Skip to main content

Apple offers free repairs for 3rd-gen iPad Air with blank screen issue

Apple launched a free repair program for third-generation iPad Air units due to an issue that results in permanent blank screens.

According to a post on its website, owners of the affected tablet devices may see a brief flicker or flash before the screen goes white permanently. Apple does not explain the cause of the problem or the specific number of iPad Air units that are expected to carry the issue.

Apple said that the blank screen problem affects third-generation iPad Air units that were manufactured between March 2019 and October 2019. If a device with the issue is eligible, Apple or an Authorized Service Provider will perform repairs for free.

Owners of the affected tablets may choose to drop by an Apple Retail Store or an Authorized Service Provider to check if their devices are eligible for the free repair program. Alternatively, owners may call Apple Support to arrange a mail-in service through the Apple Repair Center. However, before sending in their iPad Air, owners are advised to make a backup of their tablet to Apple’s iCloud or on their computer.

Apple also said that the program covers affected iPad Air units for two years after their original retail sale. With the third-generation iPad Air only released in March last year, those who purchased the tablet near its launch still have a full year to avail of the free repair in case they start experiencing the blank screen problem.

Apple’s iPads

Apple has four iPad lines, with the latest editions being the seventh-generation iPad, the fifth-generation iPad Mini, the third-generation iPad Pro, and the third-generation iPad Air, which was a surprise when it was unveiled last year. The iPad Air was thought to have ended with its second generation in 2014, but its third generation was announced alongside the latest iPad Mini.

Apple will reportedly soon add full mouse support for the iPad, as it is said to be developing a keyboard for the tablet with a built-in trackpad. The keyboard, which will be another laptop-associated feature coming to the iPad, may be rolled out alongside a new iPad Pro model later this year.

Editors' Recommendations

Aaron Mamiit
Aaron received a NES and a copy of Super Mario Bros. for Christmas when he was 4 years old, and he has been fascinated with…
New iPads are coming soon, and they may have a killer display upgrade
iPad Pro 2020 Screen.

It seems new iPads, rocking some notable tweaks, are right around the corner. In the latest edition of his PowerOn newsletter, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman says an updated lineup of iPad Pro models will likely arrive towards the end of March.
Now, these new flagship slates could turn out to be special for multiple reasons. The new iPad Pro tablets could get a refined design language and, of course, a shift to the latest-generation M3 processor that is already providing its firepower to a handful of Mac machines.

New iPads, new screens

Read more
Apple’s 2024 iPad plans leaked — and they sound bad
A person's arm holding an Apple iPad Air 2020.

As 2023 is about to wrap up, we can definitely say it's been a peculiar one for Apple’s iPad lineup. Why? Because there were zero new iPad releases this year, which is a bit … odd. This is the first time that Apple has not released a new product in the iPad lineup since it was introduced.

But a new report from Mark Gurman’s Power On newsletter over the weekend seems to give us a look at what Apple’s iPad plans are for 2024. A few weeks ago, I talked about how the iPad lineup as a whole has gotten messy and convoluted. This new report takes both a step forward toward simplifying things while also featuring an interesting addition that I’m not sure who asked for.
Much-needed simplification

Read more
I used AR glasses with Android tablets and iPads. Only one was good
Two pairs of AR glasses on top of an iPad and an Android tablet.

When Apple announced its overtly expensive Vision Pro AR headset, arguably its biggest promise had little to do with hardware. The company says “hundreds and thousands of iPhone and iPad apps" run well on Vision OS, and they will be ready to boot on the Vision Pro on launch day.

Apple made an ever bigger promise to developers. “By default, your iPad and/or iPhone apps will be published automatically on the App Store on Apple Vision Pro,” the company said. That’s akin to solving the biggest problem for an experimental class of hardware.

Read more