iPhone 7 multiple Audio IC failures.

Hi there,

My 3-month old iPhone 7 started developing earpiece-speaker, mic and lightning-port audio issues about a month ago. These were intermittent, but gradually worsened until complete failure of all three.

Apple replaced the phone under warranty, confirming that it is a known hardware issue. A week later, my replacement phone had the same issue. I took it to the genius bar where they suggested it may be an issue with my account somehow corrupting the software. This doesn't really make sense to me.

They tried to setup the phone as new, without my account but it still didn't work so confirmed it was a hardware issue and they gave me a second new phone. I was told to setup the replacement initially without an Apple ID and without restoring from an iCloud backup, and then manually re-install all my apps etc. Unfortunately I don't think I can do this without losing my messages and contacts in my iCloud backup.

• Is it possible my account is the cause of the hardware issues?
• Is there a way to setup my device without restoring from iCould and without losing my messages and contacts?
• If my phone now breaks for a third time, am I still covered for a warranty replacement?

Thanks.