If you own or intend to use an Apple product, you should consider the warranty service outside of this technology giant. AppleCare+ is the service that Apple launched for users to buy in case the device they are using has any problems (of course, each new product always comes with a warranty policy). In other words, this is a way to extend the warranty period for the product.
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AppleCare is Apple's first-party warranty for its devices. Most Apple products come with a one-year warranty against defects and three months of technical support - this policy is called AppleCare.
AppleCare+ is Apple's extended warranty for longer periods of time. Users can purchase AppleCare+ to protect their Mac, iPad, iPhone, Apple Watch, Apple Display, Apple Headphones, Apple TV, HomePod, or Apple Vision Pro.
In general, it's not a good idea to buy extended warranties on electronics. They're often just a way for the seller to make more money, as users will usually replace them before anything goes wrong.
AppleCare+ is special, however, because it covers accidental damage, which we’ll discuss next. What makes it even more different from a regular warranty is the tight control Apple has over its products. Since the company designs the hardware, operating systems, and many of the apps that power its devices, having a warranty from the same source is an appealing idea.
When you purchase an Apple product from the company's website or in an Apple Store, you have the opportunity to add an AppleCare+ plan.
If you decide you want AppleCare+, you can do so within 60 days of purchase. On your iPhone or iPad, you can purchase AppleCare+ directly from your device. Go to Settings > General > About and tap Add AppleCare+ Coverage ; this will also show you how many days you have left to purchase coverage.
Another option is to visit the AppleCare purchase page . Click Buy now , sign in with your Apple account, and select the Apple product you want to cover. You’ll need to enter your device’s serial number and run a remote diagnostic to confirm that your device is in good condition. If none of these options work, you can visit an Apple Store with your proof of purchase (Apple will inspect your iPhone for problems).
If you're not sure if you have AppleCare+, go to Settings > General > AppleCare & Warranty on your iPhone/iPad or sign in to Apple's My Support page . There, you can check the status of all your devices.
As mentioned, AppleCare+ acts as a free warranty extension that also provides coverage for accidental damage. It covers the entire device, including the battery—if the battery drops below 80 percent of its original capacity (outside of normal battery wear), Apple will replace it. AppleCare+ also covers any Apple-branded accessories you buy with your device, like the Apple Pencil for iPad.
Every plan includes unlimited repairs for accidental damage, although users will have to pay a deductible depending on the type of service. All repairs are performed by Apple-authorized technicians using genuine Apple parts. When you need service, you can take your device to an Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider.
Your purchase also includes 24/7 support via live chat or phone. If you have questions about how to use your Apple device or app, you can get help from Apple experts.
Coverage begins the day you purchase AppleCare+. Depending on your device, you can choose to subscribe on an ongoing basis by paying monthly or annually, or you can purchase a two- or three-year prepaid plan. The specifics of AppleCare+ vary slightly depending on the device covered.
Below, we’ll explain the basics of what AppleCare+ covers for each device, as well as how much AppleCare+ plans cost. Since prices vary by model, this is a rough guide rather than a complete list.
AppleCare+ for Mac offers two service plan options: Annual paid coverage until you cancel, or prepaid 3-year coverage. If you bring your Mac in for accidental damage, Apple will charge you $99 to repair the display or external case, or $299 for any other item.
Covered items include batteries, chargers, RAM, and the like. If you buy an Apple display for your Mac, you can also protect it with a 3-year warranty or annual warranty. The service is priced the same as other Mac repairs.
Price: From $34.99/year (Mac mini) to $179.99/year (Mac Pro)
Apple offers two AppleCare+ plans for iPhone. The first is the standard AppleCare+, which costs $29 for repairs to the screen or back glass and $99 for anything else.
For even deeper protection, Apple also offers AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss. This includes everything in the standard plan, plus coverage if your iPhone is lost or stolen. As long as you had Find My iPhone turned on at the time of the incident, you can get a replacement device for a $149 deductible.
With any plan, you can choose to pay for two years of service upfront or pay monthly until you cancel. Paying for two years in full is cheaper than paying month to month.
Like your iPhone, you can buy AppleCare+ for your iPad for two years or for an ongoing monthly rate. It also covers the Apple Pencil and Apple-branded iPad keyboards, if you own them. It also covers the iPad battery and all of its cables.
