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Apple says some USB-C cables shipped with Retina MacBook were faulty, launches replacement program

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Apple has launched a replacement program for the USB-C cable that came bundled with 2015 Retina MacBook units, finding that some cables were faulty. Bad cables would result in the MacBook not charging, or charging unreliably when connected to a power adapter.

From Apple’s help site, affected customers can order a free replacement USB-C cable. Retina MacBook owners who provided a mailing address at product registration will be shipped a new cable automatically by the end of February … If you did not provide this information when buying the MacBook, visit Apple’s site to order a replacement cable instead …

You can tell if you are affected by looking at the printing on the side of your Apple USB-C cable. If the cable lacks a serial number next to the ‘Designed by Apple in California Assembled in China’ text, you should be eligible for a replacement. See the image below for a comparison of the affected and redesigned cables. Please note that although these are the graphics Apple provides, they appear to have made a Photoshop mistake with the ends — the photos depict Lightning cables, not USB-C connectors.

The replacement process can be initiated at an Apple Store with a Genius Bar appointment, at an authorized reseller or online via Apple Support channels. The program runs through June 8, 2018 so you have a couple of years to get your cables swapped out. If you can’t reach an Apple Store, it may be simpler to just buy a USB-C cable from a third party; I recommend the Anker USB-C cables which include additional reinforcement to prevent fraying, and will likely last longer than Apple’s first-party offerings.


Affected cables:
affected_cable_2x

Redesigned cables (identifiable by inclusion of serial number):

redesigned_cable_2x-2

 

 

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Comments

  1. taoprophet420 - 8 years ago

    Do they fray as easily as the lightning cables? For what Apple charges for their various cables, they should have better insulation that does not fray

    • kpom1 - 8 years ago

      No, they don’t actually fray. AnandTech speculated that it’s an issue with the chip that was since fixed. Apparently Apple doesn’t use PVC in their Lightning cables for environmental reasons. The other materials have the disadvantage of fraying more, though.

      • taoprophet420 - 8 years ago

        I know Apple has billions of lightning cables manufactured seems like they could use a jacket or insulation that contains either a plastic made from bamboo or hemp oil for the jacket or fibers for the inflation that keeps the cables from fraying.

        Now with Apple TV’s and iMac’s and the new keyboards, mice and trackpads coming with lightning cables Apple has even more lightning cables to produce.

    • Smigit - 8 years ago

      Are people who are having the cables trap pulling from the end connector bit or the cord? I’ve had about a dozen of the cables now and haven’t had one fail when using the connector to attach or detach the cable from a device.

      • Smigit - 8 years ago

        That should read cables fail. (Cmon comment editing functionality)

    • 2is1toomany - 8 years ago

      Lightning cables fray easily when you pull them from the cord. You’re causing tension where the cord meets the connector and over time it frays. The correct way of disconnecting it is by grabbing it from the hard plastic base of the lighting connector and pulling it away from the port. It’s just a bad habit that many owners have and they all blame it on bad quality cables from Apple.

      • hinomusouka - 8 years ago

        Oh dear, your comment is hilarious. ‘The correct way of disconnecting’? And what the heck is that? Something like ‘the correct way of handling iPhones 4’? How about proper design? You know the proper sturdiness maybe? For god’s sake it’s a cable, it shouldn’t be a philosophical matter to unplug it otherwise it breaks.

  2. Trond Bie - 8 years ago

    Why is there a picture of a Lightning-cable?

    • yepperoni - 8 years ago

      “Please note that although these are the graphics Apple provides, they appear to have made a Photoshop mistake with the ends — the photos depict Lightning cables, not USB-C connectors.”

  3. Kenny Yin - 8 years ago

    Those cables all came with lightning ports. No wonder they get recalled.

  4. taoprophet420 - 8 years ago

    Wonder whatever happened to this class action lawsuit. http://www.patentlyapple.com/patently-apple/2013/11/class-action-lawsuit-filed-against-apple-for-faulty-lighting-connector.html

    Cable fraying has been hit or miss for me. I had thought Apple had fixed the problem after the early cables frayed on me. Now i have 2 cables hooked up to my new %K iMac running to elate p2 stands to charge my iPad Air 2 and other iPhone 6 plus. One cable has shown no wear since October, the other cable started fraying at the end and 5 inches from the end within weeks of use.

  5. tehgnomearmy - 8 years ago

    Poorly designed in California, cheaply assembled in China.

  6. Brian Shaw (@brsedu) - 8 years ago

    None of the USB-C cables that I have (included with MacBook or purchased separately) have any printing anywhere on them. What’s up with that?

  7. Dilan Palliyaguru - 8 years ago

    The reason is that, they are cheaply assembled in China.

    Take a look at what is trending in Hoverboards – http://www.hoverboardzone.org/

Author

Avatar for Benjamin Mayo Benjamin Mayo

Benjamin develops iOS apps professionally and covers Apple news and rumors for 9to5Mac. Listen to Benjamin, every week, on the Happy Hour podcast. Check out his personal blog. Message Benjamin over email or Twitter.