How do I prepare a child’s device for repair?

Identify what cannot be lost

Research context: Ofcom reported that 88% of children ages 3–7 and 99% of children ages 8–17 went online in 2025. Source: Ofcom: Children and Parents Media Use and Attitudes 2025–26.

Ask the child about drawings, photographs, recordings, and projects that matter to them. Check where each is stored and open important copies elsewhere when possible. A damaged screen can make this difficult, so tell the repair provider what access is available rather than attempting increasingly risky actions to make a backup. Do not promise every file will survive the repair. Give the child an honest explanation of what has been preserved and what remains uncertain.

Ask about the handoff procedure

Read the provider’s official checklist for the exact service: in-person work, mail-in repair, and replacement can have different requirements. Ask what information staff need and how to provide it through the approved process. Avoid placing a household password on a sticky note attached to the device. If instructions require an account or security change, verify the instruction directly and understand when to restore the setting. Keep the service receipt and device identifier in private household records.

Check the returned device before ordinary use

Confirm that the expected device or replacement was returned and complete the provider’s setup steps. Open an important saved project, test the main activity, and review the household controls you rely on. Explain any changed interface or missing item to the child. If the repair introduced a problem, document the specific behavior and contact the provider rather than repeatedly resetting the device. A repair being marked complete is the beginning of your handback check, not proof that every family setting and file is ready.