HT204665: Wearing Apple Watch

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jaxgal

Q: Is the watch band replaceable if it breaks or becomes damaged?

Is the apple watch band replaceable if it breaks or becomes damaged?

iMac (24-inch Mid 2007), OS X Mavericks (10.9.1)

Posted on May 21, 2015 8:35 AM

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Q: Is the watch band replaceable if it breaks or becomes damaged?

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  • by Meg St._Clair,

    Meg St._Clair Meg St._Clair May 21, 2015 8:39 AM in response to jaxgal
    Level 9 (58,419 points)
    iPhone
    May 21, 2015 8:39 AM in response to jaxgal

    You can purchase bands separately from the watch. Right now, most of them are on back order but that should get better over time.

  • by swandy,

    swandy swandy May 21, 2015 9:36 AM in response to Meg St._Clair
    Level 4 (1,536 points)
    Apple Music
    May 21, 2015 9:36 AM in response to Meg St._Clair

    Meg St._Clair wrote:

     

    You can purchase bands separately from the watch. Right now, most of them are on back order but that should get better over time.

    I would guess that was not what the OP was asking about. Sounds like he wants Apple to replace a damaged band.

    But I believe I read in another thread (don't remember if it was this forum or elsewhere) that people - not sure if they had Apple Care or not - actually got Apple to replace their watch band. Guess it would depend on the damage and how the damage occurred.

  • by Meg St._Clair,

    Meg St._Clair Meg St._Clair May 21, 2015 1:52 PM in response to swandy
    Level 9 (58,419 points)
    iPhone
    May 21, 2015 1:52 PM in response to swandy

    swandy wrote:

     

    Meg St._Clair wrote:

     

    You can purchase bands separately from the watch. Right now, most of them are on back order but that should get better over time.

    I would guess that was not what the OP was asking about. Sounds like he wants Apple to replace a damaged band.

    But I believe I read in another thread (don't remember if it was this forum or elsewhere) that people - not sure if they had Apple Care or not - actually got Apple to replace their watch band. Guess it would depend on the damage and how the damage occurred.

    Perhaps the OP will post back and clarify. Damage, however, would not be covered under warranty. Apple Care+ will cover two instances of damage at a fee of $69 or $79 (depending on model). It is not entirely clear if damage only to the band would be covered. However, it would be rather foolish, in most cases) to waste one or both of those discounted damage replacement opportunities on a band. A damaged sport band could be replaced for $50. Even a band that cost $150 is much less than a watch. It would seem prudent to save the coverage for damage to the watch.

  • by jaxgal,

    jaxgal jaxgal May 21, 2015 2:25 PM in response to jaxgal
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 21, 2015 2:25 PM in response to jaxgal

    I wanted to make sure that in the event a watch band broke or cracked (as most bands do at some point in time) that Apple actually made the watch so the band can be removed and replaced.  It sounds like that the watch band CAN be replaced if necessary either under warranty (depending on damage) or with new purchase.  I'm going to assume that you can only purchase bands and have them replaced on the watch itself by Apple. Thanks for the info.

  • by Meg St._Clair,

    Meg St._Clair Meg St._Clair May 21, 2015 2:42 PM in response to jaxgal
    Level 9 (58,419 points)
    iPhone
    May 21, 2015 2:42 PM in response to jaxgal

    The watch band is, in fact, designed to be very easily replaced. I expect many people will buy multiple bands. Personally, I plan on buying the Milanese loop when it becomes easily available.

     

    See the user manual, page 87:

     

    https://manuals.info.apple.com/MANUALS/1000/MA1708/en_US/apple_watch_user_guide. pdf

     

    Best of luck.

  • by jimkraz,

    jimkraz jimkraz May 22, 2015 6:08 AM in response to Meg St._Clair
    Level 2 (195 points)
    May 22, 2015 6:08 AM in response to Meg St._Clair

    jaxgal, you can at the moment buy NON apple bands/straps to replace the one you got when you got your watch and I am sure many more will soon be on the market, it is very easy to remove your band/strap and slide in replacement, with no need for jeweler or Apple to do it for you.