WARNING: Smart cover magnets ruined my screen - iPad

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Level 1

5 points

WARNING: Smart cover magnets ruined my screen - iPad

Hello all.

I Have an iPad Model A1460. It is the upgraded version of ipad 3, the one that came 6 months after the release of 3. It was the first with the small charge connector.

My problem started 1 month and a half aGo. I was playing with my iPad , watching a video on youtube, when my screen started to show weird colours.

So what I did was to restart iPad. Restated iPad and for another hours i had no problem. After that i removed my Smart Cover and wanted to do smth on IPad. But the moment i did that, my screen would show weird pixels ( either white Or gray ).

So i panicked and reattached the SmartCover. That did work for a couple of days, but the problem kept on coming back. I was either playing, facetiming, or reading and if i were to move the SmartCover, it would ruin my screen. After another week, it just did not show anything.

Touch works because i can write on it (when i get it to work that is), i can use it to connect to a car and listen to music from it, i can hear facebook notifications as they come in etc... But i can't see anything anymore.

If i attach and detach the Smart Cover for a while and maybe try to detach only the lower part and then the lower part, or just play with the cover a lot, maybe i can get it to work for 5 min. After that, it goes to white screen or multiple pixels of different color.

Went to an Apple Store.

They told me it's 270 pounds to change the screen, or I can contact support. I'm not gonna pay for this. How is this my fault?? I can get an iPad mini for that cash.

Contacted support.

After 2 hours I was told my iPad is a fake one because the serial number does not appear in their System... i've had this iPad for 3 years... Received this iPad as a present and don't have a receipt, so a big F@@@ You from Support. The guy who did this seems as if be wanted to help me, but in the end it went to S@@T. Either receipt, or no help. I don't have a receipt, so what am i going to do?

Highly doubt it's a fake. It would have showed up somewhere, Apple would have noticed, iOS would not work, something you know...

And again, i've had this iPad for 3 years. How come i could upgrade and do everything as a normal iPad, but as soon as SmartCover ruined my screen, now it's a fake iPad.

Also shouldn't the Genius notice that it's a fake? I got it running for him ( after only 5 min of attach/detach procedure ) and he was able to look in the menu and do whatever he wanted. And how come i've used my user for this iPad, iPhones and Macs, but they cannot see that i've had this ipad for years? Does it not show in the system with my username?

What really ****** me off is that i bough this Smart Case because it is Apple made. They could at least write on the package: WARNING: THIS CASE WILL RUIN YOUR IPAD....

Anybody has any ideas of what i can do to fix my iPad without paying?

Also it's the principle of it!!!! Apple Smart Cover ruined my iPad, Apple should fix it.

Sorry for long post. Hope somebody can help me.

May the force be with you all

iPad, iOS 8.2

Posted on Mar 24, 2015 6:41 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Olaeso

Level 1

0 points

Mar 25, 2015 6:49 AM in response to Nicknameul

Hi,

I've experienced similar issues with a few iPad's from work. Every one ended up with static displays due to what seems to be the magnets on the cover (We use the Logitech keyboard cover). After several attempts to restore the ipad, without luck, I decided to try and use the thing that caused the issue to solve it. Reconnecting the ipad to the keyboard cover did nothing, of course, but when removing it I noticed a small glitch in the static. I then tried pulling the magnet of the keyboard cover off the sides and back of the iPad. After several attempts I managed to get a fully functional picture back on the device. Though removing the magnet without making the screen go back into static took a few attempts, but after I while I was able to remove the keyboard full form the iPad. Now the iPad is working perfectly as if nothing where every wrong (this has worked on three separate devices), safe to say we've stopped using the magnetic iPad covers I fear of this issue reoccurring.

Hope this helps some of you out. Cheers!

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Answer 2

Drew Reece

Level 6

10,714 points

Mar 25, 2015 12:19 PM in response to Nicknameul

If you are unwilling to pay Apple then the only option would be to buy parts & fit them yourself… (or find someone to fit them).

https://www.ifixit.com/Store/iPad/iPad-3rd-Gen

That site also has guides detailing how to take it apart - it is not something anyone should do, you need care, patience & the right tools.

P.S. I'm not sure that Apple replace your screen & give you back the same device. I believe they exchange your device for one that has been refurbished. Apple refurbishes the device so it is basically a rebuilt & thouroughly tested device.

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Answer 3

Dimagen

Level 1

0 points

Mar 6, 2016 4:20 AM in response to Iseyopo

Same problem started for me yesterday - ipad4 with retina.

