Apple has chosen the Tata Group to take over iPhone and MacBook repair operations in India, showing the tech giant’s growing trust in the Indian conglomerate. This move strengthens Tata’s role in Apple’s supply chain as Apple shifts focus away from China.
Tata already assembles iPhones in three factories in South India, and now, it will also handle after-sales repairs from its Karnataka campus. This responsibility was earlier managed by ICT Service Management Solutions, an Indian unit of Taiwan’s Wistron.
India’s smartphone repair market is expanding rapidly, with iPhone sales growing sharply. Apple’s market share in India rose from just 1% in 2020 to 7% in 2023, with around 11 million iPhones sold last year.
Experts say this growing partnership could lead to Apple launching direct sales of refurbished iPhones in India, similar to what it does in the U.S.
While Apple’s official service centres in India handle basic repairs, more complex fixes will now be done at Tata’s facility. Wistron’s ICT unit will continue servicing clients other than Apple.
This move aligns with Apple’s broader strategy to expand production and repair capabilities in India, especially as it looks to reduce reliance on China amid global trade tensions.
