Techs Who Repair Tablets/Mobile Devices: Where did you learn your skills?

[Bryce W]

I am often asked by Technibblers where they can learn how to repair tablets and mobiles, but unfortunately I dont have a source I can recommend. So I want to ask those who do repair tablets and mobiles, where you did learn how to?

 

[DanF]

Good question

 

[nlinecomputers]

YouTube. Google. Ifixit.

 

['putertutor]

On the fly, with big assists from the same lot @nlinecomputers mentioned.

 

[jbartlett323]

I learned how to take something apart and put it back together in a working state when i was like 7-8. before that it was just taking things apart...
Once I got into these devices, only schooling I ever had was that mentioned by others above. Never needed anything beyond a simple teardown for when I got stuck, or if I didn't know how to get started...

 

[PCX]

YouTube. Google. Ifixit.

This and Technibble, although I think that the Technibble forums are lacking in this area.

 

[mr m]

I learned how to take something apart and put it back together in a working state when i was like 7-8.

This says it all.

My Dad was fixing our old beater and I helped him take the carburetor apart to rebuild it. He couldn't give me money but gave me something even more valuable. He taught me how to think analytically and to this day I can't remember the last time I had to pay anyone to do any type of repair work for me. Well OK, excluding doctors and dentists.

 

[kwest]

Ifixit and youtube

 

[JasonLV]

If you want hands on in person training you can look up the following companies.

www.wildpcs.com

I've taken their five day training in Las Vegas, NV for $1500 and it was a great experience and made that back in about 15 days.They have schools now through out the USA.

Another repair training facility is:

http://cellularrepairschool.org

They have both in person training and online training. I found out one of the owners actually attended the Wildpcs school prior to opening up the business.

As mentioned above I learned by trial and error as well as website above prior to taking the classes.The classes just helped solidify what I already new.

 

[Bryce W]

Thanks guys, especially @JasonLV , will look into those paid resources too.

 

[cmonova]

Thousands of guides here to pick from https://www.ifixit.com/Guide
Pretty much walk you thru any type of repair.

 

[slowride326]

When training new employee I use a projector and go thru the steps via Ifixit. It is a great tool. I still refer back to it for help.

 

[altrenda]

I do the same. My only problem with ifixit is that sometimes, especially on iMacs and Macbooks, they have you remove things that don't need to be removed to do the job, some of them quite fragile, making it take longer and a little riskier.

 

[john north]

There are four different ways to learn how to repair Tablets/Mobile Devices: offline courses, online courses, self-teaching books, and the online self-taught approach. Each method has its own pros and cons.

 

[Krynn72]

I learned mostly on the job. I just slowly went through stuff, if I got lost or forgot how something went back in, I'd look at the pictures on ifixit. I don't really like ifixit, because a lot of their guides involve steps that don't need to be done (wasting time and providing more opportunity for mistakes) but their pictures are really high quality and high resolution.

 

[Pasotech]

Common sense and tutorials mentioned. Didnt hurt that I had a good mentor that has been repairing small electronics since radios came out lol
Really what people dont realize is its not the steps to take that requires skill its how to take them. Knowing that this connector goes here is easy. Getting it on there without damaging anything, bending a cable, or loosing your mind that is the trick. Anyone who has fixed a 4th gen ipod knows exactly what I mean LOL

 

[TechLady]

I do the same. My only problem with ifixit is that sometimes, especially on iMacs and Macbooks, they have you remove things that don't need to be removed to do the job, some of them quite fragile, making it take longer and a little riskier.

I don't fix mobile devices much, and I tend to stick to the ones you can find guides for on iFixit. But if you're finding things that need correcting on their guides, by all means please try to edit them so people like me don't wind up hosing what we're working on! There are edit buttons on every step.

 

[altrenda]

I don't fix mobile devices much, and I tend to stick to the ones you can find guides for on iFixit. But if you're finding things that need correcting on their guides, by all means please try to edit them so people like me don't wind up hosing what we're working on! There are edit buttons on every step.

iFixit mainly works by assembling the steps for various parts into a complete guide. I just replaced the Logic board in a Macbook Air, and there were over 30 steps in the guide.
https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/MacBook+Air+13-Inch+Early+2014+Logic+Board+Replacement/24746

removing the bottom case
removing the battery connector
removing .IO Board Cable
removing the fan
removing IO Board
etc.
All the individual sections are valid, and doing all the steps makes it easy to remove the logic board. It's hard to pick a problem with the individual guides.

With experience , you can eliminate several of the steps, including disconnecting some of the very fragile connector types Apple uses. But it would be hard to make recommendations to instructions on a site geared more for advanced users and hobbyists than professionals.

But iFixit is great, it's a big help to have pictures of what everything looks like and which connectors are being used.

 

[CLC]

YouTube. Google. Ifixit.

Same here

 

[rjg.tech]

The more you do the better and more comfortable you get. Start off slow using guides from ifixit and YouTube with the help of a screw mat. My new employees take apart and reassemble junk phones we have around the office or they practice creating full assembly's which just means they install the front camera, proximity, and earpiece into a new phone screen. Practice creates confidence and allows you to be comfortable in your abilities which then leads to quality repairs with fast turn around on customer devices.