Apple is reportedly offering free repairs for some Apple Watch owners - here's what happened, and who is affected

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• Apple will reportedly start offering free repairs for certain Apple Watches. 
• The new worldwide policy, which was first reported by MacRumors, applies specifically to Apple Watch Series 2 devices that have a swollen battery. 
• A swollen battery can cause the watch to stop turning on, or can force the display to pop off the watch casing.

Thanks to a new service policy, some Apple Watch owners may be able to get their devices repaired free of charge. 

According to a report from MacRumors' Joe Rossignol, Apple has issued a new worldwide policy stating that certain Apple Watch Series 2 devices are eligible for free repair up to three years after purchase.

The new repair policy applies specifically to an issue that causes the watch's battery to swell up. A swollen battery can cause the watch to stop turning on, or can force the display to pop off the watch case entirely:

MacRumors reports that the policy only applies to the larger 42mm version of the Apple Watch Series 2 and not the smaller 38mm version, although it does include the Sport, Edition, Hermès, and Nike+ versions of the Series 2. 

The new policy also will not cover the first-generation Apple Watch, the Apple Watch Series 1, or the Apple Watch Series 3, according to MacRumors.

Business Insider reached out to Apple to verify the new repair policy. The company declined to comment, but said that customers can contact Apple Care if they have an inquiry.