Hacked iPhones may be rejected at Genius Bars
updated 03:10 pm EDT, Mon September 24, 2007
Hacked iPhones rejected
Users who have hacked or modified the software on their iPhones may be denied warranty service, according to new reports. Users have noted iPhones brought in for service at Apple retail locations are being denied service if their phones were hacked to add third-party applications or unlocked to run on networks other than AT&T. ifoAppleStore reports that at least one person experienced a situation where an Apple Store Genius blacklisted a hacked iPhone for future service or return, but was finally able to arrange to return the iPhone under the 14-day policy after paying the 10 percent restocking fee. While MacNN contacted a few retail stores locations to find a consistent answer, our calls and emails to Apple PR went unanswered.
At the downtown San Francisco Apple Store, one employee said that the store would not necessarily deny service if an iPhone had third-party applications installed, depending on the nature of the problem being experienced adding that he thinks some of the third-party hacks are "great." Other area stores, however, told us that iPhones with third-party modifications would be denied warranty service regardless of the issue for which the unit was brought in.
Seems reasonable
09/24, 03:24pm reply
Seems like a reasonable policy to me. As with anything else, f you want to hack your iPhone, go ahead, just don't expect them to honor your warranty.
Maneki Neko
Dedicated MacNNer
Joined: Feb 2001
Wow!
09/24, 03:32pm reply
Wow, a whole one person was denied coverage! Of the million iPhones sold, there's one anecdotal report of this happening? I'm not sure this truly qualifies as news.
Graybaby
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jun 2007
Decidedly worse
09/24, 03:35pm reply
I can see them giving leeway if there are software hacks. No company in their right minds would accept the phone back under warranty if the hardware were deliberately altered.
ttrostel
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jul 2007
Premature Pejoration
09/24, 03:38pm reply
Seems a bit early to use this headline. Oh damn, I forgot - it's MacNN! Must feed that ad-revenue monster.
Anyway, as a poster said, seems clear that you shouldn't expect warranty service if you've hacked the phone. At the same time, it seems a pretty academic issue - unless you're a complete good, I would think one of the first troubleshooting steps would be to restore your phone to its default state.
My opinion is that you'd be an utter idiot to bring in an iphone with a bunch of third-party apps on it and say "No workie! Halp!", but then again, I suppose I should never underestimate the abject stupidity of your average american.
dogzilla
Mac Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 1999
@graybaby
09/24, 03:40pm reply
Cry more noob. They did proper investigative reporting by contacting the apple store. You can just STFU and DIAF, I appreciate this article and its information.
Guest
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Nov 1999
So?
09/24, 03:50pm reply
I get rejected at all kinds of bars.
njfuzzy
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Apr 2001
bought one on Saturday
09/24, 03:53pm reply
I bought one on Saturday and took it back to Canada. The store clerk told US that if we don't activate with AT&T the warranty is void. I told him I didn't care, Apple should really consider selling the iPhone in Canada. The store I went to had a limit of 5 per customer and the two guys in front of me in line bought 5 each.
bleee
Mac Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2002
re: njfuzzy
09/24, 03:54pm reply
But have you been hacked or altered in some way? ;-)
simdude
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jun 2004
Of course not
09/24, 04:42pm reply
So you're telling me that if I delete Mac OS X on my MacBook and hack it so it only runs windows, then I get a virus the guys at the genius bar won't fix it for me, that's totally unexpected. After all, every other cell phone manufacturer provides support for their hacked phones at their genius bars.
slider
Mac Elite
Joined: Oct 1999
Based on FCC's stats
09/24, 04:56pm reply
According to FCC 1 complaint represents 1 billion person.......
Using that logic, it means that there is 1 billion iPhone are blacklisted from any future repair or return.
OK, this meant to be humorous.
very
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Joined: Jan 2005