Tech —

Apple adds one more year to first-generation Watch warranty

To cover old Apple Watches with swollen battery issues.

Apple adds one more year to first-generation Watch warranty
Andrew Cunningham

Apple added one extra year to its warranty for some first-generation Apple Watches, according to a note sent to authorized service providers obtained by 9to5Mac. The company will now cover eligible Apple Watches for three years after the original purchase date. The first-gen devices covered by this warranty are those experiencing ballooning battery issues.

"Apple has extended Service coverage to eligible Apple Watch (1st gen) models with an expanded/swollen battery to three years after the original date of purchase," the note states. "Eligible devices will be covered for two years beyond the original 1-year Limited Warranty."

Customers on Apple forums and Reddit have described these battery problems as far back as November 2016. Some customers reported watch displays being partially displaced from the case thanks to an expanding battery inside the device.

This doesn't appear to be a widespread problem and none of the reports detail any Apple Watches catching fire or exploding like Samsung's Note devices, or even similarly to the recent Fitbit Flex 2 situation. But Apple clearly wants to get in front of this issue and provide affected customers with a safe and convenient solution. This warranty update comes just after the first-generation Apple Watch turned two years old earlier this month.

Channel Ars Technica