Samsung Electronics today started the global rollout of “Maintenance Mode”, a privacy feature coming to select Samsung Galaxy devices. This allows a device owner to lock up the data on the machine before giving it for repair.
Maintenance Mode, claimed Samsung, will relieve user anxiety that comes with giving a personal device to someone for repairs, by letting users block access to their personal information, such as their photos, messages or contacts.
“Our whole lives are on our phones, from credit card information to family photos. With Maintenance Mode, we are giving extra reassurance that Galaxy users can keep their privacy, even if they hand their phone to someone,” said Seungwon Shin, VP and Head of Security Team at Mobile eXperience Business, Samsung Electronics in a statement.
All the user needs to do is select Maintenance Mode in the “Battery and device care” menu within “Settings” & reboot their smartphone. As soon as it’s rebooted, all their personal information including their photos, documents & messages will be restricted.
Once Maintenance Mode is switched on, the person who was entrusted with the device won’t be able to retrieve user-installed apps either. Data or accounts generated when using Maintenance Mode are automatically deleted as soon as the owner exits Maintenance Mode. They will be able to download apps on Galaxy Store, but those will be automatically deleted along with any data or accounts created as soon as the owner exits Maintenance Mode, said Samsung.
