iPhone 5 Sleep/Wake Button Replacement Program: Everything You Need To Know


Apple has announced a replacement program for faulty sleep/wake buttons for the iPhone 5. This is the second such instance where Apple has admitted to a hardware issue with one of its products and is proactively doing something to fix it. Back in 2010, the then newly launched iPhone 4 too landed in controversy after it was found to have a network reception problem – widely known as antennagate.

In a notification issued by Apple, the company says that it will “replace the sleep/wake button mechanism, free of charge, on iPhone 5 models that exhibit this issue and have a qualifying serial number.” That’s right. Apple has already determined the serial numbers of iPhone 5s that have been affected by this issue, and will only replace those handsets. You can check if your iPhone 5 qualifies for a replacement power button by entering your handset’s serial number here.

How Apple plans to execute this:

Currently, the iPhone 5 power button replacement program covers the US and Canada. More countries will be added to the list starting May 2. In the US and Canada, there are two ways in which you could send in your faulty power button laden iPhone 5 to the repair center. You can either opt to walk in to an Apple repair center, or simply choose to mail in your iPhone.

Apple says that it would take between 4-6 days for them to issue a replacement. Also, make sure you have a working device before you choose to send your iPhone in. The notification specifically adds that you would have to repair your device for other issues before you can send the device in for fixing the power button issue. And yes, make sure your iPhone is free of all data and has been restored to factory settings.

You don’t want those Apple employees to take a peek at your ugly selfies, do you?

Steps needed to bring your iPhone 5 to the Apple Repair Center.

Carry-in

  • Bring your iPhone 5 to a participating provider – Apple Retail Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider.
  • The iPhone 5 will be examined to verify eligibility, and then sent to the local Apple Repair Center.
  • You will be notified when your iPhone is ready for pickup.

Make sure you take your handset to an Apple repair center and not your carrier’s outlet or the shop you bought your ill-fated iPhone 5 from.

Mail-in

  • If you choose the mail–in option, all you need to do first is to call Apple and request a postage paid box to send your iPhone 5 in to the nearest Apple Repair Center.
  • Once you send your iPhone, the procedure is the same. The device will be repaired and mailed back to you.

Apple has also made provisions for offering loaner iPhone handsets that you can use during the time Apple fixes and gives you your handset back. This would be an iPhone 5 16 GB variant.

Apple’s wake/sleep button replacement program covers all iPhone 5 units affected by problem for two years after the first retail sale of the unit.

Do you have an iPhone 5 that suffers from this problem?

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