apple watch sudden screen shatter

I've just had exactly the same thing happen - sudden, spontaneous shattering. No knocks, just an audible "pop", a shower of glass and this is what I found on my wrist. Was just sitting quietly working on my computer. Series 3, 5 months old. Sounds like it may be a known problem though without "official" recognition from Apple. Have talked with customer service just now and have an appointment with a technician tomorrow.

This just happened to me yesterday. Apple Watch Series 3 GPS. Locked my watch before I had a shower. Got out of the shower and went to unlock my watch and the screen was shattered. Didn't hit it or drop it or anything. I have had the watch for one month.

Called Apple support today. Said it was best to claim it under the warranty program (90$). I'm hesitant to do this because you only get 2 replacements and to burn one up after only having the watch for an month is ridiculous, but If I send the watch into Apple and the damage is not deemed a manufacturers defect I would have to pay the cost to repair.

Looking through this thread it looks like Apple has an issue they aren't willing to address.

Yes - this is fantastic. I was at the apple shop today for my Genius Bar appointment and they told me that they would repair or replace free of charge.

To everyone who had to pay: you are now eligible for a refund from Apple for the repair. (According to the Apple shop in Covent Garden, London)

I think they really need to rethink how to handle this. I have the same experience, being told I was lying by not being believed, their word against yours. It becomes a case of the customer is never right because we are never wrong. When you buy Apple products for decades and to be called a liar by them is hurtful when you have stood by them they treat you without the same care or loyalty. I hope they listen and not just delete this as critical. I was actually hurt and offended by my experience. I can’t even look at the watches now.

If so many watches, which are sold as sport watches, cannot take bumping or sports activities they have an issue with design. If it’s not the case then the actual material is not doing its job. What I feel like is happening is the battery overheats and expands the screen. In my case after much discussion and rejection by Apple I returned it to the store of purchase under consumer law because it did not perform as it should. A retailer should not lob you back to Apple, or any manufacturer.

Yes, by the time I got my phone to photograph the event it had overheated to too hot to touch and shattered.

I bought my iwatch 3 on 23rd Nov 2017 and on 27th December was eating my dinner when a hairline crack appeared on my screen. It was not there when I sat down to eat as I used my watch then after eating I went to use the watch and nothing would happen with the screen and that’s when I noticed the crack on the screen. I booked an appointment to the Genius Bar and the Apple guy stated he could see nothing under the microscope that would warrant a cracked screen I.e impact damage. I sent it away quite confident Apple would do the right thing and they inspect it and say it will cost me £229.17 + taxes to repair/replace. They send a photo showing scuff marks that were clearly not there when I sent it to Apple. If they where there I am sure the Apple rep at the Genius Bar would have picked it up. Attached is the report from the Genius Bar rep in store.
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This just happened to me a few minutes ago. I was sitting in class, heard a pop, and my watch screen was totally shattered. About to call Apple and will reference this thread as proof of no damage, as it was in pristine condition last night.

This just in:

Apple has determined that under certain conditions, some Apple Watch Series 2 devices may not power on or they may experience an expanded battery," wrote Apple, in an internal document distributed to Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers on Friday and subsequently obtained by MacRumors.

"Apple will service eligible devices free of charge," according to the document, numbered SN4534 in Apple's internal GSX portal. "Apple will authorize coverage for eligible devices for three years after the original date of purchase."

The policy was issued in at least the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Europe, so it is likely a worldwide initiative where service providers are available.

A swollen battery can prevent an Apple Watch from powering on or cause the display to burst open. Photos of the issue have been shared by customers in the Apple Support Communities and MacRumors forums in recent months, but the majority of the incidents are first-generation models released in 2015.

Eligibility is limited to any 42mm-sized Apple Watch Series 2 models, including Sport, Edition, Hermès, and Nike+ variants, pending a visual-mechanical inspection, according to a companion document numbered OP1977. The warranty status of the Apple Watch does not affect coverage, the document states.

This new policy does not apply to the original Apple Watch, Series 1 and Series 3 models, or any 38mm model. A few years ago, however, Apple enacted a similar policy for original Apple Watch models with swollen or expanded batteries that offers free repairs within three years of the original date of purchase.

