Apple reps: iPhone warranty will be voided by hacks (third-party native apps)
Posted 24 September 2007 @ 10am in Uncategorized
It’s been a point of contention virtually since the iPhone shipped, and especially since hacking the device (by hacking, in this sense, we mean the addition of third-party native applications via the use of Installer.app or other means) became a mainstream practice: Will the addition of such software and/or modification of the iPhone’s default software set result in the warranty being voided? The answer, according to Apple technical support representatives we contact is: yes, in a way.
Here’s the deal: Apple representatives told us that adding third-party native software to the iPhone does indeed result in the warranty being voided. In Apple’s one year limited warranty PDF document, the company states that the iPhone’s warranty does does not apply to:
“damage caused by accident, abuse, misuse, flood, fire, earthquake or other external causes; (c) to damage caused by operating the product outside the permitted or intended uses described by Apple; (d) to damage caused by service (including upgrades and expansions) performed by anyone who is not a representative of Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider (“AASPâ€); (e) to a product or part that has been modified to alter functionality or capability without the written permission of Apple; […]”
According to the Apple reps we spoke with, the addition of third-party applications will fall under the “accidental damage” clause, and hence phones that are brought in for service with evidence of third-party software modification may be denied service, and potentially have their warranties permanently voided, meaning that future service will not be delivered.
However, the Apple rep we spoke with said that — though this is information he is generally “not supposed to share” this common sense fact with customers — iPhones that have been “hacked” (received third-party software modifications) then restored to an original factory state will certainly be eligible for service. In other words, if Apple can’t prove that you’ve made third-party software modifications to the iPhone, it will have no grounds to terminate the warranty; a fairly obvious fact.
The moral of the story: Restore your iPhone before bringing it in for service. You can do so by connecting it to your computer, then in iTunes, selecting your iPhone and click the Restore button under the Summary tab.
Feedback? info@iphoneatlas.com.
Print This Post
5 Comments
Posted by walter.r.basil
24 September 2007 @ 1pm
I sure hope that when it does break down to the point where you need to use the service, you are able to restore it. It would really suck for you if the problem is that it’s not recognized by your computer enough to do a restore. Good luck then! Even if your hacking is not the problem. Personally, I plan on keeping my warranty (both original and my Apple Care) and doing everything I possibly can to keep from voiding it out.
Posted by daviddennis
24 September 2007 @ 2pm
I believe they are not referring to third party software unlocking. Remember, they already said that their stance towards third party software was neutral - they were not supporting it, but they were not opposing it either.
So there would be no reason in the world for them to void the warranty based on the presence of third party software on the phone.
Since Apple, quite reasonably, does not support the third party software, they might repair your iPhone by simply reloading the OS, eliminating all the third party software (and your notes, sadly) all in one stroke. So if you have a phone with third party software and valuable notes, be sure to back them up by emailing them to yourself before handing over the phone to the Genius Bar.
However, what they are complaining about is unlocking the iPhone to third party carriers. Since Apple’s agreement with AT&T doesn’t allow that, they, at least in public, have to have a strict stance against unlocking.
Remember also that AT&T is actually paying Apple a monthly fee for the warranty and service, so voiding the warranty if the phone is not under an AT&T contract actually makes sense.
So don’t bring your T-Mobile unlocked phone into Apple stores - it won’t get service.
Concerning unlocking, my theory is this, and I’d like comments on it. Some of the unlocking methods require actual hardware modifications to iPhone. Clearly those legitimately void the warranty, as you can tell from those pictures of a ruined iPhone that circulated around a while back.
It is those hardware modifications that the new update has probably been selected to eliminate. If you have done those it would appear to be a genuine signficant risk to install the update.
I suspect the update simply replaces the software previously on the phone, wiping out your third party programs and starts you from Ground Zero. Bye bye Butterfly and iLight! We will just have to figure out how to install them again.
Poor Butterfly. I will miss her.
D
Posted by architect323
25 September 2007 @ 9am
Apple should take a hint and realize that iPhone users demand these applications. To say installing 3rd party apps will void the warranty is their right, but for crying out loud, recognize the fact that the iPhone is missing a lot of things and they better get a move on, or let those willing individuals step up to plate and do their thing.
Posted by brymanx5
26 September 2007 @ 5am
I am always amazed at people who believe they know more about Apple’s products and what Apple should do with them. It’s as if Apple puts out products, ignores what users are saying, and knows little about what people woud like the phone to do.
It’s like if you don’t do what we the iPhone using public wants we’re gonna individually change the way things are done. Somehow i don’t think that Just because someone say’s “iPhone users demand these applications” that Apple is gonna “BAM” get a team together RIGHT NOW and give anyone what they want.
Got a suggestion fine, post it on Apples site otherwise it seems like Meaningless dialouge to me.
Posted by mike434
26 September 2007 @ 9am
There are 3 things that I don’t understand.
1) Why are all of these options are not available natively? Why can I not change how my icons look, or switch my dock and backgrounds to alternative styles from the get go?
2) Why is it that if I download third party software for my computer, it does not void my warranty. I wonder if the agreement license is worded the same way for my iPhone and MacBookPro?
3) If applying these “hacks” to my phone voids my warranty, why leave it open for 3rd party programmers?
Thanks for letting me vent….