"Backup your data" is actually a requirement when you schedule appointment to the Genius Bar. It's written on the web page after confirming and if I recall corr

"Backup your data" is actually a requirement when you schedule appointment to the Genius Bar. It's written on the web page after confirming and if I recall correctly it's also written in the confirmation mail. The OP said that he had the option to instant wipe his device and restore it back home. But he choose to buy a new iPhone for "convenience" because the process take time. Last time I got my phone serviced (and ultimately replaced so I had to wipe). The Apple employee even let me backup to iCloud from the store wifi so I would'nt loose the last data of the day. PS: It's totally the locksmith case, except that (in theory) even if they wanted to apple can't get into you phone without consent while the locksmith can lockpick.