Do I have to back up my iPhone data before changing the battery?

Philly_Phan wrote:

Well, you don't really HAVE to but it's a big misteak not to do so. Idris mentioned the iCloud backup. In this instance (knowing that your phone would be disassembled), I think that it's important to ALSO back up to iTunes on your computer. An encrypted backup (to iTunes) is much more thorough but DON'T LOSE THE PASSWORD.

Excellent advice. While I use iCloud for my daily back ups, before major updates and before taking the phone in for service, I also do an encrypted back up with iTunes.

You should always have a recent back up. If you wait until you think you may need one, you're going to lose data at some point.

If you don't have a recent back up (and by recent I mean within the last day or two), you should absolutely back up your phone before taking it in for service.

Going forward, if you use iCloud to back up your phone, all you need to do is plug it in at night, make sure it's connected to WiFi and lock the screen. It will back up automatically. If you do that every night, even if your phone gets stolen or destroyed, you won't have lost much data.

Who is changing the battery?

If it’s Apple, then yes. In some cases it’s reported that the battery replacement didnt involve opening up the customer‘s iPhone/iPad, but a complete exchange with a new or factory refurbished device.

Well, you don't really HAVE to but it's a big misteak not to do so. Idris mentioned the iCloud backup. In this instance (knowing that your phone would be disassembled), I think that it's important to ALSO back up to iTunes on your computer. An encrypted backup (to iTunes) is much more thorough but DON'T LOSE THE PASSWORD.

IdrisSeabright wrote:

y_p_w wrote:

Who is changing the battery?

Who is doing the changing is irrelevant. The OP should have a recent back up before any service is done on their phone. Things can go wrong.

Sure it's always a great idea, and I do regular backups. However, I know people with iOS devices who don't use iTunes and have never backed up their devices, except maybe partially to iCloud. They think it's too complicated.

As a practical matter, there are few cases where a successful battery service (or a screen repair) ends up resetting an iPhone and wiping out the data. This means, disassembling the case, removing the old battery, and placing a new one inside, and reassembling. There's generally no need for Apple to wipe any data, although Apple warns the customer that it's a possibility. However, the biggest issue is that they reserve the right to do a "battery replacement" or a "screen replacement" as a complete swap with a new or refurbished device that obviously doesn't have that data. There are reports that customers came in and instead of waiting for a new battery to be installed, they were simply asked if they had backed up their data and handed an equivalent new or refurb phone. Heck - that was the only way that iPad batteries were "replaced" for some time. Or during the replacement process the device is damaged and they opt to replace it with another one rather than try to fix the damage.

An aftermarket battery repair place isn't likely to replace the whole thing. I don't know what they do if they end up cracking a screen, the case, or even the board. Those are the risks taken with any aftermarket service. However, Apple always has the option to give you a new one if the repair is messed up.

For the OP, if you're going to do it, definitely back it up and remove any SIM card. There's the remote possibility that the device is damaged to the point where you won't be able to recover anything, or where Apple may opt to simply give you a new one.

Philly_Phan wrote:

I would expect that, if Apple replaced the phone for any reason, they’d swap the SIM card.

I would hope so, but just like backing up the data, why take chances? I know some people are paranoid that someone might be making phone calls. Some even wipe the whole thing before sending it in.

y_p_w wrote:

Sure it's always a great idea, and I do regular backups. However, I know people with iOS devices who don't use iTunes and have never backed up their devices, except maybe partially to iCloud. They think it's too complicated.

Which is all the more reason that people should be encouraged to back up their phone at every opportunity. It's not complicated. If you suggest to a poster that it's okay not to back up because you think (without any information) that they may think it's too complicated, you're doing them a grave disservice.

IdrisSeabright wrote:

y_p_w wrote:

Sure it's always a great idea, and I do regular backups. However, I know people with iOS devices who don't use iTunes and have never backed up their devices, except maybe partially to iCloud. They think it's too complicated.

Which is all the more reason that people should be encouraged to back up their phone at every opportunity. It's not complicated. If you suggest to a poster that it's okay not to back up because you think (without any information) that they may think it's too complicated, you're doing them a grave disservice.

I'm not telling anyone not to back it up. Not having a backup and trying to retrieve files/photos/etc is a recurring theme on Apple Support Communities. I do understand that many people think "it will never happen to me", until it does. I tried to get my wife to let me back up her iPhone to iTunes, but she was telling me "I need it now".

I think it's useful to know that the main reason why one should back up a phone before doing a battery service is because the customer may not get back the same phone. It's not because an Apple employee or AAS is likely to reset the same device to factory condition.

For those cases where there's irretrievable data I caution against going to Apple for service. If you're got a catastrophic battery failure and you can't perform a backup without a working battery, then that's one heck of a dilemma given that Apple doesn't guarantee that the data will be there or that it will even be the same device. If you've never backed up those photos taken at Yellowstone, then it might make sense to get an aftermarket battery replacement.

y_p_w wrote:

For those cases where there's irretrievable data I caution against going to Apple for service. If you're got a catastrophic battery failure and you can't perform a backup without a working battery, then that's one heck of a dilemma given that Apple doesn't guarantee that the data will be there or that it will even be the same device.

And that is why people should be strongly encouraged to make very regular back ups. I know you're not saying, "Don't back up" but there is absolutely not reason to avoid telling people, whenever they ask "Should I back up my iPhone...." anything but "Yes!" If users back up regularly, the likelihood they will be in the position you describe is very significantly reduced.

I misread your question so I am deleting my answer as it had nothing to do with your question. Idris is correct.

kb1951 wrote:

I misread your question so I am deleting my answer as it had nothing to do with your question. Idris is correct.

😎

y_p_w wrote:

Who is changing the battery?

Who is doing the changing is irrelevant. The OP should have a recent back up before any service is done on their phone. Things can go wrong.

I would expect that, if Apple replaced the phone for any reason, they’d swap the SIM card.