Apple Watch Battery Replacement for $79 Story

[rillrill]

Hey folks. I just wanted to share my experience getting my wife’s Apple Watch battery replaced from Apple.


With Apple either slowing down adding new features or just not being able to add many new features like new sensors, its never been a better time to keep your watches longer.

My wife’s watch recently started to die before the end of the day. I took a look at the battery health, and it was 76%. Apple will replace not just the battery, but the whole Apple Watch with a new or refurbished model for $79. Since I bought her a used S5 stainless steel model for around $300 almost two years ago, I thought it prudent to just spend the $79, and let her use it for another 3+ years.

We will see what Apple can come out with then, but I thought if anyone has an S4 or later, and Apple hasn’t added enough new features for them to upgrade, this is a great option. Especially if the person bought one of the more premium models like stainless steel, ceramic, or titanium. The key is that the battery health has to be below 80% for them to replace it.

Hopefully this information can help someone who has this problem.

 

[NATO]

I just did this with a 2017 iPad Pro 10.5in, just paid £100 too Apple for a battery replacement and they sent me back a mint condition refurbished unit (a pleasant surprise) which will easily last me another few years as it's still super fast and does everything I need it to.

 

[Phil77354]

How do you see the battery health for an Apple Watch? I didn't know that was possible.

 

[Night Spring]

Hopefully this information can help someone who has this problem

If your purpose is to inform people of this option, may I suggest you change the thread title to something like "Apple Watch Battery Replacement for $79"? That way people can see the key info even if they don't click through to read the thread. You can change the thread title by editing the OP.

 

[rillrill]

How do you see the battery health for an Apple Watch? I didn't know that was possible.

Its in the settings on the Apple Watch. Battery and then battery health.

 

[Phil77354]

Dang! My battery health is 91%, year old Watch 6. I have no idea if that is good, bad, or normal.

 

[Night Spring]

Dang! My battery health is 91%, year old Watch 6. I have no idea if that is good, bad, or normal.

I think it only matters if the battery is not lasting as long as you need it to. If it falls below 80%, then you can get it replaced for $79, like the OP says.

 

[Mr. 123]

Is it always the case that they replace the device completely (iPads & Watches)? For iPhones I assume that they just swap the battery and not the entire device.

I have an iPhone XS which is approaching 80% which is why I'm curious.

 

[Ram65]

Is it always the case that they replace the device completely (iPads & Watches)? For iPhones I assume that they just swap the battery and not the entire device.

I have an iPhone XS which is approaching 80% which is why I'm curious.

I would upgrade from the XS get away from them Intel Modems please

 

[rillrill]

Is it always the case that they replace the device completely (iPads & Watches)? For iPhones I assume that they just swap the battery and not the entire device.

I have an iPhone XS which is approaching 80% which is why I'm curious.

Yeah, they just swap the battery. My father-in-law had an iPhone 7 forever that he replaced the battery and it ran great after changing out the battery.

 

[radiologyman]

will they do $79 replacement for 3rd gen watch? I also have original with bad battery

 

[Reggaenald]

I’m confused about the details here. You bought a second hand Watch and Apple still only charged $79 to replace it? How and why?

 

[Night Spring]

I’m confused about the details here. You bought a second hand Watch and Apple still only charged $79 to replace it? How and why?

I'm not sure why, but Apple has a policy to replace a battery that's below 80% health for $79, if the watch is out of warranty. If it's in warranty, they do it for free. Scroll all the way down to see it.

Apple Watch Service and Repair - Apple Support

Need to repair your Apple Watch? See your service options, their costs by coverage type, and how long they take.

support.apple.com

 

[Monkswhiskers]

I'm not sure why, but Apple has a policy to replace a battery that's below 80% health for $79, if the watch is out of warranty. If it's in warranty, they do it for free. Scroll all the way down to see it.

Apple Watch Service and Repair - Apple Support

Need to repair your Apple Watch? See your service options, their costs by coverage type, and how long they take.

support.apple.com

This is where buying AppleCare+ makes sense. In the likely event your (AOD model) drops below 80% in 2yrs you have already paid for the replacement and have 2yrs of accidental damage cover thrown in free.

 

[the future]

This is where buying AppleCare+ makes sense. In the likely event your (AOD model) drops below 80% in 2yrs you have already paid for the replacement and have 2yrs of accidental damage cover thrown in free.

I don‘t know how likely it is, though? I would guess that most 2 years old Watches would still be above 80% battery.

 

[Monkswhiskers]

I don‘t know how likely it is, though? I would guess that most 2 years old Watches would still be above 80% battery.

I’m just going off of mine which is 86% after 13 months.

 

[BugeyeSTI]

Dang! My battery health is 91%, year old Watch 6. I have no idea if that is good, bad, or normal.

My S6 was bought November 2020 and the health is 93%.. Yours is doing fine

 

[Night Spring]

I’m just going off of mine which is 86% after 13 months.

My S6, which I bought soon after release, is at 85%. It may be down to around 80% by the time the S8 is released. At that point, I plan to trade in the S6 and get the S8. So for me, battery replacement is something I'm unlikely to do.

 

[quagmire]

My SS S4 must have a super battery. It is still showing battery health of 100%.....

 

[rillrill]

Yeah. I have no idea why some batteries get way worse. My wife has the 40mm model, and I couldn’t believe how quickly it degraded. If I bought new I might get AppleCare, but I tend to buy gently used Apple products. I’m all about reusing tech over landfill.

 

[kshitijshah]

Sadly this option isn't available in countries like India and if the battery gets depleted the only option is to pay near new prices to replace the watch.

 

[deeddawg]

I don‘t know how likely it is, though? I would guess that most 2 years old Watches would still be above 80% battery.

My 16 month old S6 is at 85%.

It's Ti though so still under original warranty (2yr for Edition models)

 

[Neil.gtis]

My SS S5 is showing 98%
Neil

 

[harriska2]

My son's S4 from 12/18 has 84% and my S6 from 8 months ago is 100%

 

[rillrill]

My 16 month old S6 is at 85%.

It's Ti though so still under original warranty (2yr for Edition models)

I think if it dips below 80% before your warranty, you don't have to pay for a battery replacement.