Apple Stores are now conducting on-site iPhone 5S screen replacements as of August 4. This means customers can have their damaged displays assessed and repaired at their local Apple Store instead of having to send the device in through the mail to the iPhone maker.
Users with damaged iPhone 5S screens can visit their local Apple Store and, in most cases, have the broken piece removed and switched for a new part within an hour, according to AppleInsider.com.
Before that, iPhone 5S users had to ship their devices to Apple for servicing and replacement, which can take up to five or six days.
Availability is not guaranteed at all locations across the U.S. just yet.
The program is expected to be available to all customers in the U.S. within the next couple of weeks.
Devices can be repaired only if they haven't been damaged by water or other hardware failures, like bent chassis.
Those with seriously damaged iPhone devices must send their phones to Apple for replacement or servicing.
Apple started repairing iPhone 5 screens in stores back in 2013.
By replacing just the screen, instead of having to perform a wholesale device swap-out, Apple is hoping to save time and money for its customers and itself, according to AppleInsider.com.
Owners can expect to pay $149 per repair, which is a lot less than the $269 fee quoted for off-site replacements by Apple, depending on how the screen was broken and if the hardware is protected by AppleCare+.
Accidental breakage is not covered under Apple's free limited one-year warranty, according to Apple.
Apple extended the screen replacement program to include the iPhone 5C in January, which is extremely similar to the iPhone 5.
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