Some Apple Watch Series 3 Repairs Can Now Qualify for Series 4 Replacement

Apple has informed its retail staff that it will substitute some Apple Watch Series 3 repairs with the Apple Watch Series 4, due to low inventory on the older model. The announcement was spotted by an internal memo delivered to staff and Authorized Service Providers, seen by 9to5Mac.

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Now, customers looking for a repair or replacement of the stainless steel Apple Watch Series 3 with GPS and cellular, can instead receive the stainless steel Series 4 model with GPS and cellular. The change is said to apply to Apple retail stores and ASPs globally, but it's unclear at this time if the Series 4 upgrades are a permanent solution to the Series 3 shortages.

Apple's new repair/replacement upgrade for the Apple Watch is the latest of several instances of the company substituting Apple Watch repairs with newer models. This began in January, when the company announced that some first-generation Apple Watches and Apple Watch Series 1 could qualify for Series 2 replacements, due to supply constraints on repair parts for the older models. Then, earlier in May, Apple confirmed that repairs of certain Apple Watch Series 2 models will be fulfilled with equivalent Series 3 models due to temporary shortages of unspecified Series 2 parts.

To initiate a repair, head to the Get Support page on Apple's website and book an appointment with an Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider. As usual, it's not guaranteed that all locations will acknowledge existence of this internal policy, especially given that there is no definitive end date, so your mileage may vary.

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Top Rated Comments

benshive Avatar
72 months ago
And suddenly a bunch of Series 3 owners "accidentally" drop their watch down the stairs ;)
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
AngerDanger Avatar
72 months ago
No way in hell anybody is replacing my trick Apple Watch! :mad:

Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ilikewhey Avatar
72 months ago
this is why i like being an apple customer, replace with equal or better, you try that with bestbuy and they will just laugh at your face.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
zed1291 Avatar
72 months ago
Please note: there is absolutely no way for an Apple employee to know 100% whether or not your Apple Watch will be replaced with the exact same model or the upgraded one prior to sending it to the offsite repair facility for replacement.

After it’s been sent out and you find out it it’s the same or newer generation, it’s not possible to retrieve the original watch back.

It’s best to assume you’re getting the same watch, and be surprised and delighted if it does happen to be upgraded.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
gigapocket1 Avatar
72 months ago
Anyone know how to brick a watch lol
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mizouse Avatar
72 months ago
I wonder if anyone has successfully had their 1st generation Apple watches replaced up to a series 4. o_O
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)