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Apple Initiates iPhone 5 Battery Replacement Program
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I would advise everyone to call their local Apple store before they head down there so you don't waste your time.
Most Apple stores this week are out of batteries and will tell you to come next week.
My phone is eligible for a battery swap and since its still under Applecare they replaced the whole phone instead. If you are out of warranty they wont replace the phone, just the battery. They didn't have any batteries in stock so I saw many people in line with me get turned down and told to try in a week or 2.
Most Apple stores this week are out of batteries and will tell you to come next week.
My phone is eligible for a battery swap and since its still under Applecare they replaced the whole phone instead. If you are out of warranty they wont replace the phone, just the battery. They didn't have any batteries in stock so I saw many people in line with me get turned down and told to try in a week or 2.
Went in for an appointment today. My store ran out of replacement parts over the weekend as well.
They ordered a battery replacement kit, and will contact me when it arrives.
The genius checked the serial number, ran the diagnostic from the iPad, and even though the current battery was deemed ok, but not great, they gave the ok for replacement.
I didn't get a good look at the test results, but I suspect it's based on remaining capacity/cycle count, and the threshold isn't that high. I noted that any time I use GPS, it kills the battery, which probably helped. A 30 min drive shouldn't consume 40% of the capacity.
The sleep/wake switch is a different story. My phone is also eligible for that program, but they won't even check it without symptoms.
They ordered a battery replacement kit, and will contact me when it arrives.
The genius checked the serial number, ran the diagnostic from the iPad, and even though the current battery was deemed ok, but not great, they gave the ok for replacement.
I didn't get a good look at the test results, but I suspect it's based on remaining capacity/cycle count, and the threshold isn't that high. I noted that any time I use GPS, it kills the battery, which probably helped. A 30 min drive shouldn't consume 40% of the capacity.
The sleep/wake switch is a different story. My phone is also eligible for that program, but they won't even check it without symptoms.
Over the weekend, I called Apple to reimburse me for an OOW Iphone 5 replacement (over a year ago) due to a a bad battery and being out of warranty. Today I got notification of a $79 refund...better than nothing I guess
Coverup!
Coverup! I think that this is a cover up for iPhone batteries that swell up and become potentially dangerous. I've had two iPhone 5's with battery swelling this year. Both were purchased in September 2012 from Sprint.
One iPhone was replaced in April 2014 after battery swelling popped the screen up about 1/8" on one side. My phone was out of warranty, but Apple replaced the whole thing for free, adding on a 90 day warranty!
The other iPhone got a new battery in August 2014 when it's cracked screen needed to be replaced. I dropped it.... The techs saw that the battery was swollen and replaced it free of charge, describing it as "doing me a solid."
I checked my iPhones' serial numbers, neither qualify for the battery replacement... because they have already been fixed or replaced.
Coverup! I think that this is a cover up for iPhone batteries that swell up and become potentially dangerous. I've had two iPhone 5's with battery swelling this year. Both were purchased in September 2012 from Sprint.
One iPhone was replaced in April 2014 after battery swelling popped the screen up about 1/8" on one side. My phone was out of warranty, but Apple replaced the whole thing for free, adding on a 90 day warranty!
The other iPhone got a new battery in August 2014 when it's cracked screen needed to be replaced. I dropped it.... The techs saw that the battery was swollen and replaced it free of charge, describing it as "doing me a solid."
I checked my iPhones' serial numbers, neither qualify for the battery replacement... because they have already been fixed or replaced.
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New Phone
In my case...
Since I have the Apple extended coverage, had a "bad" battery, was a candidate re the Sleep/Wake button issue, and the local Apple store no longer had the replacement batteries in stock, they just gave me a new (not a refurb.) phone. All at no cost.
Then, the genius helped with the data transfer and erasing of my old phone.
Of course, I'm just thrilled.
In my case...
Since I have the Apple extended coverage, had a "bad" battery, was a candidate re the Sleep/Wake button issue, and the local Apple store no longer had the replacement batteries in stock, they just gave me a new (not a refurb.) phone. All at no cost.
Then, the genius helped with the data transfer and erasing of my old phone.
