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Apple's free 'Battery Replacement Program' is now available for iPhone 5 users across the world. Reuters

Apple, which late last month acknowledged a battery issue with iPhone 5 smartphones sold to customers between September 2012 and January 2013, had started a Battery Replacement Program for customers residing in China and the US.

Now, the Cupertino-based company has extended its the program to iPhone 5 users throughout the world.

Customers who purchased iPhone 5 units between September 2012 and January 2013 across the world qualify to get their smartphone batteries replaced for free by Apple, upon fulfilling certain eligibility criteria.

Eligibility

Apple states that certain iPhone 5 handsets, sold during the above mentioned time period, could experience shorter battery life/backup time thus leading to frequent replacements by users.

Users experiencing rapid battery life reduction with their handsets qualify for a free iPhone 5 battery replacement.

However, users experiencing the above symptoms on their handsets need to key in the serial number of their device to match the serial numbers of "potentially affected" Apple iPhone 5s units, that are stored within an exclusive information centre created by Apple.

iPhone 5 users whose devices are in working condition, but experiencing sudden battery life reduction can click here to check for eligibility to Apple's latest battery replacement program.

For those who are not familiar with their device's serial number, click here to determine your iPhone 5's serial number.

How to Get a Battery Replacement?

Eligible iPhone 5 users have the following options to get the free battery replacement:

iPhone 5 users, who are eligible to receive a new battery, should keep in mind that devices with external physical damages like cracked screens leading to battery impairment are not eligible, and these issues need to be corrected before submitting the device for battery replacement.

Apple