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stonyboys

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Oct 16, 2012
323
3
My friend has applecare+ and its going to expire soon, so he wants to pay for a replacement to get rid of scratches and refresh the battery. He's wondering if he can just book genius appointment and go in and say he wants to get a replacement, or does the phone have to actually be damaged to be able to pay for a replacement?
 
My friend has applecare+ and its going to expire soon, so he wants to pay for a replacement to get rid of scratches and refresh the battery. He's wondering if he can just book genius appointment and go in and say he wants to get a replacement, or does the phone have to actually be damaged to be able to pay for a replacement?
According to the representative I spoke to, you can pay $79 if you cracked your screen and they will send a replacement.
 
My friend has applecare+ and its going to expire soon, so he wants to pay for a replacement to get rid of scratches and refresh the battery. He's wondering if he can just book genius appointment and go in and say he wants to get a replacement, or does the phone have to actually be damaged to be able to pay for a replacement?
There should be a noticeable issue with the phone. I had Applecare+ on my 4S. In 22nd month, I started noticing that battery got really warm playing normal games like Sudoku and Scrabble. I took it to Apple store and they ran diagnostic on the phone. They said everything looks fine. I told them to wait a minute, opened Sudoku app and after 30 sec handed it to the genius. She held it in her hand and she could feel how warm the phone was and immediately agreed to give me a replacement.
 
Well I don't know if you mean if it's an issue with the phone, that is covered by applecare, (in which case you need to have an actual issue with he phone) or if you are using one of your two $79 replacement options (which i presume is the case) and the answer in my experience is that you shouldn't have an issue replacing it if you are doing the later.
 
AC+ will repair/replace under warranty for defects or malfunctioning components.
AC+ includes three instances of ADH (Accidental Damage and Handling) at $79/$99 per incident.
AC+ does not cover cosmetic issues that do not affect the proper functioning of the phone. I.e., scratches, scuffs, dents.

To actually use an ADH the phone will have to have actual damage. A cracked screen, a bad battery, etc.

AC+ is not intended to allow people to walk in on the last day and swap out a perfectly functioning but cosmetically imperfect phone for a new phone. Unless there is a defect or damage Apple will turn you away.

That said, lots of people purposely damage their phone shortly before AC+ runs out so they can get a new one and sell it for higher value.

Whether you think that's okay or not is the real question.
 
To be honest, I think folks who do that probably just end up breaking even on the $79 incident fee.
my wife's iPhone 5s was having battery issues but they were hard to replicate on demand. I didn't want to be told they wouldn't replace the device and waste and afternoon so I took a hammer to the screen. I expected the glass to crack but it actually ended up bending the phone.

we took in her bent iPhone and requested a replacement. We were willing to pay the replacement fee but the genius informed me that due to bend-gate, apple was replacing all bent iPhones, no questions asked, for FREE. I felt guilty but we've also spent tens of thousands of dollars on apple products over the years so I didn't lose sleep.
 
AC+ will repair/replace under warranty for defects or malfunctioning components.
AC+ includes three instances of ADH (Accidental Damage and Handling) at $79/$99 per incident.
AC+ does not cover cosmetic issues that do not affect the proper functioning of the phone. I.e., scratches, scuffs, dents.

To actually use an ADH the phone will have to have actual damage. A cracked screen, a bad battery, etc.

AC+ is not intended to allow people to walk in on the last day and swap out a perfectly functioning but cosmetically imperfect phone for a new phone. Unless there is a defect or damage Apple will turn you away.

That said, lots of people purposely damage their phone shortly before AC+ runs out so they can get a new one and sell it for higher value.

Whether you think that's okay or not is the real question.
I thought it covers 2 instances of ADH.
 
My friend has applecare+ and its going to expire soon, so he wants to pay for a replacement to get rid of scratches and refresh the battery. He's wondering if he can just book genius appointment and go in and say he wants to get a replacement, or does the phone have to actually be damaged to be able to pay for a replacement?

the genius at the apple store told me to drop it in water so the water indicators light up and they will replace it. he was like "thats what you paid applecare+for right ;)"
 
I don't recall AC+ ever covering three instances. AFAIK, it's always been two instances within the coverage period.
You're right. I checked both online and the PDF I have from 2012 and it does say 2.

My apologies for misleading anyone.

And thank you for setting me straight. I hate giving out false or misleading information.
 
Is a crack always a damaged screen that can be replaced with AC+or can it sometimes be cosmetic? By that I mean a small crack that does not go into the viewing area of the screen.
 
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