Apple’s warranty policies for iPhone screen repairs and replacements have gone through some changes in recent years. The standard one year limited warranty included with new iPhones covers some screen issues, but not accidental damage or cracked screens. The introduction of AppleCare+ in 2014 added an option for more extensive damage coverage for an additional fee. And Apple’s newer iPhones since the iPhone 12 use much harder screens made of a ceramic glass composite material, which can be more difficult and expensive to repair or replace. This article will provide an overview of what is and isn’t covered for iPhone screens under Apple’s standard warranty, AppleCare+ plans, and out of warranty repair options.
Standard Warranty
All new iPhones come with Apple’s One (1) Year Limited Warranty [1]. This provides coverage for your iPhone and the Apple-branded accessories that come in the box against defects in materials and workmanship for one year from the date of purchase.
The limited warranty covers manufacturing issues like improper fit/finish, defective materials, and problems with functionality out of the box. It does not cover accidental damage, liquid damage, or cracked screens [2].
[1] https://www.apple.com/legal/warranty/products/iphone-warranty-emea-english.html[2] https://support.apple.com/en-afri/iphone/repair
Accidental Damage
The standard iPhone warranty does not cover accidental damage such as cracked screens or liquid damage. These types of incidents are considered the user’s responsibility and liability. If you accidentally drop and crack your iPhone screen, Apple is not obligated to repair or replace it for free under the 1-year limited warranty.
According to Apple’s support page, “The Apple One Year Limited Warranty does not cover damage caused by accident, abuse, misuse, flood, fire, earthquake, or other external causes.” (Source)
To protect against accidental damage, purchasing AppleCare+ can provide coverage for up to two incidents of accidental damage, each subject to a service fee. According to Apple’s discussions forum, “AppleCare plus includes 2 incidents that covers accidental damage for a small fee.” (Source)
With AppleCare+, you can get your cracked screen repaired or iPhone replaced for an incident fee rather than paying the full replacement value out of warranty. This provides peace of mind in case of drops, spills, or other accidents that might normally require an expensive repair or new device.
Liquid Damage
iPhones are advertised as being water resistant, but Apple’s limited warranty does not cover any kind of liquid damage to an iPhone. Sources indicate that if an iPhone is damaged from being exposed to water or another liquid, Apple will not repair or replace it for free under the standard one-year limited warranty (Apple Support).
Liquid damage is one of the most common types of damage an iPhone can sustain. Even though iPhones are marketed as water resistant, Apple considers this an advertising feature and not an assurance of warranty coverage for water damage. If an iPhone is exposed to water or another liquid and sustains damage, Apple’s policy is to not repair or replace it for free, even within the one year limited warranty period (Apple Discussions).
The liquid damage indicators inside an iPhone will be triggered if it is exposed to water or other liquids. The presence of these indicators means any water damage to an iPhone will not be covered under Apple’s standard warranty (Reddit). Even minor exposure to liquids can potentially trigger expensive out-of-warranty repair costs.
Cracked Screens
Cracked iPhone screens are very common. However, they are typically only covered under the standard 1-year Apple warranty if the crack is due to a defect and not accidental damage. According to Apple Support, “We replace cracked screens for a fee. Accidental damage isn’t covered by the Apple warranty.” [1]
If the crack just appeared spontaneously without any drops or impacts, it may qualify for warranty coverage. You will need to take the iPhone into an Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider for evaluation. They can run diagnostic tests to determine if the crack was from a defect versus accidental damage. According to Apple, “Accidental damage isn’t covered by the Apple warranty.” [2]
In most cases though, cracked screens are due to drops or impacts which are considered accidental damage. These types of cracks incur an out-of-warranty fee that typically ranges from $129 to $279 USD depending on the iPhone model. Only manufacturing defects are covered under the 1-year limited warranty.
Third Party Screens
Installing a non-Apple third party screen on an iPhone will void the warranty, according to Apple’s official warranty terms (Source). Only official Apple screens are covered under warranty. If a third party screen is installed on an iPhone, Apple will refuse any warranty service requests related to the device.
This is because Apple cannot guarantee the quality, compatibility or safety of third party replacement parts. Using third party screens that don’t meet Apple’s quality standards may negatively impact the iPhone’s performance. Issues that arise after installing an unauthorized third party screen cannot be fixed under warranty.
To keep the iPhone’s warranty intact, only first-party Apple screens should be installed for any repairs or replacements. While third party screens may initially cost less, they void the iPhone’s warranty coverage. This could end up costing much more in the long run if entire device replacements are then needed out-of-warranty.
Out of Warranty Options
If your iPhone screen is damaged outside of the standard 1 year Apple warranty period, you have a few options to get it repaired:
AppleCare+: Apple’s extended warranty plan covers accidental damage for up to 2 years after the original purchase date. With AppleCare+, you pay a service fee of $29 for screen damage. You can purchase AppleCare+ up to 60 days after getting your iPhone.
Source: https://www.apple.com/support/products/iphone/
Repair Costs: Out of warranty screen repair costs vary depending on the iPhone model. For newer iPhones like the iPhone 13, the estimated cost is $279-$329. Older models like the iPhone 8 may be around $129-$149. Apple Authorized Service Providers can provide official out of warranty repairs.
Source: https://support.apple.com/iphone/repair
Carrier Insurance: Most cell phone carriers offer insurance plans that cover cracked screens for a deductible fee, usually around $29-49. Check with your carrier to see if screen damage is covered.
AppleCare+
AppleCare+ is an extended warranty plan offered by Apple that provides additional coverage beyond the standard 1-year limited warranty. According to Apple’s website, AppleCare+ extends hardware coverage to 2 years from the original purchase date of the iPhone and adds up to 2 incidents of accidental damage coverage.
With AppleCare+, each accidental damage incident is subject to a service fee of $29 for screen damage or external enclosure damage, or $99 for any other damage. This is significantly less than paying the full out-of-warranty fee, which can be $279 or more for screen replacement according to Apple. So AppleCare+ reduces repair costs for up to 2 incidents of accidental damage over the 2 year coverage period.
Filing a Claim
To file a claim for a cracked or damaged iPhone screen through AppleCare+, you will need to contact Apple Support directly. This can be done online, over the phone, or by booking an appointment at an Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider.
When filing the claim, you will need to provide your Apple ID and password to verify your AppleCare+ coverage. You may also need to provide the serial number of your iPhone to confirm your device is registered under AppleCare+.
According to the Apple Support page on iPhone screen repairs, Apple will ask you to pay a service fee before they will repair or replace your cracked screen (https://support.apple.com/iphone/repair/screen-replacement). This service fee helps cover the cost of the repair or replacement.
After your claim is filed and the fee is paid, you can either visit an Apple Store for same-day screen repair service or ship your iPhone to Apple for repair. Apple says most screen repairs are completed within 7 days.
Conclusion
To summarize the key points discussed:
– The standard one year Apple warranty covers defects in materials or workmanship. However, accidental damage like a cracked screen is not covered.
– Liquid damage and damage from third party parts also void the standard warranty coverage.
– To protect against accidental damage, you need to purchase AppleCare+ within 60 days of getting your iPhone. AppleCare+ covers up to two incidents of accidental damage with a service fee.
– If your iPhone screen is cracked and no longer under warranty, you have options like filing an AppleCare+ claim if eligible, using your own insurance, or paying Apple or third parties for an out-of-warranty replacement.
– Understanding what is and isn’t covered for iPhone screen damage under warranty is important to avoid unexpected repair costs. Consider extended warranty coverage like AppleCare+ if you want more protection from accidental damage.
