Note: This article originally ran on the Rocket Yard in May 2013, but remains relevant today. We think that is is important to periodically remind users of their rights.
Macs are beautifully built machines. They’re solid, sleek and easy to use. While powerful from the factory, their performance and capabilities can be improved immediately and/or over time with user-installed upgrades like more RAM, larger and faster hard drive, a performance SSD, even adding a second internal drive to a Mac notebook. This upgrade capability allows a Mac owner to truly realize the maximum use-life of their technology investment. Unfortunately though, there exists a misconception among some users and even technicians that opening the machine voids the warranty.
We address this topic directly with customers via our support portals and are happy to inform you here of the same fact: upgrading your Mac does not void its warranty.
This consumer protection is owed to the little known Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act of 1975. Put simply, the act states that a company can’t require you to upgrade with only its own branded parts to retain the warranty. This important act protects your rights as a consumer and allows you to install upgrades with peace of mind confidence.
However, the warranty doesn’t cover any damage incurred while installing upgrades. That’s why MacSales.com’s free, step-by-step “how-to” DIY videos are extremely easy to follow for even advanced upgrades. See for yourself how easy it is at macsales.com/installvideos. However, if after watching our videos you’re still not comfortable performing one or more upgrades, we offer Turnkey Upgrade Programs for many Mac models, or you can opt to hire a professional.
At MacSales.com, we strive to educate consumers – and help them save time and money – by encouraging a DIY philosophy. Now you can give your Mac the boost it needs (our award-winning SSDs and memory are a great place to start) and know that MacSales.com and your warranty still have you covered!
Note: Although OWC upgrades do not void your warranty, you will want to remove them before taking a system that is under warranty into Apple for service. Apple does not track non-factory configurations. And while the service technicians usually will remove and give you your own parts back, it has happened where after a machine is sent out for service, the upgrade that you installed is found and removed with the stock configuration component instead in its place. So, when you do have a system still under Apple warranty or that’s being serviced under an Apple recall, it is prudent to restore it back to stock or as close to original configuration as possible prior to providing the system.
But when you ask apple they say it WILL void apple care and warranty, So.. why are they allowed to tell you this. They are STRONG on it, I doubt we’d be able to fight it should a problem arise.
Sure you could fight it you would remind them they are breaking the law and it will be cheaper to do the right thing. As far as I know there is no law preventing employees of Apple lying to you. But there is a law preventing them refusing to honor the warranty.
I totally agree in swopping back to stock parts when sending in for servicing. I guess it happen everywhere in the world when you send your Macs in for servicing you will get back some stock/lousy parts. It happen to me before in Singapore. It was a battery issue and I got replaced with a faulty PRAM into my Powerbook many years ago. The worst thing is, it is from an Apple authorised service centre. They are not that skillful and they charge a bomb.
A somewhat recent American press release
FTC Staff Warns Companies that It Is Illegal to Condition Warranty Coverage on the Use of Specified Parts or Services
April 10, 2018
ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2018/04/ftc-staff-warns-companies-it-illegal-condition-warranty-coverage
Can you comment on whether this also applies to Australia where the consumer laws are different?
Hi, this website might be of help: https://www.accc.gov.au/business/treating-customers-fairly/offering-warranties
DEFINITION The persons in the shop you take it to, may remove your upgrade, aka, Soup Up” Parts & Leave you with the plain Vanilla standard Item. We had this problem in Past Years with Motorcycles in just a few M/C repair shops. If they had an older bike that contained Rare Performance Camshafts & the customer was unaware of this … it had the stock items when he picked it up.