Apple Launches Repair Program for iPhone 6s Devices Experiencing Unexpected Shutdowns

[mixel]

Weird this is just a 6s issue?

My 6+ shuts down unexpectedly but only when I'm outside and I've let the handset get cold.. It then suggests the battery has run down.

Which is really weird. (It won't let you turn it back on until you plug it in, but once you do, the battery still has charge.) It absolutely never does this at house or warm temperatures, but it's done it about 5 times now in the cold. Coincidence?

 

[MH01]

Since the know the serial number range they should allow the user to check if thier units fall within that. All my iPhones have experienced this behaviour, prefer not to waste my time making an appointmet to be told it's not in that serial range.

Worse is the fact that you have a defective component , which apple as to fix , but for them to fix it, they will charge you for a replacement screen if that is damaged.

At this rate we will see apple repair programs every few months, they are a money maker for Tim .....

 

[Payton]

They have to wipe the whole phone just to replace the battery? Damn :/
[doublepost=1479720324][/doublepost]From neb120 on Reddit:

"Eligible iPhone 6s serial numbers will have these characters in the 4th and 5th position: Q4 Q5 Q6 Q7 Q8 Q9 QC QD QF QG QH"​

 

[unclemax]

They have to wipe the whole phone just to replace the battery? Damn :/
[doublepost=1479720324][/doublepost]From neb120 on Reddit:

"Eligible iPhone 6s serial numbers will have these characters in the 4th and 5th position: Q4 Q5 Q6 Q7 Q8 Q9 QC QD QF QG QH"​

The serial number of my 6s before the logic board replacement had QF in 4-th and 5-th position

 

[KeanosMagicHat]

Only 6s within that narrow time frame? Have been experiencing this problem with my iPhone 6 since September of last year and heard a lot of people with 6, 6p, 6sp having the same problem since. This has me seriously doubting Apple's commitment to product quality and customer care. Will probably dump Apple in the next product cycle.

It is concerning - I hope the tech press raise the fact that it's affecting a wider spread of models.

(Affected iPhone 6 here too)
[doublepost=1479721385][/doublepost]

This is nuts. I have the exact same issue with my iPhone 6 too and the problem started around 3 months ago as well. It's so frustrating especially because there are no Apple stores around where I live.

Yet another iPhone 6 user - that's 5 of us on this thread up until your post . . . .

(Plus others we know personally off the board).

 

[JayJohnPaul]

My iPhone 6s (TSMC chip) was manufactured in September of 2015. No issues whatsoever, still rocking iOS 9.3.3 though. I once updated to iOS 10 and used it for about a week or two but then downgraded back to iOS 9.3.3 when it was still being signed, had no issues either.

 

[sshambles]

That program carries a $149 repair fee, as Apple says the issue is caused at least in part by the device having been "dropped multiple times on a hard surface."

Wrong. I never dropped my 6+ but 5 months out of the bag this happened whilst doing light exercise and it was in my pocket. This is a DESIGN FLAW. But hey, they're not about to admit that at all. Saves $ this way.

 

[KeanosMagicHat]

Glad to hear my iphone 6 is not the only one.

Make that 6 and counting . . .
[doublepost=1479721618][/doublepost]

I have the same problem with my iPhone 6, shuts down at around 20% very often, sometimes even higher then that. Also having big drops in battery life, e.g. sitting on 60% and will then drop to 35% or something similar.

+ 1 so that's Seven iPhone 6 models on the thread to this point.

 

[MH01]

Make that 6 and counting . . .
[doublepost=1479721618][/doublepost]

+ 1

Might be easier to get a vote on who has not experienced shutdowns.

I've had them , though could have just been software issues, hence would be good to know the affected serial numbers .

 

[KirkL]

Don't know if you're aware but there is a serious problem with iOS 10.1.1 battery communication. That is, you'll get incorrect percentage readings, abrupt shutdowns and immediate upticks in charge level seconds after plugging it in. This is not your battery or phone. This is a major bug in iOS 10. Doesn't matter which version. It's still not fixed. I spoke with several Apple techs via phone and they all confirmed this. The techs in store (Genius Bar) may not be aware of this. Here's the link for the support community on apples site: https://discussions.apple.com/message/30989226?start=0&tstart=0


The more people that post in there with this problem the quicker Apple can realize it's real and needs to be resolved. This problem is affecting ALL iPhones that can run iOS 10. Even the iPhone 7.

Interesting. Though I've had this issue before iOS 10 too. Hope it truly is a software issue because this has rendered my phone nearly useless.

 

[jumpingjackflash]

So is this battery issue effecting 6S Plus too or just 6S? Because Apple is only mentioning 6S on their note...

 

[Domen151]

So is this battery issue effecting 6S Plus too or just 6S? Because Apple is only mentioning 6S on their note...

6s Plus too, it happened to me a few times in the last month. But Apple apparently decided that they should only repair the smaller models.

 

[Ishayu]

I was hit by this. Just checked my old serial number and yep - confirmed.

