Hard drive data recovery and warranty implications

Hard drives that have become non-functional through normal use, and have had data recovery performed on them by DriveSavers or Ontrack Data Recovery can be returned to Apple for warranty service. This includes products covered by the AppleCare Protection Plan. The cost of any data recovery attempts is not covered by the Apple Limited Warranty.

Apple will process warranty service for hard drives originally installed in Apple products that have been subject to data recovery services by DriveSavers or Ontrack Data Recovery, third-party companies specializing in data recovery services.

Drives that are no longer functional due to an issue beyond normal usage—such as damage from an impact, being dropped, exposure to moisture or other circumstances outside of normal usage—are not acceptable for warranty exchange regardless of whether data recovery is performed.

Apple and its suppliers have not verified the standards used by other data recovery service companies and therefore their services are not subject to this process. Use of DriveSavers or Ontrack Data Recovery as a data-recovery company is at the sole discretion of the customer. They are not Apple Authorized Service Providers, nor does Apple warrant any services performed by either company.