Plugging in or unplugging apple smartcover creates tears and fliccering pixels all around the screen.

(model A1460 Serial DM******190)

As of my manipulation with this problem i can say it is definetly interaction between cover and ipad.

Without smartcover ipad work as it shoud, with it it either works sometime and then ruin the screen, or simply do this imidietly on a join.

The only thing that helps is playing with cover by connecting it and disconnecting. For me helps the disconnecting from the right side first, then left (i have a button on the right all the time).

P.S. Forgot to say that it start happening after a year of using same smartcover without any problem at all. Now i can't use apple products with each other.

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Answer 4

Drew Reece

Level 6

10,714 points

Mar 24, 2015 9:03 PM in response to Nicknameul

If you registered with Apple it should be listed in your support profile…

Apple - Support - Welcome To My Support Profile

Login with your Apple ID & look for it.

I can't see Apple replacing a damaged screen several year past the warranty expired, you may need to look at what legal protection you have (e.g. local consumer laws, credit cards, certain banks can offer extra warranty etc). Good luck

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Answer 5

Drew Reece

Level 6

10,714 points

Mar 25, 2015 12:12 PM in response to Nicknameul

I have several iOS devices & Macs all used with iCloud non are listed in iCloud > settings page that Ethan7988 suggested.

The note on that page says you need to use 10.10 & iOS 8 otherwise that page will not show the devices.

Please confirm that the support profile does not have your device listed…

Apple - Support - Welcome To My Support Profile

The support profile page does list devices I have registered for the life of my Apple ID, that is where you should see valid Apple devices, not iCloud.

Apple also have a 'warranty check' page - your device will show that you are out of warranty, however you should at least show you a device that appears to be an iPad, otherwise something fishy may be going on.

Apple - Support - Check Your Service and Support Coverage to find the serial number…

Find the serial number of your Apple hardware product - Apple Support

Good luck with it.

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Answer 6

Mar 25, 2015 12:31 PM in response to Nicknameul

The issue of the serial number not being in the system aside:

There is absolutely no evidence in your posts that the smart cover damaged the iPad. In fact it is quite unlikely. Millions of user have smart covers or third party cases with smart cover functionality and have no issues. You may have a hardware issue with the device that is symptomatically related to the smart cover function, but that is hardly evidence of the cover doing any damage.
You iPad is well out of warranty. Considering the above, no, Apple is not going to replace it for free.
Posting here will not change any of that.

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Answer 7

Drew Reece

Level 6

10,714 points

Jan 23, 2016 6:37 AM in response to Iseyopo

Iseyopo wrote:

I have the same problem. When I play around with the smartcover, the screen will be normal or distorted at times. I tried to manipulate the screen with a magnet. When I moved the magnet at the lower left side of the ipad the screen came back. It would be nice to know what the problem is, even if apple won't fix it for free.

It's an Ipad 4 also.

It's easily reproducible? Have you taken it to an Apple store?

Personally I would take it to Apple & ask for it to be repaired or looked at, even if out of warranty if you can make it happen so easily. I doubt they will tell you if it is 'known or a common issue' but they may have an option to replace or repair if they have seen it happen.

Record a video if you want to show it happening to others here - it may help others find the problem, stick it on Youtube or similar, videos can't be posted easily here.

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Answer 8

Csound1

Level 9

60,083 points

Mar 25, 2015 8:57 AM in response to Nicknameul

Take it again, explain that Apple corporate are insisting that it is a fake. speak to the manager.

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Answer 9

Ethan7988

Level 4

1,750 points

Mar 24, 2015 8:27 PM in response to Nicknameul

Go to iCloud.com and log in with your Apple ID.

Click "Settings" and check to see if your iPad is there.

If it is, take a screenshot and send it in to Apple as proof.

If it isn't, then yes, unfortunately, you have a counterfeit iPad.

NOTE: This will only work if you were signed into iCloud on your iPad.

-Ethan

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Answer 10

Jan 21, 2016 10:05 AM in response to SillyDilly914

All of the iPad's components are solid state. It would take a magnet far stronger than those in the cover to even come close do doing any damage.

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Answer 11

Iseyopo

Level 1

0 points

Jan 23, 2016 4:04 AM in response to Nicknameul

I have the same problem. When I play around with the smartcover, the screen will be normal or distorted at times. I tried to manipulate the screen with a magnet. When I moved the magnet at the lower left side of the ipad the screen came back. It would be nice to know what the problem is, even if apple won't fix it for free.

