iPhonesbreak . The screen might smash when it slips from your hand ; you might miss it in the lav ( if so , take a look atHow to fix a wet iPhone ) ; or the barrage fire might just start draining more rapidly than you ’d like . It ’s happened to the best of us .
Whatever has get wrong with your twist , the grown doubt is this : “ Will Apple replace my upset iPhone for free ? ”
In this article we help you to find out . We explore the insurance policy and switch programmes that are uncommitted , your sound rightfield , and the various selection you ’ve got for each variety of price or mishap that may have afflict your smartphone .
You may also have heard that Apple does n’t allow third - party iPhone repairs – which may see red you if you like to keep the cost of a mend down to a minimum . In this article we mention two cases where Apple ’s been seen to deter customers from third party replacements : understand more about theissues connect to screen replacementsandbattery replacements below .
However , Apple ’s position on third - political party fixes has changed over clip , and it has begun to permit more third - company storage mend iPhones , even providing the share and education necessary . But these repair could still void your warrantee or think of that your iPhone does n’t qualify for a replenishment should it become part of anApple repair programmeat a later date .
If you ’d prefer a DIY access , take a looking at at our guidebook to theBest tools for repairing & upgrading Macs & iPhones .
Should Apple replace or mend your iPhone?
It ’s in reality quite strange to expect a society to replace a product when you break it . But when it comes to the iPhone , people seem to have high expectations , either because they pass so much on the phone in the first post , or because when you sign up to a contract bridge for a year or two you expect the sound to last the journeying .
Your likelihood of getting a replacement iPhone – or at least a mess – count in part on whether your iPhone is in warrant , is part of a recollection , or if you have indemnity .
Apple offers its own insurance calledAppleCare+in the UK and US . Apple ’s insurance coverage costs from £ 79/$79 for the iPhone SE to £ 199/$199 for the iPhone 12 Pro Max for two years of cover . If you have this insurance Apple will replace or fix an iPhone that has suffer accidental damage . You only get two chances for a substitution – and there ’s a chance you ’ll be commove an supernumerary fee too – £ 25/$29 for cover terms and £ 79/$99 for other equipment casualty . ( And in the US $ 149 for theft and loss ) .
You do n’t have to ante up Apple for policy though . You may already have insurance that report your belongings , or you may choose to take out headphone insurance policy from another supplier . For more information about whether to take out iPhone insurance read our article : Is iPhone insurance policy worth it?We also help you decidewhich iPhone insurance policy insurance is best for youand we also compareAppleCare+ vs earpiece insuranceto discover out which is honorable .
Even without insurance policy there is still a probability that the trouble you are encountering is banal . In that case there is a chance that Apple has a devoid hangout or surrogate programme . Take a look in ourApple replacement programmes articleto see if your issue is covered by that .
But what if your iPhone is n’t part of one of these transposition programmes , and you have n’t got indemnity or warranty insurance coverage ? Can you expect Apple to replace your iPhone for gratis ? To answer this question there are a few other thing that need to be considered .
What are your legal rights?
First things first : if you ’ve only had your iPhone for a year or two there are actually laws that may mean Apple , or the company that sold it to you , have to interchange your iPhone .
If you ’re going to drill your consumer rights it ’s deserving giving Apple ’s warranty conditions the once - over , along with the effectual requirements Apple would have to abide by in the UK . ( There are likely to be similar rules in the US and elsewhere ) .
What does Apple’s warranty include?
Every iPhone comes with complimentary telephone technical reinforcement for 90 days from your iPhone purchase and a one - class limited warrant .
Specifically , Apple ’s warranty covers the pursual : “ Apple warrants the Apple - branded iPhone , iPad or iPod hardware product and accessories contained in the original packaging ( “ Apple Product ” ) against defects in materials and workmanship when used normally in accordance with Apple ’s write guidelines for a menstruum of ONE ( 1 ) YEAR from the date of original retail leverage by the destruction - exploiter purchaser ( “ Warranty Period ” ) . Apple ’s print road map let in but are not circumscribe to information contained in technical specifications , substance abuser manual and military service communicating . ”
SeeHow to get a Mac doctor .
What doesn’t the warranty include?
While the Apple guarantee means that your iPhone is covered for a year from the day you buy it , Apple submit that its Limited Warrantyfor iPhone excludes coverage for “ damage resulting from fortuity , disassembly , unauthorized overhaul and unauthorised alteration . ” The warranty may also be null if the Liquid Contact indicator in your intersection has been triggered .
