Problems Charging Your Phone? Apple Will Replace Your iPhone 5 Battery for Free

Apple has announced that certain iPhone 5 owners can get a free battery replacement, depending on the phone's serial number.

Here is part of a note posted on the company's website:

Apple has determined that a very small percentage of iPhone 5 devices may suddenly experience shorter battery life or need to be charged more frequently. The affected iPhone 5 devices were sold between September 2012 and January 2013 and fall within a limited serial number range.

If your iPhone 5 is experiencing these symptoms and meets the eligibility requirements noted below, Apple will replace your iPhone 5 battery, free of charge.

To find out if your phone falls within the specified serial-number range, tap the Settings icon, then tap General, then About. From there, scroll down until you find the Serial Number slot. (More here.)

If your serial number is a match, you can take it to an Apple store or authorized retailer for a free replacement, or you can do it via Apple's technical support.