Apple has launched an iPhone 5 battery replacement program after admitting some smartphones sold as early as two years ago were issued with a faulty batteries.
This is a good news for all users which may be experiencing short battery life or a need to a frequent charging. The program launched on August 22nd, 2014 in the US. It will be available in other countries on August 29. iPhone 5 battery replacement program doesn’t extend the standard warranty of the iPhone 5. Which means that will be available for two years after the first retail sale of the phone or until March 1, 2015.
Eligibility For The Battery Replacement Program
Right now to receive a free battery replacement you need to have an iphone 5 with a specific serial number. This is excluding so many others that are also experiencing same issue. I believe when people show enough outrage that Apple may extend the program to broader device range. My suggestion to all that are not eligible for this free repair is to not buy new batteries on their own for the next two weeks. We may see Apple rolling out with a broader range of eligible devices fairly soon!
Guide To Find Your iPhone Serial Number
ALERT: If you are reading this on your phone right now. I will give you a quick tip on how to get your serial number to the Apple website without a need of writing it down! Once you have followed below steps and located the serial number. You will want to “tap and hold” serial number until the “copy” massage pop’s up to the screen. Then just tap on “copy” and click on the link in the “Step 5”. To enter the serial number you simply “tap and hold” until the “paste” massage pop’s up to the screen. Then just tap on “paste” and click on the blue submit button.
- Turn on the phone
- Go to Settings
- Go to General
- Go to About
- Now Go to the Apple official iPhone 5 battery replacement program
- Enter your serial number in the search box
Preparing your iPhone for service
- Remove case or cover
- Turn-off “Find my iPhone” feature -> Simply go to Settings -> iCloud -> Find My iPhone and tap off
- Back up phone to iTunes or iCloud
- Erase data and settings in Settings > General > Reset > Erase all Content and Settings
There is a second recent replacement program from Apple for the sleep/wake button iPhone 5 Sleep/Wake button replacement program. Apple determined that mechanisms on some iphone 5 models manufactured through March 2013 may stop working or causing problems. If you are eligible Apple will replace your button mechanism, free of charge.
Eligibility For The Sleep/Wake Button Fix
Again Apple is extending this repair only to a few iPhones with a specific serial number. Follow the guide above to find your serial number and quick tip on entering the number if you are reading this on your phone.
iPhone 5 Sleep/Wake Button Replacement Process
This particular replacement of the sleep/wake mechanism is done at Apple Repair Center. You can take-it-in or mail-it-in.
Take-it-in
- Take your iPhone 5 to the Apple store or the service provider – click here to find nearest location
- They will examine and check the eligibility of your device and send it to the Apple Repair Center
- If you require a loaner they will have iPhone 5 models 16GB available.
Mail-it-in
- Call Apple and request free postage-paid-box
- They will examine and check the eligibility of your device
- iPhone will be returned to you by mail
Preparing your iPhone for service
- Remove case or cover
- Turn-off “Find my iPhone” feature -> Simply go to Settings -> iCloud -> Find My iPhone and tap off
- Back up phone to iTunes or iCloud
- Erase data and settings in Settings > General > Reset > Erase all Content and Settings
After the replacement of the mechanism your iOS will need to be updated to iOS 7 if it is not already!
Now, Your Turn
With so many issue already on iPhone 5. Does your iPhone 5 have any other issues?
Let me know by commenting below!
