Apple Says Inventory of All iPhone Replacement Batteries Now Available Without Delay

[MacRumors]

iPhone users who have been waiting to take advantage of Apple's discounted battery replacement offer may be in luck.

Apple has confirmed that "service inventory of all iPhone replacement batteries is now available without delay," in an internal memo distributed to Apple Stores and its network of Apple Authorized Service Providers on April 27. The document was obtained by MacRumors from a reliable source.

What this means is that Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers can now order iPhone replacement batteries from Apple and receive them without facing extended shipping delays, but that doesn't necessarily mean that every Apple Store or authorized repair shop will have supply available right away.

The information that Apple shared in this internal memo likely applies worldwide, but as with any supply-demand situation, availability of replacement batteries will likely vary by Apple Store and region. Apple's support website still notes that the replacement process may take up to five business days.

Apple previously said that replacement batteries for select iPhone models may be in short supply until late March or early April, and that certainly proved to be the case, as some but not all customers to date have been required to wait up to several weeks for their iPhones to be serviced and returned.

In fact, multiple sources have informed MacRumors that Apple hired third-party contractors, or reassigned existing AppleCare employees in some cases, to help clear the backlog of iPhone battery replacements at some of its stores.

Apple lowered its battery replacement fee to $29 in the United States in late December for the iPhone 6 and newer, as part of an apology over its lack of transparency about slowing down some older iPhone models to prevent unexpected shutdowns. The discount varies in other countries and is available until the end of 2018.

Apple has since released iOS 11.3 with a new feature that enables users to track their iPhone battery's health and performance status. The software update also automatically disables all performance management features that might have been enabled until another unexpected shutdown occurs.

To initiate a replacement, read our guide on how to get an iPhone's battery replaced at an Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider. More details about what led to this point can be read in our FAQ.

Article Link: Apple Says Inventory of All iPhone Replacement Batteries Now Available Without Delay

 

[44267547]

Good news. Even though initially delayed, at least they can start servicing the customers who actually _need_ the battery replacements.

 

[Sasparilla]

Every phone in the house gets a new battery before the end of the year...

 

[manu chao]

Now that 11.3 has been out for a while, could anybody who felt that they noticed the battery state induced slowdowns report back whether those slowdowns have disappeared after switching off this 'feature' in Settings?

 

[lobbyist]

I can confirm that: my iPhone 6S qualified for the free Battery Replacement Program for Unexpected Shutdown Issues and it was shipped out, received, processed, repaired and shipped back all within 1.5 business days. Just won't have a chance to take advantage of the new battery since I upgraded to iPhone X five months ago...

 

[Hustler1337]

Wow, I just posted a thread asking about current wait times for the battery replacement and 20 minutes later MacRumors posts this article What a coincidence.

So does this mean I am more likely to get the battery changed on the same day when attending a booked Apple Store appointment?

 

[358547]

I'm planning to replace the battery in my iPhone 6S Plus later this year. My battery reports no unexpected shutdowns and capacity still at 85% of design spec, but I would like to have 15% (or 17.6%..) longer battery life. Is there any chance that Apple will refuse to honor the cheaper replacement cost for such a relatively healthy battery? Or will they replace it for $29 no questions asked?

 

[Hustler1337]

I'm planning to replace the battery in my iPhone 6S Plus later this year. My battery reports no unexpected shutdowns and capacity still at 85% of design spec, but I would like to have 15% (or 17.6%..) longer battery life. Is there any chance that Apple will refuse to honor the cheaper replacement cost for such a relatively healthy battery? Or will they replace it for $29 no questions asked?

First check if your device automatically qualifies for a replacement by entering your device's serial number here: https://www.apple.com/support/iphone6s-unexpectedshutdown/

If it does, I would think there's no need to worry about the current capacity.

 

[Nicksd84]

My replacement battery gets ridiculously hot even with normal use. Maybe it’s time to retire this phone.

