Apple Covers Repairs for Swollen Battery up to 3 Years

Apple adds another year to its repair coverage for a particular Apple Watch battery issue: swollen or extended batteries that cause the watch screen to separate from the body are now repaired free of charge for up to three years.

According to a report from 9to5Mac:

Apple has extended its service coverage for Apple Watch (1st gen) models experiencing expanded/swollen battery problems to three years, covering customers for service for an additional two years beyond the complimentary 1-year Limited Warranty that it provides with the device.

The issue with swollen and expanded batteries on first-gen Apple Watch models has been documented online by users experiencing the problem— here on Apple support forums, for example, and here on Reddit— but appears to not be widespread or something that has made mainstream media headlines.

Apple normally has a service program that covers all of its devices for repairs related to expanded/swollen battery issues for two years (1 year beyond the 1-year Limited Warranty it provides with all devices), so the extension for Apple Watch first-gen extends its coverage an additional year beyond coverage for other products.

The change comes as the 1st gen Apple Watch passes the two year mark after having been introduced April 24, 2015.

I have not experienced this problem myself, nor has anyone I know personally, but obviously it’s enough of an issue that Apple felt the need to address it with this extended warranty.

I skipped purchasing the Apple Watch Series 2 and am still rocking my first generation Apple Watch. I do plan to buy the next Apple Watch. But it will be well over two years between purchases, since the ‘Apple Watch Series 3’ has yet to be announced. I’m glad to have this extension just in case my Apple Watch’s battery develops this issue.

Photo credit for lead image: Apple Support user w83design

Photo credit for below image: 9to5Mac