India has one of the largest smartphone user bases in the world, and phones break: cracked screens, dead batteries, charging problems, water damage and software issues. Repair is far cheaper than a new phone, so customers look for a skilled, trustworthy local repair shop. A mobile repair shop can start in a small counter space with modest investment and grow into a busy shop with technicians, accessories and refurbished phone sales.
This guide covers training, tools, parts, pricing, the rules that apply and how to grow.
Key points
Table of Contents
- Skills and honest service build the business. Get proper training, and practise on old devices before working on customers’ phones.
- Reliable parts suppliers matter as much as skill. Poor parts lead to comebacks and bad reviews.
- Protect customers’ data: many customers worry about privacy when handing over a phone.
- If you buy and resell used phones, keep records of sellers and IMEI numbers. If you refurbish devices commercially, e-waste rules can require registration.
- Accessories and recharges add steady income alongside repairs.
The market in numbers
Phone repair falls in what MoSPI’s surveys call personal and community services, which includes repair of computers and personal and household goods. In 2023-24 this group had about 80 lakh small establishments employing 1.08 crore people. Average value added per business was ₹1,90,118 a year in urban areas and ₹1,18,169 in rural areas. One-person businesses added ₹1,16,951 on average, against ₹5,02,402 for those with hired workers.
Step 1: Get trained
- Skill India courses for mobile phone hardware repair technicians, through the electronics sector skill council, with recognised certificates. Find centres on Skill India Digital.
- Private institutes offering chip-level and software courses.
- Apprenticeship at a busy repair shop, the fastest way to learn real-world faults.
- Keep learning: new models, tools and techniques appear constantly. Brand-specific training helps for premium phones.
Start with common jobs: screen and battery replacement, charging ports, speakers and microphones, and software issues. Learn board-level (chip-level) repair as you gain experience. It’s more skilled and better paid.
Step 2: Tools and workspace
Basic tools:
- precision screwdriver set, spudgers, opening picks and suction tools
- a heat gun or hot air station, and a soldering station
- a digital multimeter and a DC power supply
- a magnifier lamp or microscope for board work
- an ESD-safe mat and wrist strap to protect electronics from static
- a screen separator and a laminating machine for screen repairs
- adhesives, tapes and cleaning supplies (isopropyl alcohol)
- a computer for software flashing and diagnostics
Workspace: a clean, well-lit, dust-free bench, secure storage for customers’ phones, and a counter where customers can see their phone being handled, which builds trust.
Step 3: Parts and suppliers
- Find two or three reliable suppliers in your city’s electronics markets or through B2B platforms.
- Know your part grades: original, compatible and refurbished parts differ in price and quality. Tell customers which they’re getting, and price accordingly.
- Test parts before fitting where possible, and keep a small stock of the most common ones (popular screens, batteries, charging ports).
- Keep supplier bills. They support your warranty to customers and your GST records.
Step 4: Licences and registrations
- Shops and establishments registration. See shop and establishment registration and trade licences.
- Trade licence from your municipality, if required.
- GST registration once turnover crosses the threshold: ₹20 lakh for services in most states, or ₹40 lakh if you mainly sell goods such as accessories. See GST registration for small businesses.
- Udyam registration: free, and useful for loans. See our Udyam guide.
Used phones and police records
If you buy and resell used phones, keep a register of every phone you buy: seller’s name, address, ID proof, phone number, IMEI and date, and keep the seller’s signed declaration. Some cities require second-hand dealers to keep such records and share them with police. You can check whether a phone has been reported stolen on the government’s Sanchar Saathi portal. Never buy a phone without ID from the seller.
E-waste rules
Phones and their parts are e-waste. Under the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022, businesses that refurbish electronic equipment, such as repair shops that commercially refurbish and resell phones, may need to register as refurbishers on the Central Pollution Control Board’s portal. Every shop should hand over dead batteries, broken screens and other e-waste to authorised collectors or recyclers, never dump them. Swollen or damaged lithium batteries are a fire risk: store them safely.
The most common repairs, done well
- Screen replacement: the most frequent job. Check touch, display and Face ID or fingerprint functions before and after, and use the right adhesive so dust and water stay out. Tell the customer whether the replacement screen is original or compatible, because brightness and colours can differ.
