Leaked Apple Document Outlines Apple's iPhone Repair Rules

[Dirtfarmer]

Step 1 Make incredibly fragile, slippery, damage-prone object
Step 2 publish document denying all repairs if item has been dropped, regardless of whether required repairs are due to drop damage
Step 3 PROFIT

 

[Blu Reel]

If the battery expands in the first 2 years it's covered.
After 2 years you can replace the device for just the price of the battery, a paltry 80 dollars plus tax.

The Genius Bar rep didn't suggest that solution when I brought my iPhone 6 in (after 2 years). He basically implied that I was better off just buying a new phone.

 

[anObserverHasNoName]

Looking at the top comments it seems like this is getting a rather positive reception from the Macrumors community, but when looking at the service denial points I'm slightly worried over one of them.

The thing that worries me is that they say they won't fix iPhones with non-Apple batteries. I know batteries don't wear out immediately, but batteries do tend to fail and just get worse as time goes on, making it beneficial if not necessary to replace them. Apple, like most companies, however tends to badly overprice their replacement batteries and only allow authorised repair shops to do the work, driving up the cost even further.

Thankfully third party batteries exist and you can put them in yourself as long as you're not a complete klutz, but the "No Apple battery - No service" rule does feel like it's goal is to ensure Apple has the replacement battery market all to itself.

As a former technician, I can attest that:

1) the reason is not as nefarious as you believe. It's a safety issue. Improperly installed batteries pose a serious danger to technicians which is why we didn't open devices when even our own batteries were swollen. The gases alone could cause serious respiratory issues if an incident occurs

2) $79 (labor-included) is reasonable for an originally-manufactured, professionally-installed and diagnostically-tested iPhone battery that is in use all day for about 2-4 years

 

[A Hobo]

Does anyone know what the repair rule is for battery use? My iPhone has lost 10% of the battery capacity, it's more noticeable than I thought it would be.

If it drops below 80% you can get a battery replacement for $/£79
If it drops dramatically and has a actual fault which renders it nigh unusable it will be replaced for free within warranty or at cost quoted above.
[doublepost=1504754850][/doublepost]

I've read that store managers have a monthly slush fund for being generous with repairs and replacements. If it's empty though, too bad

If true, that would explain why sometimes people get extraordinary service and sometimes not.

Anyone know?

No.

Everything is looked at on a case by case basis, the idea is every one should be treated equally, but people forget that we can see previous case notes and history, that's why you hear stories of people having whole phones replaced for free for a minor issue, and then the guy who brings in a liquid damaged iPhone for the third time in a year and tries to contest it and gets nowhere this time round as we covered it twice before, that's the sorta guy who goes onto a forum and bitches.

Maybe I'm just jaded.
[doublepost=1504755048][/doublepost]I'm sorry to hear that, he didn't follow the guidelines.
If the device is still around and less than two years old you should take it back.

The Genius Bar rep didn't suggest that solution when I brought my iPhone 6 in (after 2 years). He basically implied that I was better off just buying a new phone.

 

[Crow KC]

I can't help but wonder why you have so many problems with your Apple products? An iPad, two watches, and a phone all needed repairs or replacement? You must be really active.

I have 11 Apple devices including laptop computers, iPads, AppleTV's, phones, and desktop computers, but have have zero issues with my devices. I know everyone is different, but I am surprised at the amount of issues you have had. I hope I don't have to take anything in for repair. I never buy AppleCare. Never needed it.

I represent a family of four including two young children that use a lot of Apple products, as well as two other friends of ours included on a shared cell phone plan that we purchased phones and watches for. There are presently three laptops, four iPads, three apple pencils, five phones, five watches, and an iPod Touch under warranty. Between all of us and over time, things happen. Some things are my own fault, like bending an iPad in a car door due to a child misplacing it or water spilling open in my backpack while a laptop was in it, and that's really why I buy AppleCare+. I try to avoid needing it but it's worth it to me as a form of insurance. It also keeps me from mutilating random Apple employees when/if a device does fail right after standard AppleCare coverage ends, or when they don't cover something under the standard AppleCare that ought to be. Overall I find Apple products to be excellent quality for what they are, which is why I have so many.

 

[Theshed]

It'd be too expensive to bother.

Probably because they want you to buy new products each year. Long warranties do not big profits make !

 

[Kabeyun]

Probably because they want you to buy new products each year.

I was responding to a post suggesting Apple should extend AppleCare to years 4 & 5 after purchase. Even now AppleCare covers an iPhone for two years. So not really.