Apple's latest repair program takes aim at the iPad Air (2019) and its blank screen issue. Some customers reported their units' displays flickered before going blank permanently, and now the Cupertino-based company plans on repairing all affected units free of charge.
It renders the iPad Air useless, obviously, and thus Apple feels responsible to repair affected units. Apple didn't explain what causes the issue, but there's likely a manufacturing fault behind the LCD panel that disables functionality. Software-side issues are normally fixed through over-the-air updates. As it relates to hardware, Apple needs to intervene and manually fix the tablet.
"Apple has determined that, under certain circumstances, the screen on a limited number of iPad Air (3rd generation) devices may go blank permanently," the company says on its support page. "A brief flicker or flash may appear before the screen goes blank."
Eligible units were manufactured between March 2019 and October 2019. Since that period includes the iPad Air's release date last spring, there could be a significant amount of affected units. Yet it's up to customers to identify the issue and put in a claim that sees their units repaired under the terms of Apple's program.
You'll need to get in touch with Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider within two years of the unit's first retail sale. It didn't specify an expiration date for the repair program, but Apple doesn't want to continue dealing with broken iPad Air (2019) units for a very long time. Plus, there's no reason to wait. Apple isn't charging a fee to fix the issue, and you'll receive a fully-functioning iPad Air afterward.
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