- Battery replacement: check battery health with diagnostic tools first. Handle lithium batteries carefully, never puncture them, and dispose of old ones through authorised e-waste collectors.
- Charging problems: often a dirty or damaged port, a faulty cable or charger, or a software issue. Test with your own charger first, clean the port, then replace the port or charging board if needed.
- Water damage: open the phone quickly, disconnect the battery, clean corrosion with isopropyl alcohol and dry it fully. Be honest that recovery isn’t guaranteed, and charge a diagnosis fee.
- Software problems: updates, factory resets, flashing firmware and removing malware. Always confirm the customer has a backup before resetting, and never bypass locks on phones whose ownership you can’t confirm.
Step 5: GST on repairs and accessories
Repair services are generally taxed at 18% GST, and mobile phones and most accessories at 18%. When registered, show parts and labour separately on your invoices. Make GST invoices with Advanton’s free invoice generator.
Step 6: Pricing and warranty
- Quote before repair, with parts and labour separated, and get the customer’s approval.
- Charge a diagnosis fee for complex faults, adjusted against the repair if they go ahead.
- Offer a short warranty on parts and workmanship, such as 30 to 90 days, which builds trust. Exclude physical and water damage after the repair.
- Publish prices for common repairs by popular model, on a board or WhatsApp catalogue.
- Take payment by UPI or cash, and give a receipt with the warranty terms.
Step 7: Protect customers’ data
Customers hand you their whole life on a phone. Earn their trust:
- ask customers to back up their data before repair, and explain any risk of data loss
- where possible, let customers remove accounts and screen locks themselves, or keep the phone locked and test only what’s needed
- never open personal photos, messages or apps
- store phones securely and record when each phone comes in and goes out
- if you refurbish phones, wipe all data completely before resale
Write a short privacy policy on your job slip. India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Act also requires businesses to handle personal data responsibly, and being careful protects your reputation.
Step 8: Add income streams
- Accessories: covers, screen guards, chargers, cables, earphones and power banks. Margins are often higher than on repairs.
- Recharges and bill payments.
- Refurbished and used phones, with proper records and warranty.
- Laptop and tablet repair, as your skills grow.
- Business accounts: repair contracts with offices, schools and delivery companies.
See also mobile and electronics accessories shops.
Step 9: Get customers
- Location: a busy market, near colleges or offices, or in a mobile market cluster.
- Google Business Profile with photos, services, prices and reviews. "Mobile repair near me" is a very common search.
- The India Business Directory: list your shop free.
- WhatsApp for quotes from photos of the damage, and updates when repairs are ready.
- Pick-up and drop for busy customers.
- Same-day repairs for common faults are a strong selling point.
Step 10: Grow
Hire a second technician when you’re turning work away, and a counter person to handle customers and accessories. The ASUSE figures show repair businesses with staff generate several times the value of one-person shops. Check costs with Advanton’s hiring cost calculator. A Mudra Shishu or Kishore loan can fund tools and stock. See business loans and government schemes.
Common mistakes
- Using low-quality parts without telling customers.
- No written job slip, which leads to disputes about the phone’s condition.
- Buying phones without ID, which risks dealing in stolen goods.
- Throwing away batteries and e-waste with household rubbish.
- Overpromising timelines for repairs that need parts you don’t have.
Frequently asked questions about starting a mobile repair shop in India
How do I price a screen replacement?
Add the part’s cost, your labour, and a margin, and quote separately for original and compatible screens.
Do I need a licence to repair mobile phones?
There’s no specific licence for repair, but you need the usual registrations for your shop, GST above the threshold, and proper records if you buy used phones.
How long does mobile repair training take?
Basic courses run from a few weeks to a few months; advanced chip-level repair takes longer and lots of practice.
What GST applies to phone repairs?
Generally 18% on repair services. Register once you cross the threshold.
Can I sell refurbished phones?
Yes, with proper records of where each phone came from, a full data wipe, honest grading and a warranty. Check the e-waste rules for refurbishers.
Test your plan with the business idea reality check by choosing "phone and device repair".
Sources
- MoSPI, Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises 2023-24, full report
- Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs, GST
- GST portal (Goods and Services Tax Network)
- Central Pollution Control Board
- Skill India Digital
- Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana
Last reviewed November 6, 2026. Startup costs are estimates; check local prices, licensing and tax rules before you commit money.
