PSA: Remove Any Bands or Accessories Before Shipping an Apple Watch for Repair - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

PSA: Remove Any Bands or Accessories Before Shipping an Apple Watch for Repair

In a recently updated support document, Apple has advised customers not to include any bands or accessories when mailing in their Apple Watch to the company for repair, as they apparently will not be returned upon completion of servicing.

apple watch blue band
AppleInsider spotted the new wording:

Your Apple Watch band and any other accessories that you send won't be returned, so please remove them before sending your Apple Watch in for service.

Learn how to remove your band. If you have a Link Bracelet band, remember to separate the links before you remove the band.

The support document previously said that customers "don't need" to send in their Apple Watch band or other accessories.

AppleInsider reported that Apple's prior approach was to bundle together any bands or accessories sent alongside an Apple Watch and return them when possible. It is unclear what prompted this to change.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch 11
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Neutral)

Popular Stories

earth day 2025 apple watch

Apple Watch Earth Day and International Dance Day Activity Challenges Launching Later This Month

Tuesday April 14, 2026 12:00 pm PDT by
Apple has two new Apple Watch activity challenges coming up, celebrating Earth Day and International Dance Day. The Earth Day activity challenge will launch on Wednesday, April 22, while the Dance Day challenge will take place a week later on Wednesday, April 29. To complete the Earth Day challenge, Apple Watch owners will need to complete a workout that lasts for 30 minutes or longer. This ...
apple watch series 11 spring

Apple Stores Will Soon Be Able to Restore Apple Watch Software In-House

Wednesday April 15, 2026 5:36 pm PDT by
Apple retail locations and Apple Authorized Service Providers will soon be able to restore Apple Watch software in-store without needing to send an Apple Watch to a service center, according to a retail source that spoke to MacRumors. Right now, Apple Watches that can't be restored using an iPhone need to be mailed to an Apple Repair Center for service. There is no in-store repair option, so ...
youtube iphone apple watch health ad 2026

New Apple Ad Sells the iPhone and Apple Watch Health Pairing

Thursday April 23, 2026 11:18 am PDT by
Apple has published a new ad to appeal to customers in the market for an iPhone and Apple Watch pairing, highlighting the insights it can offer for your health. Titled simply "Health with iPhone + Apple Watch," the half-minute ad focuses on a woman waiting in line at a cafe who begins receiving unsolicited health and fitness advice from other people in the queue, as well as local residents,...

Top Rated Comments

AngerDanger Avatar
79 months ago

I've sent in a couple watches dating back to v2 for replacement/repair. Instructions always seemed pretty clear to send just the watch, no straps. Also kind of self-critiquing when they send the box to ship it in and it's custom made for just the watch enclosure.

Exactly. I thought this was clear from the instructions. You never send in accessories
I don't know; it was a pretty tight fit, but I managed to get my strap in the box after cutting it up.

Apple didn't even send back the pieces. :(



Attachment Image
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MUrhino Avatar
79 months ago
I've sent in a couple watches dating back to v2 for replacement/repair. Instructions always seemed pretty clear to send just the watch, no straps. Also kind of self-critiquing when they send the box to ship it in and it's custom made for just the watch enclosure.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
badatusernames Avatar
79 months ago

I've sent in a couple watches dating back to v2 for replacement/repair. Instructions always seemed pretty clear to send just the watch, no straps. Also kind of self-critiquing when they send the box to ship it in and it's custom made for just the watch enclosure.
Exactly. I thought this was clear from the instructions. You never send in accessories
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ct2k7 Avatar
79 months ago
Why wouldn’t they return it?
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
79 months ago

Why wouldn’t they return it?
Likely, a large percentage of "repairs" are refurbished replacements that will just be fulfilled from a different warehouse. Also, reducing extra steps in packaging, package sizes and variations, risk of loss/damage, etc. And especially for today's pandemic age, less contact with items touched by another human being (sweat and stuff on/in the bands).
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ApostolisApo Avatar
79 months ago
unclear? Of course it’s covid-19
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Related Apple News: Local News | South Africa | Motoring | Iphone | Health