Apple Launches Replacement Program for Smart Battery Cases Designed for iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR

[MacRumors]

Apple today launched a battery case replacement program for Smart Battery Cases designed for the iPhone XS, XS Max, and iPhone XR.

According to Apple, some Smart Battery Cases can experience charging issues, including cases that will not charge or charge intermittently when plugged into power, or cases that will not charge an iPhone or charge it intermittently.

Affected Smart Battery Cases were manufactured between January 2019 and October 2019. Apple says that this is not a safety issue and Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider will replace eligible cases for free.

All Smart Battery Cases designed for iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR manufactured between the above dates are eligible for replacement. Apple says that no other iPhone Smart Battery Cases are a part of the program, which means no iPhone 11, 11 Pro, or 11 Pro Max battery cases will be replaced.

Apple says that customers with an impacted Smart Battery Case can find an Apple Authorized Service Provider or make an appointment at an Apple retail location to have their case replaced. Smart Battery Cases will be examined prior to service to verify that they are eligible for the program.

Affected cases will be disposed of in an environmentally friendly way and the program covers Smart Battery Cases for two years after the first retail sale of the unit.

Since the Smart Battery Cases launched in early 2019, there have been complaints over various failures and issues with charging. At one point in mid-2019, the Smart Battery Cases were unavailable for purchase and backordered for over a month, a stock issue that could have been related to ongoing charging problems.

Article Link: Apple Launches Replacement Program for Smart Battery Cases Designed for iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR

 

[SkippyThorson]

Well that was out of left field; and the first I'm hearing of this.

Sad to see yet another recall but good for Apple for owning up to things.

#TinyPositives

 

[bbednarz]

So odd question.. How would I look up when mine was manufactured? I can see the serial number on the case, but is there somewhere I can look that up?

 

[jazz1]

So odd question.. How would I look up when mine was manufactured? I can see the serial number on the case, but is there somewhere I can look that up?

I got one as a gift for my spouse who has not fully transitioned from her work phone to the (new to her Xs). So I can’t tell if it is failing. Serial number info. Would be nice. How long will Apple honor the recall?

 

[WaruiKoohii]

Well that was out of left field; and the first I'm hearing of this.

Sad to see yet another recall but good for Apple for owning up to things.

#TinyPositives

I’ve been seeing quite a few people in iOS 13 threads complain about these symptoms and assuming they were related to iOS 13 bugs.

 

[hface119]

Welcome news. I’ve been searching for months trying to find others with my issue. The case will not charge, SOMETIMES, and the phone charges first to 99% but the case doesn’t. In other situations, the case is listed as the product code in the Notification Center instead of “Smart Battery Case”. And as it’s in my pocket it will vibrate like you’re plugging it in over and over. Then weeks will go by where nothing appears wrong, then it happens again.

i can’t reliably reproduce the issue, hopefully they swap it out anyway. This is an XS Smart Battery case.

 

[MrGuder]

I don’t trust any of these battery cases. I had a mophie battery case on my 6s and it literally depleted and ruined my Original iphone battery. I had to replace it at Apple and I never used one of these battery cases again.

 

[jclo]

So odd question.. How would I look up when mine was manufactured? I can see the serial number on the case, but is there somewhere I can look that up?

Apple support might be able to tell. I think with one of the broken cases, it's pretty apparent when there are issues. Mine just refuses to charge my iPhone sometimes. If issues pop up later, the program runs for two years.

 

[SpeMarX]

Huh...upon reading this, I totally have these issues, but didn't think much of it because I only really use that case when I travel...I just assumed it was my fault.

 

[CosmicRichy]

Just made my appointment. I stopped using my XR case because it was so unreliable when charging and when using it below 20% my iPhone would continuously make the charging chime noise until the case died. Lucky I kept the packaging and receipt.

 

[dmx]

My XS MAX case failed. I called support and it was such a terrible experience - I literally spent hours with them on the phone and they made me jump through so many hoops and have a call with their engineering team before they’d be willing to replace it. I didn’t have the time so I just gave up. I was extremely disappointed with the support experience.

 

[CosmicRichy]

I don’t trust any of these battery cases. I had a mophie battery case on my 6s and it literally depleted and ruined my Original iphone battery. I had to replace it at Apple and I never used one of these battery cases again.

Ironically using the Apple battery cases are the safest option according to articles and videos I watched before buying my XR case. It has something to do with how the case works with iOS and iOS13's optimised battery charging.

 

[Rocko99991]

Have they re-engineered the cases to be better now?

 

[Glockworkorange]

I don’t trust any of these battery cases. I had a mophie battery case on my 6s and it literally depleted and ruined my Original iphone battery. I had to replace it at Apple and I never used one of these battery cases again.

