Apple has launched a worldwide replacement program for the USB-C charge cable it had sold with the 12-inch Retina MacBook. The laptop was shipped with the faulty accessory from April to June 2015 before the company had realized its mistake.
Apple says the faulty USB-C cables have a design flaw which stops it from working properly. MacBook owners who are unable charge their device or can only charge it erratically are probably affected. To be sure, they’ll have to check the text printed on the unit.
If the label on the USB-C wire says ‘Designed by Apple in California. Assembled in China’ then it’s a bum product. If there’s a serial number after the text, it’s a working model. Thankfully, the company is planning to exchange the bad cable free of cost. The replacement program will be in place till 8th June 2018.
Other than the USB-C cable the 12-inch Retina MacBook came bundled with, even people who bought it separately will be eligible for the scheme. Naturally, there will also be a certain section of people who bought a new charger because of the problem. These individuals have to get in touch with Apple to get their money refunded.
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All eligible consumers who gave Apple a valid address when they registered their MacBook or bought it from the brand’s online store are supposed to receive the new redesigned USB-C charge cable by the end of February 2016. The rest of the affected owners will have to go through a separate replacement process.
This either involves going to an Apple retail store and visiting the Genius Bar, contacting Apple Support or getting in touch with an Apple Authorized Service Provider. Customers will have to provide their MacBook’s serial number to verify their eligibility for the program.