iPhone 16 Pro — Motherboard failure. Casual use only. Goodwill repair denied. Is this acceptable?

I'm writing this hoping to find others in a similar situation, and perhaps get some visibility on what feels like a deeply unfair outcome.


My iPhone 16 Pro suffered a complete motherboard failure at just 16 months old — only 4 months outside the standard one-year warranty. It was diagnosed by an Apple Authorised Service Provider (AASP), with no signs of accidental damage, liquid damage, or any misuse whatsoever.


My usage couldn't be more casual: calls, messages, and occasional photos. No gaming, no heavy apps, no drops. This phone was treated with care from day one.


The timing also concerns me. The device started showing symptoms — sluggishness, unresponsive screen, display staying black for 5–10 seconds — roughly two weeks after I updated to iOS 26. I'm not pointing fingers, but the correlation is hard to ignore. Shortly after, it died completely.


I contacted Apple Support multiple times requesting a one-time goodwill repair, explaining the circumstances clearly. I was denied. The quoted repair cost is €640 for a new motherboard, with only a 90-day warranty on the repair — which, frankly, offers very little confidence for that price.


I find it difficult to accept that a €1,100+ device has an expected lifespan of just over a year. I'm not asking for anything unreasonable. A goodwill exception in a case like this is exactly what that policy exists for.


[Edited by Moderator]

MacBook Pro 14″

Posted on Feb 22, 2026 2:19 PM

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Posted on Feb 26, 2026 6:53 AM

Hi, you might want to follow up with Apple Support on the 2 year warranty in the EU. Apple Authorized Service Providers are less likely to grant a curtesy repair. If the 2 year EU warranty doesn’t workout try following up directly with Apple. A 90 day warranty is pretty standard in the repair industry, regardless of the original price or subsequent repair price.


I can’t comment on your friend’s situation as I have no knowledge of the specific circumstances. However, I’ve considerable experience with granting exceptions for repairs. I’m retired now but I was an Apple Retail Store manager and during my tenure I granted exceptions. In my experience, 4 months out of warranty is a stretch. The circumstances would need to be very compelling. You might do better in an actual Apple Store and requesting a discounted repair rather than a free courtesy repair.


I wish you the best of luck in pursuing your warranty claim.

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Feb 26, 2026 6:53 AM in response to veselin195

Hi, you might want to follow up with Apple Support on the 2 year warranty in the EU. Apple Authorized Service Providers are less likely to grant a curtesy repair. If the 2 year EU warranty doesn’t workout try following up directly with Apple. A 90 day warranty is pretty standard in the repair industry, regardless of the original price or subsequent repair price.


I can’t comment on your friend’s situation as I have no knowledge of the specific circumstances. However, I’ve considerable experience with granting exceptions for repairs. I’m retired now but I was an Apple Retail Store manager and during my tenure I granted exceptions. In my experience, 4 months out of warranty is a stretch. The circumstances would need to be very compelling. You might do better in an actual Apple Store and requesting a discounted repair rather than a free courtesy repair.


I wish you the best of luck in pursuing your warranty claim.

Feb 26, 2026 6:16 AM in response to veselin195

Do I read well that you are within EU?

If so, the below applies to your consumer rights.


Standard minimum warranty is 24 months.

"It was diagnosed by an Apple Authorised Service Provider (AASP), with no signs of accidental damage, liquid damage, or any misuse whatsoever."

That should be a strong sign of handling in good faith on your behalf.

Apple's 12 Month warranty is basically void as the country's law supersedes.

Feb 26, 2026 10:02 AM in response to veselin195

veselin195 wrote:

Sorry, just saw the comment now. The nearest Apple Store around me is in Sofia, Bulgaria. It is called iSTYLE | Apple Premium Partner | The Mall.

That is an Apple reseller, not an Apple Store. Apple Stores are owned and operated by Apple.

Resellers are not going to have the flexibility to work outside of the warranty like corporate owned Apple Stores are.


Feb 26, 2026 7:14 AM in response to veselin195

veselin195 wrote:

Thanks for your comment, but a €1,100+ iPhone 16 Pro, failing completely at 16 months with no misuse, no scratches, no drops and no liquid damage... I think expecting some goodwill consideration is pretty reasonable. I'm not asking for a free phone, just a fair outcome for what looks like a manufacturing defect.

All technological devices can fail for no apparent reason. The likelihood of that failure rises as the device ages. That's why phone manufacturers don't offer lifetime warranties for free. How carefully you treated the phone, how little you used it, simply don't enter into this calculation. Do I feel for you? Absolutely. Do I think what you're asking is reasonable? No.


And, the bottom line is that we can discuss this here for days. It won't change anything. We are not Apple.

Feb 22, 2026 2:42 PM in response to veselin195

Hi, I understand what you’re saying and can appreciate that the customer experience isn’t what you expected for a device you paid a lot for. I get it.


So, in your scenarios, warranties are just guidelines. If it’s 4 months out of warranty fix it, 8 months fix it, 4 years fix it, or when does a warranty end? A warranty having a stated period when it ends is normal. A few days, maybe a week, or on rare occasions a month. But a good will exception after 4 months seems a stretch. Why not 5 months, 6 months or a year after warranty expired?


No offense, but 4 months seems unreasonable to me. What issues can you document with Apple Support that you have a repair ticket number for? Sorry, but four months late is just not an example of an exception, in my experience. Sorry.

Feb 22, 2026 3:06 PM in response to veselin195

Thank you for replying with your concerns, veselin195. 😉


Here at the Apple Support Community, we are volunteers (thoughtful Apple users) who share knowledge in an effort to help others, such as yourself.


We don’t have the power to look into accounts, make changes, authorize repairs or offer discounts to fit your needs.


You had the opportunity to purchase AppleCare when you purchased your iPhone.


Apple has authorized service that requires payment. That is your choice if you want a resolution.


Thanks again for sharing your concerns with us. Your feedback is appreciated. 👍🏼


All the best! 👋🏼😉

Feb 26, 2026 6:18 AM in response to Katana-San

Hello Katana-San, thanks for the suggestion, but a bit late for AppleCare now :)


Even if I do a repair which would cost me €640~670 I won't be able to buy AppleCare (already checked that) I will just have 90 days of warranty of the repaired part only.


p.s Also, this wasn't meant as a poll, I was simply sharing my experience and hoping to find others in a similar situation.





iPhone 16 Pro — Motherboard failure. Casual use only. Goodwill repair denied. Is this acceptable?

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