iPhone 6s owners have recently been complaining of their device unexpectedly shutting down—even when they still have a significant amount of battery life. If this has happened to you, don’t worry…you’re not crazy (well, relatively speaking).
Apple has determined there is a problem with a small number of devices that were made between September and October of 2016. And unlike the battery issues with the Samsung Galaxy Note 7, Apple has stated there’s no safety issue with iPhone 6s—so you can go on using it until you get it replaced (but it’s still advisable to get it repaired sooner than later).
How to get it fixed
The first thing you’ll need is the serial number of your iPhone 6s. If you can’t turn on your device, you can also use the IMEI number.
To find the serial number
Open the Settings app on your iPhone, tap General, then select About and scroll down to Serial Number.
To find the IMEI number
On iPhone 6s, the IMEI is located in the same About section of your Settings. But you can also find it on the rear of the SIM card tray if you can’t turn on your device. To pop out the tray, insert a paper clip into the small hole on the side of your device and push in (don’t be afraid to use a bit of force).
Next, visit Apple’s support website—where they’ve launched a tool to help you determine if your iPhone 6s is eligible, and how to get it replaced. Enter your serial or IMEI number in the text box and select Submit. To make things easier, if you’re filling out this form on your iPhone, tap and hold the serial number in your Settings to copy it. Then, tap and hold in the text box on the website to paste it. This way, you don’t have to type it in.
If your iPhone 6s is eligible for replacement, you can schedule a repair with a local Apple Authorized Service Provider or Apple Retail Store. We emphasize schedule because during the holidays, a walk-in appointment may result in an extended wait time—so it’s best to make an appointment.
If you’re unsure which store to visit, the support page helps you locate one that’s most convenient to you. Alternatively, you could also contact Apple Technical Support to chat or speak with a live agent.
Lastly, Apple has stated if you believe your iPhone 6s was affected by this issue, and you paid to replace your battery, you can contact Apple Technical Support for a refund.
Before you get your iPhone replaced
Before you have your iPhone 6s swapped for a different one, or even if you’re just getting your battery replaced, here’s some things you should absolutely do:
1) First, back up your data to iCloud or your Mac or PC using iTunes. If you’re unsure how to do this, check out Apple’s Support page for a walkthrough.
2) Next, turn off Find my iPhone. Check out this article to learn how to disable the feature.
3) Finally, erase all of your information from your device. To do this, open the Settings app, then tap General, scroll to the bottom of the page and tap Reset, then select Erase All Content and Settings and follow the prompts.
At this time, Apple hasn’t said this issue affects any other iPhone devices. But if you’re experiencing similar issues with your iPhone, you should contact Apple Support or schedule a Genius Bar visit at your local Apple Store to have it checked out. And, of course, if you have any questions about how to erase your iPhone, turn off Find my iPhone, or need help with any other iPhone-related questions, you can always chat with an Enjoy Expert by clicking Chat with an Expert in the bottom, right corner of our home page.