In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Samsung has announced a recall of Galaxy Note7 devices purchased before September 15, 2016. These devices pose a safety risk to consumers because the battery can overheat and cause personal injury or damage to property. As a result, it’s important that everyone who owns an affected Note7 device exchange it immediately. If you need help mitigating issues related to the exchange of your Note7, we have some answers that may help.
What Is the Process for Exchanging the Recalled Note7?
To exchange your Note7 for a new device or to get a refund, you should contact the carrier or store where you purchased the device. You will be given the option for a full refund, or you can exchange your recalled Note7 for a new Note7 or other mobile device. No receipt is necessary and you are not required to have the original packaging.
There is some hassle involved because you must go in person to your carrier to exchange your phone or get a refund. This takes time and sometimes there is a wait at the store. However, Samsung is doing what it can to make the process as easy as possible. If you have any questions about the exchange process that are not answered in this article, you can call Samsung directly at 1-800-922-0204.
What If I Also Purchased Galaxy Note7 Accessories?
When you go in to exchange your Note7, you can take any accessories purchased from the same retailer and get a refund for them as well. Some retail outlets and carriers plan to give customers who come in to exchange their Note7 devices a $25 gift card or in-store credit to buy replacement accessories. You should check with your carrier to see if this promotion applies to you. If you plan to exchange your Note7 for a new Note7, your existing accessories should still fit and work because the size and shape of the device has not been altered.
How Do I Know If My Note7 Is Eligible for the Recall Exchange Program?
Not all Galaxy Note7 phones have a battery problem, and the ones that don’t are not eligible for the recall exchange program. The battery cell issue applies to Note7 devices purchased before September 15, 2016 in the U.S. If you’re not sure whether your device qualifies, the following are some ways you can check.
- Download the Samsung+ app from Google Play to automatically check your eligibility.
- Contact the retail store or carrier where you purchased the device for specific information. T-Mobile makes it easy to exchange your Galaxy Note7.
- Find your phone’s IEMI or serial number and use Samsung’s recall website to check if the number makes your phone eligible. You can find the IMEI in Settings. Go to About Phone or General Management>Status>IMEI Information or Serial Number. You can also check on the back of your phone.
Is It OK to Keep My Note7 Instead of Exchanging It?
Recall notices should not be taken lightly. Samsung says it’s extremely important to stop using the Note7 and exchange it for a new device. Failure to do so could result in the battery overheating and causing injury or damage. Therefore, you should exchange the phone for your safety and the safety of others. It is not OK to simply keep your device and play the odds that nothing will happen.
Samsung released an update to affected Note7 devices that notifies the user of the safety recall notice. It says, “Your safety is our highest priority. Power down and stop using this phone. The battery may overheat posing a fire or burn risk.” The company has made it easy to get a refund or exchange, even if you don’t have the original packaging or receipt.
Originally, Samsung offered to exchange Note7 devices if customers were worried about the safety risks. The official recall notice did not happen until September 15, 2016. Now, it’s mandatory that you exchange the device. Do not delay. Samsung has made sure that all retail outlets and carriers have the new Note7 in stock through its extensive outreach and exchange program.
