Google is giving One UI’s Repair Mode to all Android phones?
Google is introducing a native repair mode to protect user privacy while repairing Android devices. This innovative feature enables users to send their devices for servicing without any worry about personal data.
While support for Repair Mode has been merged into the AOSP but it is disabled by default as different OEMs may have similar features like Samsung offers Maintenance Mode in One UI.
AOSP currently missing a few elements which are Settings integration and an app to trigger the repair mode flow. The former is already included in the Pixel’s Android 14 QPR1 beta build, but the latter is still in development.
The repair mode differs from the traditional Generic System Image (GSI) approach by taking advantage of the Dynamic System Updates (DSU) mechanism. Instead, it combines the original system image with a new user data image, simulating a factory reset.
When entering repair mode, users must provide their lock screen credentials, which will be stored securely in /metadata/repair mode. To exit Repair Mode, users just need to input their lock screen credentials used in Standard Mode.
