Some Apple Watch Series 2 Repairs May Qualify for Series 3 Replacement Until Further Notice

Until further notice, repairs of 38mm aluminum Apple Watch Series 2 models will be fulfilled with equivalent Series 3 models due to a temporary shortage of unspecified parts, according to an internal document shared with Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers today.

38mm series 2
The internal document, obtained by MacRumors, reminds technicians that Series 3 models require an iPhone compatible with watchOS 4 or later. Apple instructs technicians to notify ‌iPhone‌ 5 and ‌iPhone‌ 5c customers of their option to upgrade their ‌iPhone‌ to resolve this incompatibility.

If a customer is unable to accept the substitute Series 3 model, Apple says they can contact Apple support to request a refund.

Apple has offered similar Apple Watch repair substitutions in the past due to parts shortages, providing some lucky customers with an upgrade to a newer generation of the device at a fraction of the brand new price, but we obviously do not recommend abusing this temporary good-will policy.

To initiate a repair, head to the Get Support page on Apple's website and book an appointment with an Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider. We cannot guarantee that all locations will acknowledge existence of this internal policy, especially given it has no firm end date, so your mileage may vary.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch Series 9
Tag: GSX
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Neutral)

Top Rated Comments

Unity451 Avatar
65 months ago
[*Me with my fully-functioning Series 2 Apple Watch with Apple Care*]

Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jml12286 Avatar
65 months ago
Do you guys really feel the series 2 is a significant upgrade over the 3? I have a series 2 and have been debating getting a series 4 (versus waiting for the 5). I’ve got $36 that I can apply to a purchase at B&H photo that I have to use by July.

Wondering if the newer models are faster/better at simple things like dictating a reply to a text, making a reminder, even switching songs.
Just switched to a series 4 from a series 2, and it is so much more usable. No more waiting 5 secs to open up a text, and siri is actually usable. The screen size is also nice. Went from 38mm to 40mm. Its the first time my watch actually feel the same like using my phone
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jaredlipsitz Avatar
65 months ago
How does this square with Tim Cook's reputation as a master of supply chains? This would seem to be a major point against said reputation.
I’ll tell you how. Very well. Firstly, this is probably cheaper for Apple than permanently building in additional latency into their supply chain. Secondly, the customer gets a better device. Where’s the problem?
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
IRockThat828pScreen Avatar
65 months ago
I want my S4 watch replaced with an S0 :mad:
Care to explain why?
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Baerok Avatar
65 months ago
Apple has made radical changes from S2 to S3 and even to S4 that it kind of makes sense over time as they run out of parts supply that it’s best to move on.

They did it with S0, just replacing those with S1. Also a radical upgrade.
That’s true, but let’s don’t forget that Apple switched to much less durable composite back in Series 3 from ceramic one in Series 2 (just in an aluminum variant). That counts as a downgrade.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
pdaholic Avatar
65 months ago
Just got that email from B&H photo regarding their new policy for taxes...that was motivation to purchase it now! Series 4 here on Friday.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

5

Apple Event Live Blog: New iPad Pro, iPad Air, and More

Tuesday May 7, 2024 6:33 am PDT by
Apple's "Let Loose" event kicks off today at the unusual time of 7:00 a.m. Pacific Time, and we're expecting to see an iPad-focused event with new iPad Pro and iPad Air models, updated Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard accessories, and perhaps some other announcements. Apple is providing a live video stream on its website, on YouTube, and in the company's TV app across various platforms. We...
f 7ba5b5b668dd68b7179a599305cff6b117ef35d1

Apple Announces New iPad Pro With M4 Chip, OLED Display, and More

Tuesday May 7, 2024 7:15 am PDT by
Apple today unveiled redesigned iPad Pro models featuring the M4 chip, Ultra Retina XDR OLED displays, a nano-texture display option, and more. The new iPad Pro offers a considerably thinner design and slightly larger 11- and 13-inch display size options. The 11-inch model is 5.3mm thick and weighs less than a pound, while the 13-inch model is just 5.1mm thick and weighs a quarter pound less ...
iOS 17 All New Features Thumb

Apple Says iOS 17.5 Coming 'Soon' With These New Features for iPhones

Monday May 6, 2024 7:33 am PDT by
Apple today announced that iOS 17.5 will be released to the public "soon," following over a month of beta testing. While the software update is relatively minor, it does have a few new features and changes, as outlined in the list below. "The new Pride Radiance watch face and iPhone and iPad wallpapers will be available soon with watchOS 10.5, iOS 17.5, and iPadOS 17.5," said Apple, in its...
5

Apple Event This Week Expected to Last 'About 35 Minutes'

Sunday May 5, 2024 3:13 pm PDT by
Apple will be holding its first event of the year this Tuesday, May 7 at 7 a.m. Pacific Time, with a live stream to be available on Apple.com and on YouTube. How long will the event be? In his newsletter today, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said the video will have a runtime of "around 35 minutes." Apple is expected to announce new iPad Pro and iPad Air models, along with updated Apple Pencil...
iPhone 15 Colors yellow

'iPhone 17 Slim' With Smaller Display Rumored to Launch Next Year

Monday May 6, 2024 9:14 am PDT by
While the iPhone 16 series is still months away from launching, an early rumor about an all-new iPhone 17 model has now surfaced. In a research note with investment firm Haitong this week, analyst Jeff Pu said Apple is planning a so-called "iPhone 17 Slim" model that would replace the Plus model in the lineup. Pu said this model will feature around a 6.6-inch display, a slimmer design, an...
f 157980180c661f30ff9611287c90241baf30faff

Apple Announces Redesigned Magic Keyboard for New iPad Pro Starting at $299

Tuesday May 7, 2024 7:39 am PDT by
Apple at its "Let Loose" event today announced a new Magic Keyboard for the latest iPad Pro models, with a thinner, lighter design. Apple says the Magic Keyboard has been redesigned to be thinner and lighter, while maintaing the same floating design. Two colors are available that match the new iPad Pro. New features include a function row with screen brightness controls, an aluminum...
iOS 18 Apple Music Messages and Notes Feature 1

iOS 18 Rumored to Add New Features to These 16 Apps on Your iPhone

Tuesday April 30, 2024 10:44 am PDT by
Apple is expected to announce iOS 18 during its WWDC keynote on June 10, and new features have already been rumored for many apps, including Apple Music, Apple Maps, Calculator, Messages, Notes, Safari, and others. Below, we recap iOS 18 rumors on a per-app basis, based on reports from MacRumors, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, and others: Apple Maps: At least two new Apple Maps features are...