Mail-In Phone Repair UK: The Complete Guide (2026)

Mail-In Phone Repair UK: The Complete Guide (2026)

Mail-in phone repair has revolutionised how we fix our devices in the UK. Instead of spending hours finding a local shop, dropping off your phone, and arranging collection, you can post your device and have it returned repaired within days — often faster than local services. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about mail-in repair in 2026.

Did You Know?

Quick Summary: Mail-in repair lets you post your broken phone, tablet, laptop, or other device to a specialist repair centre. They fix it using genuine or high-quality parts, then return it fully insured. Typical turnaround: 24-72 hours for screens, 24-48 hours for batteries. You get fixed pricing, proper warranties, and expert-level repairs without leaving your home.

What Is Mail-In Phone Repair?

Mail-in repair is exactly what it sounds like: you post your broken device to a repair specialist, they fix it in their workshop, then post it back to you. It's the same model Apple and Samsung use for their official repairs, but available from independent specialists at significantly lower prices.

At celltech Repairs in Solihull, we've been offering mail-in repairs since our founding. We're now recognised as the fastest mail-in tech repair service in the UK, with screen replacements completed in 24-72 hours and battery swaps in 24-48 hours from the moment your device arrives.

How Does Mail-In Repair Work? (Step-by-Step)

The process is surprisingly simple. Here's how it works from start to finish:

Step 1: Get Your Quote Online

Visit our website and select your device. Our booking system covers thousands of models:

• iPhones: All models from iPhone 6 to iPhone 16 Pro Max
• Samsung phones: Galaxy S, A, Z Fold, Z Flip series
• Google Pixel: All generations including Pixel 9 Pro
• iPads: Standard, Air, Pro, Mini from 2015 onwards
• MacBooks: Air and Pro models, all generations
• Other laptops: Dell, HP, Lenovo, Microsoft Surface
• Smartwatches: Apple Watch, Samsung Galaxy Watch
• Gaming devices: Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, PlayStation Portal
• Tablets: Samsung Galaxy Tab, Microsoft Surface

Select your fault (screen, battery, charging port, camera, water damage, etc.) and receive an instant fixed price. No hidden fees, no "we'll assess when we see it" uncertainty.

Step 2: Book Your Repair

Once you've got your quote, complete the booking. You'll receive:

• Booking confirmation email with your unique reference number
• Detailed packaging instructions
• Our postal address: celltech Repairs, 126 High St, Solihull, B91 3SX
• Checklist to prepare your device

Step 3: Package Your Device

This is the most important step. Proper packaging ensures your device arrives safely:

• Wrap thoroughly: 5-10 layers of bubble wrap minimum
• Use a sturdy box: Not a padded envelope
• Include your booking reference: Write it on a piece of paper inside the parcel
• Remove SIM and memory cards: Keep them safe at home
• Back up your data: Always, even though we don't touch your data

Read our complete packaging guide for detailed instructions, common mistakes to avoid, and Royal Mail requirements.

Step 4: Post via Royal Mail Special Delivery

You must use Royal Mail Special Delivery only. This is crucial because:

• Fully tracked from collection to delivery
• Insurance up to £2,500 included
• Next-day delivery before 1pm
• Signature required (no doorstep dumping)
• Compensation available if lost or damaged in transit

Cost: £7-£14 depending on weight and insurance level. Post it at your local Post Office or arrange collection.

Did You Know?

Why not cheaper options? Standard 1st or 2nd class post has no tracking, no insurance, and no compensation if lost. We've seen customers use cheaper services and regret it when parcels go missing. Special Delivery costs £10 extra but protects a £1,000+ device. It's always worth it.

Step 5: We Receive and Repair

Once your device arrives at our workshop in Solihull:

• Immediate confirmation: You receive a WhatsApp or SMS the moment it's logged in
• Diagnostic check: We verify the fault matches your booking
• Repair begins: Using genuine or manufacturer-equivalent parts
• Quality testing: Every repair is tested across 15+ checkpoints
• Updates throughout: WhatsApp/SMS at every stage

Turnaround times:

• Screen replacement: 24-72 hours
• Battery replacement: 24-48 hours
• Charging port: 24-72 hours
• Camera module: 48-72 hours
• Liquid damage: 3-5 days (requires full cleaning and testing)
• Board-level repair: 2-5 days (microsoldering for complex issues)

These timescales start from when we receive your device, not when you post it.