It's an Ipad 4 also.

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Answer 12

Kjemper

Level 1

4 points

Jul 27, 2017 2:13 PM in response to Nicknameul

Hello people... I´ve founded the problem after disassembly my iPad 4 by myself.

It is a design Mistake of Apple.

First excuse me for my english... second to the Problem...

The damaged part is the Display, it has definitly to be changed.

The damage of the display ist caused by the Magnets in the interior of the iPad. It ist not an magnetical issue, rather a mechanical problem caused by the motion of the Magnets inside of the iPad for holding the cover. This magnets are hold by two thin plates that act like springs. The conection between the Plates and the Magnets ist made by two bolts.

Unfortunally this bolts hit the side of the display very hard when you remove the cover because the return to their normal position wich is right near the display.

After a certain period of time using the cover, the holding plates for the magnets deform and can´t reach the straigth position inside of the ipad again, when they returns to normal position after removing the cover. As a result of that the display (the thincable of them at the side) is been hitted very hard and after a couple of times get damaged. You can see the rubbered points of the cable where the damage occurs and they are aligned with the bolts. Depending of the damage you can use the display further by pressing the damaged point whith your finger, this would be the same like removing the cover again and again until the bolt hit the cable the rigth wise to make the display function. Unfortunately my ipad don´t function after pressing with my finger.

It is Apple fault. no discusses. But it can happen to any engineer when you design something.

In my case, my iPad has no longer warranty, so it has to be repaired by myself.

if you have any questions or opinions please write here. Even though you want to have images of that.

Kind regards from Germany

Kjemper.

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Answer 13

Nicknameul Author

Level 1

5 points

Mar 25, 2015 8:07 AM in response to Csound1

No, but i expect Apple to check for iPad what i activated it ( which it did because i received an email that said smth like welcome to your new ipad (not counterfeit iPad that is) ). It came to me in an apple box, apple certified and all that. Went today to check again with a Genius and this is not a FAKE iPad. it's just an iPad that does not have a proof of purchase.

That means that the guy who sold it did not add it on the books and pocketed the money. Or it was stolen and then sold as new.

So again, NOT a counterfeit iPad.

Also i've seen counterfeit iPad. You could see that it's not an iPad. It looks different, menu looks different, settings look different...

The problem is that it does not have a proof of purchase and i'm not gonna get it fixed for free...

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Answer 14

Nicknameul Author

Level 1

5 points

Mar 25, 2015 8:27 AM in response to Olaeso

Hello.

I did the exact same thing for 1 month. That's why i waited so long to get it checked. I though it was just a phase and if i just disconnected the Smart Cover (which created the issue), that could help. Played with it for 1 week with the screen working properly, but then one morning woke up to a blank screen.

Tried to go through the attach/detach, play with the Smart Cover and i could get it to work for 1 min or 2, then back to blank screen.

Now i can do it easily because i know it's weak points, but i still get 1/5 of the screen White. So i can;t do anything...

Went to Apple Store again after yesterday's support said it was fake, took iPad to Genius and he saw that it was NOT a fake iPad.

The problem is that it does not show a proof of purchase. That means that the guy who sold it did not add it on the books and pocketed the money, or it was stolen and then sold as new...

Either way i'm f@@@@;. Apple does not want to repair it because it is not in their system, and i'm not paying 270 GBP to fix something that Apple broke. Chicken and Egg thing.

I don't usually do this ( talk to support and get into arguments, write on forums or other stuff ) but for this i have nobody to blame BUT Apple.

They could have said something when i activated the iPad : Hey man, check your iPad again because something in our system is wrong.

OR they could say on the Smart Case case: IF you use this Apple certified accessory, you will ruin your iPad's screen ...

But nobody said anything, i updated it, used it for 3 years man and now that i have a problem, nobody is willing to help a brother out.

So i'll end this discussion with CAPS because there might be other people willing to buy Smart Covers.

DO NOT USE SMART COVER WITH IPAD BECAUSE IT WILL RUIN YOUR SCREEN.

Thank you all for your help and questions

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Answer 15

Jan 21, 2016 10:01 AM in response to Michael Black

Thanks. I never had any concerns previously, or I obviously wouldn't have purchased the cases or covers. But upon receiving the items it hit me that the magnets would come in contact with the the iPad screen itself--and I've grown up hearing never to let magnets come in contact w/ electronics...and reading all these smart case horror stories didn't help either.

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