Beats Warranty: 1-⁠Year Apple Coverage, Exclusions & How to Get Repairs

Beats is owned by Apple, and so is its warranty: the same one-year limited warranty that covers Apple accessories applies to Beats headphones, earbuds and speakers ². This guide explains what that coverage includes, what it leaves out and how to get a repair in the US, based on Beats' FAQ and Apple's warranty and support pages. For Apple's own devices, see the Apple warranty guide.

What the Beats warranty covers

Beats products come with one year of hardware repair coverage through a limited warranty, plus up to 90 days of complimentary technical support ¹. The warranty document is Apple's One (1) Year Limited Warranty for accessories, which applies to Apple and Beats branded products ².

Under it, your Beats-branded hardware is warranted against defects in materials and workmanship for one year from the date of original retail purchase, as long as it's used according to Apple's user manuals ². Apple's support page adds that the coverage includes the Apple-branded accessories that come in the box ³.

If a defect shows up during that year, Apple chooses one of three remedies ²:

1. repair the product at no charge, using new or previously used genuine Apple parts that have passed testing
2. exchange it for a replacement of the same model, or with your consent a product with the same or substantially similar features
3. refund the original purchase price

What's not covered

The warranty excludes ²:

• normal depletion of consumable parts such as batteries, unless the failure is caused by a defect in materials or workmanship
• damage from abuse, accident, modifications or unauthorized repairs
• other causes that aren't defects in materials and workmanship

Apple's support page puts it plainly: the warranty doesn't cover accidental damage or batteries that wear down from normal use ³. Products that aren't Apple-branded or Beats-branded aren't covered either, even if they were packaged or sold with Apple products ².

Apple also doesn't promise that a repair or replacement can be done without losing data stored on the product ².

Bought your Beats somewhere other than Apple?

You don't need to go back to the store. Apple says you can direct your warranty claims to Apple even if you bought the product from a third party ². Proof of purchase may be required to verify eligibility, and for products originally purchased in the US, the warrantor is Apple Inc. ².

Beats recommends shopping with its authorized retailers to make sure your Beats are authentic, and you can verify a pair by registering its serial number ¹. Apple may restrict warranty service to the country where the device was originally sold ².

The warranty is in addition to your rights under consumer law, not a replacement for them ².

How to get Beats repaired

Start with Apple's Beats service page, where you describe the problem and Apple suggests fixes or helps you set up a repair or replacement ³. Beats also offers troubleshooting tips and support by phone or chat ¹.

Service options ²³:

• In person: visit a Genius Bar or an Apple Authorized Service Provider, where technicians inspect your Beats and explain your options ³.
• By mail: Apple can send a prepaid shipping box so you can mail your Beats in for repair without an appointment ³. Under the warranty, Apple pays shipping to and from your location if you follow its packing and shipping instructions ².

You can check the status of current or recent repairs by signing in to My Support or the Apple Support app ³.

If your Beats aren't covered

If the problem isn't covered and consumer law doesn't apply, Apple charges for the repair ³. If the issue is ineligible for service, you may need to pay the full value for a replacement device ³. Apple's online cost estimates are for out-of-warranty service and may be subject to tax; a shipping fee may be added, and Apple Authorized Service Providers can set their own fees ³.

Whatever the cause, Apple guarantees its service and replacement parts for 90 days or the remaining term of your Apple warranty, whichever is longer ³.

AppleCare for Beats

For an additional fee, you can buy AppleCare+, which extends your coverage and adds unlimited incidents of accidental damage protection and 24/7 priority access to Apple tech support ¹. Apple's Beats service page lists what an AppleCare plan adds ³:

• unlimited repairs for drops and spills ³
• a battery replacement at no extra charge if capacity drops below 80% ³
• Express Replacement, where Apple sends a replacement before you send yours back ³
• priority support by chat or phone ³

Quick tips

• Keep your receipt or order confirmation, since proof of purchase may be required ².
• If your Beats were bought at Apple and are less than 14 days old, a return may be simpler than a repair ¹.
• Register your serial number to confirm your Beats are genuine ¹.
• Battery fading after heavy use is normal wear and isn't covered unless it's a defect ²³.