The USB port of my Fairphone 4 is not working anymore. I think I have loaded all photos with KDEConnect, but I would like to avoid the unnecessary factory reset when sending in the phone for repair. Is that somehow possible? There might be some unsaved data, and I’m not sure if online banking will still work after a factory reset. And technically a factory reset is not necessary, The phone worked apart from the USB C port.
Please add if you are already in communication with Fairphone Support. They might figure out if the defect qualifies for a part replacement under warranty that might (!) be dealt with without having to send in your Fairphone 4.
That being said … If it comes to sending in the phone for repair, a factory reset will be done. This is mandatory for data privacy.
For others reading along (and perhaps getting the same idea): I just tried to play the diagnostic tool at https://www.fairphone.com/repairs as this seemed a very likely candidate for an automatic replacement. Unfortunately, with a USB port issue this only works for the Fairphone 4 until it requires the internal service tests – which are currently not fully available on the FP4 (and the specific test required is not available individually in the My Fairphone app either).
Just to share that when my usb c port got faulty I failed to convince the CS to send me a spare part, instead I was offered sending a phone for repair.
I decided to purchase a USB port myself as two weeks without a phone seemed unthinkable at that moment.
Perhaps you could check with a local Angel whether swapping a port might do a trick.
The part costs less than 20 € incl. transport. Maybe buy one, replace it and ask ff for a replacement of the defective usb port. You have then a replacement part but it is only a matter of time when the next failure occurs.
PS: With my FP5 i bougth a replacement akku, usb-port and Display. Also if I don’t need them it will come a time the parts could be paid without a loss.