Of course, I'm just thrilled.
Mine is part of recall - but jailbroken
Will the Apple Store care if mine is jailbroken? Not sure what their policy is.
Will the Apple Store care if mine is jailbroken? Not sure what their policy is.
I asked a "Genius" at the Apple store near me about this...he said that they do the battery replacement in house, and you don't need to erase. He did say that if they break "the tab" while doing the work, they will replace the phone, so that may be the reason they suggest wiping it out first. He said the tab is small and can break easily.
Mine is eligible, but issued by my office. They are replacing it with a 5S and said it won't change my eligibility for the 6 (which they said they will have in November). Score.
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Probably. Of course, you have to return it to normal then JB again. One caution: a Genius at apple told me that they do this in house, and if they break a tab inside, they replace the phone. If that happens to you, it may have a version of iOS that is not jail breakable, so think carefully about this before you replace the battery (this advice is from my 14 year old jail breaking son!).
Just got off the phone with Apple customer service.
I replaced my battery through a 3rd party back in April this year due to the phone shutting off if the battery dipped below 40%. I paid $40, didn't keep any form of proof of this as the Service center I went to guaranteed the service for just 30 days.
This was no problem for them to issue me a case ID and a refund (by check).
I'm happy with this resolution. Thanks
I replaced my battery through a 3rd party back in April this year due to the phone shutting off if the battery dipped below 40%. I paid $40, didn't keep any form of proof of this as the Service center I went to guaranteed the service for just 30 days.
This was no problem for them to issue me a case ID and a refund (by check).
I'm happy with this resolution. Thanks
I just got an email from Apple that my refund has been processed and my check is in the mail only took 3 days since I called to open the claim. So happy I'm getting refunded for battery replacement. Thanks Apple!!
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Oh this replacement program made national headlines, I heard it on the 6:00 o'clock news last night. This makes sense why the Apple stores are now out of stock on batteries. This has affected more people than you think. I'm glad Apple is making good on this issue.
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Oh this replacement program made national headlines, I heard it on the 6:00 o'clock news last night. This makes sense why the Apple stores are now out of stock on batteries. This has affected more people than you think. I'm glad Apple is making good on this issue.
Oh I should probably have mentioned I was under an extended AppleCare warranty (not AppleCare+ just the standard). Hope you get a replacement too though.
I wonder if Apple would even know of the jail break if you erase the phone first (per their instructions).
Of course your phone must have a qualifying serial number (they will check).
Just got off the phone with Apple customer service.
I replaced my battery through a 3rd party back in April this year due to the phone shutting off if the battery dipped below 40%. I paid $40, didn't keep any form of proof of this as the Service center I went to guaranteed the service for just 30 days.
This was no problem for them to issue me a case ID and a refund (by check).
I'm happy with this resolution. Thanks
Wow I'm surprised refund issued for non Apple replacement.
Had an appointment today and of course they had no batteries in stock. They did all the paperwork and gave me a sticker to come back with when they get the batteries and it should take about 30 minutes in the store. They said they don't need to erase it but like others have said, make a backup just in case something goes wrong and they will replace the phone.
They didn't even hook my phone up for diagnostics and just checked standby time. It was off the charger for an hour and 17 minutes and battery was already at 16% (no need for diagnostics haha).
They didn't even hook my phone up for diagnostics and just checked standby time. It was off the charger for an hour and 17 minutes and battery was already at 16% (no need for diagnostics haha).
Thanks for the info. I took the 30 minute drive to my local Apple store last night for funsies and ended up just sending it out for repairs. They didn't have any batteries in stock and said I'd have to come back in a week. The power button repair would take about a week anyways so I just sent it off. Kind of feeling neked without a phone but I'll deal with it lol.
