If your iPhone 12’s earpiece failed, Apple may repair it at no cost

Apple has announced a service program to repair failing receivers on iPhone 12 and 12 Pros (via 9to5Mac). The firm says that non-Mini or Max telephones made between October 2020 and April 2021 could have a difficulty the place no sound comes out of the earpiece when making or receiving calls, and that it’ll repair the problem at no cost as a part of the brand new program. According to Apple, the issue is brought on by a element within the receiver module failing.

Apple’s page says that solely a “very small percentage” of units could also be affected. While it may be laborious to inform what Apple means by “small percentage” (it infamously used the phrase when describing the variety of butterfly keyboards that skilled points), it doesn’t seem that the earpiece difficulty is widespread — looking for experiences of failing receivers on Reddit or Twitter solely turned up just a few complaints.

Still, for these with these telephones, it’s good to know that in case your earpiece begins to go you’ll have some recourse. While all iPhone 12s are nonetheless below Apple’s one 12 months guarantee, the service program covers units for 2 years after buy, giving your earpiece an additional 12 months of protection. There is one factor to notice in case you’ve bought this drawback and want to ship your telephone in, although: Apple says that in case your display is cracked, it’ll need to be mounted earlier than it’ll perform the receiver restore. While the earpiece repair gained’t price you something, the display injury restore may, so simply remember.

Apple additionally says that telephones “will be examined prior to any service” to ensure they’re eligible for this system. This doubtless implies that you gained’t be getting a free repair in case you’re like me and broke your telephone’s receiver by unintentionally spilling boiling sizzling pickling liquid into it. C’est la vie.