Design/methodology/approach This study uses laser surface texturing to enhance the bonding strength and wear performance of manganese phosphate conversion coatings on GCr15 bearing steel. A laser marking machine is used to create micro-groove textures, and a micro-scratch test evaluates the effects of texturing parameters on coating adhesion. Friction and wear tests analyze the impact of textured coatings on CTRBs. Findings The results indicate that the textured coatings exhibit a 16.7% increase in scratch hardness and a 20.1% improvement in scratch shear strength compared to the untextured coatings. Friction and wear testing machines are used to analyze the effects of different texturing parameters and positions on the wear performance of the coated bearings. The results show that, compared to untextured coated bearings, the textured coated bearings can achieve a maximum reduction of 20.3% in friction temperature during testing, a 32.9% decrease in average friction force and a 20.8% reduction in wear losses. Originality/value This study introduces laser surface texturing as a novel approach to enhance the bonding strength and tribological performance of manganese phosphate conversion coatings. Peer review The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-12-2024-0484/