Apple has had enormous success with the iPad over the years, but despite how great the tablets are, sometimes they can break and need repairs. The iPad is essentially what kickstarted the tablet market following its grand debut back in April 2010, and over the years since then, it's continued to reign supreme as the go-to tablet option for just about everyone.
Here in 2021, the iPad lineup is stronger than it's ever been. The baseline iPad and iPad mini are great options for people that want the iPad experience on a budget, the iPad Pro models offer top-of-the-line specs and features for those not bothered by price, and the iPad Air strikes a nice balance right in the middle. Tie that together with the iPadOS operating system that takes better advantage of the large displays, and owning an iPad has never been better. However, that's not to say iPads are impervious from breaking. Things just go wrong sometimes, and when that happens, it's important to know how to repair it.
Per the Apple support site, there are two main ways to get an iPad replaced — either by sending it to Apple or bringing it into a nearby Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider. Apple will send a box upon request to ship the iPad to the company's repair center, and for those that prefer an in-person visit, Apple recommends setting up an appointment. Either way, users that need a repair can get started by contacting Apple support. Go to the support page, click 'Repairs & Physical Damage,' select the applicable issue, and then review the repair options Apple provides.
Do iPad Repairs Cost Money?
Depending on the type of repair that needs to be done, the cost of the repair will change. Apple notes that customers won't pay any sort of fee "if your iPad issue is covered under our warranty," with the standard Apple warranty covering an iPad for a full year after it's purchased. There are a few instances in which Apple considers an iPad repair to be out of warranty/not covered — including if an iPad's official Apple warranty has expired, if the screen was accidentally broken, if the iPad has other accidental damage, or if there are issues caused by "unauthorized modifications." Under any of these instances, a fee will need to be paid for the repair.
Repair fees vary depending on the iPad model, but on top of that, there's also the factor of AppleCare+. AppleCare+ is an extended warranty program customers can buy for their iPad, and one of its perks includes dramatically cheaper repair fees for incidents that don't fall under the standard Apple warranty. Just keep in mind that AppleCare+ needs to be purchased within 60 days of buying the iPad in order to be eligible for it.
Needing to repair an iPad can seem like a daunting task at first, but thankfully, Apple makes the process as easy as can be. Just go to the support page, select the in-person or mail-in repair option, and Apple takes care of the rest. There can be some steep costs involved depending on the issue and the status of the warranty, but as for the repair process itself, there's not much to it.