Apple Watch Warranty: How Long It Lasts and How to Check Your Coverage
Apple Watch carries Apple's standard one-year limited warranty on hardware defects, plus 90 days of complimentary technical support, from the date of purchase. Apple's coverage checker gives you the exact expiry date from the serial number.
Two things surprise Apple Watch owners more than anything else. The first is that water resistance is a rating, not a warranty promise — a watch that lets water in is generally treated as damage rather than a defect, even on models marketed for swimming. Water resistance also degrades over time with normal wear, and Apple says so.
The second is that a cracked screen is not covered. Watch displays are exposed on your wrist and they meet door frames; that is accidental damage, and only AppleCare+ covers it. Screen repairs on an Apple Watch can be a substantial fraction of the price of a new one, which changes the calculation on whether a plan is worth buying.
The bands are worth noting separately: a band supplied in the box is covered for defects, but wear on a leather or fabric band is not, and bands bought separately have their own one-year term from their own purchase date.
Only Apple can confirm that, because only Apple holds the record. Use the official links below with your serial number for the real-time answer. Everything here is context to help you ask the right question.
How long is a Apple watch under warranty?
| What's covered | How long | What it actually pays for |
|---|---|---|
| Apple Watch hardware | 1 year | Defects in materials and workmanship under normal use, covering the case, display, sensors and internal components. |
| Battery | 1 year | Replacement if the battery retains less than 80% of original capacity within the warranty period — a defect rather than normal wear. |
| Band supplied in the box | 1 year | Defects in the included band. Wear, stretching and discoloration from normal use are not defects. |
| Complimentary technical support | 90 days | Phone and chat support for setup, pairing and watchOS questions. Hardware coverage continues for the full year. |
Water resistance is a specification measured under controlled conditions when the watch is new, not a guarantee for the life of the product. Apple states that water resistance is not a permanent condition and can diminish over time. Soap, shampoo, perfume, sunscreen, chlorine and salt water all degrade the seals, and damage from water ingress is generally not covered.
The distinction between water resistant and dive rated matters on the models Apple markets for water sports. Even those carry conditions about depth and activity, and exceeding them is use outside guidelines.
Check coverage on the paired iPhone. Open the Watch app, then General, then About — the serial number is listed there, which is far easier than reading the engraving on the watch itself.
Apple has run service programs for specific Apple Watch defects on identified model years, covering repairs beyond the standard warranty. If you have a known issue such as a swollen battery on an older model, check whether a program applies before paying.
A swollen battery pushing the screen away from the case is a safety matter, not just a repair. Stop wearing the watch and contact Apple rather than continuing to use it.
Where to find the serial number on a Apple watch
Every warranty claim starts with this number, and on most products it is somewhere non-obvious. Here is where to look, in the order most likely to work.
- The Watch app on your paired iPhoneOpen the Watch app, tap General, then About, and scroll to Serial Number. Tap and hold to copy it. This is the easiest method and needs no magnification.
- On the watch itself: Settings, General, AboutOn the watch, open Settings, General, About and scroll down. Readable but small; the iPhone route is more comfortable.
- Engraved on the caseRemove a band and look in the band slot — the serial number is engraved inside the recess. On some models it is on the back of the case. The engraving is very fine and genuinely needs a magnifier or a zoomed camera.
- On the original boxPrinted on the barcode label on the packaging. The most practical option if the watch will not power on.
- In your Apple Account device listSign in at appleid.apple.com or check the devices listed under your name in Settings on your iPhone. The watch appears with its serial number.
Check your coverage with Apple directly
- Check your Apple Watch coverage (official, real-time)Enter the serial number for Apple's live coverage status and exact expiry date.
- Apple Watch service and repair (official)Start a repair request, book a Genius Bar appointment or find an authorized service provider.
- About Apple warranty coverage (official)Apple's explanation of the limited warranty, your consumer law rights and AppleCare+.
What the Apple warranty does not cover
These are the exclusions that cause real claims to be declined. They are worth reading before you call, because knowing which category your problem falls into changes the conversation.
- Cracked, chipped or scratched displays — accidental damage, not a defect
- Water damage, including on models rated water resistant, since resistance is not a permanent condition
- Damage from soap, shampoo, perfume, sunscreen, chlorine or salt water degrading the seals
- Normal battery capacity loss through charge cycles
- Wear on bands — stretching, fading, cracked leather and frayed fabric
- Cosmetic damage to the case, crown and back including scratches and worn finishes
- Damage caused by non-genuine parts or unauthorized repairs
- Watches with the serial number removed or altered
- Use outside Apple's published guidelines, including water activities beyond the model's stated rating
- Loss and theft, unless you hold a plan that specifically covers them
Is an extended warranty worth it?
The case for AppleCare+ is stronger on Apple Watch than on almost any other Apple product, for a simple reason: a screen repair costs a large share of the watch's replacement price, and the watch lives on the outside of your body where it gets hit. Accidental damage is not a remote risk here.
AppleCare+ for Apple Watch adds accidental damage coverage with a service fee per incident, and extends the hardware term. Compare the plan cost plus the service fee against Apple's out-of-warranty screen repair price for your specific model — for the less expensive aluminium models the numbers can be close enough that self-insuring is reasonable, while for titanium and Ultra models the plan usually wins clearly.
It must be bought within Apple's stated window after purchase, and is offered as a fixed term or a monthly subscription.
As always, check what you already have. Some credit cards extend manufacturer warranties automatically on purchases made with the card.
Common questions
Does Apple cover water damage on the Apple Watch?
Generally no. Apple treats water resistance as a rating measured when new rather than a lasting guarantee, and states that resistance diminishes over time. Water ingress is normally handled as damage rather than a defect, so the standard warranty does not cover it.
Is a cracked Apple Watch screen covered?
Not by the one-year limited warranty — that is accidental damage. AppleCare+ covers it subject to a service fee. Without a plan you pay Apple's out-of-warranty repair price, which on some models approaches the cost of a new watch.
How do I find my Apple Watch serial number?
Easiest route is the Watch app on your paired iPhone: General, then About, then Serial Number. It is also engraved inside the band slot on the watch case, though the engraving is very small.
Is my Apple Watch band covered by the warranty?
A band included in the box is covered for manufacturing defects for one year. Normal wear — stretched fluoroelastomer, cracked leather, frayed fabric — is not a defect. Bands bought separately carry their own one-year warranty from their own purchase date.
More from Apple
Apple applies the same warranty philosophy across its range, but the lengths and the excluded parts differ by product. These are the other Apple guides on this site.
- Apple iPhone1 year on the whole productRead the warranty guide →
- Apple MacBook1 year on the whole productRead the warranty guide →
Warranty terms above were checked against Apple's published documentation and public sources on August 29, 2026. Manufacturers change their terms, and coverage varies by model, region and purchase date — confirm your own coverage with Apple before relying on anything here. See how we research these pages.