Step 6: We Return Your Device (Postage Free)

Once repaired and tested, we post your device back via Royal Mail Special Delivery at no charge to you. Standard insurance is £1,000. If you want enhanced cover up to £2,500, add £9.95 during booking.

You'll receive a tracking number the moment we post it. Most customers receive their device the next day.

Pricing: What Does Mail-In Repair Cost?

Mail-in repair is typically 40-70% cheaper than Apple Store or Samsung official repairs, and often cheaper than local shops due to our specialist buying power and efficiency.

Example iPhone Prices

• iPhone 16 screen: £199.95 (Apple: £379)
• iPhone 15 Pro screen: £189.95 (Apple: £349)
• iPhone 14 screen: £99.95 (Apple: £319)
• iPhone 13 screen: £74.95 (Apple: £279)
• iPhone 12 screen: £59.95 (Apple: £249)
• iPhone SE (3rd gen) screen: £49.95 (Apple: £169)
• iPhone battery (most models): From £39.95 (Apple: £95)

Example Samsung Prices

• Galaxy S24 Ultra screen: £229.95
• Galaxy S23 screen: £199.95
• Galaxy Z Fold 6 main screen: £549.95
• Galaxy A series screens: From £139.95

Example iPad Prices

• iPad Pro 12.9" screen: From £204.95
• iPad Air screen: From £129.95
• iPad 10th gen screen: £139.95
• iPad Mini screen: From £69.95
• iPad battery: From £44.95

Example MacBook Prices

• MacBook Air M2 screen: £329.95
• MacBook Pro 14" screen: From £569.95
• MacBook Pro 16" screen: From £619.95
• MacBook battery: From £89.95
• Logic board repair: From £249.95

All prices include:

• High-quality or genuine parts
• Expert labour
• 27-month warranty
• Free return postage (Royal Mail Special Delivery)
• Diagnostic and testing

What If It's Unrepairable?

If we assess your device and determine it's not economically repairable (e.g., catastrophic motherboard damage, repair cost exceeds device value), we charge a £19.95 diagnostic fee. This covers our time assessing the device, testing, and the return postage (still via Special Delivery, fully insured).

We'll always contact you before charging the diagnostic fee to explain what we found and discuss options.

Insurance and Safety: Is Your Device Protected?

This is the biggest concern people have about mail-in repair. Let's address it comprehensively.

Transit Insurance (Customer's Responsibility)

When you post your device to us via Royal Mail Special Delivery:

• Standard cover: Up to £2,500 included in Special Delivery price
• Compensation process: If your parcel is lost or damaged in transit, Royal Mail compensates based on proof of value
• Your responsibility: Keep your receipt and proof of posting

Important: The customer (you) purchases the postage, so the insurance claim would be yours to make if needed. In 8+ years of operation, we've had fewer than 5 parcels lost in transit, and all were fully compensated by Royal Mail.

In Our Workshop

Once we receive your device:

• Secure facility: Alarmed workshop with CCTV
• Business insurance: Full public and product liability cover
• Trained technicians: All repairs performed by certified specialists
• Locked storage: Devices stored securely overnight

Return Journey (Our Responsibility)

We post your repaired device back via Royal Mail Special Delivery:

• Standard insurance: £1,000 included (we pay for this)
• Enhanced insurance: £2,500 cover available for £9.95
• Full tracking: You receive tracking number immediately
• Signature required: Delivered to a person, not left on doorstep

Read our complete safety guide for a detailed analysis of every risk and how we mitigate it.

Warranty: What's Covered?

