Tata Group to Oversee iPhone and MacBook Repairs in India
- Tata will now handle iPhone and MacBook repairs in India, replacing Wistron's ICT unit.
- This move strengthens Tata’s role in Apple’s supply chain and after-sales ecosystem.
- With rising iPhone sales, India is becoming a key market and production hub for Apple.
In a strategic move that underscores Apple’s growing reliance on India, the Tata Group is set to take over repair operations for iPhones and MacBooks in the country, according to sources familiar with the matter. This transition signals Tata’s expanding role in Apple’s supply chain and after-sales service ecosystem, as the U.S. tech giant intensifies its shift away from China.
The Tata Group, which already assembles iPhones at three facilities in South India, will now handle more complex repair services at its Karnataka iPhone assembly campus. This responsibility is being transferred from Wistron’s Indian unit, ICT Service Management Solutions, to Tata, marking another significant milestone in the conglomerate’s evolving relationship with Apple.
With India emerging as the world’s second-largest smartphone market and iPhone sales witnessing rapid growth from a 1% market share in 2020 to 7% in 2023 the need for robust after-sales service has grown exponentially. According to Counterpoint Research, Apple sold around 11 million iPhones in India last year alone.
The decision to entrust Tata with after-sales repairs reflects Apple’s confidence in the Indian conglomerate and may lay the foundation for further strategic collaborations. Prabhu Ram, Vice President at Cybermedia Research, noted that this move could pave the way for Apple to introduce refurbished device sales in India, similar to its U.S. model.
While Apple-authorized service centers across India continue to perform basic repairs, more advanced issues will now be handled at Tata’s repair hub. The transition from ICT to Tata is ongoing, and although neither Apple nor Wistron commented, it is confirmed that Wistron’s ICT will continue servicing other clients apart from Apple.
This development aligns with Apple’s broader strategy to diversify its supply chain amidst global geopolitical tensions. With India increasingly positioned as a key iPhone manufacturing hub, Apple CEO Tim Cook recently revealed that a large portion of iPhones sold in the U.S. during the June quarter will be produced in India.
As the Tata-Apple partnership deepens, India’s role in Apple’s global operations is set to grow further, both in manufacturing and service support.
