Apple won't replace battery after stating that they would

[bobt]

I have a 2 1/2 year old Apple Watch 7 Edition (titanium) that the battery no longer lasts for a day. It was fine up until about a month or two ago, no new apps or difference is wear or usage patterns. The battery health is at 83%. I'm well aware that typically Apple will not replace batteries that are above 80%. I did the online chat with Apple support last week, went over the situation and they were made aware of the current health being over 80%. They ran diagnostics on it remotely and agreed to replace the battery for around $100 since it is behind the Edition's 2 year warranty. They assured me they would do a replacement battery, not an exchange and again were very aware of the current reported battery health.

I sent the watch back the other day and this morning I received a message that the watch is being returned to me and the battery was not replaced nor was the watch exchanged. They said the watch is fine.

To put in mildly, I'm not happy. They new the watch was at 83% and I was willing to pay the price to replace the battery. The watch is not useable for me if the battery is dead by late afternoon.

I'm concerned about using a third party to replace the battery since I care a lot about maintaining the water resistance. Any suggestions short of buying another watch (probably an Ultra 2 at this point but I really like having blood oxygen) would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[jz0309]

I have a 2 1/2 year old Apple Watch 7 Edition (titanium) that the battery no longer lasts for a day. It was fine up until about a month or two ago, no new apps or difference is wear or usage patterns. The battery health is at 83%. I'm well aware that typically Apple will not replace batteries that are above 80%. I did the online chat with Apple support last week, went over the situation and they were made aware of the current health being over 80%. They ran diagnostics on it remotely and agreed to replace the battery for around $100 since it is behind the Edition's 2 year warranty. They assured me they would do a replacement battery, not an exchange and again were very aware of the current reported battery health.

I sent the watch back the other day and this morning I received a message that the watch is being returned to me and the battery was not replaced nor was the watch exchanged. They said the watch is fine.

To put in mildly, I'm not happy. They new the watch was at 83% and I was willing to pay the price to replace the battery. The watch is not useable for me if the battery is dead by late afternoon.

I'm concerned about using a third party to replace the battery since I care a lot about maintaining the water resistance. Any suggestions short of buying another watch (probably an Ultra 2 at this point but I really like having blood oxygen) would be appreciated. Thanks!

If you were on chat, you should have it in writing, right? Talk to support and show them that.

Do you not have AC+ still? I have a S7Ti with battery health at 83% and I still have AC+ and I don’t think I extended it, just bought it when I purchased the watch… maybe you never got it?

And yes, in general, health needs to be below 80% and yours would be the first one I ever heard of where they replace the battery, they are giving you a refurb instead.

 

[BugeyeSTI]

3rd party is your only option if you want it done immediately. Apple replaces the entire watch so whoever told you they would replace the battery when it's still reading 83% was wrong. Many threads on this forum where people were denied replacement over 80% so not an uncommon outcome. If they actually just replaced the battery instead of giving you a refurbished watch I'm sure they wouldn't be so strict. I have AppleCare+ on my S6 and it has read 80% for about 6 months. Unfortunately I can't get a replacement until it goes below 80%, but my watch lasts all day including my workout so it doesn't interfere with my daily usage..

 

[jazz1]

I have a 2 1/2 year old Apple Watch 7 Edition (titanium) that the battery no longer lasts for a day. It was fine up until about a month or two ago, no new apps or difference is wear or usage patterns. The battery health is at 83%. I'm well aware that typically Apple will not replace batteries that are above 80%. I did the online chat with Apple support last week, went over the situation and they were made aware of the current health being over 80%. They ran diagnostics on it remotely and agreed to replace the battery for around $100 since it is behind the Edition's 2 year warranty. They assured me they would do a replacement battery, not an exchange and again were very aware of the current reported battery health.

I sent the watch back the other day and this morning I received a message that the watch is being returned to me and the battery was not replaced nor was the watch exchanged. They said the watch is fine.

To put in mildly, I'm not happy. They new the watch was at 83% and I was willing to pay the price to replace the battery. The watch is not useable for me if the battery is dead by late afternoon.

I'm concerned about using a third party to replace the battery since I care a lot about maintaining the water resistance. Any suggestions short of buying another watch (probably an Ultra 2 at this point but I really like having blood oxygen) would be appreciated. Thanks!

So Apple won't replace the battery for any price??? Though I think they should should stick by their agreement to do it for $100.00. I've been thinking about getting my Apple 7's batter replaced, as it doesn't fully charge and stops at the 3/4th charge mark no matter how long I keep it on the charger.

I hope you reconnect with Apple and they agree to their previous $100 agreement!

 

[BugeyeSTI]

So Apple won't replace the battery for any price??? Though I think they should should stick by their agreement to do it for $100.00. I've been thinking about getting my Apple 7's batter replaced, as it doesn't fully charge and stops at the 3/4th charge mark no matter how long I keep it on the charger.

I hope you reconnect with Apple and they agree to their previous $100 agreement!

They don't replace the battery, the replace the entire watch with a refurbished equivalent. The only stipulation is that the battery reads below 80% and they do not budge on that. Essentially you get a new watch for $100, that's why they are so strict about the battery percentage. It doesn't matter if you pay for it or it's under warranty, below 80% is the threshold

 

[TheBMacAttack]

I have a 2 1/2 year old Apple Watch 7 Edition (titanium) that the battery no longer lasts for a day. It was fine up until about a month or two ago, no new apps or difference is wear or usage patterns. The battery health is at 83%. I'm well aware that typically Apple will not replace batteries that are above 80%. I did the online chat with Apple support last week, went over the situation and they were made aware of the current health being over 80%. They ran diagnostics on it remotely and agreed to replace the battery for around $100 since it is behind the Edition's 2 year warranty. They assured me they would do a replacement battery, not an exchange and again were very aware of the current reported battery health.

