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Apple Initiates iPhone 5 Sleep/Wake Button Replacement Program [Updated]

PsykX said:
What I need for myself though is a new Lightning Port. After plugging it in, I now have to pull the plug sideways for my iPhone to charge...
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I had a similar problem with the lightning port on my iPhone 5 (after about 16 months). It turned out to be an accumulation of dust or pocket lint jammed into the top end of the lightning port, which was preventing the plug going all the way in, resulting in some pins not making good contact.

I was able to get the dirt out (after turning the phone off) with a suitable pair of tweezers and decent light. Good as new afterwards.
 
nojkepop said:
Actually had this problem with my iPhone 5 and they replaced the device a few months out of warranty with no hesitation. This was back in January I believe.
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I wasn't so lucky. I was just two weeks out of warranty, by top button totally dead (stupid of me not to go earlier as it had been slowly failing for about a month). The Apple Store would not replace it, neither would Verizon - I think Apple was not as keen as replacing it as I'd bought it through Verizon (which as far as I could tell I needed to do as I was switching carriers).

But, happily after many months of using the accessibility features to replace the top button, with this announcement my phone qualified to be fixed.

A heads up for anyone planning to go in tomorrow - my Apple store just barely got the process for testing the phones working, and has no loaner phones for a few days yet. So if you really need a loaner, give them a few days...

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dempson said:
Another possibility is that Apple might run a standard set of tests on the device while it is being serviced, and their test procedure could include updating it to the latest OS.
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That is exactly what happens (I was just in the store tonight, the second customer to be run through the process). They have a test rig, it wipes the phone and installs an application - that application tests EVERYTHING on the phone, including the speakers. I'm not quite sure what happens if something besides the top button not working is found to be wrong.
 
I had this issue. Waited until my iPhone was 0.99 years old, then told Apple, got a new one :)
 
StudioGuy said:
My and my wife's iPhone 5s (not 5) actually have this problem at times too. :( Hopefully they'll extend the replacement to 5s units too.
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Why would they need to right now? All iPhone 5s units are still under the 1 year warranty.

msvadi said:
This program is certainly a downgrade from what Apple's customer service used to be.

In March 2013 when the sleep/wake button on my iPhone 5 stopped working properly (just a few month after I bought it). When I went to an Apple store, they checked the phone and replaced it with a new one right away - I walked out from the store with new functioning phone.

Now you have to spend 4-6 days without your phone while it's being repaired.
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That would still happen today if that happened and the phone was still under the normal warranty or applecare+. This program is for people who are out of the normal warranty period.

Also, you can get a loaner.
 
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Must be a lot of iPhones for them to not simply exchange for a refurb. Or maybe the NSA has a list of people it wants to implant tech inside and this way they get hold of the iPhone hahA only winding up the conspiracy theorists ;)

Upgrading to ios7. Id not bother if I really wanted to stay on ios 6. If an apple tech can't handle ios 6 there's a problem. Or maybe apple wants to upgrade the remaining 6 million iPhone 5 users to ios 7. hahA only winding up the conspiracy theorists ;)
 
finalcut said:
that is pretty good news as my device is eligible. However, there is no way I can leave my phone for 4-6 days. I am using it for both personal and work.

Too bad we can't take an appointment and get it repaired in 30 mins since this what it takes
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I would be able to give up my phone for 6 days, if necessary.

- iMessages on my computer.
- Viber on my computer.
- Skype on my computer.
- Maps on my computer.
- my phone provider (Rogers) has a client app that I can run on my computer to make phone calls and send/receive text messages as if it were my phone.

Why the hell do I even have my phone then? hahaha
 
What annoys me is that you drop 600 bucks on a supposed quality premium peice of kit, but in reality it's made to a low standard by Chinese kids down to the lowest price humanly possible.. but hey it's shiny...
The repair service/exchange program is top notch granted but in reality it has to be. Without it the goodwill towards the fruit firm would be massively less.
A quick straw poll in my work place over the last 3 years reveals iphones/ipads/macbooks all repaired at the Apple store.. at least 10 separate cases.. No Samsung's, and.one HTC not repaired bit with intermittent WiFi issues... My ip4 and ip5 both had problems with hardware, but my HTC one is flawless..when you make so many of a product it's guaranteed for qc to slip... Mercedes is a prime example of this....
 
kgelner said:
A heads up for anyone planning to go in tomorrow - my Apple store just barely got the process for testing the phones working, and has no loaner phones for a few days yet. So if you really need a loaner, give them a few days...

That is exactly what happens (I was just in the store tonight, the second customer to be run through the process). They have a test rig, it wipes the phone and installs an application - that application tests EVERYTHING on the phone, including the speakers. I'm not quite sure what happens if something besides the top button not working is found to be wrong.
Click to expand...