Every mail-in repair comes with our 27-month warranty. This covers:

• Parts failure: If the replacement screen, battery, or other component fails
• Workmanship issues: If something we did causes a problem
• Related faults: If the repair causes an issue with a connected component

What's not covered:

• New physical damage (dropping, liquid damage after return)
• Software issues unrelated to the hardware repair
• Wear and tear from normal use over time

If a warranty issue arises, you simply post the device back (we reimburse your postage) and we fix it free of charge.

Communication: How Do You Know What's Happening?

We provide updates at every stage via WhatsApp or SMS (your choice during booking):

• Device received and logged
• Diagnostic complete
• Repair started
• Repair complete, testing begun
• Testing passed, ready to return
• Parcel posted with tracking number

You can also call us during business hours: 07700 143573 (Mon-Sat 9am-5pm).

Mail-In vs Apple/Samsung Official Repair

Apple and Samsung both offer mail-in repair services. How do we compare?

Apple Mail-In Repair

• Pros: Genuine Apple parts, preserves warranty if under AppleCare+, seamless integration
• Cons: Extremely expensive (£249-£379 for screens), long turnaround (5-10 days typical), requires Apple ID verification, often suggests replacing device instead of repairing

Samsung Mail-In Repair

• Pros: Official Samsung parts, maintains device authenticity
• Cons: Expensive (similar to Apple pricing), slow turnaround (7-14 days), limited to Samsung devices, availability varies by region

celltech Mail-In Repair

• Pros: 40-70% cheaper, faster turnaround (24-72 hours for screens), repairs all brands, 27-month warranty, transparent pricing, UK-based (Solihull), expert microsoldering for board-level repairs
• Cons: Not "official" (but we use manufacturer-equivalent quality parts), posting required (but so is Apple/Samsung mail-in)

The key difference: we repair devices that Apple/Samsung would refuse or charge £500+ for. Logic board issues? We microsolder. Liquid damage? We clean and restore. Older devices? We support them years after manufacturers stop.

Common Questions About Mail-In Repair

1. Is mail-in repair safe?

Yes, when done properly. Use Royal Mail Special Delivery (never cheaper options), package securely with 5-10 layers of bubble wrap, and choose a reputable repair centre. Read our complete safety analysis.

2. How long does mail-in repair take?

Typical timeline:

• Postage to us: 1 day (Special Delivery next-day)
• Repair time: 24-72 hours for screens, 24-48 hours for batteries
• Return postage: 1 day (Special Delivery next-day)
• Total: 3-5 days from posting to receiving back

Board-level repairs and liquid damage take longer (up to 7 days total).

3. What if my device gets lost in the post?

Royal Mail Special Delivery has a 99.9% delivery success rate. In the rare event of loss:

• Contact Royal Mail immediately with your tracking number
• File a compensation claim (up to £2,500 covered)
• Provide proof of value (original receipt, bank statement showing purchase)
• Royal Mail typically resolves claims within 10-15 working days

We've had fewer than 5 parcels lost in 8+ years of operation, and all were compensated.

4. What happens to my data?

We do not access, copy, or modify your data. Screen replacements, battery swaps, and most repairs don't require touching your data at all. For board-level repairs where we might need to test functionality, we use test accounts, not your personal data.

That said, always back up before posting. It's good practice regardless of who repairs your device.

5. Can you repair water-damaged devices?

Yes. Liquid damage repair is one of our specialisms. We use ultrasonic cleaning, isopropyl alcohol baths, and microsoldering to restore corroded or short-circuited boards.

Success rate depends on how quickly you act (turn off immediately, don't charge, post within 48 hours for best results) and severity of damage. Read our water damage repair guide.

6. What if the repair doesn't fix the problem?

If we complete the repair but the original issue persists, we investigate further at no extra charge. Sometimes faults have multiple causes (e.g., screen replacement fixes display, but digitiser issue remains). We don't charge twice for the same problem.

If we determine the device is unrepairable, we charge only the £19.95 diagnostic fee and return it free of charge.

7. Can you repair devices not listed on your website?

Probably. Our website lists the most common devices, but we repair hundreds of models including rare or obscure brands. Call us on 07700 143573 or email mail@celltechmobilerepairs.co.uk with your device model and fault. We'll give you a quote within a few hours.

