What changed: every step re-shot on our own Galaxy S26 (Korean model SM-S942N) on One UI 9, dark mode, with the steps rewritten for the One UI 9 screens.

howtosimply.com/guides/how-to-use-maintenance-mode-on-a-samsung-galaxy-before-a-repair/ · Checked October 2026 · SM-S942N, Korean model), One UI 9, Android 17 (build S942NKSS4BZIG · Samsung Galaxy S26

In this guide

Check your screen lock
Open Device care
Tap Maintenance mode
Read what it does
Back up, then tap Turn on
Set a screen lock if it asks
If you do not see this option
If this does not work
Good to know
Sources

Quick answer

Open Settings, Device care, Maintenance mode and tap Turn on. The phone needs a screen lock first; Swipe does not count. Samsung says the phone then restarts with your photos, messages and accounts hidden. To leave, tap the Maintenance mode notification, then Exit and Restart.

6 of 6 steps with real screenshots · 1 official source below

Device: Android
Shown on: Samsung Galaxy S26 (SM-S942N, Korean model), One UI 9, Android 17 (build S942NKSS4BZIG)
App: Settings
Path: Settings › Device care › Maintenance mode
Real screenshots: 6 of 6 steps
Checked: October 2026
Sources: 1 official, linked below

Step by step

Check your screen lock
Maintenance mode needs a PIN, pattern or password. Open Settings, Lock screen and AOD and look at Screen lock and biometrics; ours said Swipe, which is not enough.
Done
Open Device care
Open Settings and tap Device care. The top card shows how the phone is doing; ours said Great! Your phone is running smoothly.
Done
Tap Maintenance mode
Scroll down to Additional care. Maintenance mode is the last row, after Software update and Diagnostics.
Done
Read what it does
Under How Maintenance mode keeps you safe, the page says only preinstalled apps are available, and pictures, messages and accounts can't be accessed. You'll need to unlock the phone to turn it off.
Done
Back up, then tap Turn on
The page recommends a backup in case data is lost during the repair, and offers Temporary cloud backup and External storage backup. Then tap Turn on.
Done
Set a screen lock if it asks
With no PIN, pattern or password, Turn on shows Set a screen lock first, with Cancel and Set screen lock. Tap Set screen lock, choose a PIN, pattern or password, and tap Turn on again. Samsung says the phone then restarts in Maintenance mode.
Done

What changed: every step re-shot on our own Galaxy S26 (Korean model SM-S942N) on One UI 9, dark mode, with the steps rewritten for the One UI 9 screens.

If you do not see this option

Your phone has older software Samsung says Maintenance mode needs One UI 5 or later. Tap Software update under Additional care to check. Source: Use Maintenance mode on your Galaxy phone or tablet

If this does not work

Turn on stops at Set a screen lock first Swipe or None is not a screen lock here. Set a PIN, pattern or password first. Samsung also says it needs between 500 MB and 1.5 GB of free storage. Source: Use Maintenance mode on your Galaxy phone or tablet
You cannot leave Maintenance mode Samsung says to tap the Maintenance mode notification, then Exit and Restart, and enter your PIN, pattern or password. Have it ready. Source: Use Maintenance mode on your Galaxy phone or tablet
Something done during the repair has gone This is expected. The page says nothing that happens while Maintenance mode is on will be saved.

About this guide

Handing a phone to a repair shop usually means handing over everything on it. Maintenance mode lets the technician test the phone while your own data stays locked away. Samsung says it needs One UI 5 or later.

The screenshots are from our Samsung Galaxy S26, the Korean model SM-S942N, with One UI 9 and Android 17 (build S942NKSS4BZIG), in Dark mode. Menus can differ on models sold in other regions. Our phone had no screen lock, so Turn on stopped at Set a screen lock first; the restart and exit follow Samsung's guide.