I had my original watch replaced under the warranty extension. It had the swollen battery. They gave me a Series 1. I just hope it doesn’t happen again as I don’t think I’ll get another. This one was a gift.
I have a friend that had this issue but never mentioned it until his girlfriend just casually mentioned it when we were all out for lunch. The look on his face for being "outted" was priceless. He's the usual Apple diehard that will never let you know when one of his Apple devices has an issue. It Never surprises me anytime I run into an Apple users like this, that try to hide defects or any kind of problem they're having with their Apple device. I just don't understand this need to be so protective of this company. Lol.
[doublepost=1534890655][/doublepost]So for us early adopters and the ones who pay a lot more money to buy quality innovative devices, we are out of luck. My face-plate popped off my first gen watch, 17 days after the extended warranty. Because I took fanatical care of my watch, it probably lasted longer then most under the extended warranty, so I'm being punished. Now if it was my fault, or an old battery, or some kind of abuse or damage, then I have no problem, but when Apple designs a watch with defective batteries, and you paid over 700 dollars for it, Plus own thousands of dollars of other apple products, I would expect them to stand behind the product. But no, I was told $273.31 to replace the battery and secure the face-plate site unseen and I had to pay it before I sent it in!!!! I will never waste my money and buy another Apple product again. When these units die, from swollen, or bursting batteries or catch on fire, or are slowed down intentionally or simply won't work because apple wont support them, then I am switching. Steve must be turning in his grave. The competition is gaining ground and passing in some categories. Time to move on.
Apple will repair select Apple Watch Series 2 models that do not power on or have a swollen battery free of charge as part of a new service policy.
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An original Apple Watch with an expanded battery via Apple Support Communities
"Apple has determined that under certain conditions, some Apple Watch Series 2 devices may not power on or they may experience an expanded battery," wrote Apple, in an internal document distributed to Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers on Friday and subsequently obtained by MacRumors.
"Apple will service eligible devices free of charge," according to the document, numbered SN4534 in Apple's internal GSX portal. "Apple will authorize coverage for eligible devices for three years after the original date of purchase."
The policy was issued in at least the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Europe, so it is likely a worldwide initiative where service providers are available.
A swollen battery can prevent an Apple Watch from powering on or cause the display to burst open. Photos of the issue have been shared by customers in the Apple Support Communities and MacRumors forums in recent months, but the majority of the incidents are first-generation models released in 2015.
Eligibility is limited to any 42mm-sized Apple Watch Series 2 models, including Sport, Edition, Hermès, and Nike+ variants, pending a visual-mechanical inspection, according to a companion document numbered OP1977. The warranty status of the Apple Watch does not affect coverage, the document states.
This new policy does not apply to the original Apple Watch, Series 1 and Series 3 models, or any 38mm model. A few years ago, however, Apple enacted a similar policy for original Apple Watch models with swollen or expanded batteries that offers free repairs within three years of the original date of purchase.
Affected customers can visit the Contact Apple Support page, select Apple Watch -> Battery, Power, and Charging -> Bring in for Repair to schedule an appointment with the Genius Bar at an Apple Store or at an Apple Authorized Service Provider. There are also options to contact Apple advisors by phone or online chat. Battery replacements are completed at an off-site Apple Repair Center.
Apple advises customers inquiring about a refund for a previous Apple Watch Series 2 battery replacement to contact its support advisors.
Apple has not announced this policy publicly as it does with some of its other repair programs, but MacRumors has verified the internal document's authenticity with multiple sources. However, outside of our control, some Apple employees advise customers that no such policy exists. In these cases, our only advice is to keep trying or escalate the case to a senior advisor if possible.
Article Link: Apple Now Offering Free Repairs of 42mm Apple Watch Series 2 Models With Swollen Batteries
Bad luck dude. Never had a problem on mine. These things can happen , you should try another Apple Store and ask them to replace it.The Watch is the most popular Watch in the world. Surely a few units can have some problems.[doublepost=1534890655][/doublepost]So for us early adopters and the ones who pay a lot more money to buy quality innovative devices, we are out of luck. My face-plate popped off my first gen watch, 17 days after the extended warranty. Because I took fanatical care of my watch, it probably lasted longer then most under the extended warranty, so I'm being punished. Now if it was my fault, or an old battery, or some kind of abuse or damage, then I have no problem, but when Apple designs a watch with defective batteries, and you paid over 700 dollars for it, Plus own thousands of dollars of other apple products, I would expect them to stand behind the product. But no, I was told $273.31 to replace the battery and secure the face-plate site unseen and I had to pay it before I sent it in!!!! I will never waste my money and buy another Apple product again. When these units die, from swollen, or bursting batteries or catch on fire, or are slowed down intentionally or simply won't work because apple wont support them, then I am switching. Steve must be turning in his grave. The competition is gaining ground and passing in some categories. Time to move on.
I did stop in two Apple stores. One in King of Prussia, Pa the other in Lancaster, Pa. Both shot me down. KoP store actually said "Yup it's a defective battery, but tough luck, Apple won't cover it." Not an isolated case either, there were many out there. P.S. I also contacted Apple customer support online and on the phone. It's the nonchalant attitude that yes it is defective but you need to give us even more money attitude that is driving me away. No longer standing behind their products. I have sold industrial control products for more years than apple has been around and I always have my customers back. They are so big now they have a go elsewhere, we don't care vibe now. So, I will. But thanks for the feedback and suggestion, it is appreciated.Bad luck dude. Never had a problem on mine. These things can happen , you should try another Apple Store and ask them to replace it.The Watch is the most popular Watch in the world. Surely a few units can have some problems.
Where are all those Samsung trolls at?
Also, why is Apple not being so public about this repair program? Seems like they don't want to repair these or want to keep it on the low for publicity purposes.
Try another authorized service provider, or go to an unauthorized repair shop. They can change the battery. I am sorry this happened to you. I love my Watch Series 2.Absolutely true! I have bought my Apple Watch series 2 42mm in SF when I was there for WWDC 2017. Two months ago my watches suddenly for me cracked on the bottom, then after few weeks it stopped charging. In that day I decided to wear uncharged watches to charge it later at work, but after few hours I found my watches with display peeled off because swollen battery.
Here in Russia we haven't official Apple Service, but we have Authorized Service Dealers. They tried to replace broken Apple Watch, but said me later that Apple don't want to replace them, because of dents on the case. HAHA! They want me to keep accessory for sport in no dent condition! Nonsence. Then I tried to escalade case by phone with one gentle lady from Apple, but she kindly informed me the same information - my watches not eligible for replacement programm because of dents.
PS Most funny, that Authorized Service Dealer ask me to pay 40$ fro diagnostics after that.
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I have replaced watches in unauthorized service with trade-in programm to the new Series 2. I dont know how they did it but I had to pay 130$.Try another authorized service provider, or go to an unauthorized repair shop. They can change the battery. I am sorry this happened to you. I love my Watch Series 2.
The local Apple repair shop (Gothenburg, Sweden) tells me it won't be replaced, as it's the steel version. Only the cheaper aluminium models are covered. Way too expensive item to last less than 3 years!
In Sweden we have Konsumentköplagen valid three years. If you believe the glass separated due to manufacturers fault and not your own unusual wear you can refer to this consumer law irrespective of Apple's own program.
(For reference I had a straight line crack in my AW3 (<2 y.o.) glass but Apple Täby did not fix it for free as they meant they saw the crack continuing in the alu frame another mm which they could say is suspected external damage. My home insurance with extra tech package covered estimated AW repair cost though. I used the cash for an AW5 purchase)