Just an FYI on my experience:
When I checked in, the Genius bar was pretty busy and it was getting close to my appointment time. One of the reps literally said "Well I guess I'll have to take you since they're busy.." I don't even know if he was a "Genius" but whatevs, I just wanted to get the whole process done and over with. After that, it seemed like his goal was to get me to walk out of the store w/ nothing replaced. He kept saying things like "Before I do anything, I just want to tell you this is going to take a long time... are you sure you want to do this?" and "We don't have any batteries in stock, I guess you can do some of the paperwork or you can just come back in a week.." Idk. It just seemed incredibly rude and lazy on his part. I asked if I didn't get a loaner phone, if it'd make his life easier and he said it'd take just as long. Fortunately one of his peers heard his grumbling and took over my appointment. She was awesome. I was going to get a loaner since it was going to take "just as long" (according to numb nutz) but she said, if I didn't get a loaner phone, the process would be x2 as fast and we'd be out in 5 mins. Easy peasy. Thank you lady genius for shoving off numb nutz.
Just to give an update on my experience. I made an appointment at my local Apple store yesterday (Sherman Oaks, in L.A.) and when I got there, there were 4 or 5 other people getting their batteries replaced too. Seems like there had been a rush on them, I guess an email had gone out to anyone who had previously reported battery problems. They didn't have any batteries in stock so were having to send all the phones out. Since mine needed the battery and the sleep/wake button replaced I think it would have gotten sent out regardless. They told me it would take two weeks and in the meantime I have a loaner iPhone 5 16GB (same as my phone so no problem for me).
All in all it was a painless and efficient experience. I made sure to backup my phone first and turn off Find My Phone as instructed. I was probably in the store an hour, I got there during a rush, so waited about 10 minutes, then 25 minutes of that was them running the phone through diagnostics to ensure there wasn't any other damage and about 20 minutes of that was being restoring my backup to the loaner using their wifi. Obviously I could have done that last part at home.
All in all it was a painless and efficient experience. I made sure to backup my phone first and turn off Find My Phone as instructed. I was probably in the store an hour, I got there during a rush, so waited about 10 minutes, then 25 minutes of that was them running the phone through diagnostics to ensure there wasn't any other damage and about 20 minutes of that was being restoring my backup to the loaner using their wifi. Obviously I could have done that last part at home.
Ridiculous Poor Customer Service
Made my reservation online yesterday and took my phone in today only to find out that they were out of batteries. I made an appointment specifically for the battery replacement program, it would have been nice if they let me know they were out before driving an hour and a half. Appointment was at 9:50 AM today, got a call at 6PM saying battery is in. Seems strange to me. They expect me to go all the way back to the store? Shocked at this poor customer service from Apple. I expect more.
Made my reservation online yesterday and took my phone in today only to find out that they were out of batteries. I made an appointment specifically for the battery replacement program, it would have been nice if they let me know they were out before driving an hour and a half. Appointment was at 9:50 AM today, got a call at 6PM saying battery is in. Seems strange to me. They expect me to go all the way back to the store? Shocked at this poor customer service from Apple. I expect more.
Oh that's whats even better - I live a half hour from one but I prefer the location that I went to today. If you're wondering why, it's because the half-hour one is in a densely populated area that never has any parking. I asked if I could get the battery shipped to that store and they said that would not be possible. If I wanted a battery there, I would have to set up a Genius Bar appointment at that store just to order it.
Mine is eligible.. but my question is this:
What are the risks of the case and phone it self being damaged while it's opened up and repaired?
My 5's battery sucks... and it dies sometimes at 25%. Glad it's not just me.
What are the risks of the case and phone it self being damaged while it's opened up and repaired?
My 5's battery sucks... and it dies sometimes at 25%. Glad it's not just me.
Almost the same problem with me. Girlfriend's phone has terrible battery life and the website says she's not eligible, despite the phone falling within the date window. I phoned Apple and they said to bring it into the genius bar and there might be something they can do under Australian Consumer Law.
I have an Apple store down the street but was told to reschedule because they're out of batteries. So glad they're doing this though, my mom's old 5 kept shutting off at 20%.
That's still bad that they tried to push you away from getting a loaner.
As far as the "This is gonna take a long time" guy is concerned, you should have just nonchalantly said "Oh no worries, I'll just take a replacement phone now".
At least it's getting fixed anyway. Perhaps it'll end up like someone elses experience, where something went wrong with the repair and they ended up replacing it.