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noobinator

macrumors 604
Original poster
Jun 19, 2009
7,353
7,032
Los Angeles, CA
I have a 6s Plus that I lease from T-Mobile using their Jump on Demand program. I'm having some hardware issues and want to make a genius appointment. Does anyone know how this works since I'm leasing the phone? If they determine it's faulty and give me a replacement is T-Mobile going to give me grief when turning it in because it has a different IMEI? How does this all work?
 
After reciecing the new phone from apple, you will need to call T-Mobile to activate the new phone; the rep will update your account info to reflect the new device.
 
Just for fun I chatted with T-Mobile and asked how this would work. They told me I was not allowed to take it into Apple unless authorized by them. They said I had to bring it into a T-Mobile store first so they could troubleshoot the issues first with their techs. If the techs could not fix the issue then they would "allow" me to bring it into Apple. They said if I brought it into Apple first and received a replacement without permission I would be violating the terms of the lease and could be responsible for the full price of the phone.
 
Just for fun I chatted with T-Mobile and asked how this would work. They told me I was not allowed to take it into Apple unless authorized by them. They said I had to bring it into a T-Mobile store first so they could troubleshoot the issues first with their techs. If the techs could not fix the issue then they would "allow" me to bring it into Apple. They said if I brought it into Apple first and received a replacement without permission I would be violating the terms of the lease and could be responsible for the full price of the phone.
I call BS.

That does not sound right. The phone is covered under warranty by Apple. Whether it's through T-Mobile/Asurant or Apple itself, ultimately it's Apple that takes care of it.

I'd talk to a different rep.

Take my advice as you will however. I've only been on T-Mobile for a month (ported over from Sprint) and I am making assumptions. I don't believe I am wrong but I could be.

When I was on Sprint I had an iPhone on lease. I shattered the screen and went straight to Apple. All I needed to do was an online ESN swap of the IMEI with my then Sprint SIM card serial number.

In the T-Mobile reddit this question has been asked before and people have been advised that all they need to do is call T-Mobile with the new IMEI.

Which is why I think the rep is lying to you. For what reason I don't know, but maybe they are simply misinformed. Ultimately, if T-Mobile gets back the same phone in the same color/capacity in good condition, why do they care? In fact, due to Apple's replacements they are likely to get back a better phone than what they gave you originally.
 
I call BS.

That does not sound right. The phone is covered under warranty by Apple. Whether it's through T-Mobile/Asurant or Apple itself, ultimately it's Apple that takes care of it.

I'd talk to a different rep.

Take my advice as you will however. I've only been on T-Mobile for a month (ported over from Sprint) and I am making assumptions. I don't believe I am wrong but I could be.

When I was on Sprint I had an iPhone on lease. I shattered the screen and went straight to Apple. All I needed to do was an online ESN swap of the IMEI with my then Sprint SIM card serial number.

In the T-Mobile reddit this question has been asked before and people have been advised that all they need to do is call T-Mobile with the new IMEI.

Which is why I think the rep is lying to you. For what reason I don't know, but maybe they are simply misinformed. Ultimately, if T-Mobile gets back the same phone in the same color/capacity in good condition, why do they care? In fact, due to Apple's replacements they are likely to get back a better phone than what they gave you originally.

With Jump On Demand, you're in a lease. You actually legally have no ownership over the phone under JOD, until 18 months have concluded and you buy out the lease.

This is different from regular Jump, which is just a standard device payment plan.
 
With Jump On Demand, you're in a lease. You actually legally have no ownership over the phone under JOD, until 18 months have concluded and you buy out the lease.

This is different from regular Jump, which is just a standard device payment plan.
I was on an actual lease on Sprint. I did it with no issues.

But Sprint is not T-Mobile. However, there are similarities. If T-Mobile/Sprint own the phone outright (because it's a lease) then why strongly advise (but not require) insurance? Why allow Applecare+? Would that not make AC+ irrelevant?
 
And my issue is just a standard warranty issue not something that would need AppleCare+. I have a hardware defect.
Applecare+ is simply an extension of the warranty for another year. So, if your hardware defect occurred in year 2 then you'd need AC+ even though this would be something covered under the standard warranty.

I'm not trying to tell you to do something that is against the terms of the contract. I'm just saying, I don't believe the CSR you spoke to was correct.

Ultimately, do what you feel is best for you. If I'm wrong and my assumptions are not correct and the CSR you spoke to is correct then I will have learned something too.
 
Applecare+ is simply an extension of the warranty for another year. So, if your hardware defect occurred in year 2 then you'd need AC+ even though this would be something covered under the standard warranty.

I'm not trying to tell you to do something that is against the terms of the contract. I'm just saying, I don't believe the CSR you spoke to was correct.

Ultimately, do what you feel is best for you. If I'm wrong and my assumptions are not correct and the CSR you spoke to is correct then I will have learned something too.

I guess I was under the false impression that AppleCare+ offered some sort of accident protection. My bad.
 
I've had this same discussion with T-Mobile. Take it to the Apple Store. That's where the T-Mobile store will send you if you have a hardware issue under warranty. If they (Apple) replace your phone you will need to call T-Mobile and have them update the IMEI number on your account.
 
I'm on JOD and had trouble with my 6s+. I went to a T-Mobile store to inquire about a possible hardware issue and I was told to take the phone to Apple store genius.
 
I'm on JOD and had trouble with my 6s+. I went to a T-Mobile store to inquire about a possible hardware issue and I was told to take the phone to Apple store genius.

Nice to see they are consistent lol

They want me to go there so they can "Troubleshoot" a sensor that isn't working. I'm sure the guy making $12 an hour will get that sensor working.
 
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