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Use Maintenance mode on your Galaxy phone or tablet

Last Update date : Nov 14. 2023

A Galaxy phone, surrounded by repair tools, is displaying the Maintenance mode activation screen

Your Galaxy phone or tablet with One UI 5 (or higher) introduces the handy Maintenance Mode feature. When activated, Maintenance Mode conceals your personal data, including photos, videos, contacts, and messages. This is especially useful if you're sending your device for repairs. Rest assured, your privacy remains intact, preventing unauthorized access to your device.

Note: Available settings may vary by carrier and software version.

Before using Maintenance mode

_{Note: Maintenance mode is only available on devices running One UI 5 (or higher).}

To ensure your personal data remains safe when using Maintenance mode, please keep the following in mind:

It's prudent to backup your data before activation. Should your device undergo a factory reset or memory replacement during repairs, your data stays retrievable. See the sections Back up your data using a temporary cloud backup and Back up your data using an external storage backup for more information.

A Lock screen setup is mandatory for Maintenance Mode. First-timers will be guided to set up a Lock screen. Alternatively, go to Settings, tap Lock screen, then Screen lock type. Choose and set up your preferred lock type.

You must have sufficient free space to enable Maintenance mode. Devices with 64GB of internal storage will require 1.5GB of free space. Devices with more storage will require 500MB of free space.

Enable Maintenance mode

_{Note: Maintenance mode is only available on devices running One UI 5 (or higher).}

Upon activation, Maintenance Mode sets up a distinct user profile, ensuring your primary account and data remain private. This mode can be activated either through the device’s Settings or the Samsung Members app.

Settings menu

Step 1. Navigate to and open Settings, and then tap Battery and device care.

Step 2. Navigate to and tap Maintenance mode.

Note: You'll be asked to create a Lock screen if absent. Refer to the prior section for more details.

Step 3. If you would like to make a backup, tap Back up your data (see the next 2 sections for additional details). Otherwise, tap Turn on and follow the on-screen prompts.

Maintenance mode highlighted on a Galaxy phone

Samsung Members app

Step 1. Open the Samsung Members app.

Step 2. Tap the Support tab.

Step 3. Swipe to and tap the Maintenance mode section.

Step 4. Tap Turn on, and then follow the on-screen prompts.

Back up your data using a temporary cloud backup

Using Maintenance Mode, backing up your data is strongly advised. This ensures your data's safety during device resets or memory replacements. You can either opt for a temporary cloud backup or utilize external storage (detailed in the next section).

Your cloud backup stays on the cloud for 30 days after it's deleted. The backup size is unrestricted, but individual files over 100GB aren't supported.

_Notes:

With temporary cloud backup, data transfer and restoration are exclusively available over Wi-Fi.

Some carriers might not support this backup method. Consult your service provider for clarity.

1 Once you've chosen to make a backup, tap Temporary cloud backup, and then tap Back up data.

_{Note: A Samsung account is required to use this service as the data is saved on Samsung Cloud.}

2 By default, all data is selected to be backed up. Tap the check mark next to an item to exclude it from the backup.

Select data to back up screen on a Galaxy phone

_{Note: Not all data can be backed up. Tap Find out what data can't be backed up for details.}

3 Tap Back up. If you have a Secure Folder set up, you'll be asked if you'd like that backed up as well. If you choose to back up Secure Folder, you'll be asked to unlock it.

4 The backup will proceed. While the backup is in progress, you can use other apps on your mobile device.

_{Note: Backup duration is influenced by the volume of data and your internet speed. Please anticipate a variable wait time.}

5 When the backup is complete, navigate back to Maintenance mode and turn it on.

Back up your data using an external storage backup

The external storage backup requires a USB storage device (plugged into the USB-C port), or a MicroSD card (installed in your device). This method employs Smart Switch, ideal for long-term backups. The backup size depends solely on your storage device's capacity.

_{Note: A Samsung account is required to use this service because some data will be saved on your Samsung account.}

1 Once you've chosen to make a backup, connect your storage device, and then tap External storage backup.

External storage backup screen on a Galaxy phone

_{Note: You may be prompted to grant specific permissions for the Smart Switch app or to update the app.}

2 From the list, select the connected external storage device you wish to use.

3 You have three backup options: Everything, Just Calls, Contacts, and Messages, or Custom (the only option that allows you to select which data to backup by checking or unchecking available categories). Once you've made your choice, tap Next and follow the on-screen instructions.

_{Note: Not all data can be backed up. Tap See what can't be backed up for details.}

4 If you have a Secure Folder set up, you'll be asked if you'd like that backed up as well. If you choose to back up Secure Folder, you'll be asked to unlock it.

5 The backup will proceed. While the backup is in progress, you can use other apps on your mobile device.

_{Note: The duration of the backup process depends on the amount of data and your internet connection speed. Some waiting might be required.}

6 When the backup is complete, navigate back to Maintenance mode and turn it on.

Disable Maintenance mode

On retrieving your device, deactivating Maintenance Mode is straightforward. Remember, any new apps or services added during Maintenance Mode will be erased, restoring your device to its prior state.

1 Navigate to and open Settings, and then tap Battery and device care.

2 Navigate to and tap Maintenance mode, and then tap Exit.

3 Tap Restart. Enter your Lock screen credentials when prompted.

_Notes:

You can also turn off Maintenance mode from the Notification panel. Swipe down from the top of the screen, tap the notification that says “Your phone is in Maintenance mode” or “Your tablet is in Maintenance mode”, and then follow the on-screen instructions.

In some cases, turning off Maintenance mode might revert certain device settings to their original state as set by the manufacturer.

If you backed up your data, and need to restore it, proceed to the Restore your data from a temporary cloud backup or Restore your data from an external storage backup section (below).

Restore your data from a temporary cloud backup

Should your device be reset during repairs, restoring your backup becomes essential. First, complete the device setup and ensure you're logged into the Samsung account linked with your backup.

1 Navigate to and open Settings, and then tap Battery and device care.

2 Navigate to and tap Maintenance mode.

3 Tap Back up your data and then tap Temporary cloud backup.

4 Tap Restore data. If there are any items you do not want restored, you can tap them to remove the checkmark.

5 Tap Restore data when you are ready.

Restore data button on the cloud backup setting screen on a Galaxy phone

_{Note: Restoration time varies depending on the volume of data. Please be patient.}

Restore your data from an external storage backup

If your device was reset as part of the repair process, you'll need to restore your backup. Complete your device's initial setup, and be sure to sign in to the same Samsung account that holds your backup. Additionally, after using Maintenance mode, you have the option to restore your data if desired.

1 Attach the storage device with your backup, and then navigate to and open Settings.

2 Navigate to and tap Battery and device care.

3 Navigate to and tap Maintenance mode.

4 Tap Back up your data and then tap External storage backup.

Back up your data screen, with External storage backup highlighted, on a Galaxy phone

5 Select the external storage device under "Restore from" that you wish to use for restoring your personal data.

6 You have three restoration options: Everything, Just calls, contacts, and messages, or Custom (the only option that lets you select which data to restore by checking or unchecking available categories). Once you've made your choice, tap Next and follow the on-screen instructions.

_{Note: Restoration duration varies based on data volume. Patience is key.}

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