1. Quiz
  2. Your result
  3. Your plan
  4. Your guide

Step-by-step guide

Phone and electronics repairs: your step-by-step start

Replace screens, batteries and charging ports, and fix common phone and small-electronics faults from a counter, container or home.

  • 18 lessons
  • 5 modules
  • about 1 hour in total

Is this guide for you?

Good fit if

  • Patient, technical people with steady hands who have learnt repairs or are willing to train first.

Think twice if

  • You need money within the next two weeks: first income usually takes about 30 days.
  • You cannot put about R2 000 into getting started.
  • You cannot free up about 10 hours a week.

Honest expectations

  • First income usually takes about 30 days.
  • Part time, this can become a meaningful second income once you have regular customers.
  • The main risk to plan for: damaging a phone further: practise on old phones first.

What is inside

  1. Module 1

    Is this right for you?

    What it involves, who pays, and honest expectations.

    1. How phone and electronics repairs worksFree · 5 min
    2. Honest expectations4 min (in the full guide)
  2. Module 2

    Set up and price

    What you need and what to charge.

    1. Your startup kit, costs and skills5 min (in the full guide)
    2. Pricing and getting paid5 min (in the full guide)
    3. Your numbers: a worked example in rands5 min (in the full guide)
  3. Module 3

    Your first week

    The first steps, in order.

    1. Your first week, step by step6 min (in the full guide)
    2. Week one, step 2: Buy a starter tool kit and practise on old phones3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Week one, step 3: Find two parts suppliers and compare prices3 min (in the full guide)
    4. Finding your first customers: who to message5 min (in the full guide)
    5. Messages to copy: your first customers5 min (in the full guide)
  4. Module 4

    Your first month

    A routine that brings in customers.

    1. Your first 30 days: build a routine4 min (in the full guide)
    2. Month one, task 1: Offer repairs to friends at cost for reviews3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Month one, task 2: Write a quote and warranty slip3 min (in the full guide)
  5. Module 5

    Months two and three

    Repeat what works, grow and stay safe.

    1. Days 31 to 90: repeat what works and grow4 min (in the full guide)
    2. Months two and three, task 1: Add charging ports and back glass3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Months two and three, task 2: Aim for partner with a phone shop or spaza for referrals3 min (in the full guide)
    4. Getting paid safely and spotting scams4 min (in the full guide)
    5. Risks, rules, tax and staying safe5 min (in the full guide)

What it costs to start

R2 000 to R10 000 to get started, from our research

What you will use:

  • Precision screwdriver set
  • Heat pad or heat gun
  • Anti-static mat
  • Quote and warranty slips

Prices change and differ by area, so check two places near you before you buy.

Try it before you buy

Lesson one is free. If it helps, the whole guide is R149 once-off.

Start the free lesson

Reviewed 24 October 2026 by the Earn Path team. Next review due 24 October 2027.