If you own or use a Mac, iPhone, iPad or iPod, take note: Apple is offering to exchange the two-pin wall plug adaptors supplied with its popular products following a small number of cases where a plug has broken, leading to a potential for electric shock.
What is it that makes it so hard to make safe and reliable mains chargers and related items for electronic devices anyway? Earlier last week Microsoft recalled Surface Pro power cables, now Apple has recalled, sorry, is "offering a voluntary exchange program" covering wall plug adaptors of the types used in Australia, New Zealand, Continental Europe, Korea, Argentina and Brazil.
This isn't the entire mains adaptor, just the interchangeable mains plug.
"These wall plug adapters shipped from 2003 to 2015 with Mac and certain iOS devices, and were also included in the Apple World Travel Adapter Kit," the company stated. "In very rare cases... [they] may break and create a risk of electrical shock if touched."
Here's how to tell if yours is covered by the exchange program. Slide the plug from the mains adaptor (pull at right angles to the pins), then look inside the slot on the back of the plug. If you can see the code AUS (or EUR, KOR, ARG or BRA if it's an overseas adaptor) then it's all good.
But if there is a four or five character code, or no code at all, Apple will replace the adaptor plug on request. Either take it to an Apple Store or an Authorized Apple Service Provider, or make an online request for replacement. You will need to know the serial number of the device the plug was supplied with.
Wall plug adaptors for other regions - including the United States, United Kingdom, China and Japan - are not affected. Nor is the Apple USB power adaptor.