Affected customers can visit the Contact Apple Support page, select Apple Watch -> Battery, Power, and Charging -> Bring in for Repair to schedule an appointment with the Genius Bar at an Apple Store or at an Apple Authorized Service Provider. There are also options to contact Apple advisors by phone or online chat. Battery replacements are completed at an off-site Apple Repair Center.

Apple advises customers inquiring about a refund for a previous Apple Watch Series 2 battery replacement to contact its support advisors.

Apple has not announced this policy publicly as it does with some of its other repair programs, but MacRumors has verified the internal document's authenticity with multiple sources. However, outside of our control, some Apple employees advise customers that no such policy exists. In these cases, our only advice is to keep trying or escalate the case to a senior advisor if possible.

Article Link: Apple Now Offering Free Repairs of 42mm Apple Watch Series 2 Models With Swollen Batteries

Won't help the Series 3 folks....but Series 2 is now eligible for a free fix! 3 will be next at some point I hope!

Husband brought me an iWatch, a few months in and while sitting at my desk the screen just popped out on 3 sides. We take it back to Apple and they tell me the battery was swollen and they replaced it. 6 Days later my replacement iWatch exploded on my wrist ! I couldn’t believe it ! So I go back to Applestore and im told their Sales people are now also Technicians, unfortunately for me the ‘Technician took on e look at my watch and declared that I was the cause of the damage and would have to pay 400 dollars to have it fixed ?! I couldn’t believe it. I then asked for a battery assessment to confirm I had NOT damaged it and the Technician refused. So where does this leave the consumer ? Basically the Apple Technician/Salesperson can now decide whether they replace THEIR faulty product or not by eyeballing your damaged watch. COME ON this is a joke right ?!!

I sent my cracked Watch to Apple to be reviewed. As a result of their analysis, they sent a replacement back to me a no cost. Also, I don’t have Apple care.

https://www.cnet.com/news/apple-watch-repair-program-acknowledges-screen-cracking-flaw/

My watch broke when I drove a car, submitted it to our authorized service provider in Sweden Macforum and received a reply that I could buy a replacement unit for the price of 290 €.
It has cracked exactly like yours around the edge! And i bought it about 1 month ago and has not been dropt or something similar.. Its a Series 3 GPS 42mm.

happened to me too. Apple Watch 4 which is less than a month old. Only way to get watch fixed is send it in. Can’t believe this happened. Was in my car, watch under the sleeve of my jacket. Thought it was the haptics, must have been a pop. Screen was shattered.

My Apple Series 3 Watch (10 months old) shattered as I was sitting on my sofa Saturday night. I immediately contacted tech support and they scheduled an appointment at the Cumberland Mall/Atlanta Genius bar. I was told I had two options. I could either leave with a broken/unusable watch or have it repaired for $229. This completely went against the customer service opinion I had of Apple. They connected me to Apple Care while I was in the store and I explained what happened. The technician on the phone stated that it sounded like the battery expanded causing the screen to crack. He scheduled my watch to be picked up and evaluated. I received an email today that stated there was an "issue that was not stated in the original repair request." Apple is claiming that the "issue that was not stated in the original repair request" is the screen is cracked. NO KIDDING! That is exactly why I sent it in the first place. The issue is not that the screen cracked, but that it cracked while I was sitting on a sofa doing nothing. Clearly, after reading all of the posts I am not the only one that has experienced this. I am incredibly disappointed. Why would I ever pay $229 for a product that I cannot trust this situation will not happen again? I feel completed ripped off. I guess Apple feels that we have no other options. I do not want to give up because I really liked my Apple watch, but have no clue what to do next.

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Had the same thing happen last thursday on an Apple Watch series 3 which was just over 4 weeks old. I was sitting on the couch, gently tapped the screen to check the time but then noticed it was cracked all around.

Made an appointment with a Genius Bar employee and he told me his opinion that there was no sign of impact and he was pretty sure it was probably due to battery swelling. But of course when the second opinion came they told me it was 'Cracked' (yeah of course it was) and I would have to pay to get it fixed.

I took these pictures at the Apple Store right before I handed it in for check:

Make a Genius Bar appointment at the nearest Apple Store to have it examined by Apple. Apple recommends that you stop using a damaged watch. If you cannot go to an Apple Store, then use the Contact Support link at the top of the page here and arrange for mail-in service.