Apple is famous not only for its flagship technology, but also for its first-class customer service. And this indirectly applies to the warranty on all equipment sold.
The official Apple website states that the warranty for all equipment produced by the Cupertino company is 12 months from the date of purchase.
But there are several nuances that all buyers should be aware of. For example, warranty conditions apply anywhere in the world. What else should you know?
Apple Warranty Service
Apple offers a full annual warranty service for all iPhone owners, and the manufacturer does not distinguish between new and refurbished products (for RosTest devices - 2 years).
The start of the warranty is the date of activation of the gadget. You can find it out using specialized Internet resources or on the official website. To do this, just open the warranty confirmation section and enter the serial number of the device or imei. This data can be found in the device settings or on the box in which the gadget was delivered.
After entering the serial number into the program, all the necessary information will be provided, including information about the warranty period for the device. The company itself does not repair defective phones received by customers, so if all conditions are met, the iPhone will be replaced under warranty with a new one. Of course, phones that arrived at the company with minor defects are then restored and put back on sale with “like new” status.
What Apple's Limited Warranty Doesn't Cover
Belkin stand sold at the Apple Store - not covered by Apple's warranty
On non-Apple devices. In the Apple Store online store, in addition to devices, the company also sells recommended gadgets from other manufacturers: Belkin, Beats (owned by Apple), DJI, GoPro, Eve, Mophie, LaCie, Spire and others.
Apple is not responsible for their operation and does not cover them under its limited warranty.
For wear of consumable parts. Apple consumables include batteries and protective coatings.
Therefore, if within a year the battery in your iPhone dies or the anti-glare layer on the screen wears off, the company is not responsible for this.
But there is one nuance here: if the battery fails due to problems with other components, you have the right to demand its replacement.
Apple is not responsible for iPhone cases that are easily scratched
For cosmetic damage. If you bend or scratch your device, this is not covered by the warranty, even if it is due to the use of soft materials.
The same applies to problems with operation during natural wear and tear. For example, if the USB-C port on a MacBook Pro is loose, that’s your problem.
For damage from third-party devices. If your iPhone dies from a Chinese charger, Apple will not be responsible for it.
For damage from non-compliance with the rules. Despite the fact that Apple claims that the iPhone is waterproof, it says it straight: you can’t swim with it.
This is why the company will not be responsible for any damage that occurs in this case.
If you repair your iPhone at an unofficial service center, you can simply forget about the Apple warranty
For damage from third parties. In this case, we are talking about self-repair or contacting non-certified service centers.
Even if you just opened the iPhone to look at its insides and couldn’t put it back together, there can no longer be any talk of any guarantee.
For unauthorized changes. These apply to both hardware and software. Therefore, the same jailbreak is actually prohibited.
However, no one is stopping you from getting rid of the hack before contacting a service center.
Tampered with the operation of the device - no guarantee
For products without a serial number. If it is not possible to obtain the serial number of the device through software or hardware, it will not be repaired under warranty.
For blocked products. You will definitely be denied repairs if you accidentally locked your device via Find iPhone and forgot your password or don’t remember the macOS login code.
Apple also notes that it may limit the repair of its equipment outside the countries in which it was purchased. This once again confirms that the official guarantee is not for gray iPhones and iPads.
Warranty period
Many people do not know this, but in the legislation of the Russian Federation there is Art. 19 clause 5, which reads:
In cases where the warranty period provided for in the contract is less than two years and defects in the product are discovered by the consumer after the expiration of the warranty period, but within two years, the consumer has the right to present to the seller (manufacturer) the requirements provided for in Article 18 of this Law if he proves that defects in the product have arisen before its transfer to the consumer or for reasons that arose before that moment.
Apple fully complies with the legislative framework of the Russian Federation, therefore devices certified by RosTest have a 2-year warranty. This information can also be found on the official Apple website, where a whole section is devoted to the law “On the Protection of Consumer Rights”.
How to return an iPhone under warranty if more than a year has passed? Let's focus on the device itself. Of course, if you have a device that was purchased in Russia, but intended for sale in another country, the warranty will be one-year or not at all (we check it by the code on the case, read about this further).
How to return your phone for repair or replacement?
So, when you realize that the warranty period has expired, you can safely go to fix the defects in the device, or exchange it. Accordingly, during the return process there are several issues that are worth paying attention to.
Where to take it?
Now you have identified some kind of flaw, and a logical question arises: where should you take the phone? In this case, you will have to choose between two options:
- You can take the phone to the store where you purchased it.
- You can find an Apple service center and take your iPhone there.
Remember that you have the right to go to both of these places, depending on which is more convenient for you. However, if you take the phone to the store where the purchase was made, it will still be sent to the service center for examination. Therefore, it is easier to go to an authorized service center, if possible. And that's why:
The Apple website has a “location search” section where you can select the nearest authorized service center to you.
What should I take with me? Do I need a receipt?
It depends on where you decide to go to return your smartphone. If you have chosen a store, you will need:
- The phone is fully equipped.
