Apple launches Smart Battery Case replacement program for iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR

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iPhone XS Max Smart Battery Case in white
iPhone XS Max Smart Battery Case in white (Image credit: iMore)

What you need to know

  • Only Smart Battery Cases for iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR are part of the program.
  • The affected cases must be manufactured between January 2019 through October 2019.
  • The problem involves the case not charging or charging intermittently when plugged in.
  • Or the battery case does not charge your iPhone or only charges it intermittently.
  • It is not considered a safety issue.

Apple has officially launched a replacement program for the Smart Battery Case for iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR today. The issue with these cases, manufactured from January 2019 to October 2019, is that they would not charge or only charged intermittently when plugged in to power, or the battery case itself would not charge the iPhone or only do it intermittently.

This replacement program is currently only for the Smart Battery Case that were made for the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR that were made between January 2019 through October 2019. The program does not apply for other Smart Battery Cases that were manufactured outside of that date range, and iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max Smart Battery Cases are not included.

If you have an affected Smart Battery Case, you can take it to Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider to have it replaced for free. It is not considered a safety issue. You can locate an Authorized Service Provider here, or make an appointment for your nearest Apple Store.

Any Smart Battery Cases that are taken in for this replacement program will be examined prior to service in order to verify that they are eligible for the program. Affected cases are disposed of in an environmentally friendly way. The replacement Smart Battery Case will be covered for two years.

For those who believe their Smart Battery Case for their iPhone XS, XS Max, or XR is affected, hop on over to the Replacement Program page.

Christine Chan
Christine Chan

Christine Romero-Chan was formerly a Senior Editor for iMore. She has been writing about technology, specifically Apple, for over a decade at a variety of websites. She is currently part of the Digital Trends team, and has been using Apple’s smartphone since the original iPhone back in 2007. While her main speciality is the iPhone, she also covers Apple Watch, iPad, and Mac when needed. When she isn’t writing about Apple, Christine can often be found at Disneyland in Anaheim, California, as she is a passholder and obsessed with all things Disney, especially Star Wars. Christine also enjoys coffee, food, photography, mechanical keyboards, and spending as much time with her new daughter as possible.