Apple has launched a free replacement program for iPhone owners experiencing problems with the sleep/wake buttons of their smartphones. The tech giant admitted that a “small percentage” of iPhone 5 models have faulty sleep buttons and has launched the ‘iPhone 5 sleep/wake button replacement program’.
Apple has been receiving complaints on its support forum about the buttons since the iPhone 5’s launch in late 2012 and has decided to replace the button for free, even if any iPhone 5 is out of warranty. Apple stated that iPhone 5 devices manufactured through March 2013 may be affected by this issue. The problem faced by the users is that even though the button still clicks the device doesn’t register an input.
Users have to either take their iPhone 5 to an Apple store or mail it to the repair center to participate in the replacement program. Apple is also giving out 16 GB loaner iPhone 5 as a temporary replacement that can be used while the owner’s phone is being repaired if he/she takes their iPhone 5 to an Apple store. In case you already paid to have your iPhone 5 sleep button replaced, you can also contact Apple for a refund. The program is available in Canada and US for now and will be launched in other countries on May 2.
The Apple replacement program webpage reads, “Apple has determined that the sleep/wake button mechanism on a small percentage of iPhone 5 models may stop working or work intermittently. Apple will replace the sleep/wake button mechanism, free of charge, on iPhone 5 models that exhibit this issue and have a qualifying serial number.”
You can find out if your phone qualifies and apply for the replacement by inputting your iPhone’s serial number at the support site created by Apple.
Source: Techcrunch