Shortage of replacement iPhones due to Covid-19, says Apple

Apple has told its tech support retail employees that stock of replacement iPhones will be strained for the next few weeks, according to Apple Store employees who spoke with Bloomberg.

This shortage shows one of the first instances of the ongoing coronavirus outbreak and its many ripple effects on industries worldwide, affecting the iPhone maker’s existing product supply.

Apple CEO Tim Cook has also said worldwide iPhone supply would be “temporarily constrained.” But it wasn’t clear at the time that the effects of the coronavirus would hit existing products like replacement iPhones, too.

If your iPhone is heavily damaged, to the point of needing to be replaced, there will reportedly be a limited supply of replacement devices to swap it out for over the course of the next two to four weeks.

This doesn’t mean you’re without any options if your iPhone isn’t working. Bloomberg says a memo from Apple told employees that stores are authorized to mail replacement iPhones to customers whenever they become available, or loan out iPhones until a replacement arrives.