Apple Watch owners who send their device in for repair must remove bands first or risk losing them for good.
Apple has updated its support documentation to make it clear that it does not return bands and other add-ons. “Please remove them before sending your Apple Watch in for repair,” it states.
Apple previously told Apple Watch owners that they did not need to include accessories with their device when sending it in for repair. It is now explicitly asking customers to remove them.
Its new support document warns that any bands sent in will not be returned.
Remove Apple Watch bands before repair
“Your Apple Watch band and any other accessories that you send won’t be returned, so please remove them before sending your Apple Watch in for service,” read the updated guidelines.
Apple also reminds users who own a Link Bracelet band to “remember to separate the link before you remove the band.”
In the past, Apple has been known to return accessories, bundled together, when practical. Apple Watch bands would be be reattached, but they would be sent back to the user.
It’s possible that practice has now become too time-consuming.
It’s hard to keep track
One can only imagine how many Apple Watch units are sent into Apple for repair every single day. Its service and repair technicians likely have countless models to keep track of at all times.
At least with hardware, there are serial numbers that tie the device to its owner. It’s not so easy with bands and accessories, which have the potential to get misplaced and mixed up on a regular basis.
It’s understandable, then, that Apple is giving up on ensuring that bands and accessories get returned. Sadly, not everyone will see the updated guidelines before their devices are shipped off.
This applies specifically to Apple Watch owners using Apple’s mail-in service. Those taking their device to a Genius Bar must include a charging cable and will be asked to remove their band before leaving.
