Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
In my case, a few weeks go, my day one watch's crystal and display suddenly fell off, dangling by its ribbon cable. The watch still worked, and Apple replaced it, even though my AppleCare expired the month before. So it seems the glue was a bit weak on both sides! Hopefully they changed it after the first production runs..
 
  • Like
Reactions: KeanosMagicHat
My front cover popped off and hung like it was on a hinge - thankfully I had AppleCare and it was fixed without cost to me. I was told it would've cost $199 to fix if I didn't have the AppleCare - but I was still furious at the notion, so this story is a little comforting.
 
My 1st gen SS is still holding together aok.
This is my main reason for concern when comparing my Apple Watch to my Rolex Submariner. The Apple Watch is glued together, while my Rolex is assembled using gaskets and is literally screwed together..
 
  • Like
Reactions: haruhiko
I wonder if this would have been addressed without the voice of John Gruber.

Yes, when you have Apple Care and/or the forums start filling up with issues and photos it becomes obvious that something is wrong.

After analyzing the issues and how widespread they are Apple decides what to do about it. Admittedly in the past they used to duck a lot, but I think a few class action suits taught them that it's cheaper to extend warranties.

And, it's much better PR.

What I do not like is that they do not e-mail all registered users that warranty has been extended for the known issues. I know that some users will be jerks and try to frantically get a new watch, served or not, but still: Let us know.
I don't expect life to be perfect, let alone products manufactured and assembled by humans.

While I never buy a first gen Apple anything any more (tempted by homePod though:), my GF insisted on getting this watch and apr. 2 years in, the front popped off due to a swollen battery. She treats this watch like a baby, so no damage scratches or anything from what she did.

The swollen battery is also a known issue and Apple added and extra year of repair protection for that as well.

Just got news that a replacement will ship today (dropped off at Apple Store last Friday) and arrive within 2 days.

Knowing Apple it will probably be sooner.

Apple Care FTW!

PS: As expected received earlier, as in just now!
 
Last edited:
Oh man, this just happened to me about a month back and I sold the watch for parts and bought another one. Sigh.

On the other hand, the new watch I bought was eligible for AppleCare+ and so now it's covered until May 2019. So, it all worked out. :)
 
I haven't had that problem but my AW2 is in repair. The touchscreen or crown (they don't know which) is causing the screen to twitch as if it's constantly in a state of being scrolled up then down. I was a little surprised by the lack of durability of the screen but maybe it's just a fluke since I was one of the first wave of AW2 owners.
 
My 1st gen watch that's out of warranty had the issue where the battery swelled up and pushed the screen off my watch on Friday. Went to move my wrist and was hearing the flapping noise of the screen dangling by the video cable.

Had heard about the repair extension for that particular issue and took it in. Genius bar had them send me a replacement and the replacement is a Series 1 with the faster processor so all in all, good work Apple.
 
  • Like
Reactions: KeanosMagicHat
Working as designed to be disposable. Wonder why the change of heart to repair/replace instead of profiting from customer repurchase.
 
Now THAT is the Apple I want to see more of and buy products from! NOT the Apple that initially swept the so-called Touch disease under the rug until they were called out on it.

BTW, I've been swimming with my Nike Series 2 Sport. It's awesome! I think by the end of summer I'm going to have back the fit figure I lost to middle age and donuts. :p
I have a 6 Plus that bent in the spot they are known to bend at, and the screen also stopped responding and I was told at the local Apple store they wanted 329 to fix it. I left.
 
My replacement watch exhibited the same symptom just a week after replacement. This is the final nail on the coffin. I will never purchase another Apple Watch again.
 
  • Like
Reactions: peppespizzapie
This is pretty late in the game to issue repairs now. There were tons of people who had this issue originally only to be turned away. Nice to see them issue repairs now but those who had the issue were left paying for it.

Tons of people turned away? Really? Have a source on that?
 
  • Like
Reactions: 44267547
Apple customer since 1989. The few times we've had issues with Apple products Apple has always gone out of their way to treat us above and beyond what we expect.

About 5 years ago or so, one of our dogs chew completely through the fixed cable on my 30" Apple Cinema Display, and Apple Store La Cantera, San Antonio, saw to it the cable was replaced free of charge...despite the issue having nothing to do with warranty conditions and the fact the display was out of warranty anyway! They had to ship it to be repaired, but 3 days later, I had my display back in business.

Last summer the mic on my Series 0 Apple Watch, one of the first delivered, stopped working. Despite the watch being out of warranty, Apple replaced it free of charge, and I'm using it today!
 