However , Apple does note that even an iPhone that is ineligible for warranty service may be eligible for Out - of - Warranty ( OOW ) Service ( for a price ) . That is as long as it meets the requirements of the OOW help . Certain damage is ineligible for OOW overhaul notes Apple , including : “ Catastrophic damage , such as the gadget separating into multiple pieces , and inoperability triggered by unauthorised modification . ”
What does AppleCare+ include?
Apple sells AppleCare+ protection to draw out the warranty support that comes with your iPhone to two years . You have to purchase this within 60 day of your iPhone leverage .
AppleCare+ provides expert technical support , up to two years of additional hardware coverage and up to two incidents of accidental harm coverage in each of the two years . In summation to being able to take the iPhone into an Apple Store to be fasten or replaced , under AppleCare+ it is possible to get an express transposition service .
The cost of AppleCare+ varies depending on which model of iPhone you ’ve got , from £ 79/$79 for the iPhone SE to £ 199/$199 for the iPhone 12 Pro or Max .
Under AppleCare+ you are able to strike down or accidentally damage your iPhone and get it substitute twice in each of the two years . There may be other insurance plans that will replace your iPhone more metre should anything happen to it so it is deserving shopping around . Read : How to find fault the best iPhone insurance policy .
With AppleCare+ you also get additional hardware coverage that covers the battery ( battery depletion of 50 per cent or more from original stipulation ) and the include USB cable and power transcriber that get with the iPhone .
Also worth considering : you may not even involve the 2nd year ’s additional insurance coverage . Apple punctuate that its One - Year Limited Warranty and AppleCare+ Protection Plan benefit are in addition to rights provide under consumer law . ( This is becauseApple has pay off in trouble with various courts around Europefor selling two age of coverage without making it open to customers that there are local laws that may give them sufficient coverage anyway ) .
We examine the question ofWhat is AppleCare Plus , and is it worth it?in a freestanding clause .
What do consumer laws say about broken iPhones?
Apple observe the pursuit on its web site : “ When you purchase Apple products , European Union consumer law provides statutory warranty right in addition to the reportage you invite from the Apple One - Year Limited Warranty and the optional AppleCare Protection Plan . ”
This EU Consumer Law ascertain that you will encounter barren repair or replacement reporting for defects present when you take delivery ( Apple ’s warranty include defects arise after you drive delivery ) . The key subject matter here is that if a flaw was present when you took delivery ( such as a faulty antenna ) the machine should be repaired or replaced . Replacement of a gimmick that had a fault when you bought is not limited to two age ; it could be even recollective . You ’re first point of contact should be the vendor , which may or may not be Apple .
consumer in the UK have the right to necessitate the retail merchant to interchange or repair any faulty item for up to six eld after an token is buy ( five long time in Scotland ) . The only puff is you may have to prove that the fault was present when you bought the detail and not something that was the result of normal wearable and snag .
UK Specific information about the sale of Goods Act from 1979 can be foundhere . The act indicates that consumer can require that good will be : as described ; of a satisfactory quality ; primed for the purpose made known .
This concluding clause is substantial if your fracture was n’t there when you corrupt the iPhone . Chances are you bought your iPhone on a contract , if this is the case you could go back to your mobile web provider and argue that the iPhone go wrong to assemble the term of the contract due to the fault .
You may even be able-bodied to utilise the Sale of Goods Act to argue that issues arising from wear and bout were due to a fabrication defect , although to do this you may need an expert ’s written report from an engineer or a mechanic .
The main problem with the Sale of Goods Act is it ’s much harder to get a refund after the first six months . During the first six months after the leverage , it is up to the retailer to show that any fault is down to the actions or misuse of the buyer , rather than an implicit in fault in the intersection . After the first six months it ’s up to the buyer to turn up that the fault was pre - existing .
However , as well as the Sale of Goods Act there is also an EU directive that give consumers extra rights . EU directive 1999/44 / EC posit that : “ A two - twelvemonth warrant put on for the sales agreement of all consumer goods everywhere in the EU . In some countries , this may be more , and some producer also choose to offer a long guarantee menstruum . ”
Crucially a primal power point in this directive is that it does n’t necessitate the buyer to show the fault is inherent in the product and not down to their actions , unlike the Sale of Goods Act . There is more infohere , plus Which ? has loads of information about what to do if you desire toreturn defective goods .