8. Do you use genuine parts?

Where possible, yes. For Apple devices, we use manufacturer-equivalent screens (same LCD/OLED panels from the same suppliers Apple uses). For batteries, we use high-capacity cells meeting or exceeding OEM specifications.

We never use cheap "copy" parts. Quality is non-negotiable.

9. Will mail-in repair void my warranty?

If your device is still under manufacturer warranty (Apple, Samsung, etc.), third-party repair technically voids it. However:

• Most devices we repair are out of warranty (1-2 years old+)
• Manufacturer repairs for common issues (screen, battery) often cost more than the device is worth
• Our 27-month warranty replaces the manufacturer warranty

If you have AppleCare+ or Samsung Care+, use that first. If you're out of warranty, mail-in repair is significantly cheaper.

10. Can I track my repair?

Yes, via:

• WhatsApp/SMS updates: Real-time notifications at every stage
• Phone: Call 07700 143573 (Mon-Sat 9am-5pm)
• Email: mail@celltechmobilerepairs.co.uk
• Tracking number: For return postage

11. What if I change my mind after posting?

If we haven't started the repair, we can return your device unrepaired. You pay the return postage (£7-£14 via Special Delivery). If we've already completed the repair, the full price applies.

12. Can you fix cracked back glass?

Yes, for most iPhone models and some Samsung models. Back glass replacement requires removing all internal components, so it's labour-intensive and costs more than screen replacements (typically £79.95-£149.95 depending on model).

Who Is Mail-In Repair Best For?

Mail-in repair suits:

• Rural customers: No local repair shops within 30+ miles
• Busy professionals: No time to visit shops during working hours
• Specialist repairs: Board-level microsoldering, rare devices, complex faults local shops refuse
• MacBook/laptop owners: Most local shops don't have the equipment or expertise
• Value seekers: Significant savings vs manufacturer repairs
• People with backup devices: Can manage a few days without their primary device

When local repair wins:

• Urgent same-day repairs: Cracked screen needed within hours
• No backup device: Can't manage 3-5 days without it
• Simple screen replacement on common device: Local shop can do it while you wait

Read our honest comparison guide to decide which suits your situation.

Related Reading: Complete Mail-In Repair Knowledge Base

We've written 11 comprehensive guides covering every aspect of mail-in repair:

• How to Package Your Phone for Mail-In Repair — Detailed 5-step packaging guide
• Is Mail-In Phone Repair Safe? — Comprehensive safety analysis
• Mail-In vs Local Repair: Which Is Better? — Honest comparison with decision framework
• Mail-In iPhone Screen Repair UK — Complete iPhone-specific guide
• Mail-In Samsung Repair UK — Galaxy-specific guide
• Mail-In MacBook Repair UK — Laptop repair guide
• Mail-In iPad Repair UK — Tablet repair guide
• Best Mail-In Phone Repair Services UK — How to choose a provider
• How Much Does Mail-In Repair Cost UK? — Detailed pricing analysis
• Mail-In Repair Turnaround Times UK — What to expect timeline-wise
• Royal Mail Special Delivery for Phone Repair — Why it's essential

Final Thoughts: Is Mail-In Repair Right for You?

Mail-in repair has become the UK's fastest-growing repair method for good reason: it's convenient, cost-effective, and when done properly, completely safe. You avoid the hassle of finding a local shop, queuing, returning for collection, and dealing with uncertain pricing.

At celltech Repairs, we've refined mail-in repair to an art. Our 24-72 hour turnaround for screens and 24-48 hours for batteries makes us the fastest service in the UK. Our 27-month warranty is the longest in the industry. Our pricing is transparent and fixed before you post.

Thousands of customers across the UK trust us with their devices every month. We've built our reputation on quality, speed, and honest communication.

Ready to get started?

Questions? Call us on 07700 143573 (Mon-Sat 9am-5pm) or email mail@celltechmobilerepairs.co.uk. We're here to help.

celltech Repairs — The fastest mail-in tech repair service in the UK. Based in Solihull, serving customers nationwide since 2016.