  • Like
Reactions: citysnaps
I had to do this last week. It's actually the second time that they've repaired this for me since I bought my watch original Apple Watch. It only seems to be an issue with my stainless steel version, though. My wife's aluminum model that I purchased at the same time has not had any issues.
 
Apple customer since 1989. The few times we've had issues with Apple products Apple has always gone out of their way to treat us above and beyond what we expect.

About 5 years ago or so, one of our dogs chew completely through the fixed cable on my 30" Apple Cinema Display, and Apple Store La Cantera, San Antonio, saw to it the cable was replaced free of charge...despite the issue having nothing to do with warranty conditions and the fact the display was out of warranty anyway! They had to ship it to be repaired, but 3 days later, I had my display back in business.

Last summer the mic on my Series 0 Apple Watch, one of the first delivered, stopped working. Despite the watch being out of warranty, Apple replaced it free of charge, and I'm using it today!

Same experience here. Had an out of warranty iPhone with an intermittent home button. It was replaced on the spot.

Had a friend accidentally drop his older iPhone 5 into a toilet, which caused it to fail. He went to an Apple store, explained what happened, and the phone was replaced on the spot.
 
  • Like
Reactions: KeanosMagicHat



If you have a first-generation Apple Watch with a separated back cover, Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider will repair it free of charge, according to an internal service policy obtained by MacRumors.

apple-watch-separated-back-cover-800x388.jpg

Apple Watch with separated back cover via Reddit user PoorSpanaway

Apple recently extended the service policy's coverage period to up to three years after the original purchase date. If you bought an Apple Watch in April 2015, for example, it is eligible for a free repair until April 2018.The service policy has been in effect since last year and applies to any first-generation Apple Watch, including Sport, Edition, and Hermès models, even if the device's limited one-year warranty or extended AppleCare coverage has elapsed.

Affected customers can call an Apple Store and schedule a Genius Bar appointment, or visit an Apple Authorized Service Provider, to initiate the repair process. Or, customers can call Apple Support to arrange shipment of the damaged Apple Watch to an Apple Repair Center in a postage paid box.

Apple advises customers inquiring about a refund for a previous Apple Watch back cover repair to contact Apple Support.

Several users have shared pictures of their first-generation Apple Watch with the back cover falling off on the Apple Support Communities, MacRumors discussion forums, Twitter, and elsewhere on the web. In many cases, the back cover detaches when the Apple Watch is removed from its magnetic charger.

Daring Fireball's John Gruber, for example, shared a picture of his wife's stainless steel Apple Watch with a detached back cover last October. He said the Apple Watch, purchased in May 2015, was providing erratic workout readings before coming apart after it was taken off of its magnetic charger.
While many customers report that Apple repaired their Apple Watch free of charge, some have been forced to pay out of pocket. Since the service policy has not been publicly announced, some Apple support representatives may be unaware of its existence. Escalating your request to a senior advisor may help.

Apple appears to have fixed the issue with its newer Series 1 and Series 2 models, perhaps by using a stronger adhesive.

Article Link: Apple Extends Free Repairs of First-Generation Apple Watches With Detached Back Covers

Also you should mention the 3 year warranty for the battery swelling issue, that pop out the screen! I just received a new series 1 for my damaged series 0!! Apple is awesome
 
  • Like
Reactions: KeanosMagicHat
Same experience here. Had an out of warranty iPhone with an intermittent home button. It was replaced on the spot.

Had a friend accidentally drop his older iPhone 5 into a toilet, which caused it to fail. He went to an Apple store, explained what happened, and the phone was replaced on the spot.

Apple's customer service is indeed superb!
 



If you have a first-generation Apple Watch with a separated back cover, Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider will repair it free of charge, according to an internal service policy obtained by MacRumors.

As i said many times in the past 6 years.....Crappy products, with crappy software against skyhigh prices!


Article Link: Apple Extends Free Repairs of First-Generation Apple Watches With Detached Back Covers
[doublepost=1499787535][/doublepost]
Nice attempt at snark. Because excellent customer service is a major reason we stay loyal.

Did you ever read about these thousands of "loyal apple customers" that needed to get a court order in order to GET service for their crappy apple products???
 
  • Like
Reactions: TheHateMachine
Nice attempt at snark. Because excellent customer service is a major reason we stay loyal.
And it works as a snark too because being loyal gets you more flashy ads and marketing spiel which convinces you to buy more cheaply made products with an expensive price tag. Wake up. You've been duped. Apple can no longer hide its long history of extending repair periods for its cr@p product material choices. You need to stop drinking the kool-aid.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.