Apple Offers Free Repairs for Devices Damaged in Catastrophic Japanese Flooding

Apple announced on Friday that it would repair any of its devices that were damaged as a result of devastating flooding in southwestern Japan earlier this month.

Parts of Japan were hit by one of its worst weather-related natural disasters in decades. The record rainfall caused flooding, landslides and collapsed buildings that killed around 220 people, according to Channel NewsAsia.

The Cupertino tech giant expressed its sympathies for anyone affected by the flooding in a support document first spotted by Japanese blog Macotakara. In addition, Apple is offering to repair any iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac or Thunderbolt Display directly damaged in the disaster free of charge. That also includes free pickup and delivery service.

This, of course, represents a rare exception to Apple’s usual repair policies. Normally, those repair policies explicitly exclude devices with water damage, which automatically voids an Apple product’s warranty.

Apple is instructing residents who need repairs to contact Apple Support directly by calling 0120-27753-5 and arranging a pickup and repair.

The repairs will not be available by submitting an online support ticket. Additionally, Apple accessories and Beats-branded devices are not eligible for the free repairs. That might include AirPods, charging adapters, or other non-primary products.

The company warns that regular courier pickup and delivery service may be affected or suspended, depending on current conditions. Even in areas where pickup and delivery are possible, shipping times may be impacted by the disaster, Apple notes.

The support document notes that proof of ownership may be required. The free repairs will continue through the end of September 2018.

Apple says that it will try its best to fix devices if they are repairable. It’s not currently clear what happens if a device cannot be repaired.

You can read the full support document on Apple’s Japan blog at this link.