Apple recalls UK wall plug adapters due to electric shock risk

The company said it's aware of six incidents worldwide involving the plugs

(Getty Images)

Apple has announced a recall of its UK wall plug adaptors over fears they could cause electric shock.

The tech giant said that “in rare cases" its AC wall plugs – 'alternating current' which means the current constantly changes direction – could break open, leaving people at risk of getting a shock if they touch the exposed metal components.

The three-pronged plugs, primarily used in the UK, Hong Kong and Singapore, were sold with Mac computer and mobile devices between 2003 and 2010, as well as part of the Apple World Travel Adapter Kit.

“An affected three-prong plug adapter is white, with no letters on the inside slot where it attaches to the main Apple power adapter,” the company wrote in a blog post on Thursday.

“Because customer safety is a top priority, Apple is asking customers to stop using affected plug adapters.”

Apple has confirmed that it is aware of six incidents worldwide involving the plugs in question, but that the recall does not affect its USB port-based adapters.

The affected three-prong wall adapters are white, with no letters in the inside slot where it attaches to an Apple power adapter, while new non-affected plugs are white with grey on the inside portion.

Apple has confirmed that customers can exchange their affected plugs for new adaptors at Apple Stores or authorised Apple service providers.


 The affected three-prong wall adapters are white with no letters in the inside slot (Apple)

However, customers will need to bring the serial number of the device it was sold with.

In 2016, the tech company recalled two-prong adapters over similar electrocution fears.

The affected plugs were designed for use in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Continental Europe, New Zealand and South Korea.