OtterBox Frequently Asked Questions

OtterBox case, charging and protection questions

Case Questions

OtterBox cases are built with durability and protection in mind and tested to meet or exceed industry standards. Each OtterBox case is drop tested and rated for real-world performance to help protect your device through everyday use and unexpected moments.

Due to our design and manufacturing processes as well as agreements with our partners, OtterBox is not able to release product launch dates or timelines to customers at this time. If you hear or see launch/shipping dates regarding a device we have not yet released a launch date for from somewhere other than otterbox.com, companies outside OtterBox have likely determined those dates. If you have questions regarding these dates, please contact that company directly. For current case availability, explore cases on Otterbox.com for the full OtterBox case selection.

Our cases are precision-fit to the device. Any other products that change the dimensions of the device are not compatible with OtterBox cases.

Our cases can generally be cleaned with mild soap and water, then air dried or dried lightly with a paper towel. Not sure how to clean a clear phone case? The same method applies, as clear OtterBox cases are designed to be cleaned using the same approach. Click here for more information on how to keep your OtterBox case clean from bacteria.

OtterBox cases are designed to work with electronic devices, so they are not intrinsically safe. You’ll need to have your device and an OtterBox case tested together by a certified lab to determine if it’s intrinsically safe.

The easiest way to remove the Defender Series case is to peel back the outer silicone layer first. Work your way around the device until the entire outer layer is disconnected. Separate the two polycarbonate pieces by releasing the tabs on each corner of the device. You can find our installation and case removal videos here.

To avoid any potential interactions with these types of medical devices, keep OtterBox MagSafe compatible products a safe distance away from your medical device. OtterBox recommends keeping a MagSafe product 15cm (6 inches) or more apart from your medical device and keeping it 30cm (12 inches) apart when wirelessly charging. Consult with your physician and your device manufacturer for specific guidelines.

Many OtterBox cases are compatible with wireless chargers, including Qi wireless charging and MagSafe products. Compatibility can vary depending on the case design, materials and thickness. OtterBox offers Qi and MagSafe-compatible charging solutions designed to work with supported OtterBox cases. Explore wireless chargers here.

OtterBox screen protectors are designed to work with many OtterBox cases. Compatible cases and protectors are engineered to fit together so the screen protector stays properly aligned without lifting or bubbling when installed correctly.

For best results, follow the installation instructions included with your screen protector. Installation generally involves cleaning the screen, aligning the protector carefully and applying even pressure to secure it in place. Shop for screen protectors here.

Watch these videos on OtterBox screen protectors for a deeper dive:

OtterBox phone cases are engineered and tested to handle real life. Every case undergoes rigorous proprietary drop testing in the OtterBox Prototype Innovate Test (P.I.T.) Lab and must pass over 24 total tests to become DROP+ Certified. Testing includes controlled, flat face drops to simulate everyday impact along with additional evaluations our engineers perform beyond MIL-STD requirements. The result is protection designed to help you say Yes with confidence. Watch how OtterBox tests cases in the P.I.T. Lab.

Warranty Questions

OtterBox warranty coverage varies by product. Some products may be covered by a limited lifetime warranty, while others have different warranty terms. The OtterBox warranty policy covers eligible defects in materials and workmanship under normal use. Coverage details, exclusions and product-specific warranty durations are outlined in the full warranty policy. Find more information about the duration of our warranty and what it covers here.

Warranty claims can be submitted online here. We do collect a small shipping and handling fee for all warranties as it allows us to get you a replacement product as hassle-free as possible. We also require a photo of the damaged product and may ask that the damaged product be returned to us before or after shipping out a replacement product. Customers who do not comply with these requests may be denied warranty replacements.

If your claim is approved, you will receive an email update within 3-4 business days followed by a tracking number when the replacement ships. Please check your spam and promotion folders as some email providers may route emails to folders outside of your inbox. If more than 4 days have passed, you can create a new contact customer service for assistance.

If you cannot find your product online and you are still within the applicable warranty period outlined here, then fill out this form, and we can check to see if your product is still available. For faster processing times, please include your current shipping address in the message field along with details regarding your product and the warranty issue you're experiencing.

If your product was purchased from an OtterBox authorized retailer, and that product is still within the applicable warranty, then your damaged product is eligible for a warranty replacement.

