How To Start a Phone Repair Business: 4 Steps to Success

Approximately 98% of Americans own a cell phone — that’s 331 million people who may find themselves with a cracked screen or battery that won’t charge.

All those broken devices present an exciting opportunity for anyone exploring how to start a phone repair business. However, opening your own store means understanding the necessary start-up costs, technical skills, and tools to manage everything from the outset.

Let’s explore every step needed to launch a phone repair shop and position it for lasting success.

How To Start a Phone Repair Business

You’ve got the passion for tech repairs, but how do you actually start a phone repair business and make it profitable?

First, you need to understand how phone repair businesses operate. 

A phone repair shop generates revenue by charging customers a fee to diagnose issues and complete fixes. Repair costs vary based on the phone’s make and model, as well as the extent of the damage, ranging from basic screen and battery replacements to complex motherboard repairs.

Related Read: Cell Phone Repair Industry Trends in 2025

Beyond common repair services, many shops generate additional income by selling accessories, like phone cases and screen protectors. Offering extended warranties and service plans can also build lasting value with your customers and create recurring revenue. 

While the initial costs for your starting stock and basic tools are relatively low compared to many other businesses, investing in appropriate software from the outset is crucial for long-term success.

An industry-specific point of sale (POS) system helps you tackle all the tasks that are part of your daily operations, like appointment scheduling, payment processing, inventory management, payroll, and more.

With this understanding of the business model, let’s dive into four critical steps for launching your own phone repair business.

Step 1: Learn Technical Phone Repair Skills

While you can technically outsource repairs to another company, being able to diagnose and perform quality repairs yourself, in house, saves you money and keeps you in control of the service your customers receive.

So, where do you start learning the ins and outs of phone repair? Thankfully, there are tons of resources available, even if you’re starting from scratch. These include: 

• Free video tutorials: Watch YouTube channels like PhoneRepairGuru and Hugh Jeffreys for detailed visual guides on common fixes like cracked screen replacements and charging port swaps. 
• Comprehensive online resources: Browse websites like iFixit for thousands of written and video guides covering various devices and skills, from soldering small components to troubleshooting software issues.
• Educational courses: Enroll in courses on platforms like Udemy, which offer classes designed for mobile repair technicians who want a more structured learning experience.
• Advanced training & certifications: Consider more intensive programs like the Mobile Repair Institute and explore industry certifications from Independent Repair Provider (IRP) programs to expand your knowledge.

Building your technical knowledge from the start lets you offer higher-quality repairs, quicker service to your customers, and more satisfied customers who will return to your shop again and again. 

Step 2: Create a Business Plan

Once you have a good grasp of the technical side of phone repair, the next step in learning how to start a phone repair business is to create a solid business plan. 

This plan defines your business’ focus, structure, finances, and marketing objectives — giving you everything you need to make informed decisions and set your store up for long-term success. 

Related Read: Top 5 Important Mobile Phone Repairs for 2025

A well-thought-out business plan covers several areas, including:

• Service offerings & pricing: Research the most common phone issues and typical repair costs in your area to decide which services to offer. Investigate what local competitors charge for similar services to help you set competitive prices.
• Suppliers: Identify reliable suppliers for the parts and accessories you plan to stock in your repair shop. Their pricing information will help you estimate repair costs for different devices and issues.
• Finances: Develop realistic one, two, and three-year financial forecasts by estimating your monthly overhead (including rent, payroll, advertising, and supplies), then compare those costs to your projected revenue based on estimated foot traffic and service prices.
• Marketing: Outline your initial marketing strategies to attract your target audience, including online listings, local promotions, partnerships with nearby businesses, and social media. 

This detailed planning is also essential if you decide to seek funding from investors, as it shows that you’ve carefully considered your business’ goals and viability.

Step 3: Set Up Your Phone Repair Workshop

Your workshop is where all the magic happens, so it makes sense to spend some time finding the ideal location and setup.

While your budget certainly plays a role in the options available to you, focusing on efficiency and organization from the start will contribute to a better overall customer experience. 

Some important considerations when setting up your workshop include: 

• Store location: Opt for an affordable storefront with high customer activity, such as locations near universities or shopping centers. Consider a shop size between 500 and 1000 square feet initially to manage rent and any necessary renovations.
• Tools & equipment: Invest in high-quality repair tools, including screwdrivers, spudgers, tweezers, clamp sets, magnifying glasses, and ESD mats. As your business grows, you might need advanced equipment for more specialized services, like thermal imaging cameras for diagnosing board issues or hot air stations for soldering. 
• Inventory organization: Establish a clear system for organizing inventory, such as categorizing parts by device make and model, and maintaining a record of all purchased and used stock. Your POS system should keep tabs on all inventory, track repair costs, and prevent you from running out of essential components.

An integrated retail POS system lets you easily track inventory while managing your daily tasks and bookings, keeping you on track and preventing overselling of parts that are out of stock. 

Related Read: Manage Your Phone Repair Business Better: 4 Top Tips

A good POS system can manage warehousing, purchasing, and payroll, while also providing valuable reporting, giving you all the tools you need to run your shop efficiently.

Step 4: Open & Market Your Business

You’ve got the skills, the plan, and the setup — now all that’s left is to open your doors! 

But getting those first customers requires consistent and strategic marketing efforts to connect with your target audience. 

So, how should you get the word out there? Here are some ways to launch and promote your repair business: 

• Get listed: Make sure your store has properly set up Google Business Profile and Yelp accounts. These listings often appear in map results, making it easier for nearby customers to find you. 
• Offer promotions: Consider offering special deals for first-time customers or complimentary device diagnostics to provide an additional incentive for people to visit your store.
• Build a following: Create social media accounts to showcase your repair work, share testimonials from satisfied customers (with their permission, of course!), and run targeted ads specifically for people searching for common phone issues.
• Implement smart technology: Use tools that complement your marketing efforts. A specialized POS software like CellSmart POS integrates with your customer relationship management (CRM) tools, implements a loyalty program, and automates certain promotions.

Related Read: Crafting a Cell Phone Repair Marketing Strategy: 4 Ideas for 2025

Getting the word out takes time, so continue to invest in your marketing efforts and try different approaches. If something doesn’t work like you anticipated, stay flexible and adjust your strategies accordingly.

How To Start a Phone Repair Business: The Best Software Solution 

Starting a phone repair business presents some challenges, but worthwhile ventures often do. 

With a well-thought-out plan, you can build a solid foundation for your business and better manage any unexpected situations that might arise. 

For independent phone and electronics repair shops needing a customizable, all-in-one POS solution, consider CellSmart POS. This unified platform integrates inventory and order management, organizes repair workflows, offers secure payment processing, provides detailed sales analytics, implements customer loyalty programs — plus much more.

See how a platform designed for your repair store’s needs can benefit your daily operations by scheduling a free CellSmart POS demo today.