Apple Watch Repair in Chicago

A watch takes more knocks than a phone. It meets door frames, countertops and gym equipment, and the front glass sits right at the edge of the case, so one bad knock can chip it. Apple Watch repair at our shop on Chicago Ave covers cracked screens and tired batteries on Series 1 through 7. Repairs start at $69.99 and usually take 1 to 3 business days.

You can bring yours to West Town during open hours, or use our mail-in service from anywhere in the US. For newer watches, call (773) 741-6682 and we will tell you what we can do.

What each series costs

The series you own decides what we can offer.

• Series 1 to 3. Screen replacement from $99.99 and battery replacement at $69.99.
• Series 4 to 6. Glass replacement from $149.99, glass and display from $179.99, and battery replacement at $99.99.
• Series 7. Glass at $199.99, glass and display at $249.99 and battery at $99.99.

Not sure which watch you have? On your iPhone, open the Watch app, tap General, then About. The case size is engraved on the back, too.

Glass or display: how to tell

The front of an Apple Watch has a layer of glass over a thin display. If the watch shows a clean picture and responds to touch, the display is probably fine and a glass repair may be enough. If you see dark patches, lines or a screen that stays black while the watch still buzzes on your wrist, the display has failed too, and you need the glass and display repair.

Apple Watch screen replacement is delicate work. The display is thin and its cable is short, so it's easy to tear if you open the watch without the right tools. Please don't try prying it open at home.

Is it the battery?

On watches running recent watchOS, open Settings, then Battery, then Battery Health to see Maximum Capacity. Under 80%, Apple counts the battery as worn. If you are charging twice a day or the watch dies during a workout, an Apple Watch battery replacement is the right repair.

There's one sign you should not ignore. If the screen is lifting away from the case, the battery has probably swollen and is pushing it out. Stop charging the watch and stop wearing it, then bring it in. It looks like a screen fault, and it isn't one.

Water resistance after a repair

Apple Watches are sealed at the factory, and that seal can't be fully restored by anyone outside Apple. We reseal the case after a repair, but you should treat the watch as no longer water resistant. It will handle sweat and a rainy walk down Chicago Ave. Don't swim or shower with it. If swimming is why you own the watch, go to Apple.

Should you go to Apple instead?

If your watch has AppleCare, go to Apple first, since that's the better deal. Without coverage, look up your model on Apple's repair pricing page, where prices change by model, and compare it with the table on this page. Apple typically replaces the watch instead of opening it, so your repair comes with a fresh seal. It can cost more, and you hand over your watch for a while.

We make more sense for an older watch that is out of coverage, where a glass or battery repair costs less than a replacement. If your Series 3 needs a screen, though, a used newer watch may be the better buy. Series 3 no longer gets watchOS updates, so we'd tell you to think twice. Our Apple Watch screen cost guide goes through the decision.

Before you drop it off

Your health data and settings are backed up to your iPhone when the two are paired. Unpairing makes a fresh backup, and it's only needed if you are mailing the watch or we ask you to. Leave the band on or take it off, as you like, and bring the charger if the watch has charging trouble. If it's on an Activation Lock or a work account, tell us up front.

Mailing it in

If you can't get to Chicago Ave, start a mail-in repair. We confirm the price before we begin. Parts carry our 90-day warranty, and labor may apply. Other Apple gear? See iPhone repair and all our prices.