Out-of-warranty iPhones
Apple offers a service for out - of - guarantee iPhones so while it is unlikely you may get it fixed for free you may be capable to get a replacing for a knocked down price . In its out - of - warranty terms Apple states : “ sure damage is ineligible for out - of - warranty service , including ruinous equipment casualty , such as the equipment separating into multiple pieces , and inoperability because of unauthorised modifications . However , an iPhone that has failed due to contact with liquid may be eligible for out - of - warranty service . ”
In other words if you drop your iPhone and it smashes into a thousand pieces Apple is n’t going to help you , nor will it help if you have submerge it in tea , however , if you turn up with a broken , out - of - warranty iPhone Apple may be capable to offer up you a replacement , at a monetary value . For more entropy read : Apple hangout – price usher and how long repairs take .
However , you may still be able to utilise one of the laws described above . For example , if your iPhone is not “ set for function ” but you still have a year left on your declaration go to your internet and quote the Sales of Goods Act at them . If you believe that a faulting in fabrication has have an government issue that you are only experiencing now you may demand to get help to essay this is the case , but you do n’t need to worry if it ’s been longer than two year since you buy the gadget .
How can I get Apple to replace my iPhone?
So , bear you’re able to use one of the ground above to get Apple to replace or repair your headphone , what do you take to do and what can you look to happen ?
It is our experience that give an iPhone to Apple for a replenishment is a emphasis - free experience and you may not need to follow any of the advice above .
Replacement guides for screen, battery, water damage, etc
Whether Apple will replace your iPhone depends on what caused the fault . What did you do ? We look at the most common broken iPhone scenarios below :
Water/liquid damage
Over the year Apple ’s iPhones have become more and more waterproofed , with the iPhone 12 Pro award the IP68 , meaning that it should survive being underwater at a maximum astuteness of 6 meter up to 30 minutes . However , liquid damage is still not encompass under warranty .
Apple has indicator that show if the iPhone has come into contact with water system . Prior to December 2009 Apple had an iPhone Liquid Damage Policy that meant a warranty claim could be deny ground “ solely on a Triggered Headphone Jack LCI and or Triggered Dock LCI ” .
The LCI is a Liquid Contact Indicator that is hidden in the machine ’s earphone mariner and charge port and signals extravagant exposure to weewee . If Apple get a line that this LCI is white it means that the paper has not come into contact with water , and therefore your warranty is intact . However , if it is pinkish , your warranty is void and you may face up an expensive repair bill .
Apple was taken to court by a figure of plaintiffs in the US who said they were denied service because the indicators in their devices had turn pinkish and that an issue with the Liquid Submersion Indicator might cause them to plough pink even if the gimmick has not been submerged . Even tape maker 3 1000 correspond that humidity could have caused the tape to turn pink , according to the lawsuit . Crucially , since December 2009 Apple has used the phrase “ Liquid Contact Indicator ” to describe the tape , which before that date it described it as a “ Liquid Submersion Indicator ” . Apple concord to settle the case out of court .
The same issue raised its caput in the UK back in June 2010 , when BBC Watchdog play up that dysphoric Apple customers were claiming poor after sales inspection and repair when they hark back wrong iPhones . Apple Store staff were insisting faults were the result of piss wrong , which voids the phones warrant , leaving customers little option but to buy a novel iPhone , bear for the repair or shop elsewhere .
Watchdog suggest that Apple was fail in its duty to in good order check customer exact that telephone have stay exculpated of water or liquidness .
As a result of the compensation pillowcase in the US , you may find evidence that your iPhone has come into physical contact with liquid wo n’t of necessity intend that Apple will refuse to fix it as it might once have . With a little knowledge about compensation typesetter’s case in America , and awareness of the Watchdog probe , you may be able to sway Apple that your iPhone was never submersed in body of water . Good luck .
No sound coming from speaker
Sometimes this is due to fluff in the phone port , which can make the phone think headphones are plugged in . This is easily right . Another likely fix is simply to do a software update .
However , you’re able to rest assured that Apple will supercede an iPhone if it ’s a manufacturing blemish .
Battery draining too fast
There were well publicised concerns about the durability of iPhone batteries a few old age ago when Apple was found to be throttling iPhones ( slowing them down ) in fiat to forestall shutdowns stimulate by depleted battery . finally the company was forced to pay out million to affected client : Apple to pay $ 113 million in Batterygate scandal .
We explainhow to check iPhone battery health and find out when to replace itand we coverhow much it costs to replace an iPhone battery . You ’ll also happen more information in ourApple reparation : cost guide .
Apple explains on its web site that the Apple one - twelvemonth modified warrant includes replacement insurance coverage for a bad shelling . you may offer your reportage to two years from the date of your iPhone purchase with the AppleCare+ Protection Plan for iPhone . If during the program ’s coverage full point , your iPhone shelling drop below 50 percentage of its original electrical capacity , Apple will replace it for barren .
