If your Apple Watch Series 2 unit doesn’t power on or has a swollen battery, it looks like Apple may repair it free of charge as part of a new service policy.
“Apple has determined that under certain conditions, some Apple Watch Series 2 devices may not power on or they may experience an expanded battery,” wrote Apple, in an internal document distributed to Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers on Friday.
“Apple will service eligible devices free of charge,” according to the document, numbered SN4534 in Apple’s internal GSX portal. “Apple will authorize coverage for eligible devices for three years after the original date of purchase.”
The policy has been issued in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Europe and seems likely to become a worldwide service initiative.
Swollen batteries have been cataloged in assorted Apple Watch units and can cause the device to refuse to power or or cause the display to burst open. The majority of the incidents are first-generation models released in 2015.
Eligibility is limited to any 42mm-sized Apple Watch Series 2 models, including Sport, Edition, Hermès, and Nike+ variants, pending a visual-mechanical inspection, according to a companion document numbered OP1977. The warranty status of the Apple Watch does not affect coverage, the document states.
The new policy does not apply to the original Apple Watch, Series 1, Series 3 models, or any 38mm model. A few years ago, however, Apple enacted a similar policy for original Apple Watch models with swollen or expanded batteries that offers free repairs within three years of the original date of purchase.
If you’re experiencing this problem, you go visit the Contact Apple Support page, select Apple Watch → Battery, Power, and Charging → Bring in for Repair to schedule an appointment with the Genius Bar at an Apple Store or at an Apple Authorized Service Provider. Battery replacements are completed at an off-site Apple Repair Center.
Apple has yet to publicly announce this policy as it does with assorted repair programs.
Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.
Via MacRumors