Android is getting a Trade-In mode for quicker phone inspections

Google is working on a new “Trade-In” mode for Android devices to simplify their inspections while keeping the device secure. It will rely on ADB or Android Debug Bridge, but the mode won’t allow unlimited and unrestricted access.

Why does the Trade-In process often take several days?

Google could soon deploy a new mode that would allow technicians quicker and simpler access to the device’s software. Technicians would be able to access the device with the press of a few buttons and perform diagnostics tests.

The trade-in process is rather simple for the end-user. Consumers have to merely perform a factory reset of their Android smartphones before handing them over.

Consumers, however, have to wait for a few days to find out if their Android smartphones qualify for the full trade-in value. This is because the backend process for completing a trade-in is complex.

Trade-ins take time because technicians have to perform several tests on the device. External damage is easier to observe. However, there are other inspections that usually involve booting the device and running a series of diagnostic tests. These tests determine if the internal hardware, including the screen, cameras, and other sensors are functioning properly.

Google testing ADB-based ‘Trade-In mode’ for Android smartphones

To perform tests on software and internal hardware, technicians have to go through the setup wizard like it’s a brand-new phone. Experts can quickly skip most screens. However there could be hundreds of devices in the queue, and repeating this process is not only cumbersome but also time-consuming.

Google is reportedly testing a new mode that would allow technicians to quickly reach the desired screen on the device. The “Trade-In mode”, would grant access to ADB on the first screen of the setup wizard. Thereafter technicians could run their automated diagnostics.

ADB is quite powerful and allows deep access to system apps and services. Hence, Google is restricting the Trade-In mode to a single ADB command before the device asks to complete the setup process.

Technicians can run ‘adb shell tradeinmode enter’. This would allow them to bypass the setup process and put Android into an “evaluation mode.” If activated, the Android OS will schedule a factory reset on the next boot.

Alternatively, technicians can run ‘adb shell tradeinmode getstatus [-challenge CHALLENGE]’ to retrieve diagnostic information about the device as well as see if it passes an attestation challenge. Needless to say, if properly deployed and used, the Trade-In mode could bring down the waiting period for the approval process of an old smartphone.