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)

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Top Rated Comments

seamer Avatar
129 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)
lkrupp Avatar
129 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)
Izauze Avatar
129 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)
keysofanxiety Avatar
129 months ago
Cue inappropriate use of gif.

Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
AngerDanger Avatar
129 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)
Moonlight Avatar
129 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)