Had to fight with 3 for 2 months before they replaced the damned thing under Danish warranty laws, but at least Apple is on the ball now. Should help clean this mess up.

 

[Sam_S]

i got my 1st gen ipod-nano (2gb) replaced with a 6th gen ipod-nano touch (8gb) and there was a ~5.5yrs timespan between release of the first nano and launch of the program. i dont know any other company who does that.

That was back when Apple seemed to care about their customers. I did that with 1GB Nano as well. I also had the top case of the white MacBooks replaced for free by Apple, I called asking for quote to replace it (it was about 2.5 years old at this point, no Apple Care) they said just drop it off at your local dealer and we will fix it. Don't seem to get that anymore.

 

[jumpingjackflash]

6s Plus too, it happened to me a few times in the last month. But Apple apparently decided that they should only repair the smaller models.

Oh, sorry to hear that it seems to effect the Plus model too. I also have the Plus model so I need to pay closer attention on this issue. Now it seems to be fine but i dont usually even let my phone go below 30% charge...But i think i need to test my phone for this issue...

Hopefully Apple will include the bigger model later in their repair program. They currently state that this issue is covered up for three years after first retail sale: "The program covers affected iPhone 6s batteries for 3 years after the first retail sale of the unit."

 

[obsidyen]

My 6s' serial number includes QG so I'll be able to replace my iPhone which is great. I used to have this problem, I calibrated the battery then it went away but I can't risk not replacing the phone, this might happen again.

 

[itsmilo]

I feel like every iPhone ever made had this issue? I personally never had this issue but a friend of mine had it on his iPhone 5 back in the day and got it replaced under warranty twice and it happens on my sisters iPhone 6 too

 

[toughboy]

Went to Apple Service Provider in Izmir, Turkey. They checked the 4th and the 5th number of my serial number and confirmed that my iPhone 6s Plus 64gb is affected by the issue and is included in the repair program. Mine is "QG" if it helps anyone..

The genius told me that they havent been informed on what to do/how to handle the situation and took my phone number to call me back.

 

[Matthew.H]

My 6S has Q8 in the 4th and 5th position. I haven't had any issues so far but it's an August 2015 build phone.

 

[djs]

Another iPhone 6 user here.

Phone shuts off in cold weather (anything below 13 degrees Celcius).
Last week this happened when the battery was 81% - shutdown and wouldn't come back on until plugged into the wall.

Sent an email to Tim to let him know it's not just the 6S

 

[MacBH928]

Nope.
We can go as far as the Cube by Steve Jobs, where it suffers many quality issues, including cracking of the case and overheating. There are numerous overheating issues on Macs as well, especially the first Macbook Air. Then there are iPods and iPod nano that can be scratched when you take them out of the box, buzzing issues on nano 2nd gen, etc etc.

These are all mass produced devices. The key is in handling problems when they came up. Take the iPhone 5 battery replacement program. Apple set the program to cover 3 years from the release of the product (same with this). This is extremely generous. Most other companies only allow very limited window for consumers to take part of whatever repair program.

The difference is the percentage of affected users. Today, more and more we hear about issues and no wonder as they opt for cheaper material, thinner, and lighter designs. Apple(and others) do not care, products include Xbox 360 and Samsung Note 7 and many others.

If you are in the US consider yourself lucky because you can walk to the Apple Store and they will replace it for you, there are other places in the world with no Apple Store in the country and if you paid just as much (or even more really) than the US buyer, no one will fix your faulty Apple device.

 

[BryanLyle]

My 6s plus just did this for the first time 5 minutes ago. I came to the forum to see if anybody else's does this and saw this article.

Mine (6s Plus) did this for the first time on Sat night. Odd that this started all of a sudden and then a recall. If they think this is only affecting the 6s they are WRONG.

 

[Mildredop]

Batteries are holding back technology. I've heard many times that there may never be a big advancement in battery capacity. We may be pretty much there. So as a result, companies are just pushing existing technology to its limits (just look at the Note 7).

Imagine where we'd be if batteries had the sort of leaps that processors, car engines, internet speeds etc have had.

Phones would last weeks on one charge, electric vehicles would go thousands of miles, homes could be powered for days off a battery the size of toaster. Maybe even aeroplanes would be battery powered.

But I don't think this will ever happen sadly.

 

[webstarcool]

My 6s has this issue. I have been experiencing spontaneous shutdowns at around 50%. Battery is dead when I try to turn back on. Until now I have have had the theory that my battery needed calibration. Been trying the hints provided around by resetting at 100%, but it doesn't seem to work.

Would be happy to have my battery exchanged.

Anyone know whether this can be done in the Apple Store on the spot?

 

[Mildredop]

This is great, meaning it allows extra buffer in case the issues are not showing up right away.

In contrast, Samsung first replacement program for the Note 7, only gave users a window of a few weeks to exchange their phones (this is before the final recall of the model completely).

Maybe that was to persuade people to do it quickly due to the risk of fire.