Mobile repairing is a practical skill with growing demand across India and globally. Whether you plan to join a course, work in a local repair shop, or start your own mobile service business, one thing becomes clear very early: mobile repairing has its own technical language.
Customers, technicians and service centres regularly use terms like dead phone, IC, SIM, IMEI, or short. For beginners, these words can sound confusing or intimidating. In reality, most of them are simple once explained properly.
This post explains common mobile repairing terms, jargon, and full forms.
Why Learning Mobile Repairing Terms Is Important
Understanding mobile repair terminology is not optional—it is essential.
Here’s why:
- Better diagnosis: Knowing the right terms helps you identify problems faster.
- Clear communication: You can explain issues to customers and senior technicians confidently.
- Course success: Training materials and instructors use technical words regularly.
- Professional image: Correct terminology builds trust with customers.
- Fewer mistakes: You avoid mixing up software and hardware issues.
Real-life example:
If a customer says, “Phone on nahi ho raha”, a trained technician does not stop at “dead phone.” They check whether it is a battery issue, power IC fault, or software corruption.
Basic Mobile Repairing Terms (Beginner-Friendly)
These are the most commonly used words you will hear in any mobile repair shop.
Dead Phone
A phone that does not power on at all.
Possible causes include battery failure, short circuit, power IC damage, or corrupted software.
Hang
When a smartphone freezes and does not respond to touch or buttons.
Restart Issue
The phone keeps restarting automatically without user input. Often linked to software issues or power supply instability.
Touch Not Working
The display shows content, but touch input does not respond properly. This may be due to a damaged touch panel or connector issue.
No Display
The phone powers on, but the screen remains black. This is usually a display, connector, or backlight problem.
OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer)
Refers to original parts or software provided by the phone manufacturer.
Common Hardware-Related Mobile Repairing Terms
Hardware refers to the physical components inside a mobile phone.
Motherboard
The main circuit board of the mobile device. All important components like CPU, RAM, ICs, and connectors are mounted on it. It is also called PCB (Printed Circuit Board)
IC (Integrated Circuit)
A small chip that controls a specific function, such as charging, audio, display, or power management.
Important:
Technicians often say “IC problem” loosely. In reality, the exact IC must be identified through testing.
Connector
Used to connect components like the display, battery, charging port, or camera to the motherboard.
Short
An electrical fault where current flows through an unintended path. This often causes overheating or a dead phone.
Dry Solder
A weak or broken solder joint that causes intermittent issues, such as charging sometimes working and sometimes not.
BGA (Ball Grid Array)
A type of IC packaging where solder balls connect the IC to the PCB. Most modern mobile ICs use BGA packaging.
Reflow/Reheat
Heating an IC to temporarily fix loose solder connections. It solves the issues manya times.
Reballing
Replacing old solder balls under a BGA IC with new ones. This is a proper long-term repair method.
ESD (Electrostatic Discharge)
Static electricity that can damage mobile components. Technicians use ESD mats and wrist straps for protection.
Power and Charging-Related Terminology
Charging issues are among the most common customer complaints.
Charging Issue
The phone does not charge properly or at all. Causes range from cable damage to charging IC failure.
Charging Port
The physical port, jack or connector and socket where the charging cable is inserted. Dust, corrosion, or broken pins often cause problems.
Battery Drain
The phone battery discharges and loses charge very quickly. This can be due to battery aging, background apps, or short circuits.
Power IC
The chip that controls power distribution inside the smartphone. A faulty power IC can cause dead phone or restart issues.
Common Mobile Repairing Full Forms You Must Know
Understanding abbreviations is crucial in mobile repairing.
| Short Form | Full Form | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| IMEI | International Mobile Equipment Identity | Unique device identification number |
| LCD | Liquid Crystal Display | Screen display unit |
| OLED | Organic Light Emitting Diode | Advanced display technology |
| CPU | Central Processing Unit | Main processor |
| RAM | Random Access Memory | Temporary memory |
| ROM | Read-Only Memory | Internal storage |
| USB | Universal Serial Bus | Charging and data interface |
| FPC | Flexible Printed Circuit | Display and component connectors |
Power, Battery & Electrical Terms
AC (Alternating Current)
Power supplied from wall chargers.
DC (Direct Current)
Power used by mobile phones internally.
VBAT
Battery positive voltage line.
GND (Ground)
Battery negative line; completes the electrical circuit.
VBUS
Voltage line from the charging port.
BSI (Battery Status Indicator)
A battery pin that helps the phone detect battery health and compatibility.
Quick Charge
Fast charging technology that delivers higher power safely.
Display and Camera-Related Terms
Display Panel
The complete screen assembly that shows visuals.
