Apple recently announced an iPhone 8 recall due to defective logic boards. The iPhone maker said the issue affects a small percentage of the handsets. Apple is ready to repair the affected devices for free, but on one condition.
Check if your device is eligible for the iPhone 8 recall
In a post, Apple says a “very small percentage of iPhone 8 devices” have a defective logic board, which houses important electronic components like the microprocessor, wireless chip and memory. Apple says the affected devices “may experience unexpected restarts, a frozen screen, or won’t turn on.”
According to Apple, the affected iPhone 8s were sold between September 2017 and March 2018. The iPhone 8 recall affects users in Japan, Macau, China, Hong Kong, Australia, India, New Zealand and the U.S. It must be noted that the iPhone 8 recall does not extend to the iPhone 8 Plus or other iPhone models.
To check if your device is eligible for the recall, you can visit this link. You will have to enter the serial number of your device to check if it is eligible for a free repair. Your iPhone’s serial number is under the “About” tab in the General section of the Settings app. Those with a device that won’t turn on can refer to the original packaging, check in iTunes under the Devices tab, or open your Apple ID account in a web browser.
Here’s one condition to get the free repair
Apple says it will repair the affected devices for free, but users will need to ensure one thing. Your iPhone must not have any other damage that hampers Apple’s ability to complete the repair. Apple says if any affected iPhone also has other damages like a cracked screen, users will first have to get those damages fixed, and only then will Apple replace the faulty logic board.
Such a condition is unexpected from a company like Apple. On its end, Apple may be right that a cracked screen could make it harder for the technician to repair, or the crack might get wider during the repair (for which the owner would blame Apple). But such petty things do not sound good from a trillion-dollar company, especially when it’s for fixing a manufacturing defect.
Apple technicians may also now refuse to repair for free under the iPhone 8 recall by flagging even the smallest flaw which might not have anything to do with the defective logic board. Such users will then have two options: either to keep using the faulty iPhone, or first get the minor damage fixed at their own personal expense and then submit it to Apple to get the defective logic board replaced.
All about the battery replacement program
In addition to this iPhone 8 recall, Apple is also carrying out a battery replacement program, allowing users to replace their iPhone’s battery at a lower cost. You may remember there was widespread outrage over Apple’s decision to intentionally slow down older iPhones to prevent unexpected shutdowns due to old batteries.
To compensate for this, Apple came up with a $29 battery replacement program for eligible iPhone 6 or later models. The program allows even out-of-warranty batteries to be replaced at the lower price. Replacing a battery normally costs $79. The end of Apple’s battery replacement program is fast approaching. It ends on December 31.
Before you try to sign up for the program, you must check your iPhone battery’s health to see if your iPhone really needs a new battery. Apple may refuse to replace a battery if it is not affected by the issue or has not degraded enough to be eligible.
To check the battery’s health, go to the Settings app, and then tap the Battery section. From there, select the Battery Health (Beta) option, which is only available on the iPhone 6 or later and if you are using iOS 11.3 or later.
The Battery Health (Beta) option will present various read-outs, but you should focus on Maximum Capacity. This percentage reveals the amount of charge the battery holds compared to when it was new. A number below 80% is an indicator that you must replace your battery.
