iPhone & iPad — 5 steps in 5-10 minutes
On iPhone and iPad, Activation Lock is the critical blocker. Apple built this system to discourage theft, but it also affects legitimate service. The steps below disable it cleanly:
Recent backup — iCloud or Mac
Settings → your name (top) → iCloud → iCloud Backup → Back Up Now. Or via Finder on a Mac/PC. Let it complete (5-30 minutes depending on data size). This is your safety net if the repair requires a reset.
Turn off Find My iPhone — THE KEY to letting service do its job
Settings → your name → Find My → Find My iPhone → OFF. You will need your Apple ID password. Without this step, the device stays locked by Activation Lock and no logic-board-related repair can complete. The most important step.
Sign out of iCloud (the stronger alternative)
Settings → your name → scroll down → Sign Out. Requires your Apple ID password. This automatically disables Find My and Activation Lock. Especially useful when the repair involves replacing the logic board or NAND.
eSIM — take a screenshot first
If you use eSIM, screenshot the line details (Settings → Mobile Service / Cellular Data). On older models with board replacement, the eSIM gets wiped. With the screenshot and a receipt from your carrier, reactivation takes 5 minutes.
Remove physical SIM and accessories
If you have a physical SIM, remove it. Same for cases, screen protectors, MagSafe rings — anything that's not part of the phone. Bringing them along just raises the risk of loss.
MacBook & iMac — 4 essential steps
On Mac, the main concern is FileVault (disk encryption) plus the admin password. On Apple Silicon, Activation Lock has been extended to Mac as well. The steps:
Time Machine backup — the safest backup type
Plug in an external SSD, go to System Settings → General → Time Machine → Add Backup Disk. Let it copy the whole disk (first backup can take 1-3 hours depending on size). For logic-board-level repairs, this is your only real protection.
Turn off FileVault (or have the password ready)
If FileVault is active, your disk is encrypted. For diagnosis and some repairs (especially on a macOS that won't boot), we need the admin password. Write it down — or for maximum convenience, turn FileVault off temporarily (System Settings → Privacy & Security → FileVault). Turn it back on after the repair.
Sign out of iCloud, App Store, Messages, FaceTime
Apple Menu → System Settings → Apple Account → Sign Out. This disables Mac Activation Lock (introduced on Apple Silicon models). Without this step, the device may refuse activation after repairs touching the Secure Enclave.
Write down the admin password — OR create a service user
Trivial but important. For diagnosis and testing we need to access the system. Two options: (a) give us the existing admin password, or (b) recommended for maximum privacy — create a new user (Standard, WITHOUT admin rights) just for the service visit. Go to System Settings → Users & Groups → Add User → Standard, no admin privileges. With that user, we only access to test functionality (display, keyboard, trackpad, ports, fans, battery) — without seeing your files, without poking around your main account. At intake, tell us which option you prefer.
Apple Watch — quick steps
Apple Watch is the simplest to prepare because the whole process is done from your iPhone:
Unpair from your iPhone
On your iPhone: Watch app → your watch → "i" next to its name → Unpair Apple Watch. The process automatically makes a backup on the iPhone before unpairing — data is saved. It will ask for your Apple ID password. This step DISABLES Activation Lock on the Watch.
Take off any expensive band
Sport bands, Loops — bring them home. A Solo Loop or Milanese Loop costing 300-500 RON isn't worth risking in service.
Special cases — when you can't do any of the above
The preparation above assumes your device still works. But what if it's dead, the screen is cracked or you've forgotten the password? Here's how we handle these situations:
Device won't turn on at all
None of the steps above can be done. No problem — bring it as is. We have specific procedures for releasing Activation Lock on devices brought in by the owner with receipt and ID. Bring the original receipt or proof of purchase.
Cracked screen, touch unresponsive
You can try connecting to an external display (on Mac) or AirPlay mirror (on iPhone/iPad) — if it works, you can run the backup. If not, bring the receipt. At intake, we can use VoiceOver or connect by Lightning/USB-C to a PC/Mac for iTunes/Finder.
Forgot your Apple ID password
Go to iforgot.apple.com and reset it BEFORE coming to us. Apple's process can take 24-72 hours in some cases (for security). Without your Apple ID, many repairs can't finish, regardless of whether we can do the technical part.
Bought the device second-hand and don't know the prior owner's details
Check Activation Lock at checkcoverage.apple.com BEFORE buying (or before bringing to service). If it's locked by the former owner, only they can release it, via Apple. Don't buy without checking first.
Documents and info to bring
At intake we ask for a few things. Bring them ready and save 10 minutes at reception:
Receipt or proof of purchase
Needed for: Apple warranty (if still in it), procedures involving Activation Lock, AppleCare+ extended warranty. If you bought from Apple Store or an authorised distributor, the receipt is in your email.
ID card or passport
Required at intake for the service record (it's a legal requirement for repair tracking). Your details stay only with us, we don't share them.
Contact phone number + email
We contact you with the exact post-diagnosis price and when the repair is done. Email optional, but useful for receiving the electronic invoice.
Concrete description of the problem
Not "it doesn't work". Rather: "won't charge at all, no LED indicator turns on", or "screen has black bars that appear and disappear". Details save 30 minutes of diagnosis.
What we DON'T ask for
A few things that other shops sometimes ask for but we don't — for clarity:
- Apple ID password, if you've already disabled Find My / Activation Lock. We proceed with the repair without ever knowing your Apple credentials.
- Full external backup if the repair doesn't involve the board or NAND. On display swap, battery swap, USB-C port, your data stays intact anyway. Backup remains a good idea, but not mandatory.
- Access to social, email, banking accounts. On Mac, our concrete recommendation: create a Standard service user without admin rights and hand us that one. We use it exclusively to verify the hardware works — no access to your main user, no access to files, no ability to change system settings. It's the highest level of privacy, technically enforced, not based on trust.
- Sensitive supplementary documents (bank statements, etc.). ID plus receipt are enough for any repair.