data stays protected.
| Samsung (One UI 5+) | iPhone | |
|---|---|---|
| Prep before drop-off | One tap — Maintenance Mode | Bring it locked, change nothing |
| What the shop sees | An empty guest profile | A locked screen |
| Your data | Hidden by Maintenance Mode | Hidden by your passcode |
| Passcode | Not requested | Optional for Apple configuration after a part replacement |
Maintenance Mode — one tap that protects your data
Maintenance Mode is a security feature of the One UI 5 system and later versions, available on Samsung Galaxy devices. When activated, the phone creates a temporary guest profile used during service — all your photos, messages, contacts, passwords and accounts stay protected by your original passcode, and the technician testing the device works in a completely separate environment.
How to turn on Maintenance Mode
- 1.Open Settings → Battery and device care → Maintenance Mode. On some models the path is Settings → Battery → More battery settings → Maintenance Mode.
- 2.Tap Turn on.
- 3.Set a four-digit PIN to exit Maintenance Mode. This PIN is independent of your original passcode and is used solely to turn the mode off.
- 4.The phone restarts into an empty guest profile. Bring it to the shop in that state.
What the shop sees
- An empty user environment
- Default system apps (Phone, Settings, camera for tests)
- Access to hardware functions for diagnostics
What the shop does not see
- Your photos and videos
- Messages (SMS, WhatsApp, Viber, others)
- Email accounts
- Passwords and Samsung Pay cards
- Apps you installed and their data
After service
When you pick up the phone, go to Settings → Maintenance Mode → Turn off and enter the PIN you set when activating it. The phone returns to its normal state — all your data, apps and accounts are there just as they were before service.
Models that support Maintenance Mode
- Galaxy S series: S22, S23, S24, S25, S26 and later
- Galaxy A series: A53, A54, A55, A56, A57 and later
- Galaxy Note 20 and later (via firmware update)
- Z Flip 4 and later, Z Fold 4 and later
- Galaxy Tab S8 and later
Older Samsung models (A52 and lower, S21 and older without the latest One UI system) don't have Maintenance Mode. Bring such a phone locked, the same approach as iPhone — we don't touch your data. Bonus: if you'd like, we'll demonstrate how to turn on Maintenance Mode when we receive your device, so you can do it yourself next time.
iPhone — bring it locked, change nothing
The rule is simple: bring the phone locked, just as it is. Most repairs Viper Mobile does (screen, battery, back glass, camera glass, cover replacement) don't touch the software — we work with the hardware, and your data, passwords and accounts stay behind your original passcode, which we don't ask for.
Before service — you don't need to
- erase data or do a factory reset
- turn off Find My iPhone
- turn off Stolen Device Protection
- log out of your iCloud account
- remove your Apple ID from the device
- uninstall apps or "clean up" the phone
What Viper Mobile never asks for
- your Apple ID password
- your device passcode (except optionally for the 30-second Apple configuration, if you choose it)
- access to iCloud, your photo library or messages
In other words, your iPhone is serviced here the same way as at any reputable Apple-authorized service center — you keep control over all personal data, and the technician works with the hardware with minimal access to the software.
Apple configuration — part status on your iPhone
Since iOS 15.2 (December 2021), Apple shows the status of installed parts in system settings on the iPhone. After replacing the screen, battery or camera, the device expects to go through Apple configuration — a procedure that verifies the installed part and registers it in the device.
Part statuses you may see
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Genuine Apple Part | Original Apple part that passed Apple configuration |
| New Apple Part | A new, never-before-used Apple part |
| Used Apple Part | An original Apple part previously installed in another phone |
| Unknown Part | The part did not pass Apple configuration (a replacement part, or configuration not started) |
What you need for configuration
The latest iOS
Without the latest iOS version the part status isn't shown. Before coming in, go to Settings → General → Software Update and install the latest available version.
Apple ID password
Configuration goes through with your Apple ID password. Without it the status stays Unknown until you run the procedure.
You have two options
A. Configuration at pickup
You come for the phone, unlock it, enter your Apple ID password, and in about 30 seconds the configuration finishes. The part status appears right away, while you're still with us.
B. Configuration at home
We return the phone right after the repair. At home, go to Settings → General → About, tap the part name (Battery, Display, Camera) → enter your Apple ID password. The configuration goes through in a few seconds.
