Apple Recalling Small Number of Third-Generation Apple TVs Due to Faulty Part - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Apple Recalling Small Number of Third-Generation Apple TVs Due to Faulty Part

Apple yesterday began contacting some customers who recently purchased third-generation Apple TVs, informing them that their devices had shipped with an unspecified faulty part and offering an exchange for a brand-new unit shipped from the company.

Unlike some other repair or recall programs, Apple has not posted a public advisory about the issue, suggesting it is a small batch of affected units. As a result, the company is proactively reaching out to owners of the devices known to be defective and offering an exchange. Our defective Apple TV was purchased just a few weeks ago, and other affected customers are likely to have purchased their devices in a similar timeframe.

replacement_apple_tv

Replacement Apple TV shipped overnight from Apple

Hi Mitchel,

I understand the concern, Apple typically does not reach out to customers proactively this way.

I just need you to confirm that you have this device and to make sure I have the right shipping address (i see that below). I will then send you a new apple tv, we will email FedEx labels to send back the old one then once we get the old one, we will send you an iTunes gift card for the troubles.

Some users receiving emails from Apple may not have experienced any issues with their Apple TVs, as workers at the Help Desk have noted the company is taking preventative measures in identifying devices with the faulty part before any problems may arise.

Because Apple is contacting affected users individually and has not posted an information page on the Apple TV issue, it's likely that only a very small number of people purchased a faulty Apple TV. Readers do not need to worry whether their Apple TVs are defective, as anyone with a bad device will be contacted directly by Apple. Those who have been contacted, however, should be reassured that this is a legitimate replacement program initiated by Apple.

Related Roundup: Apple TV
Buyer's Guide: Apple TV (Don't Buy)

Popular Stories

Apple TV Sans Remote Feature

New Apple TV 4K Leaked

Friday September 25, 2026 8:16 am PDT by
MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris has uncovered an image file from Apple for an unreleased Apple TV 4K, suggesting that a new model will finally be released soon. The image is specifically for an "Apple TV 4K (4th generation)" model. Apple TV 4K (4th generation) image (on a gradient) The image reveals that the Apple TV will have the same external design as the current model, with all of its...
Apple iCloud Plus expansion hero

iCloud+ Now Includes Apple TV, Apple Arcade, and Curated Apple Music Stations in Over 100 Countries

Tuesday September 15, 2026 1:43 am PDT by
Apple today announced a new subscription initiative that turns paid iCloud+ subscriptions into a broader services bundle in more than 100 countries. In select countries, Apple says every paid iCloud+ plan, including the cheapest 50GB tier, now includes Apple TV and Apple Arcade "at no additional cost," while family sharing extends the storage, TV and Arcade access to up to five people....
HomePod minis Apple TV and iPad mini Leak Feature

iPad Mini With A20 Pro, New HomePod Mini Colors, and New Apple TV 4K All Just Leaked

Friday September 25, 2026 8:18 am PDT by
The next iPad mini, HomePod mini, and Apple TV 4K models have all leaked, just a few weeks before the devices are expected to be announced. Specifically, MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris discovered a few of Apple's official images of the devices, confirming their existence and some new features that are planned. The most notable iPad mini details revealed in today's leak include an A20 Pro ...

Top Rated Comments

seamer Avatar
146 months ago
Customer service done right - send the replacement before getting the faulty one back. Customer doesn't lose anything, and even gains a few $ on the gift card.

Apple didn't design this workflow, but it sure beats how much crud you have to go through when dealing with the likes of Asus.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
146 months ago
My first thought also. They seem to be so anxious to get these units back pronto. Don't recall Apple ever having been this proactive with a recall. Did any purchasers actually report having a problem?
More likely the faulty part may cause overheating or possibly an electrical shock. I don’t believe in conspiracy theories.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
146 months ago
Someone should do a teardown of one of these "faulty" Apple TV's. Is it faulty like "oops, you now have an A9 chip and 128GB storage, can we have that back quick?"
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
AngerDanger Avatar
146 months ago
Apple yesterday began contacting some customers who recently purchased third-generation Apple TVs, informing them that their devices had shipped with an unspecified faulty part
Bendgate: right gate, wrong product. :eek:



IMO, anybody who uses the Apple TV without a case deserves this.

Attachment Image
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
keysofanxiety Avatar
146 months ago
Cue inappropriate use of gif.

Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Moonlight Avatar
146 months ago
Anyone suspicious that maybe there is something IN the Apple TV that Apple doesn't want us to see? We need to tear down, fix-it style, one of these "faulty" apple tvs to see what is really going on inside.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Latest Stories
AirPods Max 2 Drop to $429 in All Colors for Prime Day
AirPods Max 2 Drop to $429 in All Colors for Prime Day
2 minutes ago
Apple Quietly Triples iCloud Mail Alias Limit to Nine
Apple Quietly Triples iCloud Mail Alias Limit to Nine
26 minutes ago
Mac Users Reclaim Storage With New Apple Intelligence Removal Tool
Mac Users Reclaim Storage With New Apple Intelligence Removal Tool
1 hour ago
iPhone Duo Makes Focus Modes Easier to Toggle From the Lock Screen
iPhone Duo Makes Focus Modes Easier to Toggle From the Lock Screen
2 hours ago
EU iPhone and iPad Users Could Still Face Months-Long Wait for Siri AI
EU iPhone and iPad Users Could Still Face Months-Long Wait for Siri AI
3 hours ago
Today Marks the 15th Anniversary of Steve Jobs' Death
Today Marks the 15th Anniversary of Steve Jobs' Death
4 hours ago
iPhone 18 Pro's Triple Live Activity Support Comes With a Catch
iPhone 18 Pro's Triple Live Activity Support Comes With a Catch
4 hours ago
Apple's New CEO John Ternus is Making Product Design a 'Major Priority'
Apple's New CEO John Ternus is Making Product Design a 'Major Priority'
10 hours ago
Apple Hiring 'iCup' Specialist
Apple Hiring 'iCup' Specialist
11 hours ago
MacBook Pro With OLED Display Rumored to Be 'Significantly Lighter'
MacBook Pro With OLED Display Rumored to Be 'Significantly Lighter'
11 hours ago
Apple Event Reportedly Planned for October 13
Apple Event Reportedly Planned for October 13
13 hours ago
Amazon Launches Early Prime Day Discounts on AirPods, iPad, MacBook Air, and More
Amazon Launches Early Prime Day Discounts on AirPods, iPad, MacBook Air, and More
20 hours ago
AirPods Pro 3 Hit Record Low $179 Price During Early Prime Day Sale
AirPods Pro 3 Hit Record Low $179 Price During Early Prime Day Sale
21 hours ago
Top Stories: Apple Smart Home Launch on October 13, iPhone Duo Production Issues, and More
Top Stories: Apple Smart Home Launch on October 13, iPhone Duo Production Issues, and More
2 days ago
Apple Says iPhone 18 Pro Max Users With AT&T Cellular Issue Need to Have Device Replaced
Apple Says iPhone 18 Pro Max Users With AT&T Cellular Issue Need to Have Device Replaced
2 days ago
Apple Announces 'Full Disk Access' Changes on macOS Due to AI Agents
Apple Announces 'Full Disk Access' Changes on macOS Due to AI Agents
3 days ago
AT&T and Apple Just Took Steps Toward Fixing iPhone 18 Pro Max Issue
AT&T and Apple Just Took Steps Toward Fixing iPhone 18 Pro Max Issue
3 days ago
AT&T on iPhone 18 Pro Max Issues: 'We Are Working With Apple'
AT&T on iPhone 18 Pro Max Issues: 'We Are Working With Apple'
3 days ago
Upgrading From an Older Apple Watch? Here's How the New Features Stack Up
Upgrading From an Older Apple Watch? Here's How the New Features Stack Up
3 days ago
Beats 360 Cushion Kits and Apple Accessories See Early Prime Day Price Drops
Beats 360 Cushion Kits and Apple Accessories See Early Prime Day Price Drops
3 days ago
Apple Store in UK Reopening on iPhone Duo Launch Day
Apple Store in UK Reopening on iPhone Duo Launch Day
3 days ago
AT&T Acknowledges iPhone 18 Pro Max Issues: Update 'Immediately'
AT&T Acknowledges iPhone 18 Pro Max Issues: Update 'Immediately'
3 days ago
New 'AirFly Drive' Accessory Turns Wired CarPlay Into Wireless CarPlay
New 'AirFly Drive' Accessory Turns Wired CarPlay Into Wireless CarPlay
4 days ago
Apple Shares Photos Shot on iPhone Duo
Apple Shares Photos Shot on iPhone Duo
4 days ago
Apple Says iPhone Duo Has Replaceable 'Cover Layer'
Apple Says iPhone Duo Has Replaceable 'Cover Layer'
4 days ago
Apple's Smart Home Camera Will Apparently Have 'No Video Recording'
Apple's Smart Home Camera Will Apparently Have 'No Video Recording'
4 days ago
Apple TV Just Updated Its Selection of 'Bonus' Movies
Apple TV Just Updated Its Selection of 'Bonus' Movies
4 days ago
iPhone 18 Pro Colors Buyer's Guide: Which Should You Choose?
iPhone 18 Pro Colors Buyer's Guide: Which Should You Choose?
4 days ago
Early Prime Big Deal Days: Best Discounts on Accessories, TVs, and More at Amazon
Early Prime Big Deal Days: Best Discounts on Accessories, TVs, and More at Amazon
4 days ago
MacBook Pro With OLED Touch Screen Rumored to Launch in October or November
MacBook Pro With OLED Touch Screen Rumored to Launch in October or November
4 days ago