How to Learn Phone Repair

Want to learn phone repair? It’s a $4 billion industry that will continue to grow as more people than ever own new and used phones. With commitment, you can learn phone repair skills that help you land a job, start a side gig or even launch a full-time business. Start today with our guide on how to learn phone repair.

Phone repair schools (online & offline)

These schools are dedicated exclusively to phone repair and generally do not prep you to take the CompTIA A+ or other certification exams. They offer their own certifications and teach you how to diagnose and repair a variety of mobile devices, including iPhones, Android phones and tablets.

Most mobile phone repair institutions feature classroom environments with hands-on instruction, though some have both online and offline learning options. Fees typically cover everything you need, including parts and practice devices, though if you’re learning online you might need to purchase your own phone repair tools.

In general, you can complete phone repair schools quicker than community college programs. Here are some examples to give you an idea of what to expect.

Community colleges and trade schools

Many community colleges and trade schools offer cell phone repair education. These schools typically provide hands-on classroom training, though some also offer online phone repair classes. Your tuition fee will likely cover all instruction, books, tools, repair parts and practice devices.

Some schools have their own certifications, while others will prepare you to pass exams for industry-recognized certifications like the CompTIA A+. This certification encompasses more than phone repair and includes computer repair, networking, operational procedures and problem-solving. That can prove beneficial if you want to provide more services and make yourself more marketable to customers or employers, but it can also increase the time and cost investment required to complete your training.

Search online for nearby community colleges and local trade schools that offer phone repair classes. The table below lists some examples to give you an idea of how much they cost.

Online phone repair courses

These courses vary significantly by quality, duration and pricing. Pre-packaged courses “in a box” offer no direct instructor interaction. Examples include phone repair courses you can find on Udemy for $10 to $25, the $50 iPhone Repair Course (which is not affiliated with Apple) and the Prizm Institute’s $125 self-paced course. Such courses do not offer certifications.

If you’re seeking industry-recognized certification, Apple offers a four-day online course to prepare you to take the Certified iOS Technician exam. The credential certifies your competency for repairing iOS devices like iPhones and iPads.

Franchise phone repair training

Some cell phone repair schools are packaged within business opportunities. For example, phone repair franchises like CPR Cell Phone Repair, Dr. Phone Fix and uBreakiFix offer training for franchisees. This option is only available if you’re buying a franchise, which requires a hefty investment:

• uBreakiFix: $55,000 to $236,000
• CPR Cell Phone Repair: $56,000 to $171,000
• Phone Fix: $102,000 to $215,000

That’s a lot of money, but it’s a viable option if you plan to start your own cell phone repair business. In addition to repair training, franchises offer proven business models and marketing support.

DIY phone repair training

A final option is to learn phone repair on your own. You can watch online videos, read books about phone repair and follow along with repair tutorials on sites like YouTube, Repairs Universe and iFixit (which offers its own certification exam).

When you go it alone, you won’t have access to professional instructors – though you can still take exams for certifications like CompTIA A+ and Certified iOS Technician. You’ll also need to buy your own repair parts, practice devices and tools. However, if you’re already tech savvy and can learn on your own, you could save money with the DIY approach.

What to ask before you decide

Ask these questions before you decide where to learn phone repair:

• What devices will I learn how to repair? What else will I learn?
• Is the program comprehensive, or an entry level program with more classes to take once completed?
• What certification will I get, and is it industry-recognized? Do I need these certifications?
• What format is coursework delivered in? Online or classroom?
• Are there any complementary classes I should take?
• Will practice devices and repair parts be provided? Or do they represent an additional cost?
• Are tools provided or will I need to buy my own?
• How much does the program cost?
• How long does the program take to complete?
• Does the school have a good reputation? Do the instructors? What do former students say?
• How will I leverage my new skills to achieve my goals? To start a business or side gig? To find employment?

Once you answer these questions, you can choose the best phone repair learning option for your goals – whether you want land a good-paying job or cut out the middleman and start your own phone repair business.

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