Did you have to make a Genius appointment, or just walk in?

Did they say how long it would actually take?

If it takes 4-6 days turnaround while at the service depot, plus figure a day or two for transport to and from either the store or by mail, and I figure it adds up to at least a week. I believe Apple has a service depot in Texas; are there any others?

Of course, the quoted turnaround may be inflated just in case, and they could actually get the work done in a day or two.

Mine isn't acting up, so I have the luxury of waiting, and allowing the program to get rolling and past the initial rush, but I will still send it in later anyway. I don't want to be stuck with a dead button down the line.
 
On my third iPhone 5 due to it being replaced twice, both times because of the sleep/wake button not working.

Apple were always very good, even when it was outside warranty, but it took them long enough to set up this program!
Oh well, I've got three friends all with the same issue and I'm sure they'll appreciate it.
 
I have an iPhone 5 which is eligible for the programme but the power button so far is working fine. Firstly, can I send it in anyway to get the button replaced before it becomes faulty? Knowing my luck it'll fail just after its eligible for free replacement otherwise!
 
strange... you never hear about these problems, until they happen, then we all harp on about issues.


I gather since Apple is recalling these, then its NOT due to a simple software update fix..

I'm glad i bought a 5s ...:D

What's considered a recall and what's considered a fix under APP ? I would actually say everyone should get it fixed, then call it a recall ....

Doesn't matter weather it one person, or mass .... its busted...
 
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I had replaced one last year on about June because of the same problem. Of course free replacement.

So now said this is really a problem?!
Oh well…

I don't care now. I am using 5s now.
 
Mines a launch day 5 and has this problem, can't wait for this program to hit the UK!
 
I needed a home button replacement programme. My 3G button died, my button on my 4 died twice, my 4S button broke once too, sold my 5 before anything broke.

Thankfully all but one broke inside the warranty.
 
I would like to know what constitutes a recall vs every just returning their phone to get it fixed ?

This would be covered under APP correct ? So, why not ? so Apple suspects that its big enough for a recall..

They did also say affecting "small number" of users.... so return it and get a new one...

whats the big deal here..

Apple even has a page that says "a small number of users reporting wi-fi option greyed out" I too was affected by that, but APple never stated "ok recall this..." What's he difference here?
 
ChrisTX said:
The sleep/wake button has been faulty on iPhones since the iPhone 4. I'm surprised this is still an issue.
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Think it started well before that. I had problems with my 3GS and 4S replaced the buttons myself. Unfortunately it has always been the weak point on the Iphone.
 
Zxxv said:
Must be a lot of iPhones for them to not simply exchange for a refurb. Or maybe the NSA has a list of people it wants to implant tech inside and this way they get hold of the iPhone hahA only winding up the conspiracy theorists ;)

Upgrading to ios7. Id not bother if I really wanted to stay on ios 6. If an apple tech can't handle ios 6 there's a problem. Or maybe apple wants to upgrade the remaining 6 million iPhone 5 users to ios 7. hahA only winding up the conspiracy theorists ;)
Click to expand...

Or maybe because the tools they have aren't for the outdated iOS 6??

Logic, not even once.
 
mrblack927 said:
I had this problem 6 weeks after my warranty expired and Apple told me it would cost $269 to fix it. No leeway at all. They insisted that it was not a manufacturing defect and not a widespread issue. So I had to buy the part from iFixit and do the repair myself. I wonder if they'll refund me for that. :rolleyes:
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I would call 1-800-MYAPPLE and ask if they'll refund you for the repair. Thankfully, I never had this problem but if I did, my AppleCare would take care of it. Considering you were being charged $269 for a replacement, $99 for AppleCare doesn't seem very expensive anymore. Especially since it also covers cracked screens and liquid damage for $80.
 
Dr McKay said:
I needed a home button replacement programme. My 3G button died, my button on my 4 died twice, my 4S button broke once too, sold my 5 before anything broke.

Thankfully all but one broke inside the warranty.
Click to expand...

Either you have horrible luck or you're abusing the home button.
 
Mine is one of the affected ones and I would love to get it fixed. I can't be without a phone for that long so I hope they actually have a couple loaner phones.
 
This is a well-known issue and I'm glad that Apple is acknowledging it, although they should have done so sooner.

It appears to me that they had a parts supplier issue. Whichever company was responsible for building the power/lock button assembly probably made a bunch of parts that weren't up to spec.
 
Durham Store Blows!

Took my wife's phone in for this very reason in January, genius said it was out of warranty and we would need to buy a replacement phone. I hope that same so called genius is there when we walk in
 
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