- Cash and sales receipts.
- Passport.
In fact, in order to return your phone for repair, it is not necessary to have a receipt or other document certifying the fact and conditions of purchase of the product. This is stated in Article 18 of the Law “On Protection of Consumer Rights”. In a good way, you just need to remember the date and approximate time of purchase. However, in many stores you may encounter difficulties, as some sellers may refuse to issue a return or exchange without a receipt.
If you have chosen a service center, you will need:
- Directly phone.
- Passport.
There is no need to bring your entire iPhone with you. Service workers will look at the phone's serial number and determine whether the warranty is still valid or no longer valid.
How to use the guarantee?
In total, there are only a few authorized Apple service centers in Russia that deal with warranty exchanges. A person who bought an iPhone from any official retailer should not think about how to contact the manufacturer. All you have to do is come to the seller and fill out an application.
The seller will draw up a report in which he will describe in detail the identified problem in the operation of the device, attach a scan of the receipt and a warranty card. After this, the device will be sent to Apple, where a thorough diagnosis of the system will be carried out, which will identify the cause of the malfunction. If the reason lies in poor quality assembly or errors made during the production of the device, then the buyer will be sent a new, packaged iPhone. The warranty for this device will begin not from the activation date, but from the date it is issued to the buyer at the service center. It is very important.
Buying a defective phone
Apple advertises its products as ultra-reliable, capable of providing trouble-free operation for several years. The popularity of this company’s gadgets really speaks to the mass recognition of quality. Despite the high prices for iPhones, they are purchased by different segments of the population. But you should not think that this type of equipment cannot have a manufacturing defect. As practice shows, in recent years the number of factory breakdowns has increased, this is probably due to increasing production.
Buying a phone with a defect is not uncommon. Many models have recurring problems that most buyers come across. iPhone 6 Plus owners often complain about the lack of focus, and the iPhone 5s RFB often lacks network. A slipped front camera and display play can be detected on many models. Buyers should be aware that any detected error can only be corrected by service centers. You should not carry out even minor repairs yourself. iPhone manufacturers are also jealous of any system interventions. The owner is recommended to use updates from a certified version of IOS, otherwise the phone may simply be refused service.
Warranty cases
Anything related to the spontaneous failure of certain parts of the smartphone system is a warranty case. Warranty confirmation is carried out at a specialized Apple service center. We list the most common problems:
- the speaker wheezes or does not work;
- MIC is not working;
- the device heats up and freezes;
- the gadget is in cyclic reboot mode;
- there are dead pixels on the display, spots on the backlight or stripes on the touchscreen;
- the phone does not turn on;
- Wi-Fi does not work;
- GSM network is lost, etc.
If a malfunction occurs for no apparent reason (impact, flooding, electromagnetic influence, being at too high or too low a temperature), then the manufacturing company is obliged to take the device back and send the user a new iPhone of the same model, color, memory capacity.
Separately, you should consider the warranty service of the iPhone 7 and X models. These gadgets are manufactured using waterproof technology with the IP67 protocol. This does not mean at all that the device is waterproof, it means that it is waterproof and can be at a depth of 1 meter for 30 minutes. Therefore, many are interested in whether the iPhone will be replaced under warranty and where it can be done.
In some cases, flooded devices are also exchanged under warranty, so before throwing away a non-working “drowned” device, first contact Apple for warranty. Perhaps you will also be lucky and get a new device instead of your old one.
If you have forgotten your Apple ID credentials, the company requires proof that you are the owner (receipt, warranty card) and will simply restore the factory settings. In this case, you will not be able to replace your iPhone under warranty. Where you are does not matter. The recovery process takes place remotely.
Non-warranty cases
Is it possible to replace an iPhone under warranty if, for example, you dropped the device and it stopped turning on? Anything related to careless use of the device and violation of operating rules, which led to breakdown, is a non-warranty case.
Confirmation of non-warranty status also takes place at the company's official service center. The most obvious signs that the device is out of warranty are the following:
- The moisture indicator is colored red. This indicates that liquid has gotten inside.
- There are cracks on the display and serious dents on the case. Such signs may indicate that there have been serious falls.
- A hacked device is also out of warranty (if JailBreak is done).
- If the device is externally intact and the moisture indicator is white, but there are oxides on the board, it means there was moisture inside.
- If the iPhone 7 or X fails due to water getting inside the case, then a more thorough examination is carried out.
In some isolated cases, recessed waterproof models are replaced with new ones. This was mainly encountered by owners of uncleared iPhones that do not have the RostTest designation and are intended for sale in other countries. Despite this, the devices have the same official guarantee and more favorable reception conditions.
Regional features of service
There is an opinion among consumers that iPhones sold in the United States are better equipped and therefore of higher quality. This is a common fake that is absolutely not true. Any device can break down, regardless of where it was purchased. But it will not be possible to exchange, repair or return an iPhone that was purchased abroad in Russia. There are serious reasons for this, which have nothing to do with the desire to deceive the buyer.
