Apple is lending a helping hand to those affected by the recent floods in Japan earlier this month. The Cupertino-based tech titan is not making donations to the relief funds, instead, it is repairing Apple products damaged during the disaster.
If your iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch or Apple display was damaged by torrential rain that hit western Japan earlier this month, Apple is promising a free repair. Apple doesn't cover liquid damage, but the company is doing its bit to help the flood victims by making an exception to its own clause and fixing repairable Apple products for free.
In Apple's Japanese support article, the company said that affected customers can avail free repair for Apple products by calling Apple Support at 0120-27753-5 and arranging for a pickup. But Apple cautions that some flood-prone areas might experience longer wait times for repair as courier pickup and delivery might be temporarily suspended.
"We wish to express our heartfelt sympathy to everyone who received the damage due to the recent disaster and we pray for the earliest reconstruction as soon as possible," Apple said in its support document announcing the free repair for water-damaged iPhones, Macs and other Apple products.
Apple's special repair service program for disaster victims won't cover Apple accessories and Beats products. The free repairs will be offered until the end of September 2018, which gives customers two months to avail the service.
The program also doesn't cover companies or stores using Apple devices for their businesses. In addition, users availing the free repair must be residents of municipalities supported by the central government under the Disaster Relief Act. Customers might be required to present proof of ownership at the time of repair.
The devastating torrential rain caused floods and mudslides, claiming more than 200 lives in western Japan, local media reported. Thousands of houses were damaged and there was a widespread power cut. Nearly 4,000 people were evacuated from flood-prone areas as of Friday.
