Apple Updates Warranty Policy: Hairline Cracks No Longer Covered for Free Repairs

Highlights

Apple no longer covers hairline cracks under standard warranty.
New policy applies to iPhones and Apple Watches, not iPads and Macs.
Repairs now considered accidental damage, requiring customer payment.
Repair costs range from $129 to $379 for iPhones, reduced with AppleCare Plus.

Bad news if you spot a tiny crack on your iPhone or Apple Watch display.

They’re no longer covered under Apple’s standard warranty, according to a 9to5Mac report.

Apple’s New Repair Policy

Apple no longer covers hairline cracks under standard warranty

Technically, the standard one-year warranty has never covered “cosmetic damage” such as scratches, dents, and broken plastic on ports unless you could prove that it was defective materials or workmanship from Apple.

However, single hairline cracks — as in, a crack that doesn’t spiderweb or have an obvious point of impact — have historically been considered screen defects.

As such, repairs could be covered for free. (Though, in reality, your mileage may have varied depending on which Apple Store or repair shop you went to.)

Citing unnamed sources, the 9to5Mac report says Apple is now advising Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers to treat all hairline cracks as accidental damage.

That, in turn, would require customers to pay for repairs.

So far, that change purportedly only impacts Apple Watches and iPhones, with iPads and Macs remaining unaffected.

The Verge reached out to Apple to confirm these details but did not immediately receive a response.

Actual Cost to Repair Your iPhone

New policy applies to iPhones and Apple Watches, not iPads and Macs

Outside of warranty, iPhone screen repairs range from $129 for the iPhone SE and older models to $379 for an iPhone 15 Pro Max.

With Apple Care Plus, that price drops to $29 for all models.

For the Apple Watch, Apple’s repair estimate site doesn’t specifically break down screen repairs, categorizing it under “other damage.”

Those costs can range from $249 to $800, depending on the model.

That cost drops to $69 to $79 with Apple Care Plus.

While this is a disappointing development, Apple in recent years has made some positive shifts regarding repairs thanks in part to pressure from right-to-repair efforts.

In 2022, it released a Self Service Repair program that allows users to fix iPhone battery, screen, and cameras. (Though, the reality of using it wasn’t always so simple.)

It also capped broken back glass repairs on the latest iPhone 15 Pro to $199, a nearly $350 decrease.

In April, the company also announced that this fall, it will allow people to repair iPhones with used genuine parts on “select” iPhone models later this fall.

FAQs

What changes has Apple made to its warranty policy?

Apple now classifies hairline cracks on iPhones and Apple Watches as accidental damage, not covered under the standard warranty.

Does this policy change affect all Apple devices?

No, this change currently impacts only iPhones and Apple Watches. iPads and Macs remain unaffected.

How much does it cost to repair an iPhone screen under this new policy?

Outside of warranty, iPhone screen repairs cost between $129 and $379, depending on the model. With AppleCare Plus, the cost drops to $29 for all models.

Are there any recent positive changes in Apple’s repair policies?

Yes, Apple launched a Self Service Repair program in 2022, and has reduced costs for repairing back glass on iPhone 15 Pro models. They also plan to allow repairs with used genuine parts for select iPhone models.