Apple Partners with Tata for iPhone, MacBook Repairs in India

Apple has entrusted Tata Group with handling repairs for iPhones and MacBooks in India, expanding their collaboration and strengthening Tata’s role in Apple’s global supply chain, according to Reuters, citing two insiders familiar with the matter. As Apple expands manufacturing beyond China, Tata has emerged as a critical partner. The conglomerate already assembles iPhones at three facilities in southern India, one of which also ships out some components.

Apple Expands India Partnership with Tata to Handle iPhone and MacBook Repairs Amid Rising Local Sales

Now, Tata will assume control over Apple’s after-sales repair services in India from the company’s local unit, ICT Service Management Solutions of Wistron. The mending is expected to take place at Tata’s iPhone manufacturing facility in Karnataka, the sources added.

India, the world’s second-largest smartphone market, has seen a surge in iPhone sales, with sales totaling about 11 million in 2023 — up from just 1% of the market in 2020 to 7% in 2021, according to Counterpoint Research. This boom will indirectly improve the device fixing industry.

“This move reflects Apple’s increasing trust in Tata,” said Prabhu Ram, vice president at Cybermedia Research. “It might also pave the way for Apple to start selling refurbished devices in India, similar to its approach in the U.S.” The transition from ICT to Tata is currently in progress. Wistron will continue providing services for non-Apple clients in India, one source added. Neither Apple nor Wistron responded to requests for comment, and a Tata spokesperson declined to comment.

While Apple’s official service centers will still handle basic repairs, more complex repairs for iPhones and MacBooks will now be directed to Tata’s facility in Karnataka. This change aligns with Apple’s increasing iPhone exports from India as part of U.S. efforts to reduce reliance on China. CEO Tim Cook recently announced that the majority of iPhones sold in the U.S. during the June quarter were manufactured in India.

FAQs