Don't send bands in with Apple Watch repairs — because you won't get them back
William GallagherJust send your Watch in for repair, not any straps or accessories
If you've broken your Apple Watch, make sure you've removed the band and taken off any protective cases, because Apple is now clear that they won't be returned when they send back your watch.
Apple has formally updated its advice to users on how to prepare an Apple Watch to be sent for repair, and now specifies that extra items, such as bands, will not be returned. Previously, the official advice was that you don't need to include them, but now you are explicitly asked to "please remove them."
AppleInsider sources report that Apple's prior approach was to bundle together any items sent alongside a Watch, and return them when practical. Bands would not be re-attached, but they would be sent back to the user together with the repaired watch.
Now the advice on how to "Get Your Apple Watch Ready for Service," has updated and formalized what happens.
"Your Apple Watch band and any other accessories that you send won't be returned," says the updated support document, "so please remove them before sending your Apple Watch in for service."
It also singles out one type of band for special mention. "If you have a Link Bracelet band," it says, "remember to separate the links before you remove the band."
This is specifically about mailing in an Apple Watch in for repair yourself. When Apple Stores re-open, the situation for taking a Watch in to a Genius Bar appointment has not changed. In that case, you will still be asked to bring your power cables and any adapters you use — but you'll still have to remove the watch band at some point.
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11 Comments
This is also true with sending anything out to repair at one of Apple’s contracted repair facilities. No iPhone or iPad cases, Macbook cases or keyboard covers. They end up getting lost usually.
A year or so ago when my Series 0 had a problem I took it to the Apple Store. They removed the band and sent it out. I got back a refurbished watch in a small box that could only hold the watch (no room for bands or anything else). So, yeh, that makes sense. (The neat part was that the refurbished unit was a step up to a Series 1!)
What a sad state of affairs it would be if a real live, face-to-face Apple Genius couldn't handle the band removal for you. I hazard a guess that 99% of the times someone brings their watch to an Apple Store they haven't removed the band, nor would they be expected to.
In the case of a watch it would sure seem possible for them to put the watch and bank in a zip lock type bag, repair it and then return it to the owner in the bag. One would think that in a company as large as Apple that some genius there could solve this problem.
Or- one would think streamlining an operation by not having to tidy up unnecessary items, reducing the risk of loss or theft, and ultimately speed the turnaround, would be good thing for both Apple and the customer.
I'm guessing this new policy also helps with a possible reduced workforce at Apple, under current circumstances.