Google is working on a Repair Mode feature for Android, a convenient alternative to the traditional factory reset before sending your phone for repairs.. This reset ensures the safety of personal data while eliminating any locks like PINs or fingerprints that might hinder the technician's ability to boot up the phone and verify the success of the repair.
While similar features have been introduced by specific smartphone manufacturers, such as Samsung's Maintenance mode, Google is taking a broader approach by implementing a native Android solution that will be accessible to all Android device manufacturers.
Spotted by Mishaal Rahman, this new feature, aptly named "Repair Mode," will enable users to activate the mode using their chosen authentication method. They will then need to employ the same authentication method to deactivate the mode once the device is returned from the repair center.
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When Repair Mode is active, the device will function as if it has undergone a fresh OS installation and will appear with a new user account that contains no data. However, the original account and data will still be present on the device, albeit locked away and inaccessible during this mode.
Manufacturers will have the option to disable Repair Mode if they prefer to utilize their own in-house versions, which will be particularly beneficial for those who have not yet developed such a mode.
It's important to note that the feature is not yet finalized, and although Repair Mode is already integrated into Android 14 QPR1 beta builds for Pixel devices, an accompanying app to guide users through the mode activation process is not yet available.
The foundation of Repair Mode is based on the Dynamic System Updates feature. Typically, this feature allows users to download a new Android image and run it as a guest OS without overwriting their existing installation. However, in the context of repair mode, the Dynamic System Updates feature will boot up the original OS image but with a freshly configured user account.
This setup will provide repair technicians with access to the phone's hardware, enabling them to test its functionality. When the device is returned to the user, the process of restoring their data will be significantly simplified compared to dealing with Android's standard backup system.
Source: AndroidAuthority