Support

Apple launches repair program for unexpected shutdown issues on iPhone 6s

Apple on Monday announced a new repair program to address issues where “a very small number” of iPhone 6s devices manufactured between September and October 2015 may unexpectedly shut down. The issue is apparently caused by a faulty battery, which Apple will replace free of charge if your iPhone 6s is affected. The program covers affected iPhone 6s batteries for three years after the first retail sale of the unit and may restrict or limit repair to the original country of purchase.

Apple launches worldwide “Touch Disease” repair program for iPhone 6 Plus

Apple has finally acknowledged existence of so-called “Touch Disease” following a class action lawsuit regarding the issue. The problem has been plaguing a subset of iPhone 6 Plus owners for quite some time now, manifesting itself in the form of a flickering bar at the top of the display and general multi-touch unresponsiveness.

The firm denied responsibility because under the terms of a new worldwide program it’s agreed to fix any affected iPhone 6 Plus devices, but for a $149 service fee.

Dedicated Apple Support app soft-launches in the Netherlands

A year ago, screenshots and information leaked concerning Apple’s dedicated iPhone app designed to consolidate users’ support, repair and troubleshooting needs in the palm of their hand. Last evening, a brand new Apple Support app launched on the App Store in The Netherlands ahead of its presumed staggered rollout around the world.

With it, owners of iPhone, iPad and iPod touch devices can explore their support options, schedule repair appointments, manage AppleCare services and more.

Apple reposts iOS 9.3 for older devices bricked by Activation Lock

Shortly after releasing the new iOS 9.3 firmware, Apple was forced to stop signing the update following numerous complaints from owners of older iPhones and iPads, such as the original iPad Air and the iPhone 5s and older, that it was bricking their devices.

Monday, Apple re-released iOS 9.3 to fix an issue that prevented users from activating their device via Activation Lock if they couldn’t recall their Apple ID password used to originally set up their device with.

The re-released versions of iOS 9.2 carries a build number of 13E237 and is now available as an over-the-air download although those with a bricked device might want to apply the update through iTunes in DFU mode.

Apple releases a new iOS 9.3 build for older devices affected by the bricking issue

As we reported, numerous users took to Apple’s support forums to complain that some owners of older iPhone and iPad devices saw their hardware bricked after updating to the recently released iOS 9.3 firmware. Apple has since detailed the problem in a support document on its website and pulled the software update for select devices.

Today, the company has re-released iOS 9.3 for those devices. The new build of iOS 9.3 for the iPad 2 has version number “13E236” versus the now defunct iOS 9.3 build “13E234” for the iPhone and “13E233” for the iPad, as per 9to5Mac’s Chance Miller.

Apple support document addresses activation issues some users may encounter after updating to iOS 9.3

Apple has released a support document Wednesday night to address an issue where some iOS users are unable to activate their devices after updating to iOS 9.3, a software version released earlier this week.

Most reports of the issue seem to come from iPad 2 owners, although a quick search online shows that some iPhone users were also affected. In this support document, Apple offers a few options to try and remedy the problem.

Why making a support account on Twitter was a great move by Apple

Within just a single day of launching a support account on Twitter, Apple has well over 130,000 followers and is answering over 100 people with questions about Apple products and services per hour.

Although it’s taken Apple quite a while to finally use Twitter as a support medium for its main products, depsite having Twitter accounts for Apple Music, Beats 1, and iTunes for quite some time, it’s still great to see Apple is using another method of communication to reach its users.

In this piece, we’ll talk about why we think creating the support account on Twitter was a great move for Apple.

Apple creates support account on Twitter

Apple has created a brand new company-maintained account on Twitter dedicated to tips, tricks and customer service. @AppleSupport provides “tips and tutorials from the same Apple Advisors you know and trust,” according to the company.

The first tip shared on Apple Support on Twitter is about turning lists into checklists in the updated Notes app on OS X El Capitan and iOS 9.

Apple will repair 2011-2013 MacBook Pros with video issues until December 31, 2016

Apple has extended a repair program to fix MacBook Pro notebooks that are plagued with video issue until December 31, 2016, reveals an updated support document on the company’s website. The MacBook Pro Repair Extension Program for Video Issues, as it’s officially referred to as, was originally scheduled to expire on February 27, 2016.

A small percentage of 15 and 17-inch MacBook Pro models sold between February 2011 and February 2013 may display distorted or scrambled video on the computer screen, show no video on the inbuilt screen or external display or the machine may restart unexpectedly.

iPhone screen protector installation service is now available in Apple Stores around the world

A new retail service by Apple, which offers to apply screen protectors on customers’ iPhones using dedicated in-store machines, is now available at Apple Stores in the United States and around the world, MacRumors reported.

Based on Belkin’s ScreenCare+ Application System, the system allows store employees to apply Welkin-Branded screen protectors (either a Belkin TrueClear InvisiGlass Screen Protector or a Belkin TrueClear Anti-Glare Screen Protector) on the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus devices.

Apple rolled out the system a week ago in its retail stores in Japan. As of this morning, the service is available across Apple Stores internationally.

Apple Stores in Japan are now offering iPhone screen protector installation service

As first noted by MacOtakara, employees of Apple Stores in Japan have now received specialized Belkin tools to install screen protectors on iPhones in-store, though it’s unclear if this iPhone screen protector installation service might soon expand to other Apple Stores around the world.

Using Belkin’s TrueClear Pro device, store employees are able to apply a screen protector in a straightforward and easy manner. Prices range from 2,180 yen to 4,280 yen, depending on material and device size, which works out to about $19 to $37.

Apple investigating iPhone 6s battery percentage issue, offers temporary fix

Has the battery percentage indicator been acting up lately on your iPhone 6s or iPhone 6s Plus? If so, you’re not alone: this is a known issue, according to Apple’s newly published support document.

“If you change the time on your iPhone 6s or iPhone 6s Plus manually or change time zones when traveling, you might notice that the battery percentage doesn’t update,” reads the document.

Apple is aware of the problem and working hard to deliver a permanent fix.