Touch Panel
The layer that registers touch input.
Digitizer
Converts touch input into digital signals. If touch is not working but display is visible, the digitizer may be faulty.
Proximity Sensor
Detects the face during calls and turns off the display to prevent accidental touches.
Backlight
Provides illumination for the display. Backlight failure causes a dark screen.
Front Camera / Rear Camera
Used for selfies and photography. Issues may include blurry image, no camera detected, or black screen.
Mobile Repairing Tools and Equipment Terms
Professional repair work requires proper mobile repair tools.
Multimeter
Used to measure voltage, current, and resistance.
DC Power Supply
Helps check phone power consumption and detect shorts.
Hot Air Gun
Hot air gun or also called rework station is used to remove or fix ICs on the motherboard.
Soldering Iron
Used to solder or desolder components.
You will need a good quality soldering iron — Here are the best soldering irons for mobile repairing in India
Microscope
A Microscope is essential for motherboard-level repairing and small component work.
Software, OS & Software Mobile Repairing Related Terminology
Not all problems are hardware-related. Many issues are caused by software.
OS (Operating System)
Software that runs the phone, such as Android or iOS.
Flashing
Installing or reinstalling the phone’s operating system using a computer and flashing tool. Join Prizm Institute mobile software flashing course to learn how to flash phones.
Firmware
Internal system software controlling phone operations.
Flash Tool
Software used to install or reinstall firmware.
Recovery Mode
A special mode used for resetting or flashing phones.
FRP Lock (Factory Reset Protection)
Security feature that requires the Google account after a reset.
OTA (Over-The-Air)
Software updates delivered wirelessly by the manufacturer.
Rooting / Jailbreaking
Gaining deeper access to the phone’s operating system. This can void warranty and reduce security.
Software Update
Official updates that bring new features, security patches, or bug fixes.
Boot Loop
The phone turns on, shows the logo, then restarts again and again without fully loading.
Factory Reset / Hard Reset
Erases user data and restores the phone to default settings. Often used to fix software glitches.
Dead Software
The phone appears dead due to corrupted system software, even though hardware is working.
Storage & Memory Terminology
EMMC (Embedded MultimediaCard)
Older internal storage technology used in smartphones.
UFS (Universal Flash Storage)
Faster and more advanced internal storage used in modern smartphones.
SIM, Network & Communication Terms
SIM (Subscriber Identification Module)
Identifies the user on the mobile network.
SIM Slot
The physical holder for the SIM card.
GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication)
A standard used for mobile communication.
Network Unlock
Removes carrier restrictions so the phone can use any network.
VoLTE (Voice over LTE)
Allows high-quality voice calls over 4G networks.
Network and SIM-Related Terminology
No Network
The phone does not receive signal even with a valid SIM.
SIM Not Detected
The phone fails to recognise the SIM card.
IMEI Null
The IMEI number is missing due to software corruption.
Baseband Issue
Airplane Mode
Disables all wireless connections including calls, data, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth.
Affects network communication; often software-related but sometimes hardware-related.
Protection & Durability Standards
IP Rating (Ingress Protection)
Indicates resistance to dust and water.
- IP68: Standard for water and dust resistance
- IP69: 2026 flagship standard offering protection against high-pressure water jets
Common Mistakes Beginners Make
- Using technical terms incorrectly in front of customers
- Calling every issue an “IC problem”
- Mixing software problems with hardware faults
- Ignoring proper diagnosis
- Skipping basic electrical knowledge
Avoiding these mistakes builds trust and skill.
Practical Tips to Learn Mobile Repairing Terminology Faster
- Maintain a small notebook of new terms
- Ask senior technicians when unsure
- Relate each term to real repair cases
- Learn hardware and software terms separately
- Practice explaining issues in simple language
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are mobile repairing terms the same for Android and iPhone?
Most basic terms are the same, but iPhone repair has additional model-specific terminology.
Do I need to memorise all full forms?
No. Focus on commonly used terms first. Learning happens naturally with practice.
Is mobile repairing terminology used globally?
Yes. Most terms are standard across countries, though local language explanations vary.
Can beginners learn these terms without a course?
Yes, but structured training helps connect terms with real-world application faster.
Is IP69 common in all phones?
No. It is expected mainly in premium flagship models.
Are authorised service centres different in terminology?
They use more formal documentation, but core terms remain the same.
Conclusion
Learning common mobile repairing terms, jargon, and full forms is the foundation of becoming a confident mobile technician. These terms help you diagnose problems accurately, communicate professionally, and avoid costly mistakes. Start with the basics, connect each term to real repair work, and build your knowledge step by step. With time and practice, this technical language becomes second nature.