Some Apple Watch Series 2 Repairs May Qualify for Series 3 Replacement Until Further Notice

Until further notice, repairs of 38mm aluminum Apple Watch Series 2 models will be fulfilled with equivalent Series 3 models due to a temporary shortage of unspecified parts, according to an internal document shared with Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers today.

38mm series 2
The internal document, obtained by MacRumors, reminds technicians that Series 3 models require an iPhone compatible with watchOS 4 or later. Apple instructs technicians to notify ‌iPhone‌ 5 and ‌iPhone‌ 5c customers of their option to upgrade their ‌iPhone‌ to resolve this incompatibility.

If a customer is unable to accept the substitute Series 3 model, Apple says they can contact Apple support to request a refund.

Apple has offered similar Apple Watch repair substitutions in the past due to parts shortages, providing some lucky customers with an upgrade to a newer generation of the device at a fraction of the brand new price, but we obviously do not recommend abusing this temporary good-will policy.

To initiate a repair, head to the Get Support page on Apple's website and book an appointment with an Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider. We cannot guarantee that all locations will acknowledge existence of this internal policy, especially given it has no firm end date, so your mileage may vary.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch Series 9
Tag: GSX
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Neutral)

Top Rated Comments

Unity451 Avatar
64 months ago
[*Me with my fully-functioning Series 2 Apple Watch with Apple Care*]

Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jml12286 Avatar
64 months ago
Do you guys really feel the series 2 is a significant upgrade over the 3? I have a series 2 and have been debating getting a series 4 (versus waiting for the 5). I’ve got $36 that I can apply to a purchase at B&H photo that I have to use by July.

Wondering if the newer models are faster/better at simple things like dictating a reply to a text, making a reminder, even switching songs.
Just switched to a series 4 from a series 2, and it is so much more usable. No more waiting 5 secs to open up a text, and siri is actually usable. The screen size is also nice. Went from 38mm to 40mm. Its the first time my watch actually feel the same like using my phone
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jaredlipsitz Avatar
64 months ago
How does this square with Tim Cook's reputation as a master of supply chains? This would seem to be a major point against said reputation.
I’ll tell you how. Very well. Firstly, this is probably cheaper for Apple than permanently building in additional latency into their supply chain. Secondly, the customer gets a better device. Where’s the problem?
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
IRockThat828pScreen Avatar
64 months ago
I want my S4 watch replaced with an S0 :mad:
Care to explain why?
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Baerok Avatar
64 months ago
Apple has made radical changes from S2 to S3 and even to S4 that it kind of makes sense over time as they run out of parts supply that it’s best to move on.

They did it with S0, just replacing those with S1. Also a radical upgrade.
That’s true, but let’s don’t forget that Apple switched to much less durable composite back in Series 3 from ceramic one in Series 2 (just in an aluminum variant). That counts as a downgrade.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
pdaholic Avatar
64 months ago
Just got that email from B&H photo regarding their new policy for taxes...that was motivation to purchase it now! Series 4 here on Friday.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iPhone 16 Camera Lozenge 2 Perspective Gray

Five Key Upgrades Coming to iPhone 16

Friday March 15, 2024 1:45 pm PDT by
The iPhone is Apple's top-selling product, and it gets an update every year. In 2024, we're expecting the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro lineup, with an arguably more interesting feature set than we got with the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Capture Button All four iPhone 16 models are set to get a whole new button, which will be...
When To Expect New iPads Feature 1

Apple to Announce New iPads on March 26, Rumors Claim

Monday March 18, 2024 4:02 am PDT by
Apple is widely expected to release new iPad Air and OLED iPad Pro models in the next few weeks. According to new rumors coming out of Asia, the company will announce its new iPads on Tuesday, March 26. Chinese leaker Instant Digital on Weibo this morning 日发布%23">claimed that the date will see some sort of announcement from Apple related to new iPads, but stopped short of calling it an...
airpods 3 orange

Two New AirPods 4 Models Expected to Launch in September or October

Sunday March 17, 2024 7:56 am PDT by
Apple suppliers will begin production of two new fourth-generation AirPods models in May, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Based on this production timeframe, he expects the headphones to be released in September or October. Gurman expects both fourth-generation AirPods models to feature a new design with better fit, improved sound quality, and an updated charging case with a USB-C...
iphone se 4 modified flag edges

iPhone SE 4 Expected to Depreciate Heavily

Tuesday March 12, 2024 9:04 am PDT by
Resale value trends suggest the iPhone SE 4 may not hold its value as well as Apple's flagship models, according to SellCell. According to the report, Apple's iPhone SE models have historically depreciated much more rapidly than the company's more premium offerings. The third-generation iPhone SE, which launched in March 2022, experienced a significant drop in resale value, losing 42.6%...
General iOS 17 Feature Orange Purple

iOS 17.4.1 Update for iPhone is Imminent

Monday March 18, 2024 5:27 am PDT by
iOS 17.4.1 and iPadOS 17.4.1 should be released within the next few days, with a build number of 21E235, according to a source with a proven track record. MacRumors previously reported that Apple was internally testing iOS 17.4.1. As a minor update for the iPhone, it will likely address software bugs and/or security vulnerabilities. It is unclear if the update will include any other changes. ...
M3 iPad Feature 3

New iPads Likely to Begin Shipping in April

Monday March 18, 2024 9:52 am PDT by
Apple's new iPad Pro models with OLED displays will likely begin shipping to customers in April, according to information shared today by Ross Young, CEO of display industry research firm Display Supply Chain Consultants. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman also said the new iPad Pro models might not ship until "deeper" into April in his Power On newsletter on Sunday:I've repeatedly said that new...
iOS 17 Passkey With Apple ACCOUNT Feature

'Apple ID' Expected to Change to 'Apple Account' Starting With iOS 18

Sunday March 17, 2024 7:13 am PDT by
MacRumors was first to report that Apple was planning to rebrand "Apple ID" to "Apple Account" across its software platforms and websites like iCloud.com as early as this year, and now Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has corroborated this change. A mockup of the new Apple Account branding In his Power On newsletter today, Gurman said the new "Apple Account" branding will start to be used later this...