iPhone USB adapter recall announced
If you think that your iPhone's ultracompact USB power adapter is the coolest thing around, think again; Apple has announced an exchange program for the teensy wonders, as apparently they have a very infrequent habit of prong-snapping, leading to a risk of fire. Check to see if your adapter has a green dot like the one pictured here; if so it is already up-to-date and does not need replacement.You can get details on the exchange program from Apple's site or in the 2nd half of this post. Exchanges begin on October 10, both online and in person at Apple retail stores. Be careful out there.
Thanks to everyone who sent this in.
Important Safety Notice
Today Apple announced the Apple Ultracompact USB Power Adapter Exchange program.
Apple has determined that under certain conditions the new ultracompact Apple USB power adapter's metal prongs can break off and remain in a power outlet, creating a risk of electric shock. We have received reports of detached blades involving a very small percentage of the adapters sold, but no injuries have been reported.
The ultracompact USB power adapters were supplied with every iPhone 3G sold in the following countries, and may also have been purchased separately as an accessory:
US
Japan
Canada
Mexico
Several Latin American countries (click here for a detailed list of countries)
Note: Apple USB power adapters supplied with original iPhones or supplied with iPhone 3G units sold in other countries are not affected.
Customer safety is always Apple's top priority, and therefore we have voluntarily decided to exchange every ultracompact power adapter for a new, redesigned adapter, free of charge.
Users with ultracompact power adapters should immediately stop using them until they exchange them for a new, redesigned ultracompact adapter.
In the meantime, they should charge their iPhone 3G by connecting it to their computer with the USB cable that came with their iPhone or by using a standard-sized Apple USB Power Adapter (with fold up prongs) or with a third party adapter designed to work with the iPhone, such as a car charger.
Identifying your adapter
If you purchased an iPhone 3G in any of the countries listed above, you received the ultracompact USB adapter.
Compare your USB power adapter to the pictures below. If it matches, we will provide a replacement adapter in exchange for your current one.
If you have purchased this ultracompact adapter as a standalone accessory, you may also exchange it for a new one.
Replacement adapters have a single green dot on the bottom, like this:
If you have an ultracompact adapter with a green dot on the bottom, you already have a new, redesigned adapter and do not need to participate in this exchange program.
The Exchange Process
Replacement adapters will be available starting Friday, October 10, 2008.
There are two ways to exchange your current ultracompact Apple USB power adapter for a new, redesigned adapter.
Order a replacement adapter via the web. These replacement adapters will ship within three weeks of your order, starting on Friday, October 10.
Exchange your adapter at an Apple Retail Store starting on October 10.
We'll need to collect your iPhone 3G's serial number as part of the exchange process.
If you apply via the web, you will also need to provide your name and address so that we can send you a new adapter along with a shipment box so that you can return the affected adapter to Apple.
If you visit an Apple Retail Store, you need to bring your affected adapter(s) and your iPhone 3G(s) with you to complete the exchange process.
If you live in Latin America, we will announce the appropriate exchange program information before October 10.
Thank you for your cooperation with this exchange program, and we apologize for any inconvenience.
Today Apple announced the Apple Ultracompact USB Power Adapter Exchange program.
Apple has determined that under certain conditions the new ultracompact Apple USB power adapter's metal prongs can break off and remain in a power outlet, creating a risk of electric shock. We have received reports of detached blades involving a very small percentage of the adapters sold, but no injuries have been reported.
The ultracompact USB power adapters were supplied with every iPhone 3G sold in the following countries, and may also have been purchased separately as an accessory:
US
Japan
Canada
Mexico
Several Latin American countries (click here for a detailed list of countries)
Note: Apple USB power adapters supplied with original iPhones or supplied with iPhone 3G units sold in other countries are not affected.
Customer safety is always Apple's top priority, and therefore we have voluntarily decided to exchange every ultracompact power adapter for a new, redesigned adapter, free of charge.
Users with ultracompact power adapters should immediately stop using them until they exchange them for a new, redesigned ultracompact adapter.
In the meantime, they should charge their iPhone 3G by connecting it to their computer with the USB cable that came with their iPhone or by using a standard-sized Apple USB Power Adapter (with fold up prongs) or with a third party adapter designed to work with the iPhone, such as a car charger.
Identifying your adapter
If you purchased an iPhone 3G in any of the countries listed above, you received the ultracompact USB adapter.
Compare your USB power adapter to the pictures below. If it matches, we will provide a replacement adapter in exchange for your current one.
If you have purchased this ultracompact adapter as a standalone accessory, you may also exchange it for a new one.
Replacement adapters have a single green dot on the bottom, like this:
If you have an ultracompact adapter with a green dot on the bottom, you already have a new, redesigned adapter and do not need to participate in this exchange program.
The Exchange Process
Replacement adapters will be available starting Friday, October 10, 2008.
There are two ways to exchange your current ultracompact Apple USB power adapter for a new, redesigned adapter.
Order a replacement adapter via the web. These replacement adapters will ship within three weeks of your order, starting on Friday, October 10.
Exchange your adapter at an Apple Retail Store starting on October 10.
We'll need to collect your iPhone 3G's serial number as part of the exchange process.
