Other Does Apple replace or repair iPhones in warranty?

[theodorr]

What's your experience with Apple when going in for a repair? Someone told me that "they don't repair iPhones because it would break the water resistant seal so they just give you a new one" but they do battery swaps and out of warranty screen repairs all the time.

 

[oVerboost]

It largely depends on the problem the phone has, how busy they are, stock levels of spares, phone model etc.

 

[AustinIllini]

What's your experience with Apple when going in for a repair? Someone told me that "they don't repair iPhones because it would break the water resistant seal so they just give you a new one" but they do battery swaps and out of warranty screen repairs all the time.

It's a case by case thing. Depends on a number of factors as issued above. Unless that someone is an Apple representative, take their feedback with a grain of salt

 

[theodorr]

thank you for the info guys! I guess when things settle a bit with the craziness going around right now I’ll just go to an Apple store... my XR has this extremely subtle yellow hue towards the bottom of the screen and I don’t know if it’s normal variation or actual issue

 

[alpi123]

Everyone saying it's case by case... but in most cases you'll get an instant replacement, if they have one in stock. This mostly applies to hardware issues.

 

[jbachandouris]

thank you for the info guys! I guess when things settle a bit with the craziness going around right now I’ll just go to an Apple store... my XR has this extremely subtle yellow hue towards the bottom of the screen and I don’t know if it’s normal variation or actual issue

If you have AppleCare Plus, you could try using phone support. It may be possible to do what is called an advanced exchange. They send you the replacement and you send yours in when you receive the replacement. There is a hold placed on your credit card, but with their stores being closed, it may be easier to get a replacement.

 

[JPack]

Battery and display repairs are part replacements.

Most other items are whole device replacements.

The water resistant gasket is replaced every time Apple opens the device.

 

[theodorr]

thank you for the info guys! I guess when things settle a bit with the craziness going around right now I’ll just go to an Apple store

If you have AppleCare Plus, you could try using phone support. It may be possible to do what is called an advanced exchange. They send you the replacement and you send yours in when you receive the replacement. There is a hold placed on your credit card, but with their stores being closed, it may be easier to get a replacement.

Don’t have Apple Care+ unfortunately.

 

[ApfelKuchen]

If you have AppleCare Plus, you could try using phone support. It may be possible to do what is called an advanced exchange. They send you the replacement and you send yours in when you receive the replacement. There is a hold placed on your credit card, but with their stores being closed, it may be easier to get a replacement.

Just to clarify, you don't need to have AppleCare Plus to use phone support. Call them. They'll tell you whether they can provide support (in my experience, they usually can). If you need a repair that is not covered by warranty, then they'll ask you if you want to setup a paid repair.

Right now, with most Apple Stores closed for Covid-19, Apple's US website is directing people who need service to either use the Apple website or to call the toll-free number.

 

[theodorr]

I'm paranoid that if they're replacing the screen it won't be the same fit and finish like a new/refurb unit lol

 

[akash.nu]

I'm paranoid that if they're replacing the screen it won't be the same fit and finish like a new/refurb unit lol

Those units are manually assembled as well to some extent.

 

[Juicy Box]

I had a repeat, intermittent issue that Apple attempted to fix multiple times, and for some reason, was never fixed even though they had my iPhone twice.

The third time, instead of attempting to fix the phone, it was just swapped for a refurbished one.

new one

It will most likely be replaced with a refurbished one, but just as good as new.

 

[44267547]

What's your experience with Apple when going in for a repair? Someone told me that "they don't repair iPhones because it would break the water resistant seal so they just give you a new one" but they do battery swaps and out of warranty screen repairs all the time.

Whoever told you that, that’s not accurate at all. When Apple repairs a phone, they actually are trained to replace the water seal gasket within the phone. Anytime the phone is opened for repair/battery replacement, the original seal is automatically compromised, I’m not even sure if Apple can even use the original seal if they wanted to.

 

[theodorr]

Whoever told you that, that’s not accurate at all. When Apple repairs a phone, they actually are trained to replace the water seal gasket within the phone. Anytime the phone is opened for repair/battery replacement, the original seal is automatically compromised, I’m not even sure if Apple can even use the original seal if they wanted to.

yeah I know this is what I know too, but I don't have an official Apple store here, only authorised service providers

 

[Lekro]

They replace: Battery, camera, Taptic Engine, Speaker, Screen, SIM tray, whole unit.
If the device has a combination of those, they usually replace. They replace the IP67 / 68 seals for each repair.

The XR screens all have a subtle yellow hue on the bottom, mine has it too and every XR I have seen.

 

[theodorr]

They replace: Battery, camera, Taptic Engine, Speaker, Screen, SIM tray, whole unit.
If the device has a combination of those, they usually replace. They replace the IP67 / 68 seals for each repair.

The XR screens all have a subtle yellow hue on the bottom, mine has it too and every XR I have seen.

I asked someone from where I live, he had a screen defect and they replaced the whole unit. My friend’s XR has the most uniform screen I have ever seen in my life, but he’s usually very lucky with tech. Anyway went to the authorised reseller and right now I’ll have to send it to the service by myself because of the virus... I’ll wait a few weeks from now.

 

[DCIFRTHS]

Whoever told you that, that’s not accurate at all. When Apple repairs a phone, they actually are trained to replace the water seal gasket within the phone. Anytime the phone is opened for repair/battery replacement, the original seal is automatically compromised, I’m not even sure if Apple can even use the original seal if they wanted to.

How do you know this? I ask because I hope that it's true, but I've never seen any evidence to support it.

 

[freeagent]

They have mostly replaced my older phones that had a headphone jack, they replaced one 7 and repaired one 7 for me. I have two lines on my account, one for her. She only had a problem with her 4S sleep button, no problems with her 5S and 7. She can have my xs max or get a new one when she is tired of her 7.

 

[JPack]

I'm paranoid that if they're replacing the screen it won't be the same fit and finish like a new/refurb unit lol

A refurbished iPhone has a new chassis and battery. The rest of the components are salvaged from used iPhones.

I'll take a new replacement display instead of a refurb unit any day.

 

[freeagent]

My xs max is certified preowned and was as mint as a brand new phone when I unboxed it. And half price.

 

[PeterRollback]

That screen tint issue you’re describing will more than likely her resolved with a new screen. Meaning a repair and not a full unit replacement. Anytime Apple attempts a repair on the device, the install a new water resistance adhesive. I went in for a screen repair and they told me that the phone was no longer water resistant due to the point of impacts on the screen, but they reassured me that it would be after the repair.

 

[akash.nu]

A refurbished iPhone has a new chassis and battery. The rest of the components are salvaged from used iPhones.

I'll take a new replacement display instead of a refurb unit any day.

I mean, as long as it’s certified by Apple, does it really make any difference? It still goes through the exact process of putting things together as a brand new device and chips do not really ware out by day to day use, so I don’t see the point.