Both options work equally well — you choose what's more convenient. We never ask for your Apple ID password in advance, and we don't remember or store it.
You have a choice of parts
Before service we discuss the options: there's a choice between Genuine Apple parts (more expensive, the system shows the status as Genuine, New or Used) and replacement parts (cheaper, the status stays Unknown). The technician will explain the difference, suggest what suits your model and budget, and the final choice is yours.
"Unknown Part" does not mean the part is faulty. It only means the installed part didn't pass Apple configuration — either because a replacement part was chosen (the cheaper option), or because configuration hasn't been run yet. In both cases the phone works normally; the difference is that the system in settings doesn't register the part as an Apple original.
What to bring to the shop
Required
- The phone
- Samsung — the original cable and box for model records
- iPhone — just the phone
Optional
- The case (we remove it and put it back if it's intact)
- Screen protector (we remove it; we'll tell you whether it was saved)
- The adapter — if you suspect the charger is faulty
Not needed
- The charger (unless you suspect it)
- Earphones
- The original package (except the Samsung box)
What you don't need to do before service
Many customers think they need to do a series of steps to protect their data before coming in. In most cases that's not necessary, and it can often make the job harder. Here's what you do not need to do:
- Erasing the phone (factory reset) — your data stays protected even without a reset.
- Uninstalling apps — the shop doesn't access apps while the phone is locked.
- Logging out of accounts (Google, Apple ID, Samsung Account) — not needed.
- Giving your passcode in advance — Viper Mobile doesn't ask for it, unless you choose for us to do the Apple configuration when you pick up your iPhone.
- Backing up before coming in — we recommend regular backups as good practice, but it's not a requirement for service. Your data stays on the device.
Special case: if the phone stopped working after contact with liquid, bring it in immediately and don't try anything before coming. Time is critical; the technician handles the next steps.
Frequently asked questions
1.Do I have to erase my data before service?
No. You bring the phone locked, and your data stays on the device as it is. The shop works with the hardware — it doesn't access photos, messages or accounts.
2.What if the phone doesn't work and I can't unlock it?
Bring it as it is. For hardware repairs (screen, battery, back glass, camera replacement) a passcode usually isn't needed. The technician will explain what can be determined without unlocking, and what only after the repair.
3.Does the shop see my photos?
No. A Samsung with Maintenance Mode on switches to an empty guest profile — photos, messages, contacts and accounts are hidden behind your PIN. An iPhone is serviced locked, and your original passcode stays with you.
4.What does "Unknown Part" mean on my iPhone after service?
It means the part didn't pass Apple configuration. You can run the configuration at pickup (with your Apple ID password, about 30 seconds) or later at home. If you chose a replacement part (the cheaper option), the status will stay "Unknown" — that doesn't mean the part is faulty, only that it isn't an Apple original that passes configuration.
5.Can I send the phone by courier?
Yes. The courier service for the Belgrade area costs 1,500 RSD for both directions. You hand the phone to the courier locked, just as if you brought it in person.
6.What if Maintenance Mode doesn't work on my Samsung device?
Older models (before One UI 5, i.e. before 2022) don't have this option. In that case bring the phone locked, like an iPhone — we don't touch your data.
7.Do I need the original box?
For Samsung it's good to bring the box for recording the model and serial number. For iPhone the box isn't needed — we read the model and IMEI directly from the device.
8.What's the difference between Genuine, New, Used and Unknown status?
Genuine Apple Part means an original Apple part that passed configuration. New Apple Part is a new original part, never used before. Used Apple Part is an original part previously installed in another phone (refurbished). Unknown Part means the part didn't pass Apple configuration — most often because a replacement part was chosen, or because configuration hasn't been run yet.
9.What if something is lost during service?
Your data is protected by your passcode (and by Maintenance Mode on Samsung devices). The shop doesn't touch it. We issue a 90-day warranty on the installed part and labor in the form of a fiscal receipt at pickup.
10.My iPhone doesn't show the part status — what should I do?
The most common reason is an older iOS. Go to Settings → General → Software Update and install the latest version. After the update, the part status appears in Settings → General → About, where you can tap Battery, Display or Camera for details.
Have questions before coming in?
Call, message or book a repair online — we reply quickly and to the point.
Bulevar Arsenija Čarnojevića 91, suite 3, New Belgrade
Entrance from Španskih boraca · Courier service 1,500 RSD · Fiscal receipt with every service