Apple Announces Free Fix For Cracked Displays On These Apple Watch Models

Owners of the Apple Watch Series 2 and Apple Watch Series 3 thankfully now have a new screen replacement program in place that afford repairs of cracked screens at no cost for some watch owners. Apple has determined that "under very rare circumstances" a crack may form along the rounded edges of the screen of aluminum models of the Apple Watch Series 2 and 3. The cracks will begin on one side and often will continue all the way around the screen, according to Apple.

Apple says that it or an Apple Authorized Service Provider will replace the screen on eligible Apple Watch units that have this specific type of crack at no cost for owners. Only specific watches are covered in the repair program; covered models can be seen in the chart below. The service process requires the device to be sent to an Apple Repair Center. 

Apple says that the watch will be repaired and returned to users in approximately five business days. Owners of impacted watches have three ways to start the process. Owners can find an Apple Authorized Service Provider, make an appointment at an Apple Retail Store, or contact Apple Support to arrange mail-in service to an Apple Repair Center. Apple has steps that owners need to follow before sending their Apple Watch in for repair; those steps can be seen here.

Apple is also warning owners that if there is any damage to the Apple watch that has to be repaired before the screen can be replaced, there may be a cost associated with the repair. Other things Apple wants users to know is that while this is a worldwide repair program, it may restrict or limit repair to the original country or region of purchase. The program covers eligible aluminum Apple Watch Series 2 and Series 3 models for three years after the first retail sale or one year from the start of the date of this program, whichever is longer. Apple has also offered free replacements of swollen batteries for the Apple Watch Series 2 in the past.