Apple watch solo loop tearing

I have a similar issue. I started using the solo loop in January 2021. Started noticing a small surface tear around 2.5 months. And yup, the tear is getting longer. Coincidentally, looks like I have same color band (Deep Navy Blue) as the original poster as well.

Just been into Apple Store Braehead where I was advised that the tear was damage, and that solo bands are subject to rigorous testing and will not fail in this manner - therefore in the manager’s view it must be damage. The manager was not prepared to return the band to Apple for assessment since it is his decision. The band is 8 months old, bought with a Series 6 Watch. There seems to be little recognition of consumer rights, particularly the refusal to refer the matter to Apple for evaluation.

Extremely disappointing - I will not let the matter rest there and will pursue the issue using all the avenues open to me.

Yes I have this too.

My advice is DO NOT BUY THE SOLO LOOP

You will see on the photo below that I my strap has developed a slit in it.

I have wasted 3 hours of my life talking to support and senior management and I might as well have talked to a wall. There is no moving these people. It is obvious when so many people have experienced this problem that there's something wrong . They don't give a ****

Add me to the growing list of people with broken straps. I purchased my watch Sept of 2020 so it lasted over a year. Saw the crack in the strap about a month ago., it was on the edge of the strap. I take my watch off probably three or four times a day.

Hello LawJeffrey,

It sounds as though you're seeing a tear on your Apple Watch band, and looking into next steps. With the issue you're seeing it would be recommended to contact Apple directly for the best support regarding this issue. You can find their contact details online via the Get Support website.

Take care!

I was asked to schedule a support appointment at the store and have them take a look. I ended up canceling the appointment. Trying to avoid crowds these days. I don’t think I will order another solo loop. I still have a braided one, but not sure I want to wear that when exercising.

I just noticed the same thing; my loop is white (versus navy) and the original on the watch, so it's nine months old. Did you get any satisfaction from Apple on a replacement? Seeing that others have problems makes me wonder if I want another loop or not!

Virtually identical problem with an elderly family members blue solo loop which I purchased as a gift, for no reason a small tear appeared and within a month it split clean in half. Strap was less than 6 months old I should add.

Will be contacting Apple, this is essentially not fit for purpose and hopefully a design problem they will overcome on future releases.

Sadly my phone call didn't go well, Apple basically said they will not replace unless it fails at the fixing point! really!!

Needless to say I am not happy with this and have already sent an email to Mr Cook for what it is worth. I am frankly disgusted that a £49 silicone watch strap could fail in the first instance. To be told it will not be replaced when I am fairly well invested in Apple products is infuriating to say the least.

Lets see what can be done about this, I am a bit like a dog with a bone so fingers crossed ;)

Just to update on this situation, after reading several other reports like this on various forums I decided it was time to call Apple support again. It appeared some owners were getting easy replacements and others were being told no.

I spent around 20-30 minutes on the phone initially with a first line support agent and then a senior advisor. The latter was very patient, helpful and knowledgeable and immediately agreed this should be a straight forward replacement, no question. They went away to discuss with a colleague and to authorise this, normally I believe they would require the broken strap to be returned for analysis.

Around 5 minutes later I received a call from the same senior advisor who informed me they would be sending a replacement solo loop without the need for me to return my existing one. This time around it was a very pleasant experience on the phone to support.

So it would seem if you are not happy with the initial outcome then jump back on the phone. Push to speak with a senior advisor or member of staff who should be more accommodating.

As the advisor pointed out, this could have been a more unpleasant outcome if the watch had fallen onto a hard floor when the strap failed 😲 - this could have lead to a much more serious replacement situation, certainly food for thought. I do hope that others aren't unlucky enough for that to happen.

Anyway, I will await arrival of the replacement solo loop and give its owner the good news 😊

Sorry to see that, from my conversations with Apple support I believe that should be a pretty straightforward replacement. If you don't have any luck first time around on the phone then do try them again. Ask to speak with a senior advisor or manager, it should not be a difficult fix. I uploaded a few photos of mine with a link they sent me. Keep us posted on the outcome, hope it goes well.

I have the exact same problem. Apple Support did not want to replace the Solo Loop because their warranty policy only covers cracks at either end of the loop. Talked to a superior, but she also turned me down.

I'm not a lawyer, but I'm pretty sure this should be covered under the 2 years minimum legal guarantee in the European Union, which Apple seems to violate.

Exact same issue with my navy Apple Watch solo loop band. Like everyone else, Apple phone support told me to make an in-store appointment where they told me it’s not covered after making me wait 30 minutes. Won’t be buying another solo loop band from Apple.

This is terrible service, it is obviously an issue and these bands appear to be failing early. Keep chasing Apple support, email CEO, it isn't acceptable.

Most of us own multiple Apple devices, these bands should be replaced no questions asked once Apple have seen the images or inspected the item in question. A trip to the Apple store should not be required, this is 2021, a photograph should suffice.

Makes me sad to see this kind of response from a company I am heavily invested in.

Bought a solo loop on July 10th, the strap ripped completely off from the attachment point yesterday. Honestly I'm shocked, and after speaking to service and going into a store, both said "there's no warranty". For these prices, I'd expect them not to break or to be replaced immediately. I noticed it ripping when I took the photo, and then when I tried to get it off, it ripped completely.