iPhone 5 screen bulge

My iphone 5 has recently developed a bulge on the left hand side of the screen just above the volume buttons. I have taken it into the apple store who said they believe it to be the battery expanding but as the phone is one month outside of warranty they will not replace. Then told me to contact my service provider, which I have done and they have sent me back to apple. Any suggestions? I don't think its fair that I should have to pay to repair a faulty item as I would expect an item of this cost to last much longer than 13 months. Anyone know if I'm covered under the sales of goods act?


The screen bulge is causing some other problems as well:

Phone turns off randomly

Touch screen is very temperamental

Freezing


Any input would be highly appreciated.

iPhone 5, iOS 7.0.6

Posted on Mar 7, 2014 1:16 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Sep 14, 2017 10:28 PM

My son's 5s (http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/iphone/iphone-faq/differences-between-ipho ne-5c-iphone-5s-iphone-5.html) started behaving erratically a couple of days ago. With a full battery, the screen would randomly go blank (ie. not a shut down), and be unable to be rebooted. However, when you plugged it into power it would first show a flat battery indicator, and then (but not reliably) reboot, immediately show 100% battery and so work as normal. The corner of the screen near the volume buttons was slightly raised and a bit spongy to touch.


I booked it in for a repair with the Genius Bar and after a few tests, they concluded that it had a swollen battery. They gave us a new phone to replace it, saying that they were required to under Australian Consumer Law. (The Australian regulator had recently taken Apple to court for refusing to repair or replace defective products where the customer had used a third party repairer for an unrelated problem. https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/accc-takes-action-against-apple-over-alleg ed-misleading-consumer-guarantee-representations. In my case all repairs were with Apple. This follows previous criticism of Apple's extended warranty for charging for services required to be provided for free.)


So, in Australia you should get this repair for free. If not, check your rights with ACCC.


Good result for me though!

136 replies

Jul 27, 2017 8:31 PM in response to Lawrence Finch

Thank yo very much.

Exactly, I had already met AASP twice. At first, he told me that I can replace the new one with some charge.

But for the second time (after I went back for data backup), another one told me that I can't replace anymore.

Therefore, I'm not sure about how AASP solve this issue in other countries.

Now I have an appointment with Apple call center. I'm just waiting for the call. Thank you so much! 🙂

Oct 26, 2017 7:59 AM in response to Samd123

Your apple store is bogus. I bought an iphone 5s in 2015. In 2016 the back of phone had become deformed and the phone went black. Went to apple store, they determined that the battery had swollen and they replaced phone for free. The guy told me that I had a swollen battery and that apple could replace it for that reason. I do not know whether i was still within the warranty but nonetheless, it's an internal issue with apple's battery so I see it as their fault. Therefore they need to take care of it.

Jul 15, 2014 11:43 AM in response to Samd123

This was my problem this morning. Battery never even entered my head. I noticed this bulge, same location near the volume buttons, screen had a slight separation with light emitting from it. Apple store rep looked at it and I'd have to make an appointment, they would have to look it... mentioned "probably needs a new screen, about $250 right now..you never dropped it?" - I dropped it just once when I first bought it in 2012..it was in such a strong case I did no damage or scratch it, no contact with water. I figured I would just wait until the new 6 comes out, phone still worked.


Friend mentioned this by this place called UBreakItIFixIt, I look it up on the net..some mixed reviews, some happy, some very unhappy people/experiences. A screen replacement would have been 120 bucks. For the heck of it I stop in, show it to the guy..quickly mentioned the "battery is going to blow." That caught me way off guard. He opened right there and showed what it looked like..black thin battery was slightly inflated like a small balloon. Showed me what the normal battery looks like. WTH!?


Anyway, 69.99 to replace it, took no more than 3, 4 minutes. Now what kind of actual replacement was put in my phone..3rd party battery or what? I can't be 100% sure. Whatever it is, it's ok for now - heck of a lot better than an acid filled timebomb. The phone works though, bulge is gone. Big piece of mind now thinking this was a screen problem when it was actually a dangerous problem. This is a first for me, I had iPhone 1 from 2007-2010, then iPhone 4 from late 2010-2012, never had issues with the internal batteries.

Aug 19, 2014 12:15 PM in response to Samd123

I have the EXACT same problem with my iphone , with the exact same time frame of it occurring . Contacted my apple store and it seems they are going to play me like " a game of tennis " with my service provider, when on a lot of forums, it seems to be an inherent fault with the battery . Apple Corp. is a complete joke , stay clear of apple products and advise friends and family to do the same .

Aug 23, 2014 4:03 PM in response to Samd123

Just visited Apple store in Winnipeg. Showed them my iphone 5 which was diagnosed with a defective battery 4 months ago (and told I would get no warranty) and is 21 months old as of today. My screen is bulging from the top left corner. Told the Apple guy "my screen is coming loose and I know my battery is no good. Could you fix the loose screen and quote me the cost of replacing the battery?"

The guy said it is likely due to a swelling battery. Tested the battery and it was only showing 30% capacity. without any further discussion he issued me a new (not reconditioned) iPhone 5 and told me there is a replacement program for any swollen batteries, free of charge. ($269 value as I authorjzed the transaction).

SO GO INTO THE APPLE STORE PEOPLE.

Aug 28, 2014 10:45 AM in response to Samd123

My iPhone 5 did the same thing and the batter kept shutting off prematurely. I took it to Apple today at lunch and they said they have a program to replace the swollen batteries at no cost to the consumer. I should get it tomorrow, they had to order it. I would ask Apple again if you aren't getting the answers you are looking for.

Sep 5, 2014 2:39 AM in response to Samd123

Thank you for posting this. Happened to my 5S. It is encased in the Mophie battery case. First time I have needed to bring an Apple device into the Apple store. Made an appointment for later this morning. Hoping to be able to pick it up same day.


Apparently this is separate from this issue: https://ssl.apple.com/support/iphone5-battery/


Would love if it was just a simple replacement/fix and I didn't need to do a restore from iTunes.

Sep 5, 2014 5:50 AM in response to Chris CA

When I added 4 songs to my 5S earlier, that's when I noticed it.


I remember the first iPod commercial and how a guy added some music and left his home in the blink of an eye. Cool selling point. I long for the day that plugging your iPhone in, adding music, and leaving is that fast. Instead, it's plug it in, sit down and wait. Or go do the dishes. By the time your done, your device will be ready to play new music.

Oct 30, 2014 9:42 AM in response to ultracyclist

I called the nearest Apple store near Portland (100 miles away). They forwarded me to Apple support. I explained the problem with what appeared to be a swollen battery. There was no push-back -- the customer service representative was superb. She told me to back it up, stop using it, and take it to the nearest UPS Store to have it returned. I didn't even need to box it up -- the UPS Store took care of it all. I dropped it off on Saturday and on Tuesday morning I had a new iphone 5.

Nov 8, 2014 11:48 PM in response to phreload

My iPhone 5 that I got the day it launched had the same problem. I went to the Apple Store at Manhattan Beach, CA, and the person helping me at the genius bar got me a replacement iPhone 5. It was a new one and not a reburbished one. The whole process took maybe 10 minutes, not counting the wait time for the next available mobile appointment on a Saturday. He had to talk to his manager to make sure that there was still a replacement program for the iPhone 5. As of today, November 8th, 2014, there is still a replacement program for an iPhone 5 with a swollen battery.


You don't have to throw your iPhone 5 away or replace the battery yourself. Try the Apple genius bar first. I hope this helps.


It's a brand new iPhone 5. I have to say that Apple's customer service is excellent.

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iPhone 5 screen bulge

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