Apple today launched a new repair program for iPhone 6s users whose devices may be unexpectedly shutting down. The issue is a limited one only affecting certain devices manufactured between September and October 2015.
Apple has determined that a very small number of iPhone 6s devices may unexpectedly shut down. This is not a safety issue and only affects devices within a limited serial number range that were manufactured between September and October 2015.
If you have experienced this issue, please visit an Apple Retail Store or an Apple Authorized Service Provider and have your device's serial number checked to confirm eligibility for a battery replacement, free of charge.
Apple's resolution for the issue is to replace the device's battery free of charge, although Apple notes that if there are other problems with a user's device such as a cracked screen that could impair the battery replacement procedure, those issues must be repaired for a fee before the battery issue can be addressed.
Users who previously paid to have their batteries replaced for this issue can contact Apple to request refunds.
Just three days ago, Apple launched a repair program for iPhone 6 Plus owners whose devices are experiencing so-called "Touch Disease" where users may see display flickering or a loss of touch sensitivity. That program carries a $149 repair fee, as Apple says the issue is caused at least in part by the device having been "dropped multiple times on a hard surface."
Sunday February 1, 2026 10:08 am PST by Joe Rossignol
Last year, Apple launched CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles. Nearly nine months later, CarPlay Ultra is still limited to Aston Martin's latest luxury vehicles, but that should change fairly soon.
In May 2025, Apple said many other vehicle brands planned to offer CarPlay Ultra, including Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis.
In his Powe...
Sunday February 1, 2026 12:31 pm PST by Joe Rossignol
The calendar has turned to February, and a new report indicates that Apple's next product launch is "imminent," in the form of new MacBook Pro models.
"All signs point to an imminent launch of next-generation MacBook Pros that retain the current form factor but deliver faster chips," Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said on Sunday. "I'm told the new models — code-named J714 and J716 — are slated...
Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by Joe Rossignol
We are still waiting for the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate to come out, so the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week or two away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April.
Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far.
iOS 26.3
iPhone to Android Transfer Tool
iOS 26.3 makes it easier...
Sunday February 1, 2026 5:42 am PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple is planning to launch new MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips alongside macOS 26.3, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
"Apple's faster MacBook Pros are planned for the macOS 26.3 release cycle," wrote Gurman, in his Power On newsletter today.
"I'm told the new models — code-named J714 and J716 — are slated for the macOS 26.3 software cycle, which runs from...
Tuesday February 3, 2026 8:55 am PST by Joe Rossignol
In 2022, Apple introduced a new Apple Home architecture that is "more reliable and efficient," and the deadline to upgrade and avoid issues is fast approaching.
In an email this week, Apple gave customers a final reminder to upgrade their Home app by February 10, 2026. Apple says users who do not upgrade may experience issues with accessories and automations, or lose access to their smart...
Many Apple devices after Cook took over and quality control went to hell: There's a repair program for it.™
Nope. We can go as far as the Cube by Steve Jobs, where it suffers many quality issues, including cracking of the case and overheating. There are numerous overheating issues on Macs as well, especially the first Macbook Air. Then there are iPods and iPod nano that can be scratched when you take them out of the box, buzzing issues on nano 2nd gen, etc etc.
These are all mass produced devices. The key is in handling problems when they came up. Take the iPhone 5 battery replacement program. Apple set the program to cover 3 years from the release of the product (same with this). This is extremely generous. Most other companies only allow very limited window for consumers to take part of whatever repair program.
Also as a followup post I feel compelled to say that the last time I was in the Apple store to talk with a "genius" (2 of them at the genius bar in Tyson's Corner had the old genius logo tattooed on their arms - wtf weird) it was one of the worst retail experiences I've had in my entire life. The whole store was a zoo, people screaming at staff, I waited for 45 minutes until they saw me despite having an appointment.. While I waited an additional 2 hours for my phone screen to be replaced I wandered around the mall feeling terrible about the whole Apple experience. I walked by the MS store which used to be a joke, and it was packed with people - playing games, awesome demos, lots of VR stuff, tons of people buying things and having fun. That MS store used to be an absolute ghost town..
This experience was right after the iPhone 7 was announced. I was so disgusted that I walked around to carrier stores looking at android devices and researching them. Long story short is that I ended up getting an S7 Edge as a result of this whole experience, only time I've strayed from Apple since my first iPhone (3G) - and it's been awesome. Say what you will about "exploding phone lol" but practically everything on that phone beats the iPhone, INCLUDING Android. For the past 8 years I would have laughed at someone who said that to me, but it is now true. What's funny is that all the rumors for iPhone 8 "just wait another year" are things already on the S7 Edge - OLED screen, wraparound screen, glass front and back, etc...
Apple kills it with MacBooks, and iOS has great trackpad support, but the clock is ticking there too honestly. Give the surface books a couple of revisions and MS might do it. I had preordered a MBP 15" but ended up feeling sick about it every day, hating all the news coming out, and I ended up buying a (another, used to have one) MBP 15" from 2012 for $850 in brand new condition. Saved $1600 and feeling great. I told my friends and found out that every single one of them canceled their preorders - either a day or so after launch, or when any of the various pieces of news came out
I really do hate to be all "MAC DOOMERS" here but I just had to get this off my chest