Apple charges $49 to fix an iPad problem or $29 to fix an Apple Pencil or keyboard problem. Prices are as follows:
AppleCare+ for Apple Watch is available as a two-year plan (three years for Apple Watch Hermès) or ongoing monthly coverage. This plan covers both the device and its battery.
Apple charges $69 ($79 for the Apple Watch Hermès) for repairs. Pricing is as follows:
AppleCare+ for Apple TV covers your Apple TV, power cord, and Siri Remote. Each incident is covered for a $15 fee.
Since Apple TV is cheaper than other devices, its payment plan is a little different. You can pay the full amount up front or split it into six monthly payments. Either way, you get three years of protection.
Price: $29 for three years (or $4.83/month for six months)
If you want to protect your HomePod with AppleCare+, you’ll pay a flat fee for two years of protection. Accidental damage repairs cost $15 per service for the HomePod mini (or $39 for the standard HomePod).
Currently, Apple only sells the HomePod mini on its website, so there's no warranty for the larger HomePod.
Price: $15 for two years
All AirPods (plus Beats sold by Apple) are eligible for AppleCare+. The warranty is good for two years and covers the device, battery, and charging cable. Service repairs cost $29 per warranty event.
This warranty plan requires a full upfront payment for AirPods and AirPods Pro. If you buy AirPods Max, you can split the cost over 6 months.
Price:
If you’re interested in an iPod touch, you can purchase AppleCare+ for a flat fee that covers the device and battery, along with headphones and charging cables. If you accidentally damage the device, you can pay Apple $29 to repair it.
Price: $59 for two years
If AppleCare+ were just a warranty, I would recommend against it. The chances of a problem affecting your device after the standard warranty period is low, especially with Apple products known for their high quality. And support for questions is not a big deal, with so much information available online.
This means that for most people, AppleCare+’s unlimited fixes for accidental damage is the main draw. Depending on how careful you are with your devices, this could be a benefit, as it’s nearly impossible to repair most Apple devices yourself.
Check out Apple's iPhone repair page to see how much you'll pay for out-of-warranty repairs compared to AppleCare+ coverage.
For example, iPhone screen repairs cost $29 with AppleCare+ regardless of device. But if your screen cracks without coverage, you'll pay anywhere from $129 for the iPhone SE (3rd generation) to $379 for the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
“Other damage,” which covers anything beyond the battery, display, rear glass, and camera, is more expensive. It costs $99 for any device with AppleCare+, but can range from $299 for the iPhone SE (3rd generation) to a whopping $699 for the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Taking all of this into account, whether or not you should purchase AppleCare+ depends on how accident-prone you are and what device you're protecting.
Let’s say you buy a new iPhone every two years and expect each phone to crack its screen once. AppleCare+ coverage for the iPhone 15 costs $149 up front, plus $29 for the repair. Without coverage, the repair would cost $279.
So if you break your iPhone screen even once during its lifetime, AppleCare+ is a good value. Cracked glass is more of a concern these days, as modern iPhones have glass all over the front and back.
Consider what device you’re buying and whether there’s a chance you might accidentally damage it. Instead of AppleCare, it might be more cost-effective to set aside a certain amount of money each month for repairs. Plus, if you don’t damage your device, you can put that money to good use. You might also want to compare prices with other places that repair Apple devices. Just be aware that non-Apple certified sources may not use genuine parts, which could lead to more problems.
Generally, if you can afford to replace something, it's not worth insuring. But peace of mind can help you feel more comfortable during the process.
AppleCare+ isn’t the only way to protect your device. If you tend to drop it often, get a protective case to keep it safe from damage. It costs a fraction of the price of a warranty, and you can choose from hundreds of cases with varying levels of protection.
Whatever you choose, know your typical usage and calculate the cost first. If you’ve never dropped an iPhone or had a hardware failure on your Mac before, it’s probably not worth paying a premium for something that’s unlikely to happen.
If you can't live without the peace of mind that a protection plan provides, you might consider a different smartphone warranty plan instead. Some credit cards offer enhanced protection for tech purchases, while cheaper plans may be available through your carrier or a third-party company.
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