A phone can be repaired or replaced. Holiday photos cannot. Before you travel – or tonight in your hotel, on Wi-Fi – take five minutes for this checklist.
iPhone
- iCloud Backup: Settings → your name → iCloud → iCloud Backup → turn it on and tap Back Up Now.
- Photos: Settings → your name → iCloud → Photos → turn on iCloud Photos, so every new photo is saved automatically.
- Find My: Settings → your name → Find My → Find My iPhone → on.
- Check your iCloud storage. If it is full, the backup silently stops.
Android
- Google backup: Settings → Google → Backup → turn on and tap Back up now. On Samsung, also check Settings → Accounts and backup.
- Photos: open Google Photos → your profile → turn on Backup.
- Find My Device: Settings → Google → Find My Device → on.
For both
- Two-factor codes: if your authenticator app is only on this phone, save backup codes or turn on cloud sync, or you can be locked out of accounts.
- Tickets and bookings: save screenshots, and e-mail important ones to yourself so you can open them on any device.
- Write down your passcode and Apple ID or Google e-mail somewhere safe that is not your phone.
- Note your IMEI number (dial *#06#). You need it for a police report or insurance claim.
Before a repair
A screen, battery or charging port repair does not touch your data, but it is always sensible to back up before any device is opened. If the phone still works, do it before you walk in.
Broke it anyway? Many repairs are done while you wait.
PhonePlus, Binnen Bantammerstraat 4, Amsterdam – near the Nieuwmarkt and about ten minutes' walk from Centraal Station. Walk in without an appointment.
- Monday: 10:00–19:00
- Tuesday to Saturday: 11:00–21:00
- Sunday: 12:00–21:00