Carrying out service maintenance for such complex gadgets as the iPhone is quite difficult. Not only that, you should recruit specialists who clearly understand the configuration of these models. Service centers must be provided with sufficient software equipment and replacement spare parts. Accordingly, on the territory of the Russian Federation, services allow repairing only those models and those equipment that are certified in the country. Therefore, when purchasing a phone, think about where and how you can service it.
The procedure for exchanging a low-quality iPhone for a new one
How to return an iPhone under warranty? For warranty issues, you must contact the selling company, exactly at the point of sale where the phone was purchased. If you bought the device in another city, you can contact the nearest branch of the company that is located.
If you have such an opportunity, you can immediately take the gadget to an authorized Apple service center. There are more than 20 of them in Russia. This is relevant for those who live in large cities. There are service centers in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, Novgorod, Chelyabinsk, Rostov-on-Don, Ufa, Tyumen, etc. Where can I change my iPhone under warranty in Moscow?
The addresses are given below:
- Central office - Moscow, metro station "Kolomenskaya", st. Academician Millionshchikova 7, building 2.
- Branch - Moscow, metro station "Altufyevo", st. Leskova 10v.
Employees of the service center or customer service department in the store will accept the faulty device for diagnostics (the seller will send it to the nearest Apple representative office). Any type of manipulation with the device is carried out only by the OSC (official service center). Diagnostic measures carried out on high-tech equipment will identify the cause of the malfunction. If the defect is due to a manufacturing defect, then the iPhone is sent to the Apple factory, and the client is provided with a new, non-activated device.
Terms and conditions of exchange
How to exchange an iPhone for a new one under warranty, how long will it take? According to the law of the Russian Federation, the store can resolve the issue regarding your problem within 45 calendar days, so if you have the opportunity to visit the Apple OSC yourself, then it is better to do just that. At least you'll spend less time on it.
The store can provide you with a replacement iPhone. By law, the seller is obliged to provide a device that has characteristics similar to those submitted for repair. Namely: the presence of a call function, sending SMS messages, operating system (since it is a smartphone). But don’t expect that they will give you exactly the same gadget for temporary use. At best, you will get the most budget smartphone model on Android; at worst, a push-button dialer. The second option, of course, can be challenged and achieve a smartphone, albeit a budget one. Moreover, if you break or render unusable the device that was given to you as a replacement, you will have to pay its cost, taking into account actual wear and tear.
If the seller violated the terms of warranty repair (exchange) allotted to him, then the client has the right to demand compensation.
AppleCare Protection Plan
The most extensive warranty that Apple undertakes at an additional cost to the user. In this case, the company undertakes to replace or repair devices, as well as accessories and components purchased together or simultaneously with the main device within the period provided for in the bilateral agreement.
AppleCare Protection Plan applies to Mac computers only.
In this case, the user is provided with comprehensive technical support by phone and e-mail, including instructions for using devices and related software, and an express replacement service for some modules is also available (for example, if the laptop battery capacity drops by more than 20%, Apple will immediately send a new one in return) .
By the way, this service is not cheap. For example, the AppleCare Protection Plan for iMac costs 13,490 rubles, and for MacBook, MacBook Air and 13-inch MacBook Pro it will cost the user 19,990 rubles.
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Is it possible to change an iPhone to another if you don’t like the color?
Sometimes there are situations when gadgets are bought as gifts. When the gift is presented, it turns out that the color needed was completely different. With a spoiled mood, the customer returns to the store and demands a replacement. In this case, is it possible to somehow exchange the iPhone for a new one under warranty?
Russian legislation contains the provisions of Art. 25 of the Law “On the Protection of Consumer Rights”, according to which you can change the purchased product within two weeks if you do not like it in shape, color or other parameters. An iPhone is a device that belongs to the category of technically complex goods, therefore the provisions of Article 25 do not apply to it.
It will no longer be possible to exchange the device even on the day of purchase if it has been activated. Some sellers are willing to offer an exchange if a few minutes have passed since the purchase and the box has not even been opened, but in other cases you will receive a firm refusal that cannot be disputed.
Is an exchange possible if the receipt or packaging is lost?
How can you exchange an iPhone for a new one under warranty if the malfunction was not your fault, but you have lost all the documentation confirming the purchase? By law (Article 18 of the PZPP), you are not required to have a cash receipt confirming the purchase. A box is also not required. But some sellers can prove you wrong for a long time and persistently. Therefore, stock up on information so that you have a legislative basis that confirms that you are right.
In general, the store may ask you for the following when returning the device:
- warranty card;
- passport;
- cash receipt;
- phone box;
- accessories that were included in the kit, or the like.
At the official service center you will need a passport and the device itself, nothing else is needed. The service center will receive all information using the serial number. The OSC, as well as the seller, will ask you to log out of your account. To do this, you need to enter your Apple ID password and turn off Find My iPhone.
If you have already contacted the service center and the device was exchanged for a new one, then you will need a receipt confirming the fact of the previous contact. In this case, the warranty for the new device will be calculated from the date the new smartphone is issued to you.
