Apple Watch screen popped off, battery not swollen

[need to restart]

The screen on my apple watch popped out. The screen is still connected via the ribbon, but the screen will no longer stay . I've read that this problem is usually due to the battery being swollen, however the battery on mine isn't.

Is there anything that can be done to keep the screen in place? or does the entire screen have to be replaced?

 

[waw74]

you'll need to take it to apple
even if you can get the screen to stay in, chances are fairly good the gasket that seals the screen is not good anymore, and you'll be very susceptible to water damage in the future.

 

[Otflyer]

Just out of curiosity what series watch is it? This happens with older watches.

 

[44267547]

The screen on my apple watch popped out. The screen is still connected via the ribbon, but the screen will no longer stay . I've read that this problem is usually due to the battery being swollen, however the battery on mine isn't.

Is there anything that can be done to keep the screen in place? or does the entire screen have to be replaced?

How do you know the battery is not swollen? Did you investigate both sides of the battery? Even the slightest amount of swelling, the battery can actually be forced the display off, because there’s very little tolerance in the internal chassis.

The Fact that your display popped out, leads me to believe that something internally forced it. Also, if the battery was extremely swollen, the pouch itself would start to inflate.

 

[need to restart]

Just out of curiosity what series watch is it? This happens with older watches.

Series 1 Sport

I took it to best buy and they looked at it for a minute, and told me the battery wasn't swollen and it would need a full screen replacement. I don't think they checked both sides.

 

[chabig]

A Series 1 Watch is a throwaway item now. If you like Apple Watch, get a Series 5 and move on.

 

[44267547]

Series 1 Sport

I took it to best buy and they looked at it for a minute, and told me the battery wasn't swollen and it would need a full screen replacement. I don't think they checked both sides.

Beat Buy Geek Squad employees are sloppily and poorly trained. Go to Apple. The battery is swollen, the display doesn’t just pop off for no reason.

 

[TimothyL]

Had the screen been taken off before for repair? Maybe it was put back on with a weaker adhesive?

 

[Charlie Dong]

I have the same problem, the screen popped off. Apple store guys said it's out of warren for 1+ months, and the fix will be $249.

 

[PugMaster]

Demand to speak to the manager. Screen popping off is not a user’s fault. Really. that’s just being an ass to the customer.

 

[CYB3RBYTE]

I would get the iFixit screen adhesive kit off their website, and try carefully re-applying the adhesive to the body of the watch. If that doesn't work, then I would say it's time to look at a Series 3.

 

[PugMaster]

I would get the iFixit screen adhesive kit off their website, and try carefully re-applying the adhesive to the body of the watch. If that doesn't work, then I would say it's time to look at a Series 3.

No, don't. There is a reason the screen popped off, and it's usually swollen battery. Even if some repair dude can't see it by eye, the Apple repair center guys can.
If you just glue it back on, you a) can't guarantee it's water resistant unless you change the force touch sensor, too, and reseat everything aaaabsolutely properly
b) you didn't fix the swollen battery which will expand further and eventually die completely
c) you can't have it fixed by Apple as soon as you put your fingers on it.

So, go to the Apple Store and if they refuse, escalate the matter one step further to the manager.

 

[CYB3RBYTE]

You're correct. I had already assumed this gentleman had been to Apple.

If it is a swollen battery, it is free to fix if the watch has been purchased within 3 years of the day you visit Apple. If it's not, then it's a $79 fee to fix it. They will usually ship you a new watch of the same type (if they don't have a series 1 of your finish, like aluminum or SS, then they'll ship a series 2 or 3).

 

[PugMaster]

Btw, did you guys know that the battery problems in S0 - S4 are so widespread that they put a metal shield/plate on top of the battery in S5? This plate stops the expansion of the battery to a certain degree. Haven't removed it yet to look below but it was a little surprise when I opened a S5 40mm a few days ago. I think it'll take a year until I get some more of them to repair as they are still under warranty, but they look interesting.

 

[CYB3RBYTE]

Btw, did you guys know that the battery problems in S0 - S4 are so widespread that they put a metal shield/plate on top of the battery in S5? This plate stops the expansion of the battery to a certain degree. Haven't removed it yet to look below but it was a little surprise when I opened a S5 40mm a few days ago. I think it'll take a year until I get some more of them to repair as they are still under warranty, but they look interesting.

They can, and will continue to expand. It's attributed to chemical changed in the battery, and a metal plate will not stop this from occuring. It MAY keep the screen from popping off, but there is no guarentee. The battery will still find a way to expand if the chemical changes occur inside of it to promote expansion.

 

[PugMaster]

Yep, totally true! This is why I find the the metal plate interesting.

 

[CYB3RBYTE]

Yep, totally true! This is why I find the the metal plate interesting.

Interesting indeed. As to why they didn't include it in the 44mm, I can only think that they are trying to experiment with chemical composition changes, albeit slight, in the batteries to keep them from expansion in the future.

Part of the problem is these watches are being used A LOT and their batteries are seeing consistent drainage and recharge all the time. Especially for those with "Sleep-Tracking" apps, which have no power management to the best of my understanding.