If you apply via the web, you will also need to provide your name and address so that we can send you a new adapter along with a shipment box so that you can return the affected adapter to Apple.
If you visit an Apple Retail Store, you need to bring your affected adapter(s) and your iPhone 3G(s) with you to complete the exchange process.
If you live in Latin America, we will announce the appropriate exchange program information before October 10.
Thank you for your cooperation with this exchange program, and we apologize for any inconvenience.
Get a WordPress.com Blog
![TUAW [Cafepress]](http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.tuaw.com/media/tuaw-cafepress-promo.png)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
chris said 6:04PM on 9-19-2008
so what am I supposed to do until then? I have no access to my computer because of hurricane Ike. Guess I have to risk electrocution - thanks Apple!
Reply
Mitch Aunger said 5:53PM on 9-19-2008
apple, may i please have a 3g dock instead of the power plug? :) (i can dream can't i?)
Reply
Ed said 5:58PM on 9-19-2008
Did you need to paste the whole page here?
Anyway, luckily they're not available here in the UK, due to Apple being lazy and only making versions that support switchable plugs for different countries. Plus I'm not sure how easy it would be to make one for our slightly larger UK plugs that have to have an earth pin.
Reply
twoeightnine said 6:17PM on 9-19-2008
Let me get this straight. I have to immediately stop using it... but Apple won't replace it for almost a month?
Reply
twoeightnine said 6:21PM on 9-19-2008
And to add insult to injury, that's the day I leave on a trip to where there are no Apple Stores and I'm not planning on bringing my laptop.
PSM said 6:20PM on 9-19-2008
FFS, I think these things are the greatest Apple accessory pretty much ever. I have two. Both need to be replaced. At least they're doing it in-store, that should be no problem. But waiting until October is kind of annoying.
But why the hell do they need to see the iPhone??? And what if it's jailbroken? And how do they know that I didn't buy both of them at retail? Will they check the serial numbers on the adapters to see if one came with a phone? Why does it matter? TUAW, please get to the bottom of this, that's ridiculous.
Reply
matthieu said 7:22PM on 9-19-2008
haha, I was thinking the same thing. I don't really feel like going to an apple store and show them my jailbroken iphone.
or just prepare the settings page in advance so they won't see it is jailbroken.
(01) said 6:30PM on 9-19-2008
Good thing I've been rocking my original iPhone charger, not to mention the other various iPod ones I have lying around. Still, I'll get it replaced, the compactness is nice for travel.
Reply
guerro said 7:11PM on 9-19-2008
I am curious why, if this is such a high priority situation, that I have not received an email or text message from Apple telling me to stop using the adapter. WTF Apple? I have to hear about a recall on a web blog ??
Reply
KeynoteKen said 7:25PM on 9-19-2008
Hmmm, I wonder if the Large Hadron Collider was plugged in with one of these. Didn't they say IT had electrical problems? :)
Reply
jeffofla said 7:50PM on 9-19-2008
Why do they need the serial number of the iPhone? All of the new ones have the green dot, so if they don't have the green dot, they should just replace it.
Reply
Tim said 10:17PM on 9-19-2008
Because in china they counterfeit these things like crazy. You could easily get a very crappily made chinese counterfeit exchanged with real deal.
JD said 8:33PM on 9-19-2008
You know, I bet a lot fewer of these things would break off if Apple didn't make all of their damn adapters out of slippery white plastic. I'm constantly trying to unplug a tight white apple adapter from one thing or another and find my fingers sliding right off, forcing me to twist or tug in some weird way to get purchase on the bugger. Put a few ridges on the plugs, and fewer people would end up applying the sort of torques that break them.
Reply
Ernie Oporto said 10:27PM on 9-19-2008
Isn't it awesome how they're waiting a few weeks to give my house the chance to burn down?
Reply
oy said 10:37PM on 9-19-2008
could this phone be any more beta? when was the last time a manufacturer had so many problems not only with the software but also the hardware?
does apple have a testing department? the original iPhone wasn't such a constant mess.
i'm still aggravated by the new text message reminder. it's extremely annoying and can't be turned off!
Reply
badtzmaru said 11:43PM on 9-19-2008
why does the exchange problem start next month? seems like it should start asap. im going to try to exchange mine tomorrow in soho.
Reply
Massie Block said 2:29AM on 9-20-2008
I was going to buy one of these things! Good thing I got the international one instead :D
Reply
john said 7:31AM on 9-20-2008
sad to be constantly reminded where apple's priorities are. iphone itunes i i i's get all the attention, while pro apps and hardware are buggy, and if an update gets released it is with more bugs.
now this ithing gets recalled, while many people the world all over have exploding nvidia 8600 chips in their macbook "pro" and this problem gets shoved aside as non existing, yet the Internet is bursting with real-world reports.
sad sad sad
Reply
supersalo said 5:58PM on 9-20-2008
The exchange happens next month because it takes time to manufacture millions of adapters.
Why the big fuss? Just plug your iphone adapter into a surge supressor and leave it there until the new ones arrive.
Reply
Jim Salabim said 9:19AM on 9-21-2008
Damn, I just got my new 3G last week and got the old adapter.
Reply