I sent the watch back the other day and this morning I received a message that the watch is being returned to me and the battery was not replaced nor was the watch exchanged. They said the watch is fine.

To put in mildly, I'm not happy. They new the watch was at 83% and I was willing to pay the price to replace the battery. The watch is not useable for me if the battery is dead by late afternoon.

I'm concerned about using a third party to replace the battery since I care a lot about maintaining the water resistance. Any suggestions short of buying another watch (probably an Ultra 2 at this point but I really like having blood oxygen) would be appreciated. Thanks!

If I am not mistaken you should still have AC+, as the Editions receive 3 years of coverage. Unless they changed that at some point. If you do have AC+ (I would check if I were you), I would just request an express replacement. I did that for my series 7 when I was having battery issues and it wasn't under 80% health. You will have to put a CC in which they put a hold for the full amount of the watch on the card until they get your watch back. Very smooth process though. I have done it 3 times I believe.

 

[laptech]

It will not matter what chat evidence the OP put's forward to Apple. As others have pointed out and from numerous threads/posts from members who have an Apple watch, Apple's battery watch replacement policy is battery health lower than 80%. If not then it does not get replaced. Again as has already been pointed out, it is a point Apple will not budge on (I am sure there will be some who will delight in saying that is not the case because Apple replaced their battery when it was above 80%. There are always exceptions to the rule).

Basically, the Apple employee was wrong in what they told you and even if you have chat evidence, Apple can still turn round and say that what the Apple employee told you was wrong and therefore should never have said it.

 

[TheBMacAttack]

It will not matter what chat evidence the OP put's forward to Apple. As others have pointed out and from numerous threads/posts from members who have an Apple watch, Apple's battery watch replacement policy is battery health lower than 80%. If not then it does not get replaced. Again as has already been pointed out, it is a point Apple will not budge on (I am sure there will be some who will delight in saying that is not the case because Apple replaced their battery when it was above 80%. There are always exceptions to the rule).

Basically, the Apple employee was wrong in what they told you and even if you have chat evidence, Apple can still turn round and say that what the Apple employee told you was wrong and therefore should never have said it.

Agree with you on that. Only caveat being AC+. If OP is willing to pay for the express replacement, it doesn't matter what the battery health is.

 

[Jackbequickly]

Replacing the battery in an Apple Watch is rather difficult and not done at the corner phone repair shop. That is why Apple gives us a refurbished one, like new. Apple must have a facility that specializes in battery replacement on watches.

 

[BugeyeSTI]

Agree with you on that. Only caveat being AC+. If OP is willing to pay for the express replacement, it doesn't matter what the battery health is.

So you're saying apple doesn't check the device for whatever you're making a claim on? That if someone scratches their screen and wants it replaced, all they have to do is say the phone is shutting off randomly and ask for an express replacement and Apple never verifies the issue?

 

[TheBMacAttack]

So you're saying apple doesn't check the device for whatever you're making a claim on? That if someone scratches their screen and wants it replaced, all they have to do is say the phone is shutting off randomly and ask for an express replacement and Apple never verifies the issue?

Nope, not saying that. So with AC+, you can make a claim on a scratched screen. You tell them it’s scratch and the watch is damaged, and they will setup the express replacement. You can’t tell them the screen is scratch and they get the watch back and that’s not the issue. They will charge for the replacement.

What I am saying is that if you feel your watch is not preforming the way it should with battery life even if it’s not under the 80% battery health, you can get an express replacement for that. I have done it before multiple times. You pay the $75 express replacement fee and get the hold put on your card until you send the other watch back.

 

[Fozziebear40]

I started a new thread and just found this one. I sent mine off for a new battery and it was returned without being replaced. The note inside read:

"Thanks for choosing AppleCare Service.

Our technicians performed complete diagnostic tests on your product. They confirmed that it is now working correctly.

Your Watch is operating above 80% of capacity. We provide battery service only for Watches operating at less than 80% of capacity."

My watch isn't operating above 80% it is exactly on 80% which I find "convenient". My watch doesn't last much into the afternoon from fully charged in the morning. It is useless without a new battery, I am just going to have to buy a new watch, not very eco friendly.

 

[PeterRollback]

I started a new thread and just found this one. I sent mine off for a new battery and it was returned without being replaced. The note inside read:

"Thanks for choosing AppleCare Service.

Our technicians performed complete diagnostic tests on your product. They confirmed that it is now working correctly.

Your Watch is operating above 80% of capacity. We provide battery service only for Watches operating at less than 80% of capacity."

My watch isn't operating above 80% it is exactly on 80% which I find "convenient". My watch doesn't last much into the afternoon from fully charged in the morning. It is useless without a new battery, I am just going to have to buy a new watch, not very eco friendly.

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You should know it needs to be below 80%, meaning 79%. If you simply activate the flash light every day for a few days, I bet you can get it down to 79 in just a few days and then send it back.

 

[goldmac2006]

You should know it needs to be below 80%, meaning 79%. If you simply activate the flash light every day for a few days, I bet you can get it down to 79 in just a few days and then send it back.

Great trick if it is nearing that amount. Or you can do lots of long Apple Fitness+ workouts and runs on it to get it down, probably three times a day for a few weeks.