Had the same problem

 

[its93rc]

My XS MAX case failed. I called support and it was such a terrible experience - I literally spent hours with them on the phone and they made me jump through so many hoops and have a call with their engineering team before they’d be willing to replace it. I didn’t have the time so I just gave up. I was extremely disappointed with the support experience.

Same here except I didn't call. I needed one badly so I bought an extra one, which died in 2-3 months as well. I remember seeing a thread on here where people were complaining about it.

 

[Böhme417]

What luck! I was just talking to Apple support on Monday trying to get mine fixed/replaced. I have these exact issues with my XS case but oddly enough, only when the case isn't on my phone. When it's on my phone, it works fine, but if I take it off and try to charge it (wired or wirelessly), it will charge for about five seconds and stop. They wouldn't do anything for me over the phone and suggested I make an appointment at a store to have them check it. Looks like I'll be getting a new one...

 

[Glockworkorange]

Ironically using the Apple battery cases are the safest option according to articles and videos I watched before buying my XR case. It has something to do with how the case works with iOS and iOS13's optimised battery charging.

“It has something to do with how the case works with iOS”

That’s the “smart” part.

I have one for my XS Max but would prefer it to be dumb—the case charges the phone immediately, while I’d rather use it to charge the phone at the end of the day if it needs it.

 

[coachgq]

I don’t understand how y’all didn’t just take it to an Apple store for a swap. Took me all of about 15 minutes.

 

[gsmornot]

I had one of these with no issues and have one for my 11 Pro Max but have not used it yet because the battery life has been so good. I wish I had not spent the money but too late for that now.

 

[coachgq]

“It has something to do with how the case works with iOS”

That’s the “smart” part.

I have one for my XS Max but would prefer it to be dumb—the case charges the phone immediately, while I’d rather use it to charge the phone at the end of the day if it needs it.

It keeps your phone charged all day theoretically allowing your phone to have power at the end of the day like you’re hoping for.

 

[emdub]

I've always had issues with mine and never had any acknowledgement from apple support which I contacted twice. I just worked around the limitations. Nice to see them admit a problem and do something about it. I'll be looking into replacing mine now.

 

[Glockworkorange]

It keeps your phone charged all day theoretically allowing your phone to have power at the end of the day like you’re hoping for.

I want it in reverse—the case should be the ‘reserve’

 

[mjcxp]

My iPhone XS Max Smart Battery Case quit working in May last year. I contacted Apple and it took several phone calls to get someone to help. When I finally found someone that could help the case was backordered with a shipment date weeks out. I kept calling every few weeks but the shipment date kept getting pushed back. Eventually the senior advisor let me pick out anything in the Apple Store for under $300. I ended up getting a free HomePod and the case ended up shipping the next week. Good luck getting that type of support from any other company.

 

[stumpapi]

Apple today launched a battery case replacement program for Smart Battery Cases designed for the iPhone XS, XS Max, and iPhone XR.

According to Apple, some Smart Battery Cases can experience charging issues, including cases that will not charge or charge intermittently when plugged into power, or cases that will not charge an iPhone or charge it intermittently.

Affected Smart Battery Cases were manufactured between January 2019 and October 2019. Apple says that this is not a safety issue and Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider will replace eligible cases for free.

All Smart Battery Cases designed for iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR manufactured between the above dates are eligible for replacement. Apple says that no other iPhone Smart Battery Cases are a part of the program, which means no iPhone 11, 11 Pro, or 11 Pro Max battery cases will be replaced.

Apple says that customers with an impacted Smart Battery Case can find an Apple Authorized Service Provider or make an appointment at an Apple retail location to have their case replaced. Smart Battery Cases will be examined prior to service to verify that they are eligible for the program.

Affected cases will be disposed of in an environmentally friendly way and the program covers Smart Battery Cases for two years after the first retail sale of the unit.

Since the Smart Battery Cases launched in early 2019, there have been complaints over various failures and issues with charging. At one point in mid-2019, the Smart Battery Cases were unavailable for purchase and backordered for over a month, a stock issue that could have been related to ongoing charging problems.

Article Link: Apple Launches Replacement Program for Smart Battery Cases Designed for iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR

Another useless replacement program that is another slap in the face to the consumer. Just got off the phone with Apple. The defective case must be taken to an Apple Store. I bought mine online since the nearest store is 300 miles away. It would cost more to drive there than the case is worth. Guess I will have to to deal with another Apple fail.

 

[igneousc]

my gf has been having this issue but uses her case with her iPhone X, not the Xs, any chance they'll give her crap about that instead of just replacing it?