Apple Offers Free Power Switch Repairs For Faulty iPhone 5s

Apple has offered to repair any iPhone 5 handset affected by a faulty on and off button, free of charge.

The Cupertino-based company says the problem impacts a “small number” of iPhone 5 devices manufactured through to March 2013 and has set up a webpage where users can check their phone’s serial number to see if it qualifies for the replacement programme.

iPhone 5 replacement

Repairs started in the US and Canada last week and the programme will operate in the UK and other countries from 2 May. Apple says affected owners can either hand their iPhone 5 to an Apple Store or authorised retailer, or they can call up Apple for a postage-paid package to return the device via mail.

Naturally, there are some catches. Users must back up their data via iTunes or iCloud as their device will be wiped, while anyone who has not yet upgraded to iOS 7 will likely be displeased that they will be forced to update their operating system once their iPhone has been repaired.

Customers will also be without their smartphone for four to six days, although they can borrow a 16GB iPhone 5 for the duration of that time. Additionally, Apple is warning that any iPhone 5 with other damage, such as a cracked screen, that prevents it from being fixed, must be repaired before it is sent away.

The iPhone 5 debuted in September 2012 but was discontinued a year later after it was replaced as Apple’s flagship device by the iPhone 5S, while the launch of the iPhone 5C meant the older model was not needed as a cheaper alternative.

How much do you know about the iPhone? Take our quiz!