Apple announced via its webesite over the weekend that it's recalling some USB-C cables shipped with the latest super-slim 2015 model MacBooks because they were faulty and as such, "may fail due to a design issue."
"A limited number of Apple USB-C charge cables that were included with MacBook computers through June 2015 may fail due to a design issue," Apple said in a statement. "As a result, your MacBook may not charge or only charge intermittently when it's connected to a power adapter with an affected cable."
In what the company refers to as the Apple USB-C Charge Cable Replacement Program, Apple will replace the affected cables with a newly redesigned one free of charge for those who either got the cable with the laptop or as an optional accessory if they drop by a store or request one online, reported Gizmodo. On the other hand, those who provided a valid address during the registration process can skip the hassle and receive theirs via mail by the end of Feburary.
To check whether your USB cable is affected by the recall, beyond noticing that your fancy new laptop doesn't charge properly, is by looking at the text printed on the cable. Affected cables will only display the words "Designed by Apple in California. Assembled in China." The new cables will have the same text but will will be followed by a serial number.
Those who find that they are in possession of the affected cables can:
• Find an Apple Retail Store. Genius Bar reservation recommended.
• Find an Apple Authorized Service Provider.
• Contact Apple Support.
News of this recall comes just weeks after Apple had to recall AC wall plug adapters from Continental Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Korea, Argentina and Brazil, due to the chance that they could "break and create a risk of electrical shock if touched."
It also isn't the first time USB-C cables have come under the spotlight. Earlier this month, an engineer on Google's Pixel team found that various USB-C to USB-A cables can fry laptops.