If your phone is out of warrant , Apple tender abattery replacementprogramme that costs £ 69/$69 for out of guarantee iPhones ( £ 49/$49 for model with the Home button ) . You may also have to pay for postage . This service takes about a calendar week .
However , it may not be the battery at error : there are a bit of iPhone apps that suck the great power out of your battery . The skilful advice is to shut down apps that you do n’t necessitate . Read our guide toimproving battery life in your iPhone .
While make a third - party battery replacement wo n’t quit your iPhone working – iFixIt has affirm that Apple wo n’t start out to throttle your iPhone or anything like that – it is probably advisable to go to Apple or an Apple Service Provider to exchange your battery .
you may verify if your local resort shop is an Apple Service Providerhere .
If you need to get your iPhone battery replaced take these steps :
iPhone won’t charge
It may well be the ability cable at fault here . With retiring iPhones we have found that the wire bend and sometimes become exposed on the bit of flex before the plug . Your warranty covers the power cable and other accessories that come in the box , so Apple will replace it .
If you may get your hands on another major power cable television ( a ally is bound to have one ) , try it out . If it is the battery at fault you ’ll want to refer to the above section on bombardment substitute . For more advice readHow to get an iPhone that wo n’t chargeandHow to degenerate - bursting charge an iPhone .
Smashed screen
We ’re pretty sure thatrepairing a cracked iPhone screenis the numeral - one reason why masses take their phone to the Apple Store to plead for a replacement . As with the assault and battery , Apple has a system in place to order the repair of your sound , although it will cost you .
If you have the aforementioned AppleCare+ plan it will cost £ 25/$29 to replace a humbled screen on an iPhone . But if it ’s out of warranty things can take up to get expensive – and that was before Apple put up its pricing .
Phone projection screen mend get going at £ 136.44/$129 for an iPhone 6 , rising to £ 316.44/$329 for the iPhone 12 Pro Max ( once it is out of guarantee ) . you could see all the priceshere .
You may well determine that it ’s not deserving the monetary value of a hangout and be seduced by Apple into paying for a young handset .
We ’ve yet to hear from someone without AppleCare+ who was able to argue for a free screen replacement having crush their iPhone . You may be capable to find oneself someone else to repair the screen for less , but you should be aware that letting someone else tamper with your iPhone would void your warranty .
If you ’re considering a ( chinchy ) third - political party covert mend , take note : there have been case where third - company screens , and even official Apple blind fitted by other firms , halt play . Specifically it seems that the True Tone feature article that adjusts colour and brightness according to the lighting experimental condition – block working after a software program update .
Scratched screen
Apple wo n’t replace your screen for clams and we very much doubt that you will be that put off by the scratches that you would pay £ 136 for a new screen . Next meter you get a new iPhone you might want to consider using a screen protector .
We ’ve got a option of good selection in our roundup of theBest iPhone screen defender .
I’ve previously replaced the screen and now the phone is broken. Will Apple fix it?
No . As we enounce above , if someone other than Apple supplant the covert , that will have invalidate the guarantee .
I jailbroke my iPhone. Will Apple replace it?
Officially , no . But the inquiry is , will Apple even know ?
If you canreturn your iPhone to factory settingsbefore take it to Apple you may be prosperous enough to get it past the Einstein . If you ca n’t do that , they will probably be able to tell that youjailbrokeyour phone when they access it via the test system in store , and they will not be so incisive on define it .
Apple has a affirmation on the affair of jailbreaking : “ iOS is design to be reliable and secure from the moment you twist on your gimmick . work up - in security features protect against malware and viruses and help to insure entree to personal information and corporal datum . unauthorized modification to iOS ( “ jailbreaking ” ) bypass surety features and can cause numerous issues to the hacked iPhone , iPad , or iPod tactile sensation . ”
As a result , Apple “ may deny divine service for an iPhone , iPad , or iPod touch that has installed any unauthorised software ” .
Incidentally , we ’ve got a tutorial showinghow to ‘ unjailbreak ’ an iPhone , but do n’t depend on that fool around the Geniuses .
My iPhone keeps crashing
Sometimes it ’s the software rather than the hardware at mistake , and if your iPhone keeps crashing the hazard are that it ’s a software erroneous belief .
Before taking the iPhone to an Apple Store , reset your iPhone and verify you ’ve revise your software . Another thing to fit : how full is the retentivity ? We have met people with iPhones so full of picture and photos that they kibosh working in good order . A bit of a outflow blank can do the world of good .
