It should be free, but I'm not sure how you can get them to say that without showing them. Mine was a first generation, too.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Apple Extends Free Repairs of First-Generation Apple Watches With Detached Back Covers
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
It should be free, but I'm not sure how you can get them to say that without showing them. Mine was a first generation, too.
I have the same issue but with the front screen. Suddenly a lot of Apple Watches have issues with the glue on the front or the back screen.
I have AppleCare+ and I hope to get the Second Generation because my Apple Watch has sapphire crystal and the generation 1 has Ion-X glass.
Maybe I will wait for the September event because the are rumors that Apple will show the new Apple Watch 3 and when this happens it will be easier to get the Generation 2 or also it could be nice that you can pay the difference and get the new Apple Watch.
I have AppleCare+ and I hope to get the Second Generation because my Apple Watch has sapphire crystal and the generation 1 has Ion-X glass.
Maybe I will wait for the September event because the are rumors that Apple will show the new Apple Watch 3 and when this happens it will be easier to get the Generation 2 or also it could be nice that you can pay the difference and get the new Apple Watch.
It happened to my "replacement" stainless 42mm 1st gen last week as well. It was merely 2 months after this "new and fixed" replacement too (my original last a year before this happen). I am writing an email to Tim and see anything I can get it elevate to a higher level to ensure this not happen again.
This is lame to be honest, here, take a look at this two apple watch with detached back covers, the first one is the one no one offered to help at Apple, the second one was brand new and purchased apple care for it hence its covered, but I own Two other watches for myself which, one will expire the aplle care this week and the other one in february, I hope they don’t go the same route or I will be very disappointed with apple because the first one suffered the issue after apple care support ended...
Attachments
Happened to my SS last week. Contacted Apple and they told me to mail it in for repair/replacement. Interestingly I pushed the cover back on in order to wear it that day and now it is actually solidly stuck again. But the heart rate sensor has stopped working and the the sensor sending that I am wearing it which is annoying - I alway have to put in the passcode.
I hope they will indeed replace it free of charge (it is out of warranty) and it would be great if they could send me a second generation... but I guess that is wishful thinking
I hope they will indeed replace it free of charge (it is out of warranty) and it would be great if they could send me a second generation... but I guess that is wishful thinking
Well, got a call from my local apple store and said that my "new" replacement watch is ready to pick up (3 days after I dropped off on Sat). I will see is it the "new" Series 1 stainless or something else? Tim never replied my email BTW...LOL!
It's really bad to be the guinea pig for a first gen product. My watch went back to the Store two times, and since it's a SS model, Apple didn't conveniently upgrade it to a Series 1. The lesson I learnt is that never buy a first gen product from Apple, especially at a premium. I upgraded to the Series 3 and this is what the first watch should've been, responsive, great battery life, etc. But this time I will only buy the aluminium version to minimise the cost.
[doublepost=1507175687][/doublepost]
There is no stainless steel Series 1. You will only get a first gen Series 0 SS as replacement. For me, I wish they 'downgraded’ it to an aluminium Series 1.
[doublepost=1507175687][/doublepost]
There is no stainless steel Series 1. You will only get a first gen Series 0 SS as replacement. For me, I wish they 'downgraded’ it to an aluminium Series 1.
[QUOTE="haruhiko]
There is no stainless steel Series 1. You will only get a first gen Series 0 SS as replacement. For me, I wish they 'downgraded’ it to an aluminium Series 1.[/QUOTE]
They could provide a Series 2 SS however. I wonder if they really still have series 0 in stock...
There is no stainless steel Series 1. You will only get a first gen Series 0 SS as replacement. For me, I wish they 'downgraded’ it to an aluminium Series 1.[/QUOTE]
They could provide a Series 2 SS however. I wonder if they really still have series 0 in stock...
Got it back today and also a series 0 SS replacement. No free upgrade but I am happy to have a 'new' watch again. I assume that the battery inside is a new one, so that should overall extend its life.
I recently had this back cover issue on my 1st gen SS Apple Watch. Surprisingly the new replacement they sent me was a SS series 2! I thought it was a mistake when my work authorization email states the replacement says series 2, to my surprise a real series 2 came (edited out personal info, serial numbers, and employee, case number info)
maybe because this issue is recurring for replacement watches enough that decided to start issuing series 2?
maybe because this issue is recurring for replacement watches enough that decided to start issuing series 2?
Last edited:
I think I've read somewhere that Apple will do this if out of stock. So there's an element to it of Apple giving up, but also of luck. So: Nice score.
I’ve had adhesive coming out from behind the back plate for a while, so I called Apple Support about the issue and mentioned I had heard about the internal repair program. It took a “Tier 2” rep a bit of time to track it down. I sent pictures and he thought it would be covered by the repair program. However he was unable to process the repair by mail, which is odd for them.
After months of trying to book an appointment and travel to an Apple Store, I did today. They sent the device away for repair, and offered to have it returned to my address. Pretty silly to have me drive in for that, but what can you do.
We’ll see what happens; the watch back was not noticeably loose, but the adhesive shouldn’t be visible or coming off the device in my opinion. The repair depot has final say on what is and isn’t covered.
I’ll post an update here for anyone interested in what they consider applicable for the extended repair program, and if it is, what model watch is used for replacement. For the record I live in Canada and purchased the original model Apple Watch 42mm in Space Black Stainless Steel.
After months of trying to book an appointment and travel to an Apple Store, I did today. They sent the device away for repair, and offered to have it returned to my address. Pretty silly to have me drive in for that, but what can you do.
We’ll see what happens; the watch back was not noticeably loose, but the adhesive shouldn’t be visible or coming off the device in my opinion. The repair depot has final say on what is and isn’t covered.
I’ll post an update here for anyone interested in what they consider applicable for the extended repair program, and if it is, what model watch is used for replacement. For the record I live in Canada and purchased the original model Apple Watch 42mm in Space Black Stainless Steel.
We'll the unfortunate but simple answer is: my Watch is not covered.
Long version: I was sent photos of my device and offered a quote (the OOW repair fee) for replacement. The photos show a close-up of the Digital Crown, and describe a missing gasket (I assume between the crown and the case). It's too small a space to view with the naked eye, and I've never tampered with the Watch; I'm not really sure what happened. I had the device replaced once during the warranty period for an unrelated issue, and I swam with the device which it is not designed to withstand. So either negligence during the replacement process years ago, or negligence on my part where chlorine may have destroyed the mystery gasket.
At the moment my Watch works just fine, I've scraped away the excess adhesive from the back and it hasn't fallen off yet. I haven't stopped washing my hands with it, and there doesn't seem to be an issue with water. Maybe I'll stop swimming with it this year.
I hope they offer Space Black Stainless Steel models again soon, without the ridiculous red dot.
I just got mine back today. They replaced mine for free after the back fell off. I was hoping that they'd upgrade me to a Series 1 for my troubles but no such luck. Was really hoping to be able to participate in the Heart Study, but I don't want to buy a new one now with the Series 4 likely to come out in Sept :\