The Google Pixel features a privacy option to protect your selfies from prying technicians.

A new “repair mode” gives Google Pixel owners who need to send their devices in for maintenance an additional way to safeguard their data from prying technicians.

In a blog post this week, the internet behemoth revealed the inclusion of repair mode to a few Pixel devices, characterising it as a straightforward toggleable way to “protect privacy and make sure devices are repaired quickly and efficiently.”

Repair mode functioned by building a fresh Android install in a separate partition with restricted functionality, but without granting access to the device owner’s personal data, according to a new help page on Google’s Pixel Phone support site.

Google stated that some apps created specifically for technicians are only available in repair mode, and that access to Google Play, Messages, Text-to-Speech, Google Search, and other apps is disabled in this mode.

A new “repair mode” gives Google Pixel owners who need to send their devices in for maintenance an additional way to safeguard their data from prying technicians.

In a blog post this week, the internet behemoth revealed the inclusion of repair mode to a few Pixel devices, characterising it as a straightforward toggleable way to “protect privacy and make sure devices are repaired quickly and efficiently.”

Repair mode functioned by building a fresh Android install in a separate partition with restricted functionality, but without granting access to the device owner’s personal data, according to a new help page on Google’s Pixel Phone support site.

Google stated that some apps created specifically for technicians are only available in repair mode, and that access to Google Play, Messages, Text-to-Speech, Google Search, and other apps is disabled in this mode.

“Most repair technicians are dependable individuals who merely desire to assist you in getting your equipment functioning once more. Regarding the new Pixel feature, iFixit CEO Kyle Wiens stated, “But unlocking your phone for a stranger can be unsettling, and repair technicians shouldn’t need access to your data to verify that the speakers or cameras work.” “We’re glad to see Google introducing this feature that takes the worry and hassle out of sending in a phone for repair.”

According to Google, repair mode can be utilised for mail-in or walk-in repairs. When repair mode is turned off, any modifications made to the device—aside from system updates—are reversed.

According to Google, there is no assurance that utilising repair mode will stop a technician from choosing, if necessary, to wipe the entire device while performing a repair.

Google notes on its support website that “even if you have turned repair mode on, the technician must wipe your phone’s data if parts that affect the storage need to be replaced.” The company also recommends that Pixel customers make a complete backup before sending the device in for repair.

Repair mode is accessible through the Settings app under the System menu for Pixel devices that are suitable, meaning they are running Android 14 with the December 2023 update or later and have 2 GB of free space available, for those who would like to have a look at it.

Google is not the first company to deploy a function of this kind; in October 2022, Samsung’s One UI 5 update brought a comparable maintenance mode to Galaxy smartphones.

Along with repair mode, Google unveiled a few other new self-repair features this week. The first is the capability for Pixel owners to open the Pixel Diagnostic app directly from their phone keyboard. It’s not really obvious how to do this, though: To initiate a USSD session, users must launch the Phone app, call ##7287##, and then adhere to the on-screen instructions. There is an app user manual available.

Google also announced a revamp of its repair guides to make them more user-friendly for independent contractors and do-it-yourselfers, in addition to repair mode and Diagnostic app access.