Apple Taps Tata Group for iPhone and MacBook Repairs in India as Alliance Grows

Apple has entrusted Tata Group with managing repairs for iPhones and MacBooks in India, highlighting the deepening collaboration between the U.S. tech giant and the Indian conglomerate. According to two people familiar with the development, Tata will now oversee these after-sales services, replacing ICT Service Management Solutions — the Indian arm of Taiwan’s Wistron.

Repairs to Be Conducted from Karnataka Facility

Tata will operate the repair services from its Karnataka-based iPhone assembly plant, one of its three key manufacturing facilities in southern India. One of these plants is also responsible for making iPhone components. This transition is currently in progress, sources confirmed.

"Tata's deepening partnership with Apple could also pave the groundwork for Apple directly selling refurbished devices in India, like how it does in the United States currently," said Prabhu Ram, Vice President at Cybermedia Research.

Growing iPhone Sales Fuel Service Expansion

India is now the world’s second-largest smartphone market, and Apple’s presence is expanding quickly. In 2023, the company reportedly sold 11 million iPhones in the country, according to Counterpoint Research — a sharp rise from just 1% market share in 2020 to 7% last year.

Shift from Wistron to Tata

While Apple’s authorized service centers will continue to manage minor repairs, complex repairs will now be handled by Tata’s centralized facility. Wistron’s ICT will remain operational for other clients, but not for Apple-related services.

“Tata is taking over the mandate from ICT Service Management Solutions and will carry out such after-sales repairs from its Karnataka iPhone assembly campus,” both sources said.

Apple's Manufacturing Shift to India Gains Momentum

Apple is diversifying its production away from China amid trade tensions and tariff threats from U.S. President Donald Trump. CEO Tim Cook previously stated that a large portion of iPhones sold in the U.S. during the June quarter would be manufactured in India.

Conclusion

Apple’s decision to assign Tata Group the responsibility for iPhone and MacBook repairs in India signals a pivotal shift in its global supply chain strategy. With India emerging as a vital hub for smartphone manufacturing and a growing consumer base, Apple is aligning with trusted local partners like Tata to enhance operational efficiency and reduce its reliance on China.

The Karnataka-based repair facility will allow for faster, localized servicing for complex issues, complementing Apple’s existing service network. Moreover, the growing iPhone user base in India — 11 million units sold in 2023 — necessitates a robust after-sales infrastructure.

Tata’s expanded role not only reinforces its significance within Apple’s ecosystem but also opens the door to new opportunities, including potential sales of refurbished Apple products in the Indian market. As the global landscape shifts, this partnership showcases how localization, trust, and scale are redefining supply chain priorities for tech giants like Apple.