Here's hoping this corrects the problems. It's part of the reason that I waited until the Series 5 to jump into the Apple Watch game altogether.

 

[PugMaster]

Mh, not sure about the sleep tracking, as most of these apps just analyze data like movements, heart rate, noise, which is tracked all the time anyway. They don't drain huge amounts of battery and get processed on the phone via health kit anyway.

In my personal opinion, next to the huge amount of charging cycles, the charging time plays a role, too. Apple has that night stand mode, but it's not healthy for the battery to hang on the charger for 8 hours. Even if they say it's not a problem. Same for phones that get charged over night - this can really degrade the battery, even with newer technology.

 

[44267547]

Same for phones that get charged over night - this can really degrade the battery, even with newer technology.

You're Kinda reaching here. I’d say like 99% of consumers charge the phone overnight, and it doesn’t pose a problem in terms of battery regulation/degradation.

Apple has discussed slow-trickle charging in full length with how lithium ion operates with the iPhone, which would probably be something very similar to the Apple Watch.

Read:

“Your Apple lithium-ion battery uses fast charging to quickly reach 80% of its capacity, then switches to slower trickle charging. The amount of time it takes to reach that first 80% will vary depending on your settings and which device you’re charging. Software may limit charging above 80% when the recommended battery temperatures are exceeded. This combined process not only lets you get out and about sooner, it also extends the lifespan of your battery.”

Batteries - Why Lithium-ion?

Learn why Apple rechargeable lithium-based technology provides the best performance for your iPhone, iPad, iPod, and MacBook.

www.apple.com

 

[PugMaster]

Think what you want, just look how many dead batteries in iPhones and Apple Watches are around. I have come across so many dead apple watch batteries in the last months, it's crazy. They either have a really bad manufacturer, OR the charging process of the Apple Watch is problematic if left on the charger too long. The watches do heat up while charging, so I think the problem is like a circle. The heat degrades the battery, but charging creats a bit of heat. The more the battery degrades, the hotter the watch gets, which further degrades the battery... So my advice is, charge until it's full, then remove it. Don't leave it on the charger a full night, or even for days or weeks if you don't use it. If you want to store it on the charger when not in use, put a timer in between. Like, every night, charge for 30 minutes, then, before your wake up time, charge another hour.

 

[Otflyer]

Think what you want, just look how many dead batteries in iPhones and Apple Watches are around. I have come across so many dead apple watch batteries in the last months, it's crazy. They either have a really bad manufacturer, OR the charging process of the Apple Watch is problematic if left on the charger too long. The watches do heat up while charging, so I think the problem is like a circle. The heat degrades the battery, but charging creats a bit of heat. The more the battery degrades, the hotter the watch gets, which further degrades the battery... So my advice is, charge until it's full, then remove it. Don't leave it on the charger a full night, or even for days or weeks if you don't use it. If you want to store it on the charger when not in use, put a timer in between. Like, every night, charge for 30 minutes, then, before your wake up time, charge another hour.

I charged my Apple watch S0 every night for 2.5 yrs. I didn’t notice a degradation in battery life when I sold it. I will always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. The manufacturer has no reason to suggest a charging method that will harm their products.

 

[PugMaster]

Do whatever you think is right for your stuff. I can only report what I came across while doing repairs. Apple wants you to replace your phone and watch every 1-2 years with their latest products. A lot of errors show up after this period, talk butterfly keyboard, faulty graphic chips from overheat, expanding batteries etc... But you will never notice because a) you already have a new product and b) they don't announce their replacement programs very prominently. So yeah, you do you and I repair it afterwards.

 

[Donnation]

Mh, not sure about the sleep tracking, as most of these apps just analyze data like movements, heart rate, noise, which is tracked all the time anyway. They don't drain huge amounts of battery and get processed on the phone via health kit anyway.

In my personal opinion, next to the huge amount of charging cycles, the charging time plays a role, too. Apple has that night stand mode, but it's not healthy for the battery to hang on the charger for 8 hours. Even if they say it's not a problem. Same for phones that get charged over night - this can really degrade the battery, even with newer technology.

I tend to agree with this. I don't care how much the battery tech has evolved, its still a battery that has to be charged, and constantly charging it can't be good for it.

If it was fine to just keep it on the charger all the time I don't think Apple would have introduced Battery Optimization in the settings, which learns your charging habits and prevents the phone from just charging constantly on the charger.

 

[MyRomeo]

This happened to my series 0 42mm SS at the weekend too. It’s with Apple now who have emailed to say they are replacing my watch. I don’t know yet if this is like for like or if I’ll be lucky and get a newer series. Fingers crossed for the upgrade!

edit, store manager discounted the out of warrant battery replacement cost from £89 to £50.

 

[44267547]

This happened to my series 0 42mm SS at the weekend too. It’s with Apple now who have emailed to say they are replacing my watch. I don’t know yet if this is like for like or if I’ll be lucky and get a newer series. Fingers crossed for the upgrade!

edit, store manager dis punted the out of warrant battery replacement cost from £89 to £50.

Apple treats every situation variably. You probably won’t receive a first GEN watch back in return, It likely will be a Series 2 Apple Watch, being that you have a stainless Apple Watch as it is.