 

[macfacts]

I'm planning to replace the battery in my iPhone 6S Plus later this year. My battery reports no unexpected shutdowns and capacity still at 85% of design spec, but I would like to have 15% (or 17.6%..) longer battery life. Is there any chance that Apple will refuse to honor the cheaper replacement cost for such a relatively healthy battery? Or will they replace it for $29 no questions asked?

If your screen is cracked or any other problems, Apple won't replace the battery unless you also pay to fix the other problems first.

 

[lobbyist]

I believe this program only applied to a certain batch of 6S's - Not 6S Plus.

First check if your device automatically qualifies for a replacement by entering your device's serial number here: https://www.apple.com/support/iphone6s-unexpectedshutdown/

If it does, I would think there's no need to worry about the current capacity.

 

[bluespark]

Apple should consider making $29 battery replacements from now on. That could generate considerable consumer goodwill.

 

[MrGuder]

I have an appoint this weekend, let's hope they do it since I'm still on iOS 9

 

[djlythium]

Wish they would consider this with the 2016+ MacBook Pro keyboards.

YOU HEAR THAT, APPLE?! DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS FOR FREE!

 

[MrGuder]

I can confirm that: my iPhone 6S qualified for the free Battery Replacement Program for Unexpected Shutdown Issues and it was shipped out, received, processed, repaired and shipped back all within 1.5 business days. Just won't have a chance to take advantage of the new battery since I upgraded to iPhone X five months ago...

So you were without a phone for 2 days? Why didn't you go into the store instead?

 

[zed1291]

I have an appoint this weekend, let's hope they do it since I'm still on iOS 9

iOS 9 won't hinder the repair process. 8.1 and higher is required for the testing to run (so you're fine). However, if the repair fails and you get a replacement, the replacement will probably be running iOS 11.

 

[lobbyist]

So you were without a phone for 2 days? Why didn't you go into the store instead?

No, I just got my 6S battery replaced last week. I'm keeping it as a backup device.

 

[C DM]

I'm planning to replace the battery in my iPhone 6S Plus later this year. My battery reports no unexpected shutdowns and capacity still at 85% of design spec, but I would like to have 15% (or 17.6%..) longer battery life. Is there any chance that Apple will refuse to honor the cheaper replacement cost for such a relatively healthy battery? Or will they replace it for $29 no questions asked?

The replacement program isn't based on how good or bad your battery is. And 85% isn't really all that healthy given that the typical stable life of a battery is generally between 100% and 80%.

 

[thomasmonks]

I have an appoint this weekend, let's hope they do it since I'm still on iOS 9

If your phone supports the newest IOS they will say that the reason your battery life is bad is due to the fact your on an old OS and improvements have been implimented since then. I recommend you update if you can, unless, of course you want to say on IOS 9 for a reason

 

[Rocko99991]

My replacement battery gets ridiculously hot even with normal use. Maybe it’s time to retire this phone.

Take it back.

 

[C DM]

If your phone supports the newest IOS they will say that the reason your battery life is bad is due to the fact your on an old OS and improvements have been implimented since then. I recommend you update if you can, unless, of course you want to say on IOS 9 for a reason

They could say something like that or ask you to upgrade in general, but would they actually do it, that's a different question--seems like sometimes it happens and plenty of times it doesn't.

 

[yanki01]

meh - decided to go the iFixIt route. battery is performing well now as is iOS.

 

[Rocko99991]

meh - decided to go the iFixIt route. battery is performing well now as is iOS.

That's genius.

 

[neutralguy]

Yup. I just git my wife's iPhone 6 plus battery changed. No waiting for the battery.

 

[Middleman-77]

I actually wish they could do the same for this for the current Macbook Pro's SSD drives. You do know that under their current arrangement, the SSDs cannot be replaced as it is soldered into the motherboard, and your laptop is effectively an expensive paperweight if the drive fails?