Another thing that can touch the performance of your iPhone is the apps you consort on it . Is a particular app stimulate the crashes ? Check to see if there is an update useable for it . Sometimes an app that always work well will suddenly stop working because Apple has made a change to Io . Chances are you’re able to specify the phone yourself if you follow this advice . Apple providestroubleshooting adviceon its internet site so you’re able to follow the steps and see if that fixes the problem .
I did nothing! My iPhone just stopped working
See above . There are a few tests you might want to do before you take it to the Apple Store .
I didn’t get the iPhone from Apple. Will Apple still replace it?
If you find that there is a fault and you are unhappy , you could take it back to the shop where you buy it for an telephone exchange . However , a quick look around the web suggests that Apple is a mickle more helpful when it comes to iPhone service and replacements than the mobile networks .
Apple provides the guarantee so lawfully it is up to them to deal with the fault , so do n’t sense that buy the iPhone elsewhere means you ca n’t take the broken iPhone to Apple .
How to get the iPhone fixed (or replaced)
Now you ’ve established the likelihood of a surrogate or a vainglorious bill , what are the steps you need to take to get your iPhone fixed or replaced ?
How to get Apple to replace an iPhone
you could order to send your iPhone to Apple to inspection and repair or you could take it into a store . you’re able to just turn up at a Genius Bar and desire to be seen , but it’swise to make a mental reservation . Just pick out your closest store and pick the date and time .
Please make certain you back up the phone before you take it anywhere !
Start your sustenance petition atgetsupport.apple.comor call ( 44 ) 0844 209 0611 . You ’ll be greeted with a number of troubleshooting questions which may well puzzle out your problem . Other pick include place in for a Service , public lecture to Apple Support Now , Schedule a Call , Call Apple Support afterward , iChat , Take in for Service , Contact Carrier . You ’ll want to typewrite in your in series number which you will be able to find in preferences > About .
Can I get a repair from a third party?
Back in December 2016 Apple officially impart the alternative to book a repair slot at third party approve resellers . This could practice to you if you bought from a reseller or it is more convenient to try and solve a job at a store near to you .
Note : Apple might formally be set aside this , but the fellowship is choosy about the third - parties it trusts with your fixing . As a result if you have a screen replaced by a third - party you might find True Tone stops working , and keep abreast a third - party shelling successor you may see a monition that the earpiece needs servicing .
First , visitApple Support online , then select the product you have a job with . From there , you select the trouble from a list , and then you have the choice to click to Bring in for Repair :
Can I join one of Apple’s free repair programmes?
Of course , but only a small dimension of Apple products dispose for a gratis haunt – these will be cases where Apple acknowledges a profound problem with a particular product or model and announces worldwide reminiscence or free repair / replacement programme .
To see if you measure up for such a programme , scan our articleLatest Apple product recalls and repair programmes .
How much will it cost to get my iPhone fixed?
If your iPhone is within warrant and eligible for repairs overhaul is uncommitted at no complaint for twelve month from the date of purchase .
Apple may refuse even the out - of - warranty replacement for an iPhone you ’ve repaired yourself . But you might as well ask .
Read our complete guide to thecosts for Apple Cartesian product repairs .
Will Apple replace my broken iPhone with a newer iPhone?
If you are under warranty then Apple should replace your better iPhone , but it ’s unlikely they would give you a new model . You should also note that your substitute earpiece may not be young : it is likely to be refurbish . However , that will not bear on your warrant .
iPhones that are quicken or supervene upon have a 90 - twenty-four hours limited hardware warranty or take over the end of your received warrantee or AppleCare Protection Plan for iPhone reporting , whichever is long , express Apple .
Can I trade in a broken iPhone towards the cost of a replacement?
Yes – although whether Apple will live with the buy , and the size of the discount rate you ’ll get off the substitute , depends on the degree of price .
Apple has announced that it will get down to accept damaged iPhones in part - rally when sell fresh ones . ( The company previously extend part - exchange on older machine , but stipulated that they had to be in good workings condition . ) It is n’t yet open precisely how damage the iPhones can be and still qualify for the course of study – 9to5Macstates that it applies to “ iPhone 5s and iPhone 6/6 Plus units with damaged displays , cameras , and push button within reason ” – but we ca n’t reckon you ’ll get much money off your next leverage if you ’ve have truly ruinous terms .
Nevertheless , if you ’re desperate – if you dropped your iPhone on the level and have no warranty or insurance reportage whatsoever – this could be a neat agency to salve something from the spot .
In related to news show , the EU has voted on a“Right to restore ” billthat will avoid unnecessary electronic waste .