Schools, government offices, or businesses needing to place a warranty order will need to give our Otters a call to initiate a warranty claim. Please chat with our Customer Service team on our Support Page.

Your claim may have been denied for one (or more) of the following reasons:

  • We could not validate your contact information
  • We did not receive valid verification of ownership and damage
  • We have received an excessive number of warranty claims placed by you or on your behalf*

If the above do not apply to your situation, then please reply to the denial message with photo(s) of your damaged product(s) next to a piece of paper with your name and date. Make sure that the photo(s) clearly show the damage to the product(s).

 

For more information, please reply directly to the email that you received.

All warranty claims will require a photo of the damaged product and a small shipping and handling fee. We also may ask that the damaged products be returned to us for evaluation by our engineers. Customers who do not comply with these requests may be denied a warranty replacement.

OtterBox Order/Return Questions

When you place an order on otterbox.com, we must contact your credit card's bank to ensure that your credit card has a valid number. This is done via a full authorization for the amount of the purchase and is merely a security measure we use to protect your financial information. While it may seem as though you have multiple charges on your credit card, these are not charges. They are authorizations that will drop off of your statement (if your order did not go through) typically within 2 – 3 business days. We only charge a credit or debit card after an order has shipped, and we only charge the card once. If these authorizations are causing problems, you can simply call your bank to get them removed. If you experience further problems, please contact our customer service team and we would be happy to help in any way possible.

We’re sorry you’re experiencing unexpected delays in your order. Here is a list of possible reasons as to why your order is not processing:

  • The billing address that is on the order does not match the billing address where the card statement is mailed to
  • Unavailable funds
  • The credit card or CVC number was missing or incorrect
  • For most credit cards, enter the three-digit number that follows your account number on the back of your card. If you have an American Express card, enter the four-digit number printed above your account number on the front of your card
  • Incorrect credit card number or expiration date

If one or more of the items in your order is out of stock, your order will not ship until all items are available (applicable to both domestic and international orders). Once your order ships, you will receive tracking information shortly thereafter.

If you've placed an order online please make sure to review your order confirmation carefully. If you find any errors, please chat with our Customer Service team immediately. Due to our automated system, orders are automatically submitted to our fulfillment department as soon as they are submitted online. Please understand that we will not be able to modify your order and will need to cancel the existing order and re-place a new order.

We will accept returns within 30 days of the original purchase only if the product was purchased directly from OtterBox.com. Additional return information is available here.

OtterBox is part of the Otter Products family. If you wish to apply for tax exemption, you can do so by creating an account on our business website. Once you create a business account, you can then complete the required tax exemption information form found on the My Account page. Approval can take 1-3 business days.

OtterBox Shipping

No. There is no signature required for deliveries to residential addresses. If the driver feels that it is "unsafe" to leave the package, then they will leave a note stating the options that you have for getting the package.

All unrestricted International orders are shipped via USPS International or FedEx International. The cost of shipping is calculated automatically based on weight and location when you place your order online. You will be able to view the cost before you submit your final order. OtterBox has no control over the cost of duties and taxes that are imposed upon import to any country outside the United States and cannot be held responsible for compensation. Please note that we are obligated by law to declare the proper value on all shipments.

We do ship to military addresses via USPS Ground Advantage. Please allow 5 - 9 business days for delivery.

OtterBox offers several shipping methods for your convenience including affordable standard shipping via USPS Ground Advantage.

 

Estimated shipping times have been provided below. Please keep in mind; these time frames include our processing period.

  • Contiguous United States - 3-8 Business Days
  • Alaska, Hawaii, and U.S. Territories - 5-9 Business Days
  • APO/FPO - 5-9 Business Days

Yes. Once the order has been shipped, you will receive an email with your tracking information. You can enter a USPS tracking number at www.tools.usps.com/track and a FedEx tracking number at www.fedex.com/tracking. Please note, it may take 1 – 2 days after shipment, and in some cases longer, for the tracking information to update.

We’ve traded phone lines and email threads for faster, live digital support. Visit our Support Page to start a live chat or submit a request through our online ticketing system for immediate support. Visit the OtterBox Support page here: https